Haeven (19 page)

“Ah!” I cried out and raised my hand to
cheek.  It brought tears to my eyes and I felt myself
trembling with anger.

Full of determination I ran at Carah but she
tripped me before I could raise my fist to strike
her.  She tossed her head back and laughed as I fell face
first on the mat.  “You’d better learn to master that
anger little lady!”

I charged again and this time she threw her
arm across my chest and I felt my legs slide out from under me
before I landed flat on my back.

“She knows,” I suddenly realized, “she knows
exactly what I am going to do.  She can either see it or
sense it.”

I was panting and forced myself to take a
deep breath before shoving myself back to my feet.  I
closed my mind and wiped my expression clean.  Carah
shook her head at me, “Avery's tricks, huh?  It’s a
start,” she archly stated and changed her stance.

Rather than attacking or responding I stood
firm and fixed my gaze on hers while I waited patiently for
whatever would come next.  She inched towards me and made
a few exploratory swipes that I completely ignored. 

“Behind,” my mind preempted. 

I whirled around and thrust my palm out
striking Carah squarely in the chest.  She shook her head
in disbelief.

“I see,” she scowled.

“Do you?” I asked heartened by what I had
just done. 

She responded with a series of blows and
somehow my mind anticipated every one of them and my body
reflexively evaded them all.  Carah was surprised and
quickly grew frustrated with her inability to land a
hit.  I felt elated and emboldened.  I adjusted
my guards so I could slip in an occasional attack of my
own. 

I didn’t notice but our sparring drew a
handful of observers and they watched and nodded appreciatively at
our display. 

“Now!” my mind shouted and I felt myself
launch a terrific jab that caught Carah in the
mouth.  Her lips slid across her teeth and a trickle of
blood appeared and ebbed from the corner of her
mouth.  She glanced around at all the anxious faces that
saw the fateful blow.

“You bitch!” she wiped the blood away with
the back of her hand.

The intensity of her anger terrified me and
all my defenses seemed to fall away.  The next thing I
knew she had me by my throat and pinned to the mat.  I
raised my hands and clenched her wrist as I tried to fight her
off.  I felt like I was going to pass out; there were
tiny balls of light flashing behind my eyes and I was gasping for
breath.

For half a second the world went
black.  I closed my eyes and slowly opened
them.  I shook my head dazedly and when I caught my
breath and glanced around I saw Carah kneeling on the floor with
Avery standing behind her; one hand clutching her hair and an arm
wrapped around her throat.  Herrik was holding his hand
out to me to help me to my feet.  He was smiling and I
couldn’t imagine why.

“Nothing’s wrong, nothing
happened.  You need to show them that you’re alright,” I
heard his voice in my head.  “Smile, stand up, dust
yourself off and shake hands with Carah.”

Avery helped Carah up and nudged her towards
me.  Smiling I approached her, “Thank you for the
lesson,” I held my hand out and reluctantly she gave it a rough
shake.

The small crowd dispersed seemingly
indifferent to any of what had just happened. 

“What were you thinking?!” Herrik growled at
Carah once everyone was beyond earshot.

“I…I…” Carah looked shamefully
away.  “I lost my temper,” she turned to face me, “I’m
sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too,” I offered unsure of what
else to say. 

Herrik looked me over, “Are you
alright?”

“I’m fine.” I assured him.

“I’ll walk you home.”  He turned
back to Carah, “One hour,” he pointed to his watch.

“Of course,” Carah seemed to understand
without any further explanation.  She pivoted then left.

“I have to get my things,” I quietly told
Herrik as she walked away.

“Avery,” Herrik motioned him to the
lockers.

“Of course,” he answered and hurried off to
fetch them.

Herrik wrapped his arm around my shoulder
and led me away.  “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes, Herrik.  I’m fine.” I tried
to sound bright and cheerful. It wasn’t easy though. He made me
terribly nervous for some reason. So much so lately that I
deliberately avoided him whenever possible.

He looked disappointed and forlorn as we
walked toward the garden.  I was surprised when rather
than taking the path that led to my apartment he brought me toward
his own rooms.  Herrik must have known how unsettled I
was and once we were inside he had me take a seat on one of the
chaises.

