So, I Did A Thing (Peyton)

I was at Oscar's, waiting for Hale. I laced up my shoes and started my stretches.

Hale was already dressed in when she walked in, a tall guy almost Lev's age, he looked of Latin descent like Oscar, bumped into her and they started talking.

My mouth dropped open when I saw Hale laugh, like a full-on face redding, body-shaking laugh, the actual joy in her eyes.

She looked at me and it was all gone.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head dazed.

"Nothing I've just never seen you display the human emotion of joy, I didn't think it was in your programming," I told her in all seriousness.

She glowered at me and held up her middle finger.

"There it is, there is the humorless robot I have for a sister," I grinned.

The guy beside her narrowed his eyes and looked between us.

"This is one of her sisters Mariposa?" he asked Hale.

I noted the nickname to tease Hale about later.

Hale nodded and gestured at me.

"Yeah, this is my sister, Peyton. I've been teaching her self-defense," Hale explained then motioned to the guy. "Peyton this is Ian, he was my foster brother for a while, Oscars nephew,"

Ian nodded his head at me.

"It's nice to me you Peyton. I'll talk to you later, enjoy your training," He greeted and said goodbye.

Once he was out of earshot I looked to Hale with wide eyes.

"You've never mentioned him before," I stated, and gave her a look that told her I expected details.

She rolled her eyes and set down her duffle bag.

"You do this to me on purpose, keeping things from me," I squinted at her.

A grin started to spread on her face as she walked past me.

"I like the way it drives your mind crazy,"

I glared at her as if I could burn a hole into her head.

"Oh stop your glaring and follow me,"

I grinned at her and bounced to my feet.

"So what are we working on today?" I asked, back in good spirits.

"Something new," Hale instructed a hint of a smile on her lips.

We walked near the back, where the restrooms were. Hale stopped in front of an elevator, I hadn't noticed it before.

There was only a down arrow.

"Hale where are we going?" I bit at my bit, uneasy.

"Just shush, and trust me," Hale laughed as she ushered me into the possible unstable death ride.

The elevator surprisingly delivered us safely to the floor. It opened to a darkly lit room. The floor was red and in the center was a squared taped out in white.

The walls were littered with diffrent types of weapons.

Swords, staffs, bows, and arrows, numb chucks, spears and so much more, some I didn't even recognize, not that I was exactly an expert in this sort of stuff.

"I thought that you might want to find a weapon for yourself,"

I turned to her smiling, adrenaline roared through my veins.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"What do you use?" I asked her curious as ever as she looked over the wall.

She motioned to the bow and arrows.

"My go too. But I'm not bad with a sword either,"

She pulled a long silver sword from the wall, giving a once-over before looking at me.

"Catch," She told me as she tossed the blade to me.

It clattered to the floor as I drew back, a yelp escaping my lips, my eyes wide in fear.

Hale gave me a doubtful glare.

"A warning next time!" I called.

"I said catch!" she defended.

"Oh sorry, I was a little more focused on the stabby thing being thrown at me," I grumbled at her as she pulled another sword from the wall, and twirled in her hand. She motioned for me to pick up mine.

It was heavier than I expected and it weighed me down, how did she expect me to fight with this thing?

Uneasiness flippled in my stomach.

"Go slow, trust your instincts," She guided me.

I nodded, even though my palms were starting to sweat.

I had no idea what I was doing, knowing me, I'd wind up accidentally stabbing myself. Unlike Hale who walked around like a weapon with hair and a nice smile.

I gulped and mimicked Hales starting pose.

Knee's bent a lit, on foot more in the back, left arm out a bit for balance and swords at the ready.

It felt unnatural in my hand, I felt unbalance and I had a hard time holding it up.

"Ready?" Hale smirked, obviously enjoying herself.

I nodded quickly before I could change my mind.

Hale took off, I felt the impact of her blade on mine. I tightened my grip, I could only move in blocking positions. Slowly backing up. Soon enough my back would hit the wall.

