Sam sat in the interrogation room facing Troll. She looked at him and felt shame at knocking him and the three defence force personnel out. She expected Troll to be fuming, but she didn't see that, she saw... humour?

  “Quite an eventful lesson don't you think?” Exclaimed Troll.

  Sam grimaced and shook her head. “I'm really sorry Sergeant Tull, I didn't mean to... I know I have a lot to learn. I thought I was getting to grips with it, then pow!”

  “Trust me I understand. You did well, the boy still lives. When you took out the three defence force guys I wasn't sure he would, but he escaped with a broken knee, a fractured spine in two places, six busted teeth, four broken ribs a severely crushed pelvis, a pulverized testicle a cracked collar bone, a crushed nose, a fractured cheek bone, a cracked jaw and a broken arm. So I think he got off lightly.”

  Sam shook her head. “I felt my rage connect with my essence and lost it. I was lucky Rae was there, it seemed any use of force just made my fury worse.”

  Troll looked at Sam. “You actually felt your rage connect to your essence? Your life essence?” Sam nodded and troll blew out a breath. “Hmm..not that many berserker's are still coherent enough to recognise it, that bodes well for the future. Don't worry kid, you progress well. It's been what ? Two weeks and a week of that in the medic bay?

  "It may seem like it's all too much, but keep working on your control and you'll be fine. Oh by the way the only reason you laid me out was that I was actively trying not to hurt you, if you think I'm that easy, wait till we meet for a spar in the ring, you'll soon see the real me.” He grinned evilly and Sam gulped. “That's OK Sarge. I'm good.”

  “Sergeant Tull.”

  “Er..oh! Yes sorry Sergeant Tull.”

  Troll shook his head with grimace and growled. “Go! Get out of here Before I decide you need that bout in the ring sooner rather than later.”

  With a flash Sam was out the door with a grin and heart full of relief. Well that could have gone a whole lot worse.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Sam found her friends at the cafeteria munching on snacks and chatting. “Hey guys, everything OK?” Sam asked. A lot had gone on in her first real day of academy life and she didn't know if that had put her on the outs with her new mates.

  Rae grinned. “Hey Sam, you want some?” she held out a big bag of Doritoes and Sam grinned back and snatched up a hand full. “Thanks Rae.”

  Paul smiled. “Hey killer! How did Troll react to you kicking his ass?”

  Sam grimaced. “He promised he was holding back and then said he would take me to spar in the ring to see the real him. I said I was busy.”

  Paul grinned. “Well I for one would pay good money to see that fight.” Edward smiled and replied. “I already got to see the fight I wanted to see. Sam kicking Anderson's arse. And did it get kicked good! Sure made me feel better anyhow.”

  Rae nodded. “Hopefully that will take him down a peg or two, if anyone needed a good lesson in humility it's him.” She shook her head and shuddered, “I really don't like him, he gives me the creeps.”

  Edward looked up and Sam saw his face pale. Sam looked out of her periphery and saw what looked like Anderson and half a dozen bully boy mates with him. Rae froze on the spot. Paul grinned, though his body looked taught as a bow as he shouted out. “Here for another lesson boys?”

  Anderson walked round the tables and the cafeteria went still. You could hear a pin drop. Sam felt his life essence as he moved to approach from behind her. She knew exactly where he was so when he got to within a couple of metres of her she spoke up.

  “Good to see the healers could put you back together Anderson. Have you come to apologies to my friends for bullying and groping them?”

  Sam could hear Anderson's knuckles as he turned his hands into fists.

  “You caught me blind sided, next time you wont be so lucky.” He snarled.

  “That why you brought 6 more of your bully boy friends? Because I got lucky? Anytime you want a re match big man I'll be ready. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I have your number Anderson and I find you wanting.”

  If Anderson's voice was all hate, all aggression, Sam's was the opposite. Hers was light as a breeze, without a care in the world. She was still snacking on her Doritoes when she felt it.

  Anderson rushed in to attack her and Sam glanced up at her friends as their eyes widened and growled to them just Anderson grabbed her.

  “MINE!”

  Anderson grabbed Sam by the neck and held her with his elbow constricting her throat in a choke hold. He was dragging her out of her seat as she rasped. “Stop now Anderson or the medics will not be able to fix the damage I do to you! UNDERSTAND? Sam shrieked out the last word as Anderson threw her across the table and roared at her as he went to go on the rampage. Then suddenly crumpled to the floor. His body shriveling up like a fruit left out in the sun to decay.

  Anderson aged 70 years in 5 seconds, by the time Sam had come to a stop on her back on the table from Anderson's throw. He was wailing as he felt his life essence drained from his body. His bully boy friends took one look at him and ran.