Stray sun rays made their way through the canopy of leaves shining a greenish light over the river. It twinkled innocently and sped towards the ocean. Birds sent their songs in the air and bugs zoomed from plant to plant.

"Come on, kid! Is that the best you can do?"

Sam tried to raise his head and look at Kyle, but at that moment, the task seemed impossible. Sweat dripped from his forehead, down the sides of his face as he put every effort into standing. His knees shook. The pulse drumming in his ears covered the sound of the flowing river.

"Sam, get a move on, we don't have all day!"

Sam lunged forward, aiming a punch at his brother's crossed arms. Kyle stepped back and Sam fell face down on the ground.

"Terrible," Kyle mumbled.

"Pathetic," Jimmy agreed.

Sam turned over on the musty carpet of dead plants and his two brothers appeared in his line of sight. They both had their arms crossed over their chests and were shaking their heads, their mouths a thin line.

"Give him a break. He's tired," Tom called out from the moss-covered log he was sitting on. "My turn to train."

"Not until Jerry gives you the go," Kyle said.

Tom snorted. "Since when do you care about what Jerry says?"

"Since he's right," Kyle snapped and crouched next to Sam. "You should learn how to throw a real punch, Sam. You're pretty decent at dodging and parrying and hitting like a girl, but you don't know how to swing your body for full effect."

Sam blinked. "Didn't I break that guy's nose? I can throw a decent punch."

"We're not fighting teenagers in parks anymore, kid. Even Kay hits harder than you, for crying out loud!"

"Really? Did she hit you?" Jimmy asked, grinning.

"Irrelevant." Kyle grabbed Sam's arm and yanked him off the ground.

Sam's knees buckled again, but he strived to hold his vertical position. He squared his shoulders, eyeing Kyle warily, wondering what he was up to now.

"I'm going to demonstrate what a proper hit looks like." Kyle bent his knees slightly and raised his fists. "Now, notice how my body is tense and my weight is distributed equally on my feet. When you hit, you'll want to do it with your whole body. Block."

Sam tilted his head, trying to memorize Kyle's instructions when, all of a sudden, everything around him went black. Warmth spread through his body, and sparkly stars filled his vision. His head was swimming, but his body didn't hurt anymore. It was a most pleasant sensation, like the one before drifting off to much deserved sleep. He would've liked to go to sleep, but the voices bothered him. As he frowned, the darkness turned into blinding white light, and the sparkles became fireworks that stung his eyes.

"...honestly, I'm starting to think that Jerry has a point."

"I told him to parry. It's not my fault he's a pansy."

"Kyle!"

"I was only kidding. Of course I'm worried about him. Here, try this."

Sam turned his head, trying to make some sense of what he was hearing, but the fact that he couldn't see was unnerving. He could feel water on his face and together with it, colors started forming shapes in front of his eyes.

"I think he's coming round," Tom said.

"No, I'm fine. I just got a little confused." Sam tried to sit up, but somehow he couldn't pull his body together.

"Oh my God, he's slurring." Jimmy stifled a laugh.

"I'm not slurring! And don't talk as if I'm not here," Sam said annoyed, sitting up, his fists clenched. As soon as his head reached an upright position, a throbbing pain appeared below his left eye. He reached his hand and touched it, but the contact only made his head hurt even more.

"Are you okay, kid?" Kyle squatted in front of him, a guilty expression on his face.

"Yeah, I told you I was fine. You just knocked me down."

"He didn't knock you down. He knocked you out," Jimmy said, somewhere between worry and amusement.

Sam stared at him and then at Kyle. "You're kidding."

"No, we've been throwing water on you for at least two minutes," Tom said seriously.

Sam shook his head, trying to grasp what Tom had said. He felt as if Kyle had hit him seconds ago. It was so strange having a blank spot in his memory, especially because his memory usually served him well. And he couldn't believe Kyle was that strong. Were they ever going to discuss the issue or would his brother keep claiming there was nothing unusual about him?

