the CD - case

'The most important thing in a warrior is reaction and control. These are the main things that separates a layperson from a true fighter.

Events, especially bad ones, happen so swiftly, that the average person goes on instinct mode, usually stunned and frozen, like deer hit by headlights.
The warrior uses the rush of adrenaline, the fear and turns it into controlled defensive or offensive action.'

The last word uttered by my trainer was accompanied by an attempt to punch me in the abdomen, which i avoided by turning sideways. He had a way of making a point.

I was remembering these words of his, as i walked down the steps leading to the basement of a low, gray building. I could hear my footsteps and i hoped, against all odds that i would find nothing but darkness. Hope dies last, right?

The door shuts behind me with a slam. I hear the rush of air against metal, headed for my skull. I sidestep and run. The darkness is so deep, that i feel i have been blinded. My other senses go into overdrive. I can hear my breath, feel the thud of my heart, i swear, the blood in my veins is noisy. I smell menace.

Hands out, i run into a pillar. It provides temporary relief. I hide and count to five in my head, willing the fear into control.

There are two of them. Nameless and faceless killers. One to the left of me, about ten meters away, slowly making his progress, the other with the metal is behind. Closing in. I take a slow breath.

Quickly, i run to the one to the left of me, ducking and throwing him off balance, into the ground. The one with the metal rushes towards the hustle. At the last moment i roll away as i hear bones crack. Good. One down, one to go.

I hide behind another pillar and reach into my backpack. My hand closes on a cd case. At the same time, the metal rod hits the pillar right above my head, sparkles fly, i roll on my stomach and kick him in the elbow, his arm breaks and he drops the rod. I stand up, and hit him on the temple with the cd case. That spot, that little innocent vein. He drops dead.

I have killed for the first time in my life.

I stumble out of that basement, outside, in the light, the fresh air. I am trembling. I run. Past the house, into the forest, fast, fast, faster. My breath is rattling in my throat. Still i run, my body strained, a muscle machine.

I killed. I killed? I killed!
I open my mouth and scream.
I stumble and fall.
I pass out.
Darkness.