Her right palm rested on her abdomen as she stumbled down the hall, bracing herself on the wall with her left. With each step, her legs struggled to keep her standing and before long her knees buckled. She slammed into the ground on all fours as she braced her fall, but she was unable to find the strength pick herself back up. Instead she turned and sat against the wall of the corridor. Tears began to trickle down her face as she sat there silently. Kas held her own body, favoring the wounds to her torso. She lifted up her shirt and stared at the scattered black and blue marks across her flesh. The pale white of her skin only amplified the dark contrast of the bruises. Her entire body throbbed with each heartbeat as it thumped in her ears. The beats of her heart became almost deafening as the pace steadily increased.

Her hands shot up to her ears as she cupped over them. She lowered her head to her knees and began to sob quietly to herself. She heard no signs of life around her as each sob echoed through the long, empty hallway. She sat against the wall for an unknown amount of time before she finally felt he strength to stand once again. Kas leaned forward and planted one palm on the linoleum floor, the other hand found support against the wall. She pushed herself up and forced herself to stand as he knees shook under her own weight. As she struggled to find her bearings, her attention was brought to the loud ping of the phone in her pocket. Her legs straightened as she found the strength. She reached into her pocket and checked her phone, seeing a text from Izzy on the screen.

[From Izzy – Where the fuck are ya?! Combat class is nearly half over!]

Kas sighed as she stared at the message but quickly put her thumbs to the screen as she began to type a reply.

[To Izzy – I’m on my way. I had to meet Rennyn and talk about some shit. Give me like 10 mins]

[From Izzy – Sure thing. Better hurry though. Your Jacko is teaching us today!] She immediately closed the screen on her phone and shoved it back into her pocket. Seeing Jacko’s name gave her renewed stability in her legs and she quickly marched toward the elevator. She stepped inside and pushed the floor 15 button. Her knees buckled slightly as the small compartment began to move upward.

It didn’t take long for her to go up five floors, so the doors opened up and she stepped out into the familiar, much safer hallway. Her hand to hand combat training class was in the gym, so she quickly turned to the left and began to jog. A smile found her face as she pushed open the double metal doors and stepped inside. She quickly found Izzy near the back of the class and stood next to her as she faced Jackson while he spared with another student. The student had bright white hair on top his head but seemed to have cut the sides and back of his head super short, but the top remained somewhat longer.

“Who’s that?” Kas asked. Her eyes never left the sparring match as she studied each of their movements.

“His name is Warren Snow. Kinda cute if you as me.” Izzy answered.

“He is holding his own against Jacko. Not bad.” She replied.

“Yeah but you can tell Jackson is holding back, can’t you?”

“Obviously, but even so. This snowflake is doing well.”

“True but its matter of time before Jackson puts him on his ass. He just wants ta see how good we are before he really gets ta teachin’, ya know?” Izzy explained as she turned to face her friend.

“Makes sense. Jacko must be pretty good if he is a teacher. I thought he was still a student.” Kas replied as she continued to marvel of him. “He sure is something else, Mate.”

“You still like him, doncha?”

“What are you talkin about, Iz?”

“Why are ya tryin’ to deny it. You never fell out of love with the guy. It’s super obvious.” Izzy answered as she nudged Kas’ in the ribs. She flinched in pain as a grunt slipped from her mouth.

“Whatever, Iz. Why are you on me about it anyways?” Kas snapped back.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m great. Like always. Why?”

“You ain’t the type ta flinch, Mate.” Izzy replied as she stared at her with a raised brow.

“Look, I’m good. You worry too much, alright.” Kas insisted as she faced forward once again.

“Fine, fine. I’ll let it go. We should be paying attention anyways.” She said as she turned her gaze back to the sparing match. A moment later Jackson slammed Warren to the mat and twisted his arm, holding him in place.

“Alright Warren. I think we’re done here. Do you yield?” Jackson asked as he held Warren’s arm and held his boot against his neck.

“Hell no!” The white-hair man shouted.

“Look, I like your spunk, but I can break your arm at any time. So, can you please just yield? I like to make a habit of not injuring my students.” Jackson replied, twisting the man’s arm a bit more. Kas stared on but her gaze focused in on Warren’s face. She watched a smirk appeared but shook her head when she realized what he planned.

