Haunting Darkness by Jordan Wadley (best mobile ebook reader txt) 📕

Almost instantly K.C. and Ash jumped at Viper without making a sound. Everyone watched with awe as Viper ducked and rolled backwards just to land on her knee. She was knelt on one knee with one hand on her knee.

Viper looked up at their feet, her dark hair hanging in her face making her look beautiful yet dangerous; and stood.

"You'll need to make you're movements more discreet, it was quite obvious when you signaled each other. It's better to wait for your opponent to charge first, if they don't then at least make your options a little less obvious." Viper shrugged at the two. Ash took in the information realizing Viper was only helping as did K.C.

"Guess we must follow the ‘Oh Mighty Viper's’ every rule!" Devial spat from behind.

Viper turned to glare murderously at the girl still cradling her knee, a new hatred in her eyes.

"Shut up child, I've beaten you haven't I? It's quite disputable how inattentive you are to fighting and defense, am I right?" Something flashed in Viper's eyes nearly scarring Devial.

Ash took that as her opportunity and leapt at Viper knocked her feet out from underneath her.

"Never turn your back on your competitor; you can easily speak without looking directly at someone. Am I right?" Ash mocked.

Viper twisted on her back and turned at a maladroit position to lock her legs around Ash's. With a jerk of her foot Ash plunged down to the ground almost crushing Viper.

K.C. hardly fought on the ground but Viper's virtuous moves were eloquent, as if by nature. He had no clue what locality or angle to attack from when Ash fell down next to her.

Viper rolled and snapped Ash's arm between her muscled thighs. She locked her ankles together and jerked Ash's arm in her hold issuing in a strangled cry.

Striker stared at the scene with a blank face, he'd learned to mask his emotions but inside he still felt. He still felt anger at Viper for hurting his only family left and he felt melancholy at the lack of emotion from the clouded haired girl. She didn't shield the emotions from anyone, what's to hide if you don't have anything to hide in the first place? He watched in repugnance as Viper snapped his sibling's arm and rolled once again. The punch to Ash's face made even Striker recoil.

Everyone stared at Ash for a moment unable to fathom what just happened. Razel looked angry yet pleased at the same time. K.C. looked shocked as well. Viper had managed to snap Ash's arm and knock her out cold before Ash even had the chance to show her strength.

"It's not all about strength," Viper said to the emotionless body. "Battling is much more than one element mastered, it's all combined."

Now that K.C. realized it, Viper seemed to master all the elements of fighting. Her strength, speed, and evaluation all evened out perfectly.

She charged at him without warning and swung out powerfully yet K.C. saw it coming. She had a new fire burning in her eyes yet the emotions failed to make an appearance.

He jerked to the side and dodged her next swing and threw back his fist. It collided with her abdomen and her eyes opened wide. She'd expected him to be strong but agility hadn't even registered. He was incredibly swift, surprising her when he matched her pace evenly.

"You're fast." She muttered, concentrating as he swung out powerfully.

"Yes," He muttered with pride. "Now let's end this." K.C. jerked his elbow up hoping to knock her down. What he hadn't expected was the sideswipe of her own elbow; he staggered slightly and lost his balance. Viper wrapped her arm around his neck and punched him repeatedly.

K.C. couldn't recover from the swings fast enough considering she threw one after another. Randomly she jerked her knee up into his abdominal region to knock him back, working wonders.

"You're fast," She repeated. "But you don't pay attention; your arrogance won’t get you anywhere." Viper spun on her right foot and swung out with her left adequately catching him in the face.

The blood splattered out of his mouth as he fell to the ground in a jumble.

She turned and met the eyes of awed onlookers only to meet Razel's cold eyes.

"What?" She wondered aloud. "Expecting a different outcome Razel? You've lacked on training if I must say. Do you want you're dogs to fail?"

Viper stared at him premeditatedly yet nothing but silence rung in the cold morning air.

"That's what I thought." She laughed bitterly, the laugh sounded forced and different even to her own ears. It almost startled her at the hoarseness of her voice, it sounded like an old and battered guitar, out of tune and off-key.

With one last glare at everyone watching her, she walked stiffly yet confidently back through the gym doors and back to her punching bag. She paid no attention to the loud whispers that entered the room, alerting her of everyone's approach, and continued boxing.

Viper grabbed the large brown bag from the old man's hand and walked down the halls once more. The blinding white light always seemed to surprise her. The normal mucky cells she slept in for years become a personal home, even the deceiving rats became a part of her.

"So, I hear you're the new bad ass around here." The statement itself wasn't a question but it was meant to be confirmed. She nodded hoping to get rid of the annoying voice.

