Downtown Love (18+) - Chapter 9: Chapter 9
You are reading Downtown Love (18+), Chapter 9: Chapter 9. Read more chapters of Downtown Love (18+).
POV: Camila Ortega
It all started with a large orphanage in the middle of nowhere. Since I was a young girl, this was the only place I knew my whole life. The older I got, the more I realize it wasn't just any random orphanage. If a family didn't adopt you by the age of twelve, you loaded onto a bus and taken elsewhere. I didn't know where they took them until my twelfth birthday. I thought I would've been adopted by then, but every time a family showed interest in me, they would never show up again. They always seemed to have disappeared.
It made me feel useless and unworthy of being adopted. All I wanted was a family that loved me because all I had was love. I didn't have money or a special talent, but at least I had love. I had plenty of friends at the orphanage, but the kind of love I got from them was different. I wanted to have faith till the very end, but how could I when I was no more than a bastard. Once my twelfth birthday hit, I waved goodbye to all the new kids that came to the orphanage and prayed that this new path led me to better things.
All the other kids and I who were also twelve and weren't adopted were loaded onto a bus that brought us somewhere. None of us would've imagined where the bus would drop us off at. It was a school for training high-quality assassins. We learned how to use knives, guns, bombs, anything lethal, you name it, we trained with it. Our bus wasn't the only one though three other busses pulled up behind ours. The second we got out of the bus, they stripped us of our bags, made us get in single file lines, then split the girls and the boys up.
When they took us out separate ways they had us strip. It was so inhuman having the guards watch us as young women strip. After we all had removed our clothing, we had to line up again and get our hair cut. Everyone had their hair cut to 14in long, and once our hair was cut we were given a uniform. We were required to change where we stood in the all-black uniform. It felt like a prison the way we were already being treated from the beginning. Once everyone was changed, we were all escorted into a large area where the boys were already lined up. We were all scared silent. No one dared to talk. It was so quiet you could hear the people next to you breathing.
"Welcome children to the TOKAA Academy, I am your principal Madam Antoinette. Today you'll be put in your dorms and taking a test to see how advanced you are. I hope that everything goes alright! The teachers here will help you through the rest now. Anyone questions?" One girl rose her hand slowly into the air.
"Oh, look at what we have here. What's your question, dear."
"What if I don't want to?" Madam A started laughing hysterically, which gave me goosebumps."Oh, she's bold. Well, I guess I'll make an example out of you. Listen to me boys, and girls. If you don't obey me, and my sergeants then this is what will happen." She walked up to the little girl, pulled out her knife, and slit her pinky clean off her hand. The little girl started screaming as blood was spurting out from the nub that was left.
"Anyone else wants a spin? I didn't think so. Next time you'll learn never to defy me, little girl. Will you be a dear and clean this up, sergeant Ann?" All the kids were gasping and trembling as they saw the girl's pinky on the floor lifeless. The tall woman wore the little girl's blood on her face like a trophy. She was wearing blood-red from head to toe. It hid the blood that was on her shirt from slicing the girl's fingers off. She elegantly walked away without another word. The only thing that was heard for a minute more was the sound of her heels clicking against the tile floor. They decrescendo as she walked away evilly. The girl was taken away from the rest of the group, and the blood was cleaned up immediately.
"Okay, maggots! I hope you can count because that's how you'll be split up into dorm rooms! Four people in each room, no more, no less! Got it!" We all stayed silent because of how shocked we were that her finger was gone.
"Did Sergeant Lex not make herself clear? She said got it!" Little yes's murmured here and there as the sergeants started counting us off. They then grabbed us by the arm and threw us into a dorm. I was hoping at least one of them was from my orphanage, but none of them were. We all got thrown into a room, and we all just stared at each other until a girl named Donna broke the silence.
"Hi... I'm Donna I, came from Rosette Orphanage, what's your name's?." Donna had a paler complexion and beautiful blonde shiny hair that could blind the sun.
"I'm Victoria I, don't know the name of my orphanage, but I know I'm from one." You could tell Victoria was East Asian because of her accent, and she bowed when she greeted us. Victoria had so much natural beauty it could make a grown woman jealous.
"I'm Miya I, came from Parkway Orphanage." Miya was blessed with melanin in her skin had the most beautiful complexion and small button nose.
"I'm Camila from Silverback Orphanage."
