I wake up as the compound lights blink on signaling the end of curfew. I glance at the clock 6:00, I cover my face with my pillow and try and fall asleep. When I hopelessly fail I get up and shower. Ry and I finished our little adventure at 3 this morning, we both stumbled into the compound suffering from severe sleep deprivation. I smile as I think about last night, a lot happened. I few months ago I wouldn't have been able to deal with anything that happened last night but now it gets easier to know that there are others like you out there, you just have to find them. I finish up my shower and dry my hair. I check to see what colour my eyes are in the mirror and I see glassy blue staring back at me. I have a look of innocence about me... maybe it's true, I was always the innocent one at school. It was always Jenny and I. A lump forms in my throat as a think about Jenny. Whats going to happen to her? I have to push the thought aside so I don't break down. I pull on blue worn jeans and a tight black top and put my hair up in a ponytail. When I look some what presentable I walk back into my room. I stop in the doorway confused, someone had made my bed and delivered a tray of food. I cautiously walk over to it probably looking like a complete idiot that is afraid of what is on her bed. 

*Training in 5* - RY

Right, it's from Ry. I pick up the apple and take a bite, it's perfect, just ripe making the perfect crunch. I Walk to the door and open it, now to figure out where the training room is.

"Hey, Ace!" Someone shouts to my left. It Megan, she walks toward me closely followed by a black haired girl who looks about my age.

"Hey" I say as they stop in front of me. I look at Megan then glance the the girl. Her black hair stops halfway down her back as she holds herself just a little bit taller then I am. He lifts her eyes from the ground and looks at me. Her beautiful glossy green eyes find mine and I suddenly feel confident.

"Ace, this is SJ." I smile at her and she smiles back. "You and SJ both arrived on the same day, lets just say you have a lot in common.

"Hey SJ, you wouldn't know where the training room is do you?"

"Why yes Ace I do, let me accompany you there."

We both burst into laughter and start down the hallway, I already like her.

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We reach the training room gasping for air in between bursts of laughter.

"There you are Ace." Says Ry as he walks towards me.

SJ touches my shoulder. "I better go, you good for dinner?".

"Yep, I'll see you then, nice meeting you". She turns and walks down the hallway.

"Glad you finally made it, I'm trainer Erik, you will listen to me and do as I say, I expect you will work heard and learn fast". Erik crosses the room and shakes my hand firmly. "Go and get changed in the change room, there is a training suit and everything you need for today's training inside locker 206".

I turn and walk past Ry into the change room. I walk along a row of lockers and find locker 206, I press my hand into the scanner and grab out a black bag. Lets see what they have me wearing today. I pull out black three quarter gym pants and a black crop top. great. I put them in and pull out a pair of black nikes. Those I don't mind, so they are easier for me to put on. I pull out the final two items, a pair of boxing gloves.

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"LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, DUCK"

I breath heavily sweat dripping off my face, Erik has been yelling at me all morning while Ry swings at me.

"EARTH TO ACE, COME ON, I SAID DUCK".

I grunt as I duck. Everything burns. I look up at Ry, he stares at me intensely.

"Come on Ace, just a little bit more" He whispers as I resume my defensive position.

"LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, KICK".

I swing my leg at Ry head and connect with this ear. He stumbles back but doesn't fall. I land with a huge grin.

"Better Ace, now make that the norm". Says Erik as we walks out of the room. Ry chucks me his sweat towel. 

"Here, you might want this".

I smile at him as I attempt to wipe the sweat off my face and neck. I make my way to the change rooms, I could really use a shower. I enter and stall on turn on the cold water. I swear I could hear it sizzle as it hits my back. I stay under the cold water until I start to shiver, I get out and struggle to pull on my jeans and black top. I chuck the sweat filled clothes into locker 206 and walk back into the gym. Ry walks up to me and slips his arm around my shoulder.

"So how was that for your first training session?"

I grunt not bothered to reply.

"It's OK, it will get easier".

"Sure" I mutter as I try and ignore the dull ache in my legs. Believe it or not I actually like this kind of pain because it signifies the burning of fat, but not while i'm walking back to my dorm at 11:30 in the morning. Ry and I walking into the elevator and watch the doors slide close. Yay, finally peace. The compound is alive and buzzing today, there seems to be something for everyone to do.

"What do you want for lunch?" I think about this.

"Um, Something with pasta in it and anything to drink".

When the door slides open Ry walks one way to the cafeteria and I walk the other way, back to my room. When I reach my room I open the door and collapse on my bed. I could sleep for days! I'm just about asleep when I hear a knock at my door.

"Ace?"

I slowly get up and walk to the door.

"Ace, it's SJ".

I open the door and watch a body slip inside and close it again.

"SJ?" I wake up a bit more, "You OK?"

She is out of breath, like she has been running. Then comes the sound of more knocking on my door. SJ looks up, alert, then sprints inside the bathroom. I cautiously open the door. 

"I got you pasta bolognaise and a bottle of iced tea". Ry walks past me to the lounge and puts the trays down on the side table.   

"I'll be right back". I say as I walk into the bathroom.

"SJ?" I whisper as I lock the door. SJ peers out from behind the shower curtain.

"Who was at the door?" She asks her eyes studying me.

"It was Ryan, he's a good friend of mine".

She turns her head to the side, "Is he a compound zombie, meaning does he agree with everything the compound does?"

I shake my head

"Are you?"

"No."

I unlock the bathroom door and we both walk out.

"Ryan, this is Sj, Sj Ryan".

Ry smiles at Sj slightly confused.

"She was hiding in your bathroom?"

I shake my head "No, well kind of. She came in here just before you did and when she heard someone knocking she hid".

We both turn to SJ.