I kept trying to move my left arm to help, but then I had to quickly remind myself that would only result in pain.

The length and weight of the blade were too much for me and my arm grew tired. I dropped to a knee, giving into defeat.

Hale stopped and pointed her sword to the ground.

"Well, that wasn't awful. Your movements were right just slow. You're trying to use your whole body and it's throwing you off," Hale explained.

I nodded, trying to catch my breath.

"I like the glide and the swiftness, but it's so heavy, I can barely raise it. It's too bulky," I told her in between pants.

She nodded in thought, she put the sword away and glanced over the wall again. She unsheathed two long daggers and gave them a once over before placing them in my hands.

They were beautiful. They were made of pure silver, the hilt was wrapped in nice brown leather, the quillion was a straight line with a small pink rose quartz in the center, the blade proceeded from there, it was decorated in intricate swirls. It was hard to believe things were instruments of death.

"Peyton likey?" Hale smirked, noticing my fascination.

I nodded, smiling like a two-year-old on Christmas.

"Yes, Peyton likey very much,"

I gripped the hilts with a newfound confidence, power surged through me. I crouched back in the starting position, smiling wickedly.

Hale chuckled as she started the match.

I now knew why people referred to sword fighting - well dagger fighting for me - like a dance. The way we pushed back a forth and spun in defensive moves, yet everything was too graceful.

With these new weapons I was finally equipped to equally fight Hale, I wasn't winning, but I wasn't losing either.

I felt dangerous, badass, just like Hale said she would make me all those weeks ago.

I was too focused on my thoughts that I wasn't keeping up with my body and Hale got the drop on me and I landed on my ass, a sword at my throat.

Hale giggled victoriously and dropped her sword to her side. Her gaze at me was proud.

"Very well done. I need to teach you a few things still, but that was a great start, really,"

She offered me her hand to help me up. I took it and she pulled me up.

I held out the daggers for her to put back, though I didn't want them to leave my hand.

Hale shook her head with a small smile.

"Keep them, they're yours,"

"What about Oscar?" I asked in disbelief.

Hale shrugged not really giving a damn.

"Sucks to be Oscar," was all she said about it.

A sneaky smile crept on her face as she twirled the sword in her hand.

"Too tired or are you ready to go again?"

I gripped my dagger and stared her down with a competitive grin, I nodded letting her know I was ready.

As always she went on the attack.

I let my instincts take over and for once let my mind trust my body.

After about two hours of training, I could barely raise my arms anymore. I drenched in sweat, baby hairs cling to forehead and neck. I probably smelled like a dead fish.

"Okay! I'm... calling it!" I got out in between pants.

I dropped to the cool mat and gulped for air.

"Okay, fair. I did push you hard today," Hale laughed as she sheathed her sword back onto the wall.

She sat down on the mat next to me and I let out a dramatic groan.

"Are you dying?" she teased, laughing at my pain.

I raised my head a bit.

"Yes," I huffed and flipped over so the cool mat spread over back.

"So what are you going to name your daggers?" She asked more seriously.

I pushed my eyebrows together in confusion.

"What?"

"Your daggers, you name them, they're a part of you now. My bow is at home, its name is Messorem , It means reaper," Hale explained.

I nodded, thinking.

I rolled the blades in my hands, hoping that their names would just appear in my head.

" Veritas, meaning truth, and Sapientiae, for wisdom," I declared.

Hale nodded.

The more time I spent with Hale, the more I realized how low mantice she was. We didn't have to talk to spend time together, proximity was enough.

I'd been in her head, I knew how much pain and anger she buried, the walls she put up.

"If your still alive over there, you might want to get showered and changed, it's almost four," Hale informed me.

I let out enough agonized groan before I peeled myself off the floor.

"Thanks, Hale," I grinned before going.

"No problem, just remember knives are sharp, don't accidentally kill yourself on your way home," She called chuckling.

