The Hidden Hybrid Within

Chapter 8: The Convincing

Sin’s POV

       The week had seemed to be uneventful, I had managed to make new friends, Jake included. That made Eva happy because he seemed to hang around more since we were friends. He was the only one that would climb trees with me, and he had even taken me out after hours a few times this week so we could run and do some training. I enjoyed the equipment at the facility, and I enjoyed helping him finesse his techniques.

        Eva, Claire and I were becoming close, and we spent the remainder of the time together. I very seldom found any peace to myself, that’s why while everyone was at dinner I decided to sit on my balcony with a water, banana, and a book. I needed a few minutes to myself. I was hoping to get to bed early, so that I could get up before everyone else in the morning, since that morning, I caught Xander watching me jog up and down the steps for a good cardio workout I learned when to get up and workout so no one including him would catch me again. I had managed to stay clear of Xander, Jess and the goon squad all week, however I had caught Xander staring at me a lot on multiple occasions, and the surprising part, I didn’t see anger anymore, I wasn't sure what I saw, but I knew it wasn’t anger.

          I was so lost in thought that when I heard the knock on my door I about jumped out of my skin. I jumped up and ran to the door surprised that it was Mr. and Mrs. Russell standing there, oh boy, I thought to myself, I have really done something bad to have them both here.

        “Can I help you?” I gave them a soft smile. I really didn’t want to leave this place I was just beginning to get in a routine.

       “Come take a walk with us.” I stepped out into the hallway and Mrs. Russell motioned me to follow them. We walked through the door that Eva went through every night to their home.

        I stared in shock at what was before me. It looked like a house, the kitchen, dining and living room were all in an open living space, past there were doors, I assume bedrooms. The walls were painted in a very calming beige color and there were pictures and nick knacks everywhere.

      “Have a seat my dear.” Mrs. Russell pulled a chair out at the kitchen table for me to sit.

        I took my seat filling a bit nervous and she went to the kitchen pulling pots and pans out. Mr. Russell sat a glass of red juice down in front of me and took a seat.

      “So, tell me Sin, how are you liking it here?” Mr. Russell asked and it seemed genuine.

      “I love it actually. I have made friends and am just starting to get into a routine. I start chemistry week after next which I am super excited about.”

      “I heard. Seems you have a knack for it judging by your grades. I hope you know it isn’t normal chemistry, but you will see that when you start.” He chuckled and I wanted to ask what he meant, but before I could Mrs. Russell sat a plate in front of me with a grilled cheese sandwich cut into two triangles and a bag of Grippo chips. I almost cried. My dad used to always make this for me and would always bring me a bag of Grippo chips, it was one of my favorites. “Eat child, you didn’t come to dinner this evening.”

      “Thank you, I didn’t mean to miss, I had a banana, I just needed some me time, so I took a few minutes to myself.” I picked the sandwich up and started eating, I wasn’t going to turn it down, deep down my stomach was screaming for me to eat it.

      “Yes, I see our daughter and Jake have become quite smitten with you.” Mr. Russell smiled.

       “Yes, Eva is like my little sister and Jake is like my big brother.” I smiled and continued eating.

        “So, I was looking over the sign-up sheets for the tryouts tomorrow, but I don’t see your name on it.” Mr. Russell questioned.

       No sense in lying, might as well lay it all out, I told myself, “No sir, I was taught that I should never start anything. What I know and how I use it should only be used to protect and defend, it should never be used to inflict harm when not needed. But I wish everyone the best of luck tomorrow, I plan on watching.” I smiled and took a drink of my juice.

      Mr. Russell looked at me and then started laughing. I looked at him questioning the reason behind his outburst before he spoke. “I understand that Sin, let me explain the Warrior Club a bit. Yes, it is much like the name, but it isn’t used so much that way. We do travel and compete in various hand to hand competitions as well as obstacle courses and other things. However, it isn’t a matter of hurting people it’s a matter of forcing your opponent into submission, but you aren't instigating anything, you can still take part and only play the part you want. With the warrior club you become a family, you aren’t just a member you are family. There is lots of training and lots of techniques you can learn as well as teach to help control anger and anxiousness. The future that being a member of the club, that you could face leaving here will help and secure endless opportunities to follow.”

       I mauled over his words while I finished my chips, thinking about each word. If I used it to build on my training, and got some experience under my belt, maybe I could join the marines like my father. That was my dream after all. A part of me wanted to avenge his death, but only when necessary when I had no other choice, it didn't make much sense when I thought it to myself, but I knew what I meant. “Alright Mr. Russell, sign me up.”