“Not gonna work, kid.” She muttered quietly as she shook her head.

“Huh? You say somethin’, Kas?” Izzy asked as she turned toward her.

“Yeah, this kid’s about to get owned. Just watch.” She answered, keeping her gaze locked on the two of them. Warren jerked and twisted around in an attempt to sweep Jackson from his feet but missed. Jackson jumped over his leg and planted his knee into Warren’s chest, raising his fist.

“Are you done now?” He asked. Warren quickly nodded his head as he raised his hands up in surrender. Jackson stood up and reached his hand down toward him. Warren hesitated for a moment but grabbed his hand and Jackson pulled him to his feet.

“You surprised me, Warren. You have an incredible mind for strategy.” He said as he turned to face the rest of the class. “I hope you were all watching closely. That match was not just for me or him, but for all of you as well. You could all learn a thing or two from him.” He continued, turning back to Warren. “But…. You are weak when it comes to actual physical attacks. You can chip away at your opponent, but you never land a deciding blow.”

Warren’s face grew crimson as he stormed back into the group of students. The red of his face began to reflect onto his impossibly white hair as it turned light pink.

“Looks like he ain’t a snowflake anymore. Lookin’ more like a flamingo now.” Kas whispered as she leaned over to Izzy. Her hand shot up and covered her mouth as she held back her laughter. Kas snickered as she watched Jackson.

“Alright, Dak. Come on up.” He ordered and a guy with short, light-brown hair stepped out from the crowd. He was tall but next to Jackson, less so. The two of them stood in front of each other and got into fighting stances, raising their fists. Jackson nodded his head at the student, signaling the start. Kas watched as they circled around each other for a moment.

“Are sparin’ or dancin’?” She shouted as she cupped her hands around her mouth. Jackson snapped his head toward her and met her eyes. She blushed and dropped her eyes to the floor.

“Hey, Kassie. I didn’t see you come in.” Jackson replied but Dak took the chance to attack and threw a punch. Much to Dak’s surprise, his fist was caught in Jackson’s palm.

“Awe, c’mon Dak. I thought Sr. taught you better than this.” He taunted as he slowly turned his gaze back to his opponent. Dak’s face turned bright red as he yanked back hand.

“Oooo, looks like a nerve was stuck.” Kas teased as Dak glared at her. “What, you want some? Bring it, Dako.”

“Oh my god! That name is perfect!” A girl yelled from across the group. Kas turned toward her and saw bright, neon-blue hair surrounding piercing red eyes.

“Thanks, Pixiedust. I do my best.”

“Pixiedust, eh? Honestly that’s not far from the truth, Red.” The girl replied as she raised her hand, blowing a kiss to Kas. A torrent of tiny sparks and shiny bit flew toward her and crashed into her face. Kas closed her eyes and wiped her eyes.

“What the fuck was that” she whispered but quickly realized there was nothing on her face. She looked back at her and the blue haired girl gave her a sly wink before she looked away. Kas raised her eyebrow but a loud thud snapped her attention back to Jackson’s sparing match.

“Wow, that was over quick!” The blue haired girl shouted as Jackson stood over Dako.

“Ha! That’s what she said!” Kas shouted in reply.

“Oh, so you do have a personality under all that.”

“Whatever lets you sleep at night, Pixiedust.” Kas snapped back.

“Alright, Dak. You’re done here.” Jackson said as he reached down, lifting him to his feet.

“God damnit! I almost had you.” He replied.

“Dak, c’mon man. You never had me. You couldn’t even keep it together when Kassie started mouthing off. But that’s what this class is for.” Jackson explained. “Speaking of Kassie…” He continued as he turned toward her. “Why don’t you come up here next.” Kas took a deep breath and let out a hard sigh, but steeled her nerves as she stepped forward.

She raised her fists and staggered her stance as she stood in front of him. Her fist clenched tighter as she struggled to stand strong.

“Your stance isn’t bad. Alright let’s see what you got.” He said as he raised his hands, readying his stance. Kas remained silent as she threw three solid punches, but he dodged each one. Her body ached but she pushed through the pain. Her movements became slow and clumsy as she continued to attack. She couldn’t help it, but her knees began to shake as she struggled to keep herself vertical.

