14: TWIN DAGGERS

The only class I look forward to on Mondays is combat training. Acadia believes in teaching it’s students not only how to fit into a general society that’s oblivious to the existence of werewolves, but also how to defend themselves. In combat training, my body is more than an object. It’s a weapon; the fishtail braid, the combat joggers, the long-sleeved crewneck. Teach me how to kill a man any day.

“At ease!”

I drop my arms and straighten my spine, focusing on regulating my breathing. On my left, Vahini Singh pants like an exhausted bulldog. On my right, Andy Rogers is gripping the arm of the boy next to him, struggling not to pass out. I roll my eyes. Yes the training drills are rigorous, but they’re not that excruciatingly hard.

The burn and sore from my muscles begin to dull; my body naturally restoring itself to a stable condition just as Gojo Sensei passes our row. He gives a slight nod of approval at my stamina compared to the rest of the weaklings on my drill team, and I feel