"From here on out, we'll be training you to fire from your left hand. Your dominant hand will be busy with other things during combat so we'll optimize your off hand by training you to shoot with it" I did as he said but my thoughts were less on target practice and more on my -or should I say, our current situation. I thought about Kaitlyn and how she must feel right now, still unable to talk. Still very much unhappy to be with me. About a month ago we lost contact with Scott and Mercedes, its doubtful they're together at this point. And I've had my hands full just trying to keep K with me, though I'm sure she knows things would be worse for her if she didn't stay with me. Alone and unable to talk. Though being with me she's still alone, regardless of how I may treat her.
"Jane, you need to learn to aim while using just your left arm, stretch it out and take down the targets" I took aim, and dropped the targets with little effort.
"I used to be a Ranger, my marksmanship is very good" I said, reloading the weapon.
"That might be the case, but you're about a tenth of what you used to be. Strength, dexterity, agility are all reduced, so you must learn the way your body works at this point. Try taking down the targets while they're moving" He flipped a switch and the targets moved around at astonishing speed.
"Red target" He said, I spotted the target and fired. My first few shots missed but I managed to put the last two through it, not pretty hits but hits nonetheless.
"Reload and fire at the green and blue targets" He said. I opened the cylinder and dumped the empty shells. I had to put each individual round in, which cut into my speed.
"Faster, if those were the Holy Order you'd be dead by now!" The pressure was building. I managed to finish and took down the targets with more sloppy hits. He turned me around and went to slug me in the cheek. I managed to overtake him, but he came around with a gut shot. It had been awhile since I'd felt pain like that, I was winded.
"If this was combat you and your useless friend there would be dead, those around you would likely follow suit too due to your shitty abilities. You need to learn that you're not that powerful anymore. The opposite in fact. We're more vulnerable to the Holy Order now than ever before, and look at us. We're dealing more damage now than before" I struggled to breath, the pain was still overwhelming to me. I looked at K, she wasn't interested in what was happening. She just sat there, lost in thought.
"This revolver is screwing me up, I can't use it"
"Flexibility in combat is necessary, that revolver may be all you have left, if you can't use it your done for" He kicked the gun out of my hand and hiked it up to his own. He opened the cylinder and slid in six rounds before I could blink.
"Your her bodyguard, act like it!" he pulled the trigger.
<->
I woke in a cold sweat, my sight darted around the room. A room occupied by nothing but dark mahogany dressers and white light shining through open curtains. It was morning, and I was safe. Well, safer than most. I removed the sheets, my clothes were drenched in sweat. I hopped in the shower. As I tied my hair back into its regular ponytail I noticed a particular scent in the air. Someone was cooking what smelled like breakfast. I couldn't be K, she wouldn't be caught dead cooking, unless 'He' asked her to. Pestilence would rather starve than cook so she was ruled out too. Someone was in the house.
I thew a robe on and tightened it down, grabbed my revolver off the bed and made way to the kitchen with extreme caution. The sound of shuffling cookery and a stronger smell of real food made my stomach creak in hunger.
"If you plug me full of lead you wont get any breakfast" a smooth voice called, I rounded the corner with my gun at the ready, my aim deflected by a kitchen knife.
"Looks like someone's not hungry" Famine said as he flipped a pancake.
"Famine! what are you doing here?" I said.
"I've been ordered to deliver a message to the three of you" Light footsteps came from the upstairs hallway.
"Hey, Blueberry, are you cooking something?" I hated that nickname. Pestilence came downstairs wiping the sleep from her eyes. Pest has been with us for about a month now making her way back to Death just as we've been.
"Huh? Famine is that you?" she said, somewhat un-surprised.
"Yes, now would you like some eggs and pancakes?" he gave his sinister grin while holding up a fresh batch of eggs. Pestilence leaped to the table, almost drooling.
"Why don't you go wake up the Princess Jane, she'll want to be here" Kaitlyn was still in bed, not like she had much reason to get out every morning. She hadn't seen Death in over a year, her reason for living was so far away.
"And put some clothes on while your at it" Famine said. I had forgotten I was pretty much naked except for my robe. I threw on a dress shirt and some shorts from the closet before going to K's room.
"K? you awake yet?" I heard faint coughing, I opened her door and knew she was having a coughing fit like she always did if she said anything. I saw her hit the bathroom floor, some blood met the tile where she lie.
"K! you alright?" It was clear she wasn't, but what else could I say? I went to help her up and she shoved me away. She was in control of her fit now, she wiped her face and looked at me as if to say "what do you want?"
"You need to come downstairs, Famine is here" her eyes lit up, she rushed past me, and I followed. Famine had the table all set with everything a breakfast could ever include. Eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes in a few varieties. Milk, OJ and toast.
"Enjoy, I'm sure the three of you haven't had something this good in a while" Famine said. The three of us, while curious as to why he was here were more interested in eating at the moment. K though, wanted to hear the news. Famine insisted she eat some first, she groaned, and scooped some eggs to her plate.
