Tearing The Shroud (35 page)

She continued her stretching. ‘Like my outfit? I wore it to make you squirm a little as payback.’

He laughed. ‘Toughest workout I’ve had in a long time.’

‘Plus I have to admit, I like it when you watch me.’ She smiled mischievously.

‘Consider yourself thoroughly watched.’ He coughed. ‘Okay, let’s move on.’

That’s when things went wrong. The moment she tried to copy Vinni’s movements, all her natural grace disappeared. It was a disaster.

Even though Jule stumbled and flailed, she never gave up. Eventually he saw her frustration building. ‘I think we’re good with this part.’ He pointed to the new wooden post against the wall. ‘I’ll do blade work, and you take a breather; okay?’

She fluffed the sweaty t-shirt that clung to her and nodded. ‘That sounds very okay.’

‘These are dual purpose knives,’ he said, holding one up. ‘They can be used for hand to hand or throwing. I don’t have the knack for tossing them.’ She took the cord-wrapped hilt firmly in her right hand. ‘Be careful; they’re sharp. I just want you to feel the weight of it.’

She nodded. ‘It feels like it was made to sit in my hand.’

‘That’s called balance, and you’re right. These are perfectly balanced.’

‘So, they can be thrown?’ She raised an eyebrow.

‘Yes, in fact — ’

She whipped her arm around like a pitcher throwing a fastball; the knife spun toward the post and sank deep with a solid thud. Vinni’s jaw dropped.

‘I have no idea how I did that.’ She shook her head. ‘It just...felt like it would happen.’

‘Where’d you learn to throw like that? I don’t mean the knife, just in general.’

‘Playing catch with my dad. I didn’t enjoy regular sports, but we loved to toss the ball around.’

‘Okay then, let me show you — ’

‘Ya know, never mind. I’ll probably just mess you up. Here.’ He handed her a second blade, and she turned toward the post, snapping her arm forward. The knife hit so close to the first that their handles vibrated against each other.

‘I did it again!’ She danced a quick jig.

The third one placed just above the other two.

‘You are amazing. Simply amazing.’ He shook his head.

They discovered that at distances beyond thirty feet, she only hit six or seven out of ten. Inside that range, her accuracy was deadly.

I’ve never seen anything like it.

And I thought I’d have to worry about protecting her.
Vinni chuckled.

‘Hey, no laughing at me; I’m armed and dangerous.’ Jule grinned.

‘It’s not you. It just came to me that you’ll be protecting the guys when I’m not around; I can’t wait to see their expressions.’

She giggled. ‘Neither can I.’

‘It’s a relief. I mean, I hope you’ll never be in danger, but if everything fell apart it’s good to know you aren’t defenseless.’

She nodded. ‘I’ve been thinking the same thing. But it’s not like I can just carry knives around all the time.’

He started to agree then stopped. ‘Why not?’

‘Well because...’ She stifled a laugh. ‘As long as they don’t fall out in class or something.’

‘I bet Mr Brown has a solution. Let’s tell the guys.’

‘Not before I shower.’ She indicated the now see-through t-shirt.

‘I dunno. I kinda like your shirt that way.’

‘
Sweaty Women with Knives
; there’s a B movie title if I ever heard one.’

They laughed and walked to the door. She turned to him before entering. ‘Vinni, thanks for a great workout. Can we do it again?’

‘Anytime. I’d suggest twice a day, and not just because I like being together. You need to keep dialing in the knives.’ He took her hand, and paused. ‘Have you...’ Vinni took a breath. ‘I’ve been thinking about our conversation on the steps.’

Jule nodded. ‘Me too.’ She looked down. ‘That and a million other things.’

His heart beat faster. Would the dream be right?

‘Jule, I love you.’ She looked back up. ‘I don’t know exactly how much of it is Coleman, but I know Vincent does, completely.’

‘Then us. It’s okay?’

He shrugged and a small smile bent his lips. ‘Until I’m not Vinni. Then we’ll do our best with whatever that moment brings.’

‘I’ve trusted you with my life,’ she said. ‘Will you have my heart too?’