"Oh, what beautiful names you all have, I hope we can all get along." Donna was so cheerful in a horrid situation like this. We all nodded and walked towards a random bed and claimed it as our own. The bed already had sheets laid out all we had to do was put them on the bunk beds. Later that day, all the new students were taken to a room. They have all tattooed a barcode on us. The guys had the barcode tattooed on their torso, and the girls had it tattooed under their boobs. It was painful for a twelve-year-old to get a tattoo on their breast bone, but showing weakness on your first day was a bad start.*************** *8 years later*
"Okay, everyone, this is your final test in this academy, I expect nothing but excellence! If you fail this test, you will have to fight to the death to live against others who have failed me, but if you pass, you'll be assessed on if you are ready to take your first mission or not." It had been eight years since our admission into the school, and Donna, Victoria, Miya, and I always got the high scores, pass plus in training programs, and beat everyone in combat. We all stuck together so much and excelled in everything our group name quickly became the lethal Girl Scouts. At first, we didn't like the name very much until everyone would call us this. Even Madam A acknowledged our group name, so it started sticking. The way we tied knots and learned how to grapple from building to the building you would think were Girl Scouts. We realized quickly that it wasn't about compassion anymore. If you wanted to survive you did what you had to do. Even if it means fighting each other, we all agreed that we would do it, and may the best woman win. Even though we never fought against each other, we knew one day it'll get to that point.Day and night they had us climbing trees, analyzing footprints, running twenty-five miles a day, shooting bow and arrows, rewiring cables, and they would throw us in the woods with only a little bit of supplies, and we had to live off of it for a week. The person who lasted the longest within the week didn't have to run. They trained us to do things that even army soldiers didn't know. They trained us to be weapons instead of people. Ever since I turned 12, I've done nothing but tried to survive by boosting myself up in this system. I wasn't going to let the final exam take me down. The possible amount of points was 2,000, but you only needed passing was 1,450, and anything below 1,449 was failing.
It was our final exam at TOKAA Academy. If you passed, you had the option of becoming a sergeant at the school, working for the government as an agent or any government position, and taking private missions. If you didn't choose one of these pathways they'd put you to death because they can't have their secrets getting out to the world. After we had finished testing Madam A collected all of our papers then sent us off to lunch. By the time we came back, the scores were announced to everyone.
"How did you think you did," Donna asked.
"I feel like I got the same score as last time."
"Damn, Camila, that's still a lot of points."
"Yea, but I wanted a better score this time."
"You are a high achiever."
"Well, so are you, Miya, and Victoria."
"Your right. The lethal Girl Scouts for the win, am I right?" All of us smile and nodded as we went to the cafeteria and ate our food. We headed back to our classroom. Madam A was sitting on sergeant Lexi's desk ready to tell us the exam scores.
"Now that we are in here, the following student pass plus the test. 1,995 points are Donna, Victoria, and Miya. Please give them a round of applause." I was so confused because they didn't call my name. Donna, Miya, and Victoria looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders aggressively. There must've been a mistake somewhere or maybe I just passed the test and not pass plus, but it was so unusual because I usually get at least 1,996 while they get 1,995."So now everyone else passed except for a disappointing handful of people. Madam A expected better from you that failed. So here are the names that failed. Camila, Nate, Logan, Tanya, Alisha, Tim, Gracie, Caden, Aliyah, and Emma. You all failed and will now fight to the death. May the best fighter win." It wasn't right at all! I couldn't even fathom how I could've failed?! I had a feeling I had been sabotaged by someone because there was no way I could've failed. Everyone in the class got up and celebrated while the people who failed stayed behind to get ready to fight. Donna, Miya, and Victoria had stayed behind too so they could talk to me.
"Camila, what the hell girl."
"I don't know, Miya! Someone must've sabotaged me because I never failed an exam in my entire TOKAA career." Donna came up to my ear and started whispering so that only Miya, Victoria, and I could hear.
" I bet it was Emma. She's had it out for you since we were twelve years old. You know she's not good at tests, but she is good at wiring. She must've wired your computer so that you would fail."
"I don't have any evidence of that so, I'm not gonna pin that on anyone. If I have to fight so, be it."
"No! Camila, you can't do this. We all know damn well you passed that exam with flying colors!"
"Are you going soft on me guys?"
"No!" They said all together. Victoria then walks up and holds my hand.
