Ch. 2

"Okay, okay, that's enough, Riley." Laughing, Aljona released herself from my grip and sank to the floor. 

I had just defeated her for the first time in hand-to-hand combat, after she had shown me the holds that were used to defend against a superior attacker. We'd been training outside in the field since the early hours of the morning, but I still hadn't used up all of my energy. And that's what I had to do if I didn't want to use it elsewhere. Like brooding myself into insanity and thinking until I went crazy. In my spare minutes, I continued to do nothing else. I kept thinking about One and how he had barely escaped death, only to be tormented now because they wanted information out of him. And I also thought of Nikk, who was imprisoned in the basement with the other two hunters and who may have been done similar things. It sometimes gave me such severe stomach pains that I vomited. And that's exactly why I was so keen on the physical training outside. It distracted me and gave me the focus I needed not to get lost in my thoughts.

I propped myself up with my hands on my thighs and took a few deep breaths. "Let's get on with it after a little pause," I said, and Alyona shook her head.

“No, we both definitely have enough for today. You can't go too far beyond your limits, Riley. All this knowledge and skill is of no use to you if you do not treat and care for your muscles appropriately. Diet plays a major role in this, as does targeted muscle training. Protein is particularly important, otherwise your muscles will become acidic. We have a few supplements that you can take, because the optimal amount is difficult to achieve through diet here. I'll bring you some extra protein afterwards. "

"Thank you. I didn't even know that. "

"You never stop learning." Aljona smiled. “Okay, let's go back. You did amazingly well out here. I'm slowly not even knowing what else to teach you. You have already soaked up all of my knowledge like a greedy, parched sponge. If you also train your muscles properly and give them what they need, you will soon crush me, ”she added with a laugh.

We went back to the warehouse and I looked unobtrusively at the building under which the basement was located. I wondered if Nikk was even alive. Or had they already found no use for it and had it been eliminated? The thought hurt, because Nikk had already saved my life in a way by taking me to Hunter headquarters that time. I didn't want him to be tortured to death or otherwise die. He wasn't a bad person. During the time I was with him, he had always treated me well. Perhaps not with the greatest respect, and he had only used me for his pleasure, but he had never been bad to me. I liked him. He deserved something other than a cruel death here in some gloomy basement. 

Next, I wondered if One was being held there somewhere, too. I had thought about asking Aljona about it before, and each time I decided against it. I liked her, she was nice, but I didn't trust her. And I knew that as soon as she distrusted me, she would tell Lex that I was questioning her about the hunters. And I didn't want that, because outwardly I was trying to make everyone believe that I was better; that I was gradually getting over the feelings I had for the Hunter leader. I only cried when I was all alone, at night in bed. Otherwise, I didn't show any emotions, which was probably also due to the fact that I felt like dead inside. Inside I had fallen into a kind of paralysis: I only functioned mechanically, except for the moments when I was lying in bed and crying. I felt then. Great pain. Deep regret.

At a turn I said goodbye to Aljona and went on alone. I took some fresh clothes from my father's tent and took a shower in the washrooms. When I came out again, Logan was standing in front of me. He had a big grin on his face.

"Are you back at last?" He asked. "There are already a few bets running here as to when you will fall over from exhaustion and not get up again."

"They'll lose them," I said. 

He eyed me admiringly, which made me a little uncomfortable. I turned away and went on. Logan followed me immediately.

"What are you going to do now?" He asked.

“I'll get something to eat first. Is there anything left at all or have you all eaten away? "

"There's a lot left," he replied. “I'm not used to having so many good meals every day. Most of the time I had to hunt my food myself, and it seems to me that the animals in the forest are getting more skilled. Sometimes I had to go without proper food for days in a row until I was at home with my mother. She always finds something to eat for me. "

“If there is so much to eat here, why don't they distribute it to the hungry people in the villages? You could ask men like Nite to stop their raids outside, ”I mused aloud.  

"Well ..." Logan scratched the back of his head. "What Nite collects in the villages he usually brings here."

I stopped and looked at him in surprise. "How do you know?"

“I saw it. A few people talked about it here. "

I could only shake my head. "So Nite's just Lex's henchman. I should have known, but I never thought of it," I muttered to myself. “They rob all of the poor people to feed their fighters. And then they disguise that as a fight for justice. "

"You can't see it that way, Riley," Logan said.

