Douglas Moore

On the next day.

"Okay everyone. Gather around." Teacher Boris called everyone.

"After tomorrow we will do a little exercise. The life of a soldier is not only fighting against the beast, but also fighting against nature. All of you will receive a backpack with items you will need to survive one week in the forest. You can all form groups of your choice. You can also invite other training grounds to join you. There is a limit of 4 per group and you can also go alone. The forest has been cleared of any beast and there will not be any core beast there. I hope all of you will give it your best. Tomorrow we will go over survival skills like how to light a fire, how to build a tent and so on. Don't be late."

This was a nice change to the program. I knew I wouldn't have any difficulties on this assignment so I went over to the Axe training grounds looking for Alex to invite him.

"Hey William, wait a bit." I heard Clint calling me as I started going away.

"Hey Clint."

"Do you want to form a group with me William?"

"I don't see why not, but I wanted to invite a friend of mine who is at the Axe training grounds. Is that a problem for you?"

"No, no. It's all good. Then i'll be on my way. See you."

As Clint goes out to his Cabin I make my way to see Alex. I arrive at his training grounds but I can't find him, so I ask one of the trainees there.

"Hey, have any one of you seen Alex?"

"Ehhhmmmm. He went around to the track course with some friends."

"Ah, okay, Thank you."

"Wait. You're not going there are you? You know what I meant with that, right?" the trainee asked me.

"I don't understand what you mean. But thanks for the information."

As I left the Trainee stood there shook. I make my way to the track course and as I approach I start to hear some voices.

"So you thought that you could win the spar and not get any consequences? I need the teacher to have a good impression of me. How could I afford to lose that to some nobody."

'Pah' I hear the sound of someone hitting someone else. When I heard that I start to focus my Ki on my ears. They get more sensitive to sound with Ki so I can hear further than normal.

"I…" the victim tries to answer.

"Yes, you're sorry." the aggressor said.

"Couldnt give one fuck."

As I hear that sentence I turn the corner and see who it is. There on the track course I see four people. Two are holding down Alex while the third is squatting infront of Alex talking to him.

"What did you say you little shit?" the aggressor says with blood shot eyes to Alex.

"Hey, let my friend go." I say loudly so they can hear it.

They all turn their heads in my direction, surprised to see me there.

"And who might this be?"

"I am his friend. Now let him go." I say while making my way over to them.

"Let him go." The bully commanded his goons.

As they let go of Alex I get down on one knee to help him get up.

"We should go to the teachers, Alex. I am sure they can kick him out of the training grounds for this."

"Hahahahaha, you want to tell the teachers. I guess you're just a loser who can't stand up to his friends. And even if you go Alex here wont tell them anything. Isn't that right Alex?"

I ignore his words. Now is not the time to be discussing with others.

"Hey are you ignoring me? Do you know who I am? I am Douglas Moore."

"I don't care who you are."

I answer while looking at him with eyes filled with anger.

"You think you're better than me? GUYS!"

As soon as he says that his two goons surround Alex and me.

"Let's see if you can fight."

"Wait a bit Alex."

I stand up while letting Alex layed on the ground sideways, so he doesn't choke on his own blood.

"Oh, you think you can take us three on your own? Let's go."

I don't say anything. I know I can win. The two goons start running at me ready to tackle me to the ground. I wait for them to be at the perfect distance and jump over their tackle. They crash into each other and fall to the ground. As I get to the ground Douglas is already throwing a punch at my face. His punch connects to my face and I wince a little at the impact, but it is not enough to take me down. I stopped my face midway and start to turn it back at him to look him in the eyes.

"What the…"

Taking the opportunity of him being in a dazeI send a right upper punch into his head. The punch was so intense Douglas fell to the ground unconscious.

"Well, that was disappointing. " I say to the three on the ground as I make my way over to Alex. I help him to his feet and start taking him to the infirmary.

"Yough aght schoo shtraght." Alex tries to say something but i can't understand anything.

"Let's get you fixed up my friend."

I get to the infirmary.

"My god. What happened to him? Here lay him down on this bed. What is his name?"

"It 's Alex. He is from the Axe training grounds."

"Okay. I have all the information needed here. Let's start the treatment. You can wait outside or come back tomorrow. Your friend needs to rest."

"Okay. Get better soon Alex!" I say to him.

On my way back to the Cabin I start to think about what happened. Why would Douglas attack him for such a petty reason? Wasn't that a quite exaggerated response? And what about who he is? He is just a trainee. I don't even know anyone named Douglas Moore. Or do I? I search in my memories for someone with that name but nothing comes up. I am now at the door of my Cabin.

"Hey, are you William?"

"Yes, what do you need?"

"The Sergeant wants to speak to you."