"Here, put this over your eye." Jimmy handed him a wet cloth. "Maybe it will stop the swelling and make your bruise a bit more unnoticeable." He sounded very skeptical. "Jerry's gonna kill you when he sees this," he said to Kyle.

Kyle shrugged. "I don't mind as long as it gets him talking to me. I actually deserve it this time. Sam, you should sit down and rest. Or go back to camp."

"No way. I want to see you and Jimmy training." Sam sat on the log next to Tom.

"We could go and watch Kay beating the crap out of Angie." Tom smiled as though recalling his fondest memory.

"What is it with you and Angie anyway?" Sam asked. "I actually like her."

Tom's face scrunched in disgust. "How could you like anything about that...that thing?"

"Stop being overdramatic. You used to like her, too," Jimmy said between pushups.

"That was so long ago. She has no chance in hell to win the bet."

Sam raised his eyebrows. This didn't sound good at all. "What bet?"

"Didn't I tell you? She bet that I'd fall for her and I bet that she'd fall for me. It's gonna be the easiest bet I've ever won." Tom waved Sam away, a smug smile on his face.

"You know, you'd win that bet much faster if you were actually nice to her." Sam pointed out. "I don't think she's about to fall at your feet when you treat her like dirt."

Tom stretched. "You have a point. I should try it."

Sam shook his head, doubting that Tom could be nice to Angie, and concentrated on Jimmy and Kyle who had just finished their second warm-up. They stood a few feet away from each other. Kyle bent his knees and raised his fists, getting in combat position, but Jimmy kept a stiff upright pose.

"Maybe we should train like you and Sam did."

Kyle straightened up. "You mean have you throw punches at me? Come on, Jimmy, I've been waiting to get to fight properly! I know you're good, you can handle me. I need training, too."

Jimmy's eyes shifted from left to right. "I know I can handle you. It's beating you up I'm worried about."

"Beating me up?" Kyle asked in disbelief. "And here I was, worried that I'd have to hold back."

"Sarcasm won't help you," Tom called. "I don't deny that if you punch Jimmy in the face, you'd knock him out as effectively as you've knocked Sam. There's only one problem. You'll have to land a hit first."

"This should be twice as interesting then," Kyle said, assuming combat position again. "I take upon myself the responsibility of my death by your hands. And Jerry won't lecture you about it either. He'd probably give you a medal."

Jimmy assumed combat position as well. "You shouldn't say nasty things about my twin."

Kyle didn't answer. He narrowed his eyes and he and Jimmy started moving in a perfect circle. Kyle suddenly broke the circle and threw a punch at Jimmy. He dodged and struck back. With speed Sam didn't think him capable of, Kyle jumped out of the way. He parried the next hit Jimmy threw at him and threw a hit of his own back. Jimmy blocked too, but pulled back, shaking his arms and mouthing an 'ouch'.

Kyle grinned and punched Jimmy twice. He parried both blows and rubbed his right forearm, his face screwed up in pain.

"Damn it, Kyle! Hold back a little, will you?"

"I am holding back. I'm only trying to get you to fight properly."

Jimmy stared at him for a fraction of a second after which anger shot across his face. He charged again, aiming a kick at Kyle's chest. Kyle caught his foot in midair.

"He's got him now!" Tom said, rubbing his hands.

Sam shook his head, praying that Kyle wouldn't twist Jimmy's ankle and render him useless. But instead, Jimmy twisted on his own accord, dropped to his hands and used his free leg to kick Kyle in the chest. Kyle fell to his back and Jimmy turned on his hands and landed back on his feet.

"Whoa, time out!" Kyle called out. "Where the hell did that come from?" He sat up.

Jimmy shrugged as if he had done nothing spectacular. "I told you that I might be dangerous."

"Might? Your balance is unbelievable! And your speed! This is what I'm talking about! Let's get cracking!" Kyle laid back and pushed up on his hands, jumping to his feet.

