Chapter 29: Sky Squad

( Azriel point of View )

"Congratulations, Little Az!" Uncle King said with a broad grin, lifting me up and spinning me around.

I cringed inwardly. "You're finally in Level Two! You make Uncle King proud! Hahaha!"

I've started calling him Uncle King instead of just King. It feels awkward referring to him by his first name now that I'm older.

"Please put me down, Uncle," I said, and he gently set me on my feet, covering my face with affectionate kisses. Is he acting this way because he's changed so much? Or is he just a little overboard?

"King, you're messing up Az's outfit. He needs to make a good impression in his second day ," Ariela said, taking me from Uncle King's arms.

"Mom, can you please stop Uncle King? I'm ten years old now, and I'm not a kid anymore," I said, adjusting my collar and wiping my face.

"Did you hear that, King? He's grown up now," Ariela giggled. Uncle King pouted, making him look even more ridiculous. He's acting like Peter from that old show—gross!

I preferred him the way he was two years ago. Ugh!

"What's wrong with that? Little Az, don't you like Uncle King treating you like this?" he asked, giving me those annoying puppy eyes. He's twenty-eight, yet he's acting like an old man on his deathbed. I can't help but make a weird face at him. I need to escape!

Perfect timing! I spotted Roseann walking past our house. I grabbed my bag and gave Ariela a quick peck on the cheek.

"Bye, Mom!" I shouted and bolted.

"Hey! What about my kiss, Little Az?!" Uncle King called after me.

No way!

"Roseann, let's go! Hurry!" I said, grabbing Roseann's arm and running before Uncle King could catch us.

"Ha? Aah! Az!" Roseann exclaimed.

"Just run!" I urged, and we dashed out of the base, where I saw BJ and the others by the entrance.

"Go! Go! Go!" I shouted, pushing everyone through and slamming the entrance shut behind us. I sighed in relief.

"Who's chasing you?" BJ asked, looking concerned.

"Aah! Damn it, Zach! You startled me!" I said, catching my breath.

"OA!" BJ shouted. I'm not overacting. I just can't handle Uncle King's behavior.

"Wow, that was fun, Az!" Roseann said, clinging to my arm.

"Haha, you're sweating?! Come on, you ran slow, and yet you sweat that much?!" BJ laughed as we walked.

I reached for my towel, but Roseann took it from me.

"Let me wipe it for you," she offered with a smile, stretching her arms toward my face. I guess I'm too tall for her.

"Thanks, but I've got it," I said, taking the towel from her. She's changed a lot and has become more clingy.

"Hey, Reed! Give me your bag! Hurry!" BJ shouted, snatching Reed's bag. Now she's carrying both Reed's and Thame's bags. She's grown a lot—tall and strong, just like me. We're the tallest in our group.

In the past two years, I've been stuck with this group. It's fun, but sometimes annoying. Roseann keeps clinging to me, and BJ loves to tease and bully me. Thame has become quiet and even a bit nasty. BJ and she are always picking on me.

"Look, it's Gab's group," Roseann said, pointing at the five boys entering the school.

"Let's go, Sky Squad! I can't wait for our Day Two in Level Two!" BJ said, leading us forward.

As the bell rang, we entered the training room. Mrs. Delany had decided to hold our class here today. We separated and went into the boys' locker room to store our lunchboxes and bags.

"Why were you running earlier, Azriel?" Reed asked as he approached me.

"It was Uncle King," I replied, closing my locker and stepping out.

"Uncle King has changed a lot. He's become sweeter," Reed observed.

"That was because of the accident yesterday, right?" Zach asked.

I sighed. "Yeah, they were away on an expedition for a month. It was sad to learn that some didn't make it. Uncle King's behavior changed after hitting his head."

"Yeah, we're losing people and the zombies are evolving. I wish I could get out of here and help them," BJ said, her frustration evident.

"You'd just be a burden to them," I said, and she pushed me.

"I'm not! Can't you see these muscles? I've been developing them for two years! I can even kill a zombie with one punch!" she boasted.

"Ha! Funny, BJ. Very funny," I said, shaking my head and heading to our seats.

One punch? Does she think she's a superhero?

"Good morning, kids!" Mrs. Delany greeted us as she entered the room.

"Good morning, Mrs. Delany!" we replied in unison, and she nodded in approval.

