Early Training `` Open

[Alyssa :)]

Maya gasped loudly when she saw the knife she had been throwing dig into Nikk's calf. All color drained from her face, and she watched in fear as her new friend and teacher sank to the floor, not making a sound. Why wasn't he screaming? She knew that she would be if she was him. But then, when he complimented her shot (for some completely ridiculous reason she couldn't fathom), she heard the pain in his voice and it was like she had been stabbed as well. She wanted to go over, to help him, to apologize, but she was frozen to the spot. All she could do was watch.

However, when Nikk pulled the knife out of his leg, her hand somehow managed to cover her mouth in surprise, also muffling the squeak she made. How did he do that without crying out? She couldn't believe this was happening. How did this happen? How could she have done this?!

When Nikk finally hobbled over to her and asked if she was okay, Maya unfroze. "Am I okay?" she gasped. "I just...I just...like stabbed you with a knife! You're bleeding a ton! You're gonna die! I killed my friend!" And now tears started to run, but her face stayed frozen in the same expression. It was amazing she didn't break down completely and start bawling. "I'm so sorry," she finally whispered.

[Alyssa :)]

Nikk couldn't help but give a faint laugh at Maya and her fear. "Oh really? I hadn't noticed that but that might explain why my leg decided to cry kool-aid from a new hole." He teased gently but the pain in his voice still wasn't hidden. Slowly he limped closer to Maya and gave his new friend a weak hug, something he never thought he would do. "You have not killed me I promise you that." The young seven year old stated rather boldly for someone who was bleeding to the point of blacking out. Slowly he let go of her and backed away. Then rather slowly sat on the ground. He was almost positive that elevating his leg above his heart would help slow down the bleeding but was not one hundred percent positive.

With a deep breath he laid down on the ground, placed his arms underneath his head and lifted his leg in the air. The task was rather strenuous but hopefully would be the best thing to do. Then after a second of thinking Nikk pushed himself closer to the table and stretched his leg enough to rest his foot on the surface. He turned his gaze back on Maya as she said sorry. "I'm sorry for teaching you how to throw knifes. You have a crippling good shot. I accept your apology though because it wasn't all your fault." He commented with a smile.

[Alyssa :)]

Maya sniffled a bit as Nikk hugged her, but then she smiled when he talked. "Kool-aid sounds good right now," she mumbled into his shirt before he pulled away. Her hands fluttered above him as laid down and elevated his foot. She wanted to help him, but didn't know how. "I should go get help!" she said, the idea suddenly dawning on her. Why hadn't she thought of this earlier? "Where do I go? Who should I get?" Panic started to fill her features once more as she stared at his blood-soaked tank top again.

Maya laughed nervously when Nikk said he was sorry for teaching her knife throwing. "I'm starting to regret it, too," she said. "But thanks for teaching me anyway. And for forgiving me." Maya managed to give him a smile, despite how scared and worried she was.

[Alyssa :)]

Nikk couldn't help but smile over her comment about kool-aid. Then he listened to the fact she was going to get help but she wasn't sure where to go or who to get. To be honest he wasn't sure either. He layed on the ground just looking at her while his mind searched for any means of answers to her question. He had never been hurt to such extent before nor had anyone else when he was in the training center. "I don't know." He replied finally, "I guess some sort of adult or someone."

He looked up at her smile and was a bit lost to say for a second. At least he got a smile out of her despite the situation they were in. "You're welcome. Thank you for being a fast learner." The young seven year old replied after several seconds of thought. He lazily moved an arm from under his head and rested it across his stomach. With rather emotionless eyes he picked out the fear the engulfed her features. He didn't want her to be afraid but he had no idea how to comfort her.

[Alyssa :)]

"Yeah...but where do I find them?" Maya replied to Nikk's suggestion of finding an adult. Peacekeepers were the only adults she knew of that would be nearby, but she didn't like them. She'd seen them do terrible things to people, so why would they help a little girl like her? But looking at Nikk's leg, she knew she had to find somebody, and fast. So she started for the door, looking over her shoulder.

"I'll find somebody, don't worry," she reassured her friend, though she was a lot less confident than she sounded. Maya turned away and broke into a run, leaving the training center and her wounded teacher.

~~~

Outside of the center, Maya searched frantically for help. Of course, since she was panicking she didn't search very thoroughly, but she somehow still managed to find someone. He looked pretty muscular and scary to her, but she sprinted right up of him anyway. At least he wasn't a Peacekeeper.

"Mister, I need help! My friend's hurt and he's bleeding real bad!" she panted, tugging on his shirt. "It's this way, in the training center!" And without waiting for an answer, she started pulling him in that direction, though she probably barely even made him budge.