Teasing me was becoming her new favorite hobby, lucky me.

I couldn't sleep.

I rustled around in bed, changing positions, nothing helped.

I wonder if Ryker is up?

We'd grown so close lately, like me he had trouble falling asleep, kept awake by the thoughts in our heads.

My phone buzzed. Speak of the devil.

Bitch you up?

I chuckled at his text.

What do you want you dumb potato? - I responded.

Can't sleep wanna go somewhere?

I squinted at my phone.

It's one in the morning you floppy biscuit.

Ok and? - Was his answer.

It wasn't like I was busy.

Alright, the tables outside the cafe?

Ok

I pulled the blankets off the bed. I changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, I tied up my hair and snuck out the window.

Ryker and I met at the cafe that was equal walking distance of both our apartment buildings. Since it was one am it was closed but the outdoor seating was still available.

Ryker was waiting for me.

I took a seat across from him.

"Hey," I mumbled.

"Hey," he responded.

"Your Mom working late?" I asked surprised that he was able to sneak away.

"Yeah she's been a little extra protective lately, this is her first night shift in a while,"

I nodded, my mood was off, my stomach was clenched and my eyes darted around on the lookout. I rubbed my hands together and leaned forward.

A sense of danger was in the air. It was like I could smell it like a bloodhound. Could Ryker feel it too?

"Hey, can we walk I'm a little anxious?" I asked him. He nodded and we stood up and walked down the street.

"So what's new with you?" I asked as I peered down an alley as we passed it. He shrugged and looked down. Right he didn't like talking about himself.

"Come on there has to be something?" I urged.

Someone grabbed me by the upper arm and pressed something heavy to my temple, then there was a click.

There was a gun at my head. I looked at Ryker who was beyond shocked. I held back a scream.

"Phones and wallets now," A man barked into my ear. " Or I pull the trigger,"

Okay, think, breathe. I could get out of this, I was a witch and Hale was making a fighter out of me.

I ducked down quickly and rammed my elbow into his soft tissue.

He let out a painful groan.

I spun around and quickly used the move that Hale taught me to disarm someone. I slid the gun down the alley.

Now back in the game the mugger came at me but was blocked by a wall of fire that was produced by Ryker.

"The fuck," the man muttered, his eyes went wide under his ski mask, so cliche.

I drew veritas from the ankle strap and flung it into his knee.

"You bitch!" He growled.

I smirked, somehow it felt like a compliment.

He bent down to remove the knife from his left knee. I made eye contact with Ryker. I could tell there was something he wanted to tell me. He raised his eyebrows confirming my suspicion.

I opened my mind and searched for his. I'd only ever done this in training.

I muffled a scream as the bracelet on my wrist burned till it broke. How the fuck does Hale just keep doing that?

Keep him distracted.

Rykers mind echoed.

I gave him a slight nod.

Please work I thought as I raised my hand for the dagger to come back to me.

Weeks ago Mayline told me that I could move things with my thought but we had never actually tried it yet.

With one thought and a twist of my hand, the dagger dug in deeper and twisted like a screw into his bone, an awful sound followed it. The man let out an anguishing cry.

I didn't blame him, the sound itself made me want to vomit.

I looked at Ryker waiting for his plan.

Ryker had crept behind the man in his hand an icy smoke appeared into a large icle formed, in one quick movement he swung it over the man's head, he fell to the ground.

I let out a long breath and waited for my heart to slow down.

"Well you chose the right night to sneak out," I retorted.

Ryker looked at me with a heavy glare.

"Oh because I thought we were going to get robbed tonight," he shot back.

I gave him a playful smile.

Better get the gun and call the cops.

I walked down the alley and looked for the gun as I reached into my pocket for my phone.

Ryker watched me for a second then peered down the street to see if anyone else was out and about tonight as well.

I saw the flash of metal of the gun and reached for it when I heard a familiar click. The mugger was awake and had a gun pointed at Ryker, who was aware of nothing.

"No!"