"I'm Gale; I pretty much came here willingly. Parents are fucking crazy, brother's dead, and drugs was the only thing left. This place couldn't be that bad could it?" He laughed. Viper didn't acknowledge his presence, seemingly nerving him.

"So why are you here?" Still Viper's eyes were set dead ahead. The boy grabbed her shoulders hoping to snap her out of the daydream, when suddenly he felt cold medal against his cheek.

"Don't speak to me, don't look at me, and don't touch me. You break any of these conditions and I will end your life." His breathing became suddenly rapid as her cold voice sent chills down his spine. Everyone in the compound killed, it was practically nature, but the way she said it chilled him.

The pressure was released and he stumbled, gasping for air.

"That my friend is the famous Viper. Promise you, you don't want to get on her bad side. She's got a mean punch." A feminine voice spoke next to him, startling him.

"The name's Ash, this is my brother Striker." Ash spoke smoothly with a shrug, the nasty bruise under her eye slightly startled Gale.

"Gale, and yeah that's pretty obvious. You look exactly alike!" The sudden fear he felt for the new recruit, Viper, vanished as he laughed along with Ash and Striker.

"I've heard so many stories about her. Some people that have actually lived through a fight with her, and some of the people she knew down in the cells. She's got mean skills man." Striker spoke with a new spark in his eyes.

"Yeah, tell that to my broken arm. Turns out the little shit ain't afraid to go against fucking Razel! She got right up in his face and BOOM we're battling to what seems like the death. I've only seen Derek fight like that!" Ash moved her arms around wildly, the interest of the new girl sparking Gale's interest as well.

"Well let's go find out exactly how cool this new girl is." Gale shrugged carelessly not noticing the fear in Striker and Ash's eyes.

"Are you kidding me dude? She'd kill us! I bet she's a ninja or something; seriously she's fast as fucking lightening! She knows where you're going even before you do!" Striker whispered silently, eyes darting around the hall for Viper, and leaned in closer. "She's probably listening now."

Gale rolled his eyes at the pair and slowly began walking toward the direction Viper disappeared through. He couldn't pin-point exactly what he found so interesting in her, or if maybe it was the beauty that attracted him. He didn't know, but he did felt some sort of connection with the girl. Something about her piercing blue eyes and evil glare warned him. Of what? He couldn't be completely sure.

Viper heard the footsteps coming closer to her opened door and yet she kept her eyes on the cold walls. When the footsteps stopped within reaching range, she slowly let her eyes drift to the three forms standing before her.

Ash, the girl she fought with in the battle, her brother Striker and the boy she threatened no more than five minutes ago.

She said nothing, simply staring at their unsure forms, and crossed her arms tiredly.

"I don't have all day." Viper snapped gaining Gale's attention. It seemed like that was the only tone she used, whether it was by habit or pure irritation.

"You're really good at fighting. Honestly if one of us go in the ring with you tonight we'd die. How'd you learn to fight like that?" Ash asked as she walked closer to a calm looking Viper. "How long exactly have you been here?"

The question alone startled Viper considering she'd never been asked that. Everyone always knew exactly how long she was trained and tortured until she became a monster. Some people mocked her endlessly about being 'soft' until she proved herself. It took quite a few deaths by her hands to prove herself, but slowly and surely she managed to stand on her own two feet.

"I was trained at five. I don't know how long I've been here." The three stared at her as she managed to stare right back, the truth shining in her eyes.

"How old are you then?" Gale asked curious with the new information.

"I don't know." Viper ended the conversation quickly. Ash and Striker gave each other a knowing look. They lost everything they had at such a young age, but five was too soon.

"When did they start, well... you know, training you?" Striker stuttered afraid of using the word 'torture' in front of someone that seemed so angry all the time. He wondered to himself if it was the torture that made her angry all the time, maybe searching for revenge. He'd been searching for revenge with his sister Ash by his side.

"The day I arrived. Any more questions?" Striker was growing used to her blunt and short replies. The sharp anger in her tone gave him the impression of a brewing storm waiting to rain down on the wrong people.

"Well, I guess we could introduce ourselves properly. I'm Ash, this is my brother Striker, and this is Gale. You met Gale a few minutes ago if I'm not mistaken.

Even if it was a quick evil smile, it was something that shocked the three. Viper noticed her lips curving up slightly and growled menacingly, the anger replacing anything else. She felt slightly relieved when they flinched, the fear rolling through their sweat glands freely.

"Leave." Viper commanded sharply, no room for discussion.

They didn't give her another second glance as they scurried away quickly.

Ash knew she was strong and fast, but she also knew holding up to Viper's rage was nearly impossible. It seemed she had no trouble taking three down at once without anything but determination, how deadly could she be when angry?

"Ashley!" Striker yelled annoyed. Ash