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The Journal of Augustus Price: Chapter 5

by Lukenblaz

Lukenblaz
The alarm clock on my nightstand wakes me up. I hit the button to shut it off. A few minutes after I wake up someone knocks on my door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Stephen. I was sent to get you.”

“I’ll be right there.”

I open the door and Stephen is in a sweats. He leads me down the hall and up a single flight of stairs. When we reach the second floor I follow him to the room on the same side as the banquet hall on the floor below us. Other refugees are entering and leaving the room wearing similar clothes to Stephen. As we get closer I catch glimpse inside.

“Why are we going to the gym?”

“Max asked me to train you. You got your sword right?”

“I didn’t think that I needed to train for that…”

“Well even though your skill is swords you still need to train to get better. We plan to make you a master of your skill.”

“Fair enough.”

We head inside the doors. Stephen leads me around several rows of equipment and into a clear glass room. As we walk in he grabs a sword from a weapon rack on the wall.

“This is where we will spar. I’ll start on the other end. Grab a sword from over there. I know you would rather use your own but the edge on that one is actually sharpened. These are dulled to prevent injury.”

I grab a sword as directed and take my place opposite Stephen. After a few seconds Stephen charges at me with lightning speed. I was barely able to bring my sword up to block. I jump backwards to give myself some space. Again he lunges towards me. He goes to hit me on my shoulder but feints to the left and hits my knee. The unexpected attack brings me down. I roll to his right to stay on my leg that wasn’t numb. Once I completed the roll I swung at his unprotected back. Stephen spun around and deflected my blow. He then proceeds to beat the living daylights out of me, as I was unable to completely nock any of his attacks. After the training finishes we both hang our swords back up on the rack. My body was covered with bruises and welts.

“You’ll get better, after a while you’ll be able to see what people are going to do before they actually do it. I’ll teach you how.”

“Does this teaching involve more pain? I’m going to guess it does.”

Stephen just looked at me and laughed.

“Possibly. It will help you be better with swords though.”

He glances up at the clock.

“It’s getting late. You can find your way back to your room right?”

“I should be able to.”

“Alright. We’ll meet here everyday at 1:00 in the afternoon. Don’t be late or I’ll find you.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow Stephen.”

I make my way out of the gym wincing with every step. Eventually I make it back to my room and crash on the bed.



Stephen and I continue to train for several months. As our training progressed more people began to crowd around and watch. Near the end of the 3rd week I was finally able to land a hit on him. I faked a roll then swung my blade at his knee. Near the end of the 3rd month I wasn’t the only one covered in welts. A few days after that I was delivered a letter that said Stephen would be gone for a couple of days. During those days Taylor taught me how to track animals as well as people. Other refugees taught me how to sew cuts and make splints with the materials available. He returned in a couple days just as the letter said and said nothing of what happened. The schedule continued as before with some extra lessons from the others at the mansion. One day after one of the matches with Stephen I was confronted by a group of people. A girl stepped forward from the others. She looked to be about 5’ 6” and was fairly attractive.

“Hey uh Augustus, I was wondering if you would like to go to a party later. We found the main base of the Organization and wanted to celebrate. It’s at 8:00 in the banquet hall. Mostly everyone will be there.”

“I’ll have to know who’s inviting me first.” I said with a wink. The girl in front giggled a little bit.

“It’s Reanna.”

“Well Reanna, I’ll consider going if you’ll be there.”

I waved goodbye and headed back to my room. I had a couple hours to prepare for the party. I changed into some jeans and a button up shirt. When it was 7:55 I left my room and headed for the banquet hall. As I walked down the hall several others left their rooms and left for the banquet hall. I had a few conversations with some of them on the way. Yet within the crowd I didn’t spot anyone I knew. As I passed Stephen’s room he spotted me from within and brought me back to his doorway.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Going to the party…”

“You do realize the party will just be a giant gathering of wallflowers? There may be a few people actually talking but it won’t be pleasant. Besides you have to help me with something tomorrow. Max sent me a mission that we can complete together. Go back to your room and rest up.

“But what about Reanna?”

“Believe me when I say that she won’t care. Actually I know she won’t care. Now head back to your room and get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be interesting.”

“What are we going to be doing on the mission?”

“You’ll see when tomorrow rolls around. Be ready by dawn. Now go.”

He gestures back to the other end of the hall. I angrily head back to my room. When I arrive I throw myself into my bed and stare at the fan. I focus on the spinning motion of the blades on the fan and it clears my mind. After a few minutes I close my eyes and fall asleep.









End of Chapter 5
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