After the Storm - Part 1 [Back to work]
#3 of After the Storm
K guys, chapter 1 of After the Storm, part 1 of my Soul of Fire series. I don't feel like saying much about this except that I hope you enjoy! I'll post the next chapter next week.
NOTE: I honestly did not think that I was going to be able to upload this. My laptop started sparking and smoking last friday that I thought it was going to explode with all my files. Luckily, it's still alive. Hopefully it stays that way.
Jason grabbed the door knob and twisted, allowing the door to slide open and let in the morning breeze. Jason stared at the outside, his heart heavy and his eyes even heavier. It's been a while since he's actually left his house and now that he has, he feels the strongest urge to fall into his bed once more. He took a deep breath, the crisp scent of the grass and flowers filled his lungs and reinvigorated him in a way he hasn't felt in a while. He took his first step outside his house's wooden floor tiles and onto the soft grass of their lawn. "Welp, here goes..."
His house stood atop a hill overlooking the military district of Avalon. The city, though rustic and old-fashioned in appearance, was the leading source of military power an America. All those talk about America's military being the strongest on earth? Well, let's just say Avalon isn't one to brag. Wooden cottages could be seen dotting the valley below. In the center lies the source of their military strength: the academy.
The academy stood menacingly at the center of the district, with its enormous, reinforced steel walls that are defended by guards who patrolled twenty four hours a day. The walls were dotted with turrets, each prepped and loaded every day to defend the academy. Each of the corners of the octagonal boundary are protected by a watchtower with scouts looking out for any sign of danger. If anything, Jason felt as though they were intensely paranoid with all these defences. But after the attack last week, Jason felt like they needed more defences.
Looking back to his house, Jason felt the unnerving sensation of danger. Though the city of Avalon itself was contained within its own walls, Jason's house was on top of a hill, on top of elevated ground. He felt as though a missile or a mortar shell would just crash into their home and destroy everything he had left. The thought left his heart in knots. He bit his lip and tried to contain his tears, he wasn't in the sanctuary of his home anymore, to show sadness out here would mean shame. Jason shook away his thoughts and headed downhill.
Everywhere Jason looked, he could see the usual strict routine of the place. Students would get dressed and head to the academy, parents would either watch over their home, head to military duty or business things at the market district. There was no idle chit chat, if there were it would be short comments only. Everyone maintained and emotionless expression as they preceded to their destination, but being a riolu, Jason could feel that they each contained their own set of emotions. Some of them felt like him, still scarred from the attack last week. Others were excited to report to the academy, to learn how to kill the ones who did this to their city. That thought gave Jason a slight grin, it would be nice to be rid of him. It wasn't that Avalon was too strict that emotions were prohibited (that'd be horrible), it's just that everyone preferred to maintain a professional appearance to appeal to the commanders.
"Hey, Damion..." Jason's own foolishness wringed his heart. He was used to sharing jokes with his zigzagoon friend. It seems that old habits die hard. He was saddened to remember that he would never see Damion again... not like this...
"Hey, twinkle-toes!"
A familiar yet annoying voice called out from behind. Jason hoped that voice referred to someone else, but it was obviously meant for him. "Of all the people who could possibly greet me... he has to be the first..." he mumbled under his breath, trying to keep his temper in check.
Without warning, an orange arm placed itself above Jason's shoulders and pulled him closer. "Twinkle-toes, I'm talking to you!" the person cheerfully coed, testing Jason's patience. "It's been a LOOOOONG time since I last saw you out here, hope you haven't gone flabby."
"Charlie... still upset I beat you in the preliminaries?" Jason sneered as he pushed the charmander away.
"That's the past." Charlie snorted as he gave Jason his space but walked by his side. "You'd be surprised at how strong I've become."
"Still full of yourself now are we?" Jason chuckled. "No amount of training will help you beat me if you can't discipline yourself."