"Shall we start the group activity?" she asked.

We cheered, and I yawned. In this class, we're divided into two groups—ours and Gab's group of five boys. Today's activity is about to begin.

As the class settled into their seats, Mrs. Delany called out, "Alright, Zach group and Gab's group, it's time for your presentations! Yesterday, you were assigned roles within your teams, and today you'll be explaining the importance of those roles."

We exchanged glances, each of us mentally preparing for our turn. Our group, was made up of unique roles, each critical to our success.

Mrs. Delany pointed us.

"Let's start with Zach group, why don't you guys begin?"

We stood up, I adjust my shirt and my groupmates take a deep breath.

"Our group is unique because all of us are defenders, each specializing in different aspects of combat and survival. I'll start with our roles."

I glanced at Zach who is serious while speaking. I noticed that our other classmates the 11 year olds and Mr. Carter watching us.

"We would like to watch" Mr. Carter spoke out as he and the other kids approached us, We looked at Mrs. Delany

"Is it okay that they watched your presentation?" They asked

"Sure! Watch our Sky Squad presentation!" BJ said

"Sky Squad?" Mrs. Delany and Mr. Carter both asked

"T-That's what our Group name , Sky Squad" Zach said , He's even embarass in our group name

-_-

"You're copying Ms. Ajena group name! Copy cat!" One of the 11 years old shouted at us, making BJ angry

"So what?! We will be next generation of Ms. Ajena so be quiet there and listen to our amazing Presentation! Dumbass!"

" Okay! Okay Calm down kids, Please Begin don't mind my students " Mr. Carter said and Zach start again

" As i said , Our group is unique because all of us are defenders, each specializing in different aspects of combat and survival. I'll start with our roles "

Mrs. Delany nodded seems satisfied

BJ step forward She smiled at them,.

"Hi, everyone. I'm BJ, and my role is all about short-range combat. Even though we haven't faced zombies yet, my training will be focused on close-quarter skills. This means when the time comes, I'll be ready to handle any threats that come up close and personal. My training helps me build strength and quick reflexes, which are crucial for dealing with any immediate dangers. The better I get at close combat now, the more effective I'll be in protecting our team when we face real threats."

She flexed her arms slightly, showing off her small biceps

-_-

"Now, let's hear from Zach, our long-range fighter and team leader," BJ said, stepping aside with a proud smile.

Zach stood up confidently, ready to explain his role.

"Thanks, BJ. I'm Zach, and I focus on long-range skills and leadership. Even though we haven't had to fight zombies yet, my training will be all about preparing to engage enemies from a distance. This means I'll be able to support the team by taking down threats before they get too close. My role also involves leading our team, making sure we work together smoothly and stay organized. By practicing my long-range skills and leadership now, I'm getting ready to help keep everyone safe and coordinate our efforts effectively when the time comes."

" Next, we have Azriel, who supports BJ with tactical strategies and close-combat skills. Azriel's role is vital in coordinating our movements and ensuring we're prepared for any sudden threats. His expertise helps us optimize our approach to close-range fights and adapt our tactics on the fly." I nodded

" Thame is our support helper , A medic. In addition to being a long-range fighter, Thame's future medical skills are vital for treating injuries. She's also our support in tough situations, making sure we're all in top condition for battle. Her role is critical for maintaining our health and morale, as she helps us recover quickly and keeps us prepared for ongoing challenges." Zach continued

Thame waved, her expression serious but supportive.

"Roseann is our survival expert and forager. She's responsible for organizing and handling our equipment and food supplies. Roseann's skills extend to both short and long-range combat, making her versatile and invaluable for scavenging and defending. Her role ensures that we have the necessary resources to sustain ourselves and stay prepared for any situation."

Roseann smiled, adjusting her survival gear as she prepared to take her turn.

"Finally, Reed is our long-range fighter who also takes on the roles of scout, navigator, and communicator. His abilities allow us to scout ahead, find our way, and maintain communication during missions. The importance of Reed's role lies in his ability to gather vital information and keep us connected, which helps us navigate safely and respond quickly to any threats."

Reed gave a casual salute, his expression focused and serious.

"We each play a vital role in ensuring the success of our missions and survival," I concluded.

"The combination of our skills makes us a formidable team, allowing us to handle various challenges and protect each other effectively."

"WORST!"

I frowned.