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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UC2L1gByf 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡINJOsbk1NN 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm8js2qwKD 維尼
"Even better than you?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq7pEwvGEn 維尼
"Way better than me. The apprentice has overtaken the master in that regard, and it isn't even close."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBMTPzMINB 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4RfFiiybp 維尼
"What kind of man was the leader?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vTB8VfPBb 維尼
"Then or now?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMKqzyBpBa 維尼
"Both I guess."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6235n1gFxx 維尼
"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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpOewYsG8a 維尼
"What's he like now?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVlmyVpGG3 維尼
"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…"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIk7lCN50j 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMG3C659m0 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOD4yWbayn 維尼
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…"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUoxn7Seac 維尼
"Yeah…I did. You did good. If it weren't for that trick, you would have kept up with him."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PVNgmNLyc 維尼
"Except he did use the trick and beat me. Can't change that…can't change anything about that…"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3hGqXdZAJ 維尼
"Barry, for a first fight you did—"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MskrVc0Sq 維尼
"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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmHbGahVNm 維尼
"I-I'm sorry…I didn't mean to—"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ998WUlGqLn 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTrDExWSGx 維尼
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?8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJGSrRdvXk 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIbO2hxL3d 維尼
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?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡCujkBZoMYl 維尼
"Ms. Clueman?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHG824UgV4 維尼
"Y-yes?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65tIvvxVWd 維尼
"I'm Officer Kurt Murphy. I'd like to ask you a few questions about your son Phillip."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKvZvslYPb 維尼
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…"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxixyRFn9z 維尼
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?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmV01mfeH8 維尼
"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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT4ke8XAD6 維尼
"I see. What was his social life like? Was he popular? Isolated? A recluse?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTmFIW5h9n 維尼
"He has a few friends, but isn't insanely popular. He likes to keep to himself when he can."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkQXJtnRoq 維尼
"Can you tell me about his friends? Where can I find them to talk with them?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKlXPjFKxe 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2EsAQlGP8 維尼
"Thanks ma'am. One last question, do you know these two people?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNetbfDr7C 維尼
Kurt took out a photograph of two people, one thirteen year old girl, and the other, a picture of Barry.8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGHSXAjFre 維尼
"N-no sir. This is the first time I've seen them. Why?"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMDyJbaQj6 維尼
"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."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrBGdqPKoX 維尼
Kurt stood up to leave and as he was walking away, he heard Phillip's mom say, "Promise me you'll find my son."8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzq3yzFIYf 維尼
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!"8964 copyright protection432ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl6lDjH2SZ 維尼
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