Page 83 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

For now, at least, I’m safe from the biggest problem. But if I wanted the life I’ve always dreamed of having, one where I can make my own choices and live the way I want, I needed to be more independent.

Hook was right. I needed to learn how to defend myself and fight back. At least against these Hunters.

But first, I needed to figure out where in this maze of a place, a room called thegymwas.

* * *

After twenty-minutes of roaming around the place, Hook eventually finds me and brings me to an underground area where the large room he calls a gym is.

It’s no wonder I couldn’t find it. I didn’t even realize there was an underground area.

The room is huge with its height the size of at least two floors. The entire expanse is open with sectioned off areas of different objects and machines. The flooring is a thick blue padding that’s soft to walk on.

Hook gives me a quick tour explaining what everything is. There are dozens of machines that work out every part of your body. Machines that you can run on, but you never actually move from the same spot. Other machines look similar to stairs but move just like the running machine and still never really move you from the same spot.

Then there are other objects. Long bars with thick metal rings on the end that come in all different sizes. Hook explains that they’re for toning your body. His eyes trail down my body when he says it and then murmurs something about not changing a thing.

Shaking my head at him in amusement, I smile and follow him.

We pass a wide, raised rectangular structure that looks similar to an arena before moving to a large open space on the soft blue floor.

Hook stops in the middle of it and turns to me. “We’ll start with some basic moves and maneuvers and then work our way up. The main areas you’re aiming for will be the eyes, nose, throat, and groin. When we move onto more advanced techniques, we’ll add the chest and knees too.”

“Why those areas?” I ask.

“Because it doesn’t matter how big or skilled your attacker is, hit any of those areas and it’ll hurt them long enough for you to get away.”

I give him an amused look. “Unless it’s a Vampire. Or Demon. Or Shifter. Or—”

“Baby steps. Let’s start with human attackers first.” A wry smile quirks his mouth. “Aim for any of those spots and then run.”

“What if they already have a hold of me?” I think back to when the Hunters grabbed me and pulled me into their shadows. I was helpless and couldn’t get away from their hold.

From the frown Hook’s wearing, it looks like he’s thinking the same thing.

“I’ll teach you how to escape a grasp first.”

“Okay.” I plant my feet wide, and Hook gives me a look as if he doesn’t know whether to laugh or frown at me.

“Have you been watching that WWE show with Cash again?”

“How did you—Never mind. Yes, I have, and it’s been very educational.” I bend my knees a little, trying to get the right stance just like them.

Hook swallows his laugh before clearing his throat. “You do realize they’re all scripted fights?”

I freeze before glancing up at him. “Scripted?”

“Fake.” His voice and eyes are full of amusement.

“Are you sure?” I straighten up with a frown.

Hook nods. “Positive.”

“But… they looked so real.” Warmth floods my cheeks as I realize how silly I must have looked a moment ago.

Hook chokes back a laugh but I ignore it.

“What is the point of it then?”

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