Phillip's grunts could be heard a few halls down from where he was training. Maurice was watching over him, nodding his approval. "Looks like Barry's battle has fired you up."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkyfeGjEI9
Phillip took a swig of water. "Honestly, it did. I knew I had to fight, but didn't expect to be in a fight like that. I don't want to leave any chance of me being killed."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJc39UrjdU
Maurice laughed. "Well, that's one way of looking at it. The leader was like that as well. He hated pain and tried his best to avoid it. He's a master of dodging attacks."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuExRml9Om
"Even better than you?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFhtXcu3sW
"Way better than me. The apprentice has overtaken the master in that regard, and it isn't even close."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡIplujbzs6u
Phillip took in a deep breath. Maurice has never been this open about the leader before. This might be a good time for me to get some info.copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbPpucoBxB
"What kind of man was the leader?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MtMQnrRn6
"Then or now?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡtREJEQT8No
"Both I guess."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡghiCKvK3KV
"Then, he was like you. Scared, confused, but caring. He first told me that he would refuse to fight and would die instead, but he stumbled into a group one fight, and the fight apparently sparked a passion in him. He completely turned around from scared to confident. He practiced every second he could, promising me he would one day be strong enough to beat the leader and free us. He did keep one half of his promise."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkYFFXvHlo
"What's he like now?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVl87UuZPB
"Tyrranical. Cruel. Evil. Sadistic. The exact opposite of when I first met him. He doesn't care what it takes, he gets what he wants, and no one will stand in his way. I should have seen it coming…"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM1EkvjK6f
Phillip opened his mouth when Maurice raised his hand. "I've already said too much. Get your swings in. You're going to need the technique engrained in your mind as much as it can."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv33SATZj7
Maurice left the room, leaving Phillip alone swinging the sword, trying to maintain his form. His thoughts ran to Barry and the conversation they had after the fight.copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nZ7D8hOHl
Phillip walked into the medical room, watching an elderly man putting a bandage over Phillips index finger. Barry looked up and spotted Phillip. "I guess you saw the match then…"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgh2YnvbpL
"Yeah…I did. You did good. If it weren't for that trick, you would have kept up with him."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbGqLCjEc8
"Except he did use the trick and beat me. Can't change that…can't change anything about that…"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqOKVHTjMo
"Barry, for a first fight you did—"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw07EcGbvw
"I don't want to hear it! You've never been in that situation before! You don't know what it's like, how it feels to be in that situation! You are in no right to tell me how good or bad I did."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVdAlOixPw
"I-I'm sorry…I didn't mean to—"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeNjSKBr4e
Barry sighed. "I know…I'm sorry. It's just…after the fight…it seems my goal to fight my way out of here is gone. I'm progressing slower than the other people. I got my butt kicked in my first fight. I'm just scared…scared I won't be able to see my family again."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd1qjS9QjL
Phillip's mind flashed back to the present as he continued to swing the swords. A picture of his mother flashed in his mind. What if Barry is right? Is it really possible to fight your way out? To see my mom again? I know the leader did…but look at what happened. Will I become that way? If I were in the same situation, seen the same things he did, would I make the same choices?copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVDtPgzIZv
Phillip swung the sword down, the velocity carrying him forward. His breathing intensified. "I can't think of that now. I can only go out and fight. I'll take the punches as they come toward me."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHDBANO9TN
Kurt Murphy pulled up in front of a house and put the police cruiser in park. Shutting the engine off, he got out of the car, walked up towards the front door, and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, a woman answered. "Hello?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV9M733wDC
"Ms. Clueman?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFAZG01brF
"Y-yes?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE23pN90If
"I'm Officer Kurt Murphy. I'd like to ask you a few questions about your son Phillip."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡuokgAlWjaW
Phillip's mom nodded and opened the door wider, allowing Kurt to enter. "I-I'm sorry for the mess in the house. I just haven't been up to cleaning ever since that night…"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXq2SldQjT
Phillip's mom stifled a few sobs. Kurt looked at her with a sympathetic look. "Ma'am, I know this is hard, but whatever information you are able to give me will help my chances of finding Phillip. Did Phillip seem scared? Think that maybe someone was following him?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvmg5n1xQF
"No. He was normal, acted normal. He walked the dog and when he came back, I asked him to get the mail. He didn't hesitate or anything."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5EWYwP0qT
"I see. What was his social life like? Was he popular? Isolated? A recluse?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFUlZD4k3n
"He has a few friends, but isn't insanely popular. He likes to keep to himself when he can."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtcDgvnM9H
"Can you tell me about his friends? Where can I find them to talk with them?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCo7uMpeYF
Phillip gave Kurt the addresses of Phillip's friends. "They also go to the high school a couple blocks away. You should be able to find them there if they're not home."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRr7dqP9b6
"Thanks ma'am. One last question, do you know these two people?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJEGbHum36
Kurt took out a photograph of two people, one thirteen year old girl, and the other, a picture of Barry.copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡigdOhLKZOp
"N-no sir. This is the first time I've seen them. Why?"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6P6CKgEQL
"They've also been kidnapped around the same time as your son, and they're around the same age group as your son. I suspect that they may be related to the case, but I can't come with any solid connections yet. Thank you for your time Ms. Clueman."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbdgsbZjja
Kurt stood up to leave and as he was walking away, he heard Phillip's mom say, "Promise me you'll find my son."copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOTz0WrjtC
Kurt looked back at her. Kurt knew about making promises he couldn't keep, knowing there's no guarantee of anything, but looking at her lit a fire in him. "I'll find him Ms. Clueman. I'll find him and bring him home to you!"copyright protection291ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJiZCArbHe
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