“I’ll be right back,” he said then walked
away. A moment later he returned and handed me a glass of
water.  I gingerly took a sip as Herrik sat down beside
me.

I was filled with trepidation, “Please don’t
be angry with me,” I whispered unable to imagine any other reason
he would have brought there.

“Now why would I be angry with you?” he
asked.

I could feel his eyes on me as I sat there
and stared straight ahead, “Because…because…” I couldn’t think of
any reason why other than that I had upset Carah.

“May I?” Herrik asked.

I wasn’t sure what he was asking and cocked
my head towards him questioningly. He raised his arms and took my
face in his hands. My fear melted at his touch. I nodded assent and
closed my eyes.  I felt the light pressure of his thumbs
on my temples and shuddered as the mornings events replayed in my
mind for Herrik to see and understand.

Afterwards Herrik sat back and sighed
thoughtfully, “This is not going to be as easy as I hoped is it?”
he glanced sideways at me.  I didn’t understand or know
precisely what he was referring to. I studied his features and
waited for him to elaborate. His eyes had a faraway look to them
and he seemed to be considering a great deal.  He sat
like a statue for several minutes while I wondered whether or not
there was something I should say or do.

“Herrik?”

He was reluctant to answer for a moment,
“I’m sorry for the way Carah acted today,” he
apologized.  “She has never been comfortable with the
idea of integration and having you and Penny here, with us,
it’s…it’s…”

“Insulting,” it was the first word that came
to mind and I immediately regretted saying it.

He opened his mouth to deny it, sighed and
admitted, “Yes, somewhat.”

“She hates me.”

“She doesn’t…she…”

“It’s OK I don’t like her either.”

“I wouldn’t say that out loud,” Herrik
smiled wryly.  I timidly smiled back.  “It has
more to do than that she just doesn’t like you. But that is not
what I brought you here to talk about.”

“Oh?” my anxiety returned with a
vengeance.

“Artur came to me this afternoon and Penny
has asked more than once.”

“Have I done something wrong?” I fretted
wondering why they would go to Herrik instead of speaking to me
first.

“No, why would you think that?” he asked
completely confused.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ve been a little
less…attentive than usual during my lessons and sometimes I don’t
help Penny as much as I should. Are they angry with me?”

Herrik had a curious expression, something
between a smile and a frown, “No,” he chuckled, “Penny and Artur
are not angry with you. They are angry with me.”

“With you?! Why?”

“Penny came to me and told me that you have
spent too much time cooped up here and that you need some fresh
air, a change of scenery and some society other than...” Herrik
cleared his throat, “She asked me if she could take you out.”

My eyes lit up, “You mean out-out?”

“Mmm hmm,” he nodded. “I told her
no
.”

“Oh,” my face fell.

Herrik laughed, “That was quite a change in
expression!”

It sounded teasing and I couldn’t hide the
pain it caused. I stood up anxious to get away from him and the
mocking tone in his voice, “Well, thank you for letting me know
that I won’t be going anywhere,” I said and started walking toward
the front door.

“I’m sorry,” Herrik stepped in front of me
before I could reach for the knob. I was too frustrated and upset
by what he had said to meet his eye. He ducked in front of me and
forced me to look at him. “I’m sorry,” he said again, “I didn’t
mean to sound so…so…”

“Cruel, insensitive…hurtful!” I
suggested.

“I didn’t mean to be any of those things. I
said no,” I started to interrupt, “uh, uh, listen. I said no and
then Artur came to me with the same complaint.” I tried speaking
again but Herrik held his hand up, “Let me finish,” he checked his
tone, “please let me finish.” I sighed and somehow managed to let
go of my anger, “Thank you,” he went on, “Artur told me that you
have been distracted. That you have not been studying and that the
lessons you are learning you are not retaining.” I looked
shamefully away rather offer an excuse.