‘Always, Jule.’

Jule wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He held her, his head on her shoulder.

Do you mind going to the room for a while?

He waited a few seconds then thought,
Coleman?

‘Hey, I have a surprise.’

She pulled back and looked in his eyes. ‘You sound different.’

‘That’s because we found a way for Coleman to close himself off.’

‘You mean this is just us?’

He nodded. Jule’s eyes widened then softened. She bit her lower lip. At the same instant, they moved closer, their mouths softly and slowly meeting, savoring the moment; each heartbeat, every emotion, the subtle nuances of who they were, seemed to flow through that gentle connection. She pressed against him, their bodies forming to one another, and her kiss deepened passionately. A sense of relief washed over him and he responded, matching her intensity. They hungrily lost themselves in each other, finally separating breathlessly.

She panted, desire radiating from her. ‘I want you to know something.’ Her face had a soft glow, and he felt like he could stare into her eyes forever. ‘I wasn’t kidding when I told Mr Brown I wanted to lock you in my room. There’s almost nothing I’d like more.’

‘I...’ Vinni’s mind raced. ‘I ache for you, but Jule — ’

‘I know, love. It would add another complication to your life, and that’s the last thing you need right now.’ She ran her finger down the line of his jaw. ‘There’ll be time for us after this passes.’

He nodded. ‘Thank you I...’

‘Don’t worry. I understand.’ She kissed him lightly, her tongue darting across his lips. ‘Now, let’s go shower. Separately.’ She walked away humming the tune to a Cheap Trick song.

He smiled as he recalled the title,
I Want You to Want Me
.

A Week

The four of them strolled through the fog on a winding cement path. It led past the admissions office and ended at a small storage building nestled among the trees. Around the back of it a trail cut through a section of undeveloped land and connected to the street the house was on. Flea and Knife had come across it the previous afternoon.

Wednesday, October 24th, marked their ninth day at the house and they’d settled into an easy rhythm. They traveled to the campus together each morning then returned after dinner in the evening. During the day, they made sure to stay around other people. For the most part, it was a simple task — moving from classes with groups, or waiting for one another in a public place. Mr Brown had stocked the house with various snacks, but they took their main meals in the cafeteria to maintain a facade of normalcy.

Knife told his roommate he was staying with his uncle for a while, and Jule informed Emily she was housesitting. Surprise at how easily they pulled off the charade soon replaced their fears of discovery, and extra library time helped them readily accomplish the homework that had previously flooded their lives. Vinni and Jule continued to train together. Somehow, in spite of all that they faced, the little band of friends found a way to move on with life.

Chapter 30

Lunch

‘A complete natural,’ Vinni said to the guys at dinner in the cafeteria. ‘It’s uncanny.’

‘When do we get to see?’ Flea asked.

‘She’s making sure it’s not a fluke.’ He shrugged. ‘Mr Brown’s bringing over gear, so it’ll probably be tonight.’

‘Hey, I used to know someone who looked like you.’ Emily walked to the table, with Mike in tow, then stood next to her chair. She sighed as Mike started to sit.

‘Oh sorry,’ he said, pulling out her chair. ‘I forgot.’

Flea raised an eyebrow at Knife and nudged Vinni.

‘Yep, Emily, we’ve been crazy busy,’ Knife said.

‘It looks like we missed something.’ Flea looked from her to Mike.

‘Oh, this?’ She waved her hand. ‘Boyfriend in training, and we have a long way to go.’ She looked at Vinni. ‘
Good
men are hard to find, but
Mike
has the right stuff.’

They noticed changes in him. His hair was clean, and he was neatly dressed; even his teeth were without their usual layer of gunk.

‘Looking good, Mike.’ Flea nodded.

‘Yep,’ Mike said before digging into his food.

‘So, where have you hidden my roommate?’ She pointed at Vinni.

‘Don’t look at me,’ Vinni said. ‘I couldn’t lock her away.’

‘I hear she’s like, ninja dangerous.’ Knife winked at him.

‘Wouldn’t want ta mess with her,’ Flea said.

