Phillip fell to the ground, gasping for breath. It had been a week since he had been kidnapped and forced to start training to fight in an arena. After his first day of training, he had been introduced to the first group. Most of them were young teenagers, with a few older ones. All of them didn't look strong, and from what he saw, weren't too great with a sword. Of course, neither was he.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwWDZEhRtW

Maruice stood over him. "Already exhausted after only two hours?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB5Ip9QgyK

"I'm…still…not used…to this."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQU4tXN00O

"You only have a week until your first fight, and you're not guaranteed another one. There are more accidental deaths in group one than the other two groups combined. Of course, there are more intentional deaths in those groups than in group one."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0OMJQWhY

"Why…tell me…that?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZkT4LEno0

"To get your butt in gear. If you can't block a basic attack, you're dead. The people in group one aren't skilled enough to give you a non-lethal wound. Your body is already more toned than most of the others in the group. That gives you the advantage. Don't waste it by becoming lazy and unmotivated."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bMfG0Lu9V

Phillip gritted his teeth and stood up. "I can do more…I have to do more." Phillip started to swing the swords again. "Your form has indeed gotten better. It looks like it's starting to become muscle memore for you."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHX0JqTeXX

Continuing to swing, Phillip replied. "It does feel…more natural…than before."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJrisab6Gh

"Do fifty more sets."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdxmIQFnfZ

Phillip nodded and did the required amount. Soon, he was sitting down, drinking from a bottle of water. Maurice walked over. "Alright, time for you to continue your defensive training. We'll do what we've done before, I swing, your parry."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgy5myNkUQ

Phillip nodded and slowly stood up. "I'm ready."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f94NrBZy9

Maurice took one sword, unsheathed it, and walked to Phillip. "Alright, let's go."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NsuESp6sf

Phillip noticed Maurice raise his arms and swing the sword. Lifting his right arm, Phillip blocked the incoming blow. "Good. You aren't taking a few steps back after every blow anymore." Maurice continued to swing the swords with Phillip blocking. After ten minutes, Maurice lowered the sword. "Good job. You're learning well. It looks like you'll be able to block most attacks from group one. However, don't get cocky. Groups two and three would kill you within five seconds."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡauA8sYagyI

Phillip took a deep breath and exhaled. "That's group two and three. I'll worry about them when I get there. I need to get through group one first."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡaERzWb584M

Maurice nodded. "Okay. Anyways, that's enough mandatory training for today. You can continue to train on your own if you want. Also, the schedule for next week's group one fights comes out tomorrow. I'll let you know who you're fighting."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIKOj4ioY6

"Thank you. See you tomorrow then."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡav9tgRkk2Q

Maurice nodded and walked out of the room. Phillip looked at the swords he was holding. "Only a week ago, there were no scratches on you guys…you'd think you were in a war looking at you now."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RukPwudr9

Phillip swung the swords once before sheathing them. Taking a quick drink of water, he walked out the door and bumped into Barry Furn. "Sorry Barry. Didn't see you there."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9NZV2dgFa

"Ah, it's alright. I wasn't paying attention to anything at the moment. I'm just nervous about tonight's fight…"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡplhQ1di7l1

Phillip took a deep breath. "That's right. Your first fight is tonight.."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfaPmN6VyC

"Against the second best person in group one too. I don't know if I'm going to get out of it alive."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkfTUZbzLz

"I'm sure you will. Verra is a good teacher from what I've heard. I'm sure she got you in fighting shape."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡb52I7qb8fP

"She has done her best, I can tell you that. I'm just not the best learner, or fighter. Look at me. Two weeks ago, I was only able to bench press thirty pounds. In two weeks, it's only gone up two pounds. You were able to up your pounds already by ten, and you were able to lift a lot more than me. It's not looking good at all."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cbgiWht5O

Phillip sighed. "So you're admitting defeat before the fight has even begun?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVsibHBWhd

"…yes I am."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kLzasEiCS

"Well, good luck with that then. I'll be cheering for you though." Phillip walked past Barry and down the hall, until he reached his room. Closing the door, he laid down on the lumpy mattress he was provided and stared at the ceiling, thinking of his mother. "I wonder when she noticed I was missing…probably after five minutes of me not coming back inside with the mail." Phillip felt a pang in his chest. "I want to go home…I hate it here. I hate having to train every day. I hate that I will have to fight other people. I just wanted to be a normal person playing video games every night, not fight for survival. I was so close to beating that game too."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡLckFUkY2K1

Phillip sighed and rolled over on the bed, enjoying the few minutes of relaxation he could spare. Although training was important, Maurice had told him, "If you push your body too hard, it will crack. A cracked glass can still be used to hold water, but it will leak until there is no water left. Same with a cracked body. It will drain all the energy you have and leave you defenseless. Maintain your body as well as train hard. Find that balance."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNsIY8Jeiu

Phillip snorted and stared at the wall. Though…I can see where Barry is coming from though. I'm scared myself about what's going to happen in my first fight.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8ydibWMMf

After several minutes, Phillip got up from the mattress and back to his training room.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VRsf4exbX

Meanwhile, in a police station, Officer Kurt Murphy looked at a picture of Phillip. "It's been a week since you disappeared. What happened to you?" Sighing, he walked over and picked up another folder. "That's the fifth time the past two weeks someone from his age range has been kidnapped. They could possibly be related…"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYQdVkVMgn

"What are you looking at so seriously Kurt?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu06wC8l3q

Kurt was startled and turned around. "Ah, Chief. I didn't see you there."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47TsL7tJOR

"You still haven't answered my question."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpNZHBSvKb

"Ah, it's just the disappearance of five teenagers. It's just got me thinking there's a possibility that they might be connected."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OyxwmFZOd

"How so?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR0lIAWgzG

"The age range and the time they were kidnapped. They're all similar. I just can't help but think they're connected."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡxen0FIQA19

The chief nodded his head. "That may indeed be the case. Keep an open mind when you're investigating, and the evidence may tell you more than what you think is possible."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJaYK6y8KK

Kurt nodded and looked back at the five pictures. I'll find you guys…if you're still alive.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU7Tl3bBHz