“Alright, that’s enough. Everybody, twenty laps around the gym.” Jackson ordered as he looked over the rest of the class. He grabbed Kas’ hand as she went to follow everybody. “Not you. We need to talk.”

“Why? I’m fine.” She replied as she tried to yank her hand free, but Jackson’s grip felt like vice.

“No, you aren’t. You could barely stand.”

“I can stand just fine. What’s it to you?”

“Kassie, I saw your knees buckling and I hadn’t even touched you yet.”

“Yeah, so what? Maybe I’m just nervous.” She replied and tried to pull her hand free again but failed. “For fuck sake, would ya let me go?”

“No, not until we talk.”

“There is nothing to talk about. Let it go.” She demands.

“No. I won’t let it go, not until we talk about this.”

“Oh, my fuck. You are really stubborn, you know that? Fine. We can talk.”

“Good. Now sit.” He ordered as he released her hand and point to the bleacher seats on the wall.

“So, what the fuck is sooo damn important that ya gotta stop the class?” Kas asked as she flung her arms in the air sarcastically, but Jackson caught one of her wrists and pulled down her sleeve. Her forearm was covered in several dark, black and blue marks, as well as a few cuts and scrapes.

“This. This right here is what is so important. What is this?” He demanded. “I bet its not the only place, is it?” He asked as he grabbed her other wrist and revealed more of the same. He quickly reached for the bottom of her shirt and yanked it up part-way.

“Kassie, where did all this come from?” He asked, but she pushed him away and stood up from the bench seat.

“What the fuck are you doing?! Don’t touch me!” Kas shouted and her voiced echoed around the gym.

“Kassie, I’m just checking out the bruises.”

“For fuck sake, just leave me alone!” She growled at him, quickly turning around as she stormed out the double metal doors.

She took three steps and stumbled, dropping to one knee. Her hand planted on the ground, struggling to keep herself from collapsing to the hard floor. Her breath became strained and her eyelids grew heavy.

“What is taking him so long? Fuck…” She muttered. The metal hinge of the door clicked, and the tap of footsteps echoed behind her.

“Finally, ‘bout time. You gonna help me up, or what?” She asked.

“I thought you didn’t want me to touch you.” Jackson answered.

“Just get over here and help me up!” She demanded and he chuckled, lifting her to her feet.

“Alright, up you go.” He replied as he scooped her into his arms. She squirmed and struggle to get free, but his grip on her tightened.

“What are you doing? I can walk.”

“Weren’t you just on the ground a moment ago? Better get comfy, Kassie, ‘cause I’m carrying you to the infirmary.”

“Fuck, alright.” She answered as she stopped struggling, resting her head on his chest. Her eyes slipped shut and a moment later everything faded to black.

A loud click echoed but there was total and utter darkness. Kas’ breath became heavy and rapid. The black sack hood that she grew to dread blinded her from all light. A slap to the top of her head made her jump but when the pressure of it disappeared, the hood went along with it. A grey haired, balding, old man in a white lab coat stood in front of her with a wicked grin. She panned her head around, scanning the pure darkness around them. She looked up and flinched away from the intensity of the bright spotlight above her. Kas looked back to the man in front of her and her heart pounded like a jackhammer in her chest.

“Bellrose, Kasula. Ahhh, the one Mr. Thorne said was kissed by fire. Are you ready for your treatment today?” He asked but she remained tight-lipped and silent. “Staying strong and silent, huh? I admire that, but it won’t change anything.” He continued as he reached for the small leather bag on the table next to him.

“Fuck you, Dr. Asshole!” She growled as she hocked a massive wad of spit onto his face. He remained unmoved as he sighed and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a white handkerchief an wiped his face.

“I see why Mr. Thorne keeps you around. You have some real inner fire. It’s one reason why you are so compatible. The others lacked the same resiliency that you possess. He did good acquiring you.” He explained, putting the cloth away and retrieving a massive syringe from the bag. He placed it on the table and pulled out a strange clear vial filled with a black fluid resembling liquid obsidian.

“Today is the Werewolf Serum. Good luck.” He said. He lifted the needle and filled it with the contents of the vial. Kas tensed her muscles as she tried to force her way free of the restraints but to no avail. He placed his hand onto her arm, holding it in place as he shoved the needle in and emptied the shiny black liquid into her. Immediately her arm began to spasm and her veins budged at the injection site, slowing working its way up.