“He thinks your schedule has become too
repetitive and it would be a good idea for you to leave the
compound once in a while to break up the monotony of your days.
Between him and Penny, well, they were very convincing so I guess I
have no choice. I suggested Avery…” I cocked my head and nearly
blurted out a refusal of the proposition I thought was forthcoming,
“but Artur doesn’t feel he would be a suitable companion. We’ve
already ruled out Carah,” Herrik gave me a cynical little grin,
“and Penny, well, if anything out – of - the – ordinary,” Herrik
stretched the words out in emphasis, “were to happen I’m not sure
she would be the best suited to handle it.”

“I understand,” I sighed feeling that Herrik
had just finished justifying why I wouldn’t be allowed to
leave.

“So that’s it. You’re just going to give up.
You’re not going to suggest any other alternative?” He sounded
disappointed.

I shook my head, “There doesn’t seem to be
any.”

“Really? Well, then I guess I won’t cancel
my plans with Artur tomorrow and take you out like I intended.”

I wasn’t sure I heard him correctly,
“You…you were planning on taking me out?” I stuttered in
disbelief.

“Well, I thought about it, yes, but since
you’ve lost your interest.”

“No,” I shook my head with vehement regret,
“no! I want to go! I do! I just…I didn’t think…you never leave the
compound!”

“That’s exactly what Artur said and why he
insisted that I be the one to take you once he convinced me that
you needed a break from all this.” A huge smile lit my face. I was
overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of leaving the
compound. “So you do want to go out?” I nodded enthusiastically.
“Well then it’s settled. Tomorrow at 6.”

“Ooh, we have dinner at 6. Can we leave just
a little later?”

“6 am,” Herrik corrected.

“We’re leaving in the morning?”

Herrik laughed out loud, “Yes,” he said his
voice full of humor, “in the morning.”

I didn’t understand what he found so funny
but at that point I really didn’t care. “I’m going out!” I thought
to myself.

Herrik said a warm goodbye to me then called
to Avery and asked him to walk me home. He pointed to his watch in
emphasis and I smiled back absolutely overjoyed.

When I got home Penny met me at the door,
“You’re home early,” she sounded surprised and tilted her head at
me.

“Herrik wanted to see me.”

“You’ve been with Herrik?”

“Mmm hmm,” I nodded and wondered if she
already knew.

“And what did he want to see you for?” Penny
asked sounding full of curiosity.

“He wanted to let me know that you’ve been
worried about me.”

“Did he?

“Yes. And apparently Artur has the same
concerns as you.”

“And what might those be?”

“That I could use a change of scenery
mostly.”

Penny’s smile widened, “And what was his
solution to this dilemma?” She began leading us towards the living
room so we could sit and talk.

“Well, he said he wasn’t sure what to do. He
thought about letting me go with Carah or Avery but Artur said that
neither of them would be very good company for me. Then he
mentioned you but felt that in the unlikely event that
something…unusual happened…”

Penny sighed deeply, “I see. So you’re stuck
here is that it?”

“Actually,” I felt the color rush into my
cheeks and it took me a moment to tell her that Herrik’s
alternative was that he would take me out.

“Really?! Well, that’s wonderful! Did you
make plans?”

“I don’t know what our plans are,” I sighed,
“but Herrik said he would come by first thing tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes,” I said frowning.

“What is it?” Penny asked.

“I always thought…well, I guess I am just
wondering…Herrik can’t go out in the daytime, can he?”

Penny laughed a little.

I was completely confused, “What?” I
demanded.

“Nothing,” she smiled, “you’ll see soon
enough. But in the meantime…you have an afternoon to yourself.
Let’s not spend it sitting around here waiting for tomorrow. 
I saw them installing a pinball machine in the game room earlier
this week,” Penny’s voice was giddy with excitement.

“Pinball?  Really?” I couldn't help
laughing at the idea.

“Have you ever even played pinball?”

“Uh…no…why would I?  It’s…it’s
archaic.”

“Well, I’m sure there are other things there
for us to do and if you humor me and play a round or two you can
choose whatever we play next.”

“Fair enough.”

After getting ready and heading out Penny
and I whiled away what was left of our afternoon playing pinball,
billiards and cards.  Surprisingly pinball wasn't as wearisome
as I thought it would be.  Penny won almost every game but
graciously lost once or twice just to be nice.