"Don't you?" I asked, raising both eyebrows. "Why not? That's exactly what they do. They take away the little food from the starving in order to be able to feed themselves here. That's no justice. " 

"Yes, but they do it for a reason," he said, looking around. “Why don't you see that they're pursuing the right goals? I know you're still sad about your Hunter - "

"I'm not sad about any Hunter," I interrupted briskly. “He's got a lot of people on his conscience. I have nothing to do with him anymore. He died for me. ”It hurt a lot to say those words, but I did it without batting an eyelid. To someone who couldn't look inside me, it had to look real. “But just because I don't feel for the Hunter anymore doesn't mean I approve of everything Lex and his men do. I just don't think it's right to take food away from others to feed yourself. "  

"Even though it's for the big picture?" Logan put in. 

“Not even then. After all, they want the people in the surrounding area to be better off. But they make their situation worse with their collections. That doesn't seem right to me. "

He thought about my words, I could see that. "Well, maybe you're not wrong," he muttered. 

"Look, I'm not saying Lex and the others are bad," I rowed back a little. “I'm just wondering how it could be done better. Basically, I want exactly the same thing as you: eliminate the injustices in the surrounding area. But I'd rather do it in a way that doesn't cause additional injustice. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand that," he confirmed with a nod. “Maybe you could talk to Lex about it? Share your suggestions with him. I think he would listen to you. After all, you're Reos's daughter. And he thinks a lot of Reos, I've heard that often. "

Yes, I had already noticed that there was a close bond between my father and Lex. And that's why I didn't ask my father about One or Nikk. I didn't trust him either - and the thought hurt. I got my father back after so many years, and yet there was a seemingly unbridgeable distance between us. 

"Shall we play cards?" Logan suggested a moment later, pulling a pile of cards out of his pocket. “I learned a new trick yesterday that I can show you. You will be amazed! "

I was happy about the change of subject, agreed and, after getting something to eat, followed him to his tent. 

"How long are you going to stay here in the camp?" I asked him. "Or do you accept the offer and stay long-term?"

"I'm thinking about it," Logan replied. “I will probably stay. I like it here and I've already made friends. Besides, I don't want to leave you here alone. "

"I don't need a guardian," I said with a snort.

"I do not mean that. You could probably even take better care of me than I would of you. I… ”He hesitated before continuing. "I just love being around you," he said finally, and shrugged. 

I frowned at that. I didn't like what he was saying. It almost sounded like he felt something for me. I really couldn't use that. Logan wasn't a bad guy, and he was useful in distracting me, but if he hoped we could have more going on between us, I'd let him down. Even if I got over One at some point, Logan wouldn't be the man I would get myself into. I wouldn't get involved with anyone. Never again. 

"Don't nonsense and show me your stupid card trick," I finally distracted from the subject.

After a few hours I left Logan's tent and made my way to my father's. I met Aljona, who brought me the announced protein supplements.

"Take the specified amount every day and do some real muscle training, as I told you to," she added as she handed me the can. “Then maybe you will soon be able to defeat one of the guys in arm wrestling. I would definitely love to see that. So far, I'm the only woman in the camp who has made it. And believe me, this satisfaction that you feel afterwards is worth every effort and effort. "

Smiling, I thanked her and continued on my way. In front of the tent, my father checked me out and asked me to come with him. "Lex wants to speak to you," he said.

I felt my disgust glow as soon as I heard that name. But outwardly I just nodded and followed my father. He led me to Lex's study, where he was enthroned at his desk. He greeted me with a smile and nodded to my father, whereupon he left us alone.

"How are you, Riley?" Lex asked as soon as I sat down.

"Good," I replied, taking a completely relaxed posture. “The training works wonders. I would love to spend the whole day outside in the field. "

He nodded. “Aljona has already told me how eager you are to learn everything from her. I am glad you found a way to deal with what happened. "

“I am amazed that it is so easy for me to accept the facts. I had expected that I would suffer a lot harder and, above all, longer, ”I lied to him, sounding completely sincere to my relief.

“You are a strong character, Riley. I saw that right away, ”Lex said with a benevolent smile. “And I can use people like you here by my side. I'm looking forward to letting you in on everything as soon as you're ready. "

I was satisfied. He should have no problem believing that I already took his side, even if it wasn't true. I wasn't ready for it yet, even if I outwardly pretended to be.