"You still want to fight me?" Jimmy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You bet I still want to fight you." Kyle rubbed his hands, excited. "And just so you know, you didn't hurt me the least bit just now. You can hit me all you want. I can take it. I think that whatever made me strong might have also made me resistant."

"What do you think made you strong?" Sam asked, seizing the opportunity.

Kyle straightened out of his combat position and put a finger to his chin. "I don't know. Until I broke through that wall I never thought there was something wrong with me. Anyway." He shrugged and got back to fighting.

Sam could have watched Jimmy and Kyle fight forever, and not because he could catch any tips, but because they were entertaining. Once they started getting at it seriously, Sam realized that he came nowhere near them in skill. They pulled spectacular moves out of the blue and seemed to be reading each other's minds.

Tom had gotten bored at one point and left for camp, still hoping that he could catch a bit of the girls' training. Sam didn't want to join him. He couldn't believe something was more interesting than this.

Jimmy and Kyle finally stopped, both of them panting, but visibly satisfied with their progress.

"I have a lot to learn from you." Kyle stretched and he and Jimmy walked towards the river. Sam jumped off his log and joined them.

"Me too. You're technique is something I've never encountered before. You seemed to be reading my mind." Jimmy knelt on the bank and sunk his hands into the water.

"Most of that was luck. I have good reflexes, but you're technically above me. How come you're so good?"

"I've been training in martial arts for twelve years now. It would be just sad if I sucked at it." Jimmy laughed and took his t-shirt off.

Sam opened his mouth and closed it again, his attention on Jimmy's back. Jimmy looked nothing like Jerry at that moment. Even if they seemed to be about the same size when dressed, Jimmy was a lot skinnier than Jerry. All his bulk was muscle. There didn't seem to be any real meat on his bones. Sam could easily see his ribs and the outline of his spine. A sudden urge to strangle Snitch Gravel overwhelmed him. Who knew how often Jimmy and Tom had a proper meal?

A small tattoo on Jimmy's right shoulder-blade drew Sam's attention. It appeared to be some Chinese symbol.

"You have a tattoo?"

"Really?" Kyle grabbed Jimmy's shoulders and turned him around to see the tattoo.

Jimmy didn't look like Jerry from the front either. His ribs were even more visible, barely masked by the muscles of his chest and abs.

"What happened?" Kyle asked, worried.

Jimmy raised one eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Kyle nodded towards the tattoo. "Rebirth."

Jimmy put his hand on the back of his head and sighed deeply. "It's over. I'm okay."

Kyle squeezed his shoulder, sympathetically. "Bad chick thing?"

"The worst. But I'm alright now. Got this to remind myself not to be a moron again." Jimmy knelt on the bank again and washed his face.

"Is it permanent?" Sam asked, biting his lip.

"Yeah. Anything temporary wouldn't have done the trick."

"I flirted with the idea of a tattoo, but could never find a design that spoke to me." Kyle took his t-shirt off, too and sunk it in the water.

Sam was glad Kyle didn't have any tattoos. It would've freaked Jerry out even more. "Why would you do anything permanent to your body?"

"Because it's hella-cool." Kyle smiled at him, but his eyes suddenly narrowed. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Sam shook his head. He wasn't staring.

"What's not to stare at?" Alice came up from behind Sam. "You're annoyingly perfect. Did anyone ever tell you that before?"

Sam raised one eyebrow. How could Alice flirt like that with Jimmy there? Jimmy didn't seem to mind. He only smirked at Kyle as though laughing at him for being Alice's target.

"If no one did, I'll sacrifice myself and do it. Perfect body, perfect face..." she raised her eyebrows as though implying more.

"Go away, Alice," Kyle said, wringing his t-shirt.

"You could do with a more charming personality, though," Alice replied focusing, on Jimmy now. Kyle made a face behind her back and put his wet t-shirt on. "You're very close to perfection as well. So glad I switched targets."