‘Hey, there’s the gal I’ve been hiding.’ Vinni got up and slid out a chair for Jule.

‘Hiding? Yep, I’m still at the house. Hi, Emily, Mike.’ Jule smiled innocently.

‘Hi there, stranger,’ Emily said. ‘When are you coming back?’

‘Not sure. The owner is still tied up with business.’

Emily huffed. ‘Why can’t I come visit you?’

‘Sorry, Em, I’m just doing what the owner asked. I’ll be back soon enough.’ She nodded.

With the small side of the cafeteria full, they contended with the loud atmosphere of the north end. People nearby were calling to other tables, laughing and tossing ripped napkins back and forth.

‘I love a nice, quiet meal, don’t you?’ Jule said to Vinni.

He looked at the rowdy students. ‘Want me to ask them to settle down?’ He started to stand, and she set a hand on his arm.

‘No, it’s okay, but thank you.’ She smiled.

‘Going to take on the world huh?’ Emily patted Mike’s arm. ‘I prefer a less
barbaric
approach.’

Mike nodded, still eating.

‘So where’s E.T.? Aren’t you guys a trio?’ Knife asked.

‘He’s sick and went to the med building,’ Emily said.

‘Yep, sick.’ Mike nodded.

‘Any time frame on gaming?’ Emily asked.

‘Maybe a few weeks out.’ Knife shrugged. ‘Life’s still too hectic.’

‘Just as well,’ Flea said. ‘I’m crazy busy too.’

‘Ah, college,’ Vinni said.

‘So Mike and Emily are an item,’ Flea told Jule.

‘Really? That’s great.’ Jule smiled, causing Emily to blush.

‘Yep, great.’ Mike took another bite.

Jule snapped her hand up near Emily’s face, set a wet balled-up napkin on the table and took a bite of food.

Emily squeaked, ‘Where’d that come from?’

‘Sorry, wrong target,’ a voice called out.

‘See? I told ya,’ Knife said. ‘Ninja dangerous.’

‘Hands like a striking cobra,’ Flea said.

There was a moment of silence. Then Mike said, ‘Yep, dangerous.’

Knives

A 1969 Mustang fastback sat in the driveway.

‘Oh, cool,’ Jule said happily as she jumped from the car.

‘
She’s
excited.’ Vinni grinned at the guys.

‘So it seems,’ Knife said.

‘Or she needs to pee,’ Flea said straight-faced, walking ahead of his friends who laughed and followed him inside.

Mr Brown reached into a heavy canvas bag on the counter as they walked up. Jule tried to peek in.

‘Let me get them out, Jule.’

‘Sorry.’ She grinned.

‘Witness the latest in bag technology.’ He held a dark blue backpack with black straps.

‘Oh, I like the color. Can I try it on?’

‘First, let me show you the knives.’ He slipped on the pack.

‘Knives? I don’t see any.’

‘Nor should you. These small rings on the shoulder straps normally would be to tighten them, but now...’ He put a thumb in each and gave a quick pull, releasing two leaf-shaped bladed throwing knives concealed there.

‘Oh, neat.’ Jule said.

He set the knives down. ‘But wait, there’s more.’ Mr Brown reached to his shoulders. ‘There’s a notch for your thumb here...and here.’ He pulled two more from the pack.

Flea grinned. ‘Talk about well-armed.’

‘But if you act now you’ll receive these.’ Mr Brown reached under the pack and whipped up another two.

They laughed and applauded. ‘You sound just like the guy on TV,’ Knife said.

You’re getting a little obsessed, Coleman.

Which has nothing to do with the women in bikinis.

‘...can watch,’ Jule said.

Mr Brown nodded. ‘I also brought sheathed leg knives, suitable for wearing under your pant leg or skirt, provided it is long enough.’

‘Or, you could be sexy miniskirt Warrior chick and let them show out the bottom, and you could be all, whhhhhaaCHAAA and...’ Flea stopped making karate chop motions as his friends snickered. ‘Well, ya know, it’s an option.’

Okay, almost always.
Vincent smiled.