I grabbed sepientiane and threw it with full force. The dagger found it's mark as it plunged deep into the man's neck.

He let out a gaggle of chocked words as he slumped over.

I scrambled over to Ryker.

"Are you okay?" I asked out of breath, quickly looking him over with wide eyes.

"Yeah...I'm fine,"

We both looked over to the freshly dead man.

My stomach clenched as reality sunk in. I killed someone, I did that.

I dropped to my knee's and the cold settled in, chilling me to the bone.

I felt large hands shake me and slowly could start to hear a voice.

"Peyton! Peyton, hey," Ryker shook me until I looked at him.

"I - what... What do we do?"

Ryker looked at me just as confused as I was. Why would he know? He'd never killed anyone.

"We have to call the cops right?" I asked in a cracked tone. I patted my pocket for my phone. Ryker took my hands in his and I looked at him.

"Let's call Jade and Hale first, okay?"

I nodded and slumped down as he took out his phone.

Ten minutes later Hale and Jade hurried down the street and into the alley, followed by Ivory. I hadn't seen Jade in a while, she was looking rough. Dark circles around her eyes, she looked like she had lost weight, her hair was uncombed, like a shell of a being.

"What's going on?" She groaned when she saw us.

"Um, Jade?" Hale pointed to the body a few feet away.

"Oh," Jade gasped.

"Care to fill us in on what happened?" Hale snapped locking eyes with me.

"I - uh, we were walking and he- gun at Ryker and I -" words tumbled out my mouth, I rocked back and forth and buried my face in my hands.

"Alright," she breathed.

"So what are we going to do?" Ryker asked in a monotone.

"We get rid of the body which is going to take all of us," Ivory stated, her voice shaking a bit, she looked over to Ryker. "The best way is to burn it, I mean all of it. The fire needs to be hot, like two thousand degrees hot, okay?"

Ryker gulped and nodded.

Ivory then turned to Jade who looked like she might be sick.

"I need you to be on the lookout, put an up a spell so no one can see us,"

Jade look at Ivory baffled.

"How exactly do you know all this?" Jade asked.

"Do you really want the answer to that?" Ivory quirked an eyebrow. Taking Jades arm and taking her bracelet off.

"Not really. I'm gonna go do my spell,"

Jade walked off to the entranceway and put up her hands like they were pressed against a wall. A shimmer shot out and bubbled us in.

Ivory inclined her head to Ryker, he went over to the body and put out his hands, a large whoosh of flames quickly shot out and incased the body.

Hale sat down next to me and let me lean into her shoulder and she rubbed my back.

"I didn't mean to... I just couldn't let anything happen to Ryker,"

"I know. You did well, you're going to need that kind of strength for the war that coming,"

I watched as the body came a charred skeleton to nothing but a heap of ashes. Ryker lowered his hands and blew a breath of air from his lips, a gust of wind wound around the ashes and carried them away. Just like that, it almost seemed like nothing ever happened.

Hale took my dagger in hand and wiped the blood on her pant leg before handing them back to me.

"The guns?" I asked. Ivory looked to Ryker. He stomped his foot down and the earth cracked into a hole and moved aside. Ryker dropped the guns in and the earth closed back up.

"All good?" Jade called.

"Yeah," Ryker answered.

Jaded dropped her spell and came over to us.

"Now what?" she asked.

"We go home. Hale take Peyton home. Ryker, are you gonna be okay?" Ivory asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine,"

Hale helped me up and tucked me into her side.

"See you guys later," she said and forced me to start walking.

Hale piled blankets on me and then huffed as she ran out.

"Hale? Does it ever go away? The guilt?" I asked her in a small voice.

Hale rubbed her hands on her thighs and sighed.

"Get some sleep and remember. You saved Ryker tonight. He would have killed him. I'll check up with you in the morning,"

She went out of the window and disappeared.

I curled my legs up into my chest.

I fell asleep having nightmares about alleyways and shadows.