       The smile on his face spread from ear to ear and Mrs. Russell giggled like a mom who was just told her daughter has a crush. In that moment I felt like I was home for the first time in a long time, “Okay Sin, be on the sparring grounds by six am, it will be a long day and it isn’t going to be easy. It has been set up to be hard so that only those who are strong will make it through. There are twenty of you that have signed up. In the morning you will be paired off in twos to start fighting. Remember this is only for submission so you aren’t doing anything wrong. Process of elimination will begin at that point until there is only one left standing. Here is the hard part though, there will be two last fights to the one remaining standing after the twenty. I am not sure what Xander has lined up yet, but I do know that. If you make it through the twenty you are automatically enlisted. If you make it through the last two you gain a position in the training regime to help the others further their skills as well as help with strategizing and strengthening. Does that all seem fair?”

       “It does, no problem.” I smiled and stood, “Thank you guys for your hospitality, I am going to retire for the night so I can be ready and rested for the morning.” I turned to head toward the door.

      “How many trips are you up to on the staircase?” I froze, I knew I wasn’t supposed to be out of my room that early in the morning.

       I am for sure in trouble now, I groaned to myself.

      “Thirty. I could probably do more, but I am building myself up slowly, so I don’t over strain anything.” Please don’t let him be mad, I prayed silently.

      “Impressive.” He smiled, “Now be on your way and I will see you in the morning.”

       Leaving their penthouse as I decided I would call it and entering back into my room trying to figure out what I just talked myself into, I was bombarded by Claire and Eva. “Where you been?” They said simultaneously.

      “Chill guys, I was just with Mr. and Mrs. Russell, they wanted to talk to me, since I missed dinner, you know?” I plopped down on my bed.

     “What did mom and dad want with you?” I couldn’t help but notice Eva’s cheesy grin.

      “Well looks like I got myself into tryouts tomorrow.”

      “You are kidding me!” Claire screeched. “That is awesome!”

      “It is, but you know they are going to make it rough on you. There has never been a girl on the team before. I mean never, and it has been around since when my dad was in school here.” Eva chimed in.

      “Well, I don’t see me making it too far, but it can’t hurt to try, right?” I meant the question more for myself  than them, but I still said it out loud.

      “Alright as far as I know there is only you and Jess as far as girls go, trying out.” Eva stated.

     “Seriously, of all the students here no other girls want to tryout?” I had to ask; it didn’t make any sense to me.

      “Nope just you two. This is the first time there has ever been an open invitation for male and female. And I think everyone is afraid.” Eva took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip staring at the floor, I knew she was hiding something but before I could ask, she spoke up. “This is just between us, but I know that the final fight is between the last person standing and Xander.”

     “s**t!” I quickly covered my mouth I really didn’t mean for it to slip out. I had been doing well avoiding that boy and now I might have to fight him to secure my place on the team. I didn’t think it was even worth it now, I really wanted to just finish my four years and leave, get my brother and sister and start our lives new. I had been so worried about them I had tried calling several times in the week and went from being a busy signal to just saying the line had been disconnected.

      “Hey, hey, hey, earth to Sin! Where in the world did your mind just go?” Claire was snapping her fingers in front of my face.

     “Sorry, first I was worried about the fight, which I probably will not make it to the end, and then I was thinking all I wanted to do was get out of here and start a new life with Nathan and Natalie, and then did I tell you that the line has been disconnected. I have been trying to call them all week.” Now I was pacing the floor, my mind was going a hundred miles an hour, I usually never get this way, but I’m was allowed to break down occasionally, right.

      “Calm down, everything will be fine with tryouts tomorrow, we believe in you,” Eva proclaimed as she wrapped an arm around Claire’s shoulder. “And let me talk to dad about the twins, maybe he can track your family down.”

      That stopped me dead in my tracks, “You think so? That would be awesome.”

     “I will talk to him first thing Sunday morning during breakfast.” Eva wrapped her arms around me in a sisterly type hug, I didn’t waste time to hug her back. “Alright you girls get to bed, big day tomorrow!” And with that she was out the door in the blink of an eye.

     “Good night Sin.” I was so lost in thought I hadn’t even noticed Claire had already changed clothes and was tucked in bed.

     I followed suit to my own bed, “Night Claire.”

      I don’t know how long I laid there while my mind raced with all things that were fixing to happen. I didn't  know if I was ready for what the new day held, but I did know I would show no fear and put my heart and soul into it. I was determined to make my father proud, and this may be exactly what I needed to follow my dreams. That was the way I was going to look at it; a step toward my future. With that final thought running through my head I finally let sleep consume me.