Jimmy looked to Sam, confused. "Ah, thanks?"

Sam shrugged and did his best to pretend he had no idea what Alice was talking about. He wasn't sure if Jimmy knew that Alice had a crush on Jerry before this. Maybe it was better that he didn't know.

"You two look as if you've spent your lives in the gym. Well, you mostly." Alice wheeled back to Kyle and poked him in the chest.

Jimmy and Kyle stared at her and suddenly both started laughing.

"I admit, I did spend a pretty important amount of time in the gym, but that's because I had to." Jimmy grabbed the cloth hanging limp in Sam's hand. He sunk it into the river and handed it back to him. "I worked in a gym for about a year. Then I was a bouncer for a couple of months – needed to be massive for that. But I think all my muscle mass comes from the martial arts training."

And thank God for that, or he'd be skin and bones. "You were a bouncer? You're not even nineteen! It's another month 'till your birthday," Sam said, outraged.

"Yeah, I know, but the ones who hired me didn't know that. They fired me when they found out, though half-heartedly. I was pretty good and all the girls were lining up to see me." Jimmy grinned.

"Competition, eh? I'm obviously not the only one you've charmed," Alice purred, leaning towards Jimmy.

"How many jobs did you have?" Kyle asked,

"Let me see...my most recent ones..." Jimmy started counting on his fingers. Sam smirked. He had a feeling Jimmy was doing it to put some distance between him and Alice. "Bouncer, gym instructor, apprentice mechanic, apprentice electrician, janitor...and I'd rather stop here, I might run out of fingers. How about you, buffster?" he asked Kyle.

"Never worked a day in my life. And didn't hit the gym either. All you see here is a result of my combat training, basketball practice and the academy work-outs. And, now that I stop to think about it, maybe the genetic anomaly that made me super-strong."

Jimmy laughed. "You're a genetic anomaly as a whole. I'd really like to know how come you can fight so well, though. Who taught you?"

"Got the first tips from my...well, our uncle. Max thought I should learn how to throw a punch as soon as possible. He also had me doing target practice as soon as I could shoot a shotgun without getting knocked down by the recoil."

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Which made you ten."

"Nine, actually."

Sam walked towards camp, letting them get on with their battle tactics discussion. He couldn't stand seeing Alice drooling over two of his brothers either. Wish-washy girl!

Something Kyle had said got Sam wondering. Was he actually right? Was his inhuman strength really a result of a genetic anomaly? And if it was, did that mean that it had been transmitted from their parents and that he or any other of his brothers could have it, too? Sam wished Jerry would show some interest and maybe enlightened him. His obsession with science might have proven useful. Though Sam had the feeling it was a biology issue and that Jerry's guess was as good his.

Once he reached camp, he ran into Angie who was having another insult match with Tom. The only difference now was that, instead of pulling away from each other and screaming louder, they were actually so close their chests were touching.

"I've had it with you! I'm going to ask for Sam's permission to kill you. And if he says yes, that's one order I'd love to obey." Angie was red in the face and her fists were clenched as if she could hardly keep herself from punching Tom.

"You know what?" Tom suddenly smiled. "You're pretty when you get angry."

Angie's mouth fell open and her eyes widened. She tried to say something, but seemed unable to find her words. She groaned and walked away from Tom, mumbling to herself.

Sam watched her disappearing in her tent and focused on Tom. "I thought you were going to be nice to her from now on."

"I am nice. I just told her she was pretty." Tom grinned and Sam let out a groan not unlike Angie's. "What? I can't just start being silky sweet to her. She'll realize that I'm up to something."

"You know, I think I'm going to let Angie shoot you. She has a point."

🔷🔷🔷

I took you from dark to light with this one. What do you think about Sam's decision to not break up with Christine? Will it bite him in the ass?

How about Clive? Will that come back and do some damage?

And the training scene? I had a lot of fun with that and took advantage to give you a little Tom and Jimmy back story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Now vote and comment!