Charlie disregarded Jason's comment, too full of himself to see any flaw. "Last I checked, I wasn't the one who failed to save a friend last week."
That last comment ripped his heart to shreds. Jason was surprised he hasn't lashed out yet... maybe he wished he did but he didn't. He remained silent, his heart too hurt to even think of a response.
"Ooh, I said something that silenced the 'Alexander the great'!" Charlie announced with pride and joy. "Honestly, how is it that you're THAT good at what you do, huh? You're a freak! You spend endless hours playing with your boyfriend Damion, you stare at the trees and grass, smell flowers, run around in the breeze. What makes you so special?"
Each sentence he uttered gradually grew in volume as he poured out all the fury he held inside. Charlie chose the only moment he might get to do this, the two of them alone in an alley on their way to school. Nobody was around to hear them so he kept going with his rants. "Even your birth is abnormal! How is it that a riolu is part fire-type, huh? That's not something that normally happens in nature! I bet your parents--"
The mention of his parents crossed the line, he just lost it. He felt the blood pumping through every vein in his body. He clenched his fist and gave Charlie a punch so strong and sent him crashing into the concrete wall and leaving a large crack where he lay. "When will you learn, Charlie... when will you learn to SHUT THE FUCK UP!?" Jason roared in fury, using his rage to fight back the tears
Charlie fell off of the wall and onto the hard ground. He slowly got to his feet and wiped away the dust from his body and faced the raging riolu. If Charlie hadn't backed away in the last second and blocked the attack, perhaps he might have received way more than a bruise. "Calm down, dude... I was just joking."
In the blink of an eye, Jason's fingers were wrapped around Charlie's neck and the riolu slammed the charmander forcefully onto the concrete wall, threatening to topple the thing above them. "A joke? You think THAT was a joke?" Jason's voice was soft but threatening as he whispered into Charlie's ear. "That joke almost cost you your life."
"And your acts will cost you yours." Charlie croaked as he punched Jason in the stomach causing the riolu to loosen his grip. Charlie quickly got to his feet and struck Jason with a haymaker, which the riolu manages to block. "I've waited for a moment to see which of us is stronger, you have no idea."
"Enough, the two of you!" a deep, stern voice demanded from the end of the alley.
The two flinched as the voice echoed through the alley. They lowered their fists and slowly turned to face a tall, muscular, machoke dressed in camo military attire. "Jason, you've been given a week to cool off. This isn't the best way to begin your first day." He scolded as he stepped forward. "Charlie, you've quickly grown to become the best in your group. I expected more from you, not this trivial quarrelling."
"My apologies, General Jackson, it won't happen again." Charlie said, bowing his head in respect as the machoke approached the two.
"'Best in class'?" Jason repeated in disbelief. "I'm gone for a week and you've already taken my title?" Jason chuckled, completely ignoring the presence of the towering machoke.
"Don't fret, kid." The machoke patted the riolu's head and ruffled his fur. "You can easily take it back if you prove yourself."
Charlie stared in disbelief at what he saw. The general was usually strict with his pupils, but he seemed very casual with Jason. Jason didn't bow his head or show his respect, Jason didn't even seem to acknowledge his presence. Everything just made Charlie despise Jason even more. Why was he so special?
"Well, I'll be walking the two of you to the academy from here." the machoke placed his hands behind the charmander and the riolu and he pushed them forward. "Wouldn't want the two of you to start fighting again now would we?"
The trio proceeded through the streets of the military district. Most of the people had arrived at their destination so the streets were mostly empty other than the officers patrolling the area. The three exchanged to words, no conversations started, but Jason could feel the tension in the air. There was something bother the general, something serious. He was deep in thought, thinking of what to do next, but Jason couldn't tell what it was. Next to him stood Charlie who was obviously upset about something and all that anger was pointed at Jason.
'This is it... back to my normal life.' Jason thought to himself as the gates of the academy came into view. 'Let's see just how fucked up it can get...'