Blood and {Cocktails}//Jimmeh!

The streetlights of One sparkle like diamonds in the dusk glow. Drunken couples line the streets laughing at a joke that probably wasn't even that funny. I snort as I walk by them. Adults. I mean, who do they think they are? Always trying to boss us around. They really aren't that much older than us, yet they always seem to try and control us. My thoughts bring me to a halt for a minute, maybe five. Who knows? I'm lost in my own thoughts trying to figure out what real control adults have over me when I see it. Headlights barreling down the street at at least 65 miles per hour. I jump out of the way just in time to avoid being assaulted by the giant wave of water the car caused to crash over the sidewalk. My eyes narrow and the well to known rage fills my body. "Hey, watch it asshole!" I scream after him, but it's too late. The car is already too far off and all that takes its place are the sounds of the dying engine and the echoing laughter of its driver filling the empty street.

I brush off the bottom of my skin tight red dress and tighten my shawl around my shoulders, the night air finally starting to get to me. A shiver crawls up my spine and I do my best to ignore it. This damn shawl does absolutely nothing. I would throw it on the ground right now if it didn't cost me five hundred dollars. Whatever. I sigh. I wouldn't even be wearing this if my parents didn't force me to go their stupid "invite only gala". Like I care. Why would I want to spend my evening with a bunch of prissy snobs talking about the economy when I could be out training or shopping or something. Most of the people there were snobbier than me and that is almost impossible. Unsurprisingly, my parents drank way to much so I managed to slip out of there with a flask and very few questions asked, so it was a win-win for everyone. I stop for a minute and examine my reflection in a store window. Wow, I'm hot. If I was a guy, I would totally date me. I smile at myself and run my fingers through my loosely curled hair. I wince as my fingers get stuck in a knot. I slide a hair tie off my wrist and quickly pull my hair into a messy, high ponytail and continue on my way.

My heels click along the abandoned street, giving it an almost eerie feeling. My steps quicken, wanting to get to the Training Center as soon as possible. My mother always told me that a lady should never be caught out alone at night, especially ladies as good looking as us. I snort a little because I'm pretty positive she told me that when she was drunk. I feel my eyes roll to the back of my head. My mom was a helpless bimbo anyway. A huge smile begins to spread across as I see the doors to the Training Center only a few feet in front of me. I'm just about to break into a sprint when I hear a raspy voice calling from behind."Miss?" I stop dead. Well shit, maybe mom was right. Nope, she can't be. There's no way this person is talking to me. So I ignore the voice and continue on my way. The voice speaks again, this time a little louder."Excuse me?" I stop for a second time and close my eyes. Great. I slowly turn around. "Yes?" I ask in the most pleasant way I can manage.(Which probably wasn't entirely that pleasant.) The voice begins again. I see it's source and it turns out to be a ratty looking man covered in dirt. "Do you happen to have any money to spare?" He's a beggar. Of course. "You see, I lost my job. And I-" I cut him off mid-sentence. "And I don't care. Just take the money and leave me alone." I throw a wad of cash at him and turn back around, now desperate to get to my destination "Thank you so much miss!" says the man. I throw up my hand so he knows I heard and sigh with relief as his voice fades in the distance.

As soon as I get into the training center all my nerves break and I smile. "Finally home," I whisper, "Finally home." More home than my house will ever be. All my parents do is fight, and trust me you get tired of hearing that after like five minutes. I take off anything that isn't necessary, my shawl, shoes, handbag, and any jewelry I have on, and throw it into a big heap in the corner. I'm not really concerned for anything because who actually comes to train at one in the morning? Crazy people, that's who. I breathe in the musky scent of the Center and smile. All the hard work, sweat, and tears gave this place it's smell, and it was a rarity to actually have it all to myself. Normally I had to fight other kids just to get a spear (Of course I always won), and then actually getting a dummy? That was another challenge. I make my way over to the knives without a second of another thought. They were my babies, and I have no idea what I would do without them. I pick out a nice one, sharp with ridged edges, and run my finger along the edge. It's amazing that such a small weapon could do so much damage. Then without hesitation I turn and my knife goes sailing towards the target dummy. Even though I'm feeling just a little I still manage to hit the dummy dead in the eye. A small smirk finds its way onto my face and I grab two knives, taking one in each hand. I squint slightly and then throw both knives with all my might at two different dummies. They both go flying through the air and stick each target dead in the heart. I laugh a little, somehow finding enjoyment out of killing a dummy. I stop when I realize there is no enjoyment in killing a dummy. I want the real thing. I pout a little, trying to figure out something else to make me happy, when an idea comes to me. I grab another set of knives and keep them in my right hand. I don't know whether the alcohol is starting to effect my judgment now because I haven't even mastered this when I'm completely sober, or if I'm just completely insane. Probably the latter. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, tightly grasping the two knives in my one hand. My goal is to hit two targets with one throw, which I honestly don't even know is possible, but if it is, I have to be the first one to do it. I open my eyes and relax my muscles, preparing myself to throw.