"I'm not going soft, but you shouldn't have to fight to the death when you passed that test. I'm going to ask Madam A if you can retake it because we all know you'd pass."
"No! Victoria! Remember what happened to the last girl who tried to talk to Madam A she got her finger cut off!"
"It's worth a try for a friend like you." Victoria then walked over to Madam A, and they started conversing inaudibly. Victoria then came back to my desk after a short conversation with Madam Antoinette.
"What did she say?"
"She said you can't retake the test. She said she understands that someone must've rigged your test, but there was no proof of it so, you still have to fight to the death. I'm sorry, Camila I tried."
"And you tried well enough. Just in case this our last time seeing each other, I want you all to have this." I handed them all rings that said the lethal Girl Scouts ingrained in the ring.
"You guys are like my sisters, and I appreciate everything you've done for me, and I want nothing more than to see each of you succeeds. If I don't make it out alive... I love you all."
"Don't say that shit! Don't you say it, Camila, don't make me fuck you up!" Donna yelled at me"Your gonna win! You always win in combat don't you tell me if and tell me you'll make it out."
"I'm just saying just in case."
"Well, don't! We'll see you when you win your match."
"Okay, ladies it's time to disburse. They have to prepare to fight." Madam A walked over to me and pat me on my back, then winked.
"Okay, I know a few of you have already fought to the death and survived, but I'll just be reiterating for those who haven't. If you have questions, save them for the end, please. Anywho so you will all be fighting against random opponents, and each round you survive you get different weapons to defend yourself. Whoever survives till the last round wins. Sounds simple, yes? But the refusal to kill someone results in automatic death. Any questions?" Madam A gleamed with happiness.
"None alright, Well everyone, please meet me in the area in three minutes. Thank you, I loved having all of you as my students. See one of you soon and to the rest of you, Rest In Peace, my loves."
I got up and took a deep breath. I was already ready for the next chapter of my life. Even if the next chapter ended up being the end, I wanted to give myself a chance so that the people I grew up with would be proud of me. I had to win not for me, but for Donna, Miya, Victoria, and all the teens that looked up to me. I never knew what it felt like to care about someone until I thought about how to hurt the girls would be if I didn't put my best into winning. I knew I was the best at everything I did, but I often doubted myself. I walked down the hallway with my chin up and chest out like all the other students as eyes followed my every move as a bug goes follows the light. I walked into the arena room, and I was all alone in the darkroom.
"Fighters! When the door opens up, you may fight! There are no rules! This first round is strictly handed combat! Go!" The darkroom was now shining bright. The stench of blood and sweat leaked into the room. As the door raised above my view, I saw Tim across from me. As soon as Tim saw me, he came running my way yelling. I didn't even get to step foot out of my arena room before he was already charging at me with punches. Tim was a nice guy, but he was easy to read. His fighting techniques were always predictable. I would let him wear himself out until he doesn't have the energy anymore, and that's when I'll strike.
I am 6'0, and Tim was only 5'6, which gave me an immediate advantage because he would always aim for my stomach since he couldn't reach my face. I continued to let Tim attack me as I dodged every punch and kick he threw at me. Till I found a point when he was vulnerable and weak, he started panting heavily and tried to throw a punch at my face. I immediately grabbed his arm and kneed it hard enough so that his arm popped right out of its socket. He started screaming and fell to his knees. I took the opportunity to kick him right in the gut. He feels his back wriggling around like a worm.
I walked up to him and grabbed his head. I looked Tim in his eyes, and he smiled at me."Thank you for everything, Camila. Tell everyone I'll miss them."
"We'll miss you, Tim."
I let a tear roll down my face right before I snapped his neck. I clutched his face then closed his eyes.
"Your winner is Camila! Congratulations, you will be moving onto the next round. Please walk over to your ex opponents arena room to face your next opponent."
"Goodness fuck off," I whispered as I wiped the tear that escaped. I walked out to his arena room and sat down for a second and thought about Tim.
"Second round, you now have access to small weapons. Choose any weapon of your choice. You may not take this weapon to the next round if you are to advance. Fighters ready! Choose your weapons, the gates will open in one minute!" I sprung back off from my feet. I looked at weapons that were presented to me and examined them. Even though the medium-sized knifes looked sharper they were fragile and could break easily. I decided to grab a pocket knife from the desk of weapons. Even though it was a small knife two stabs to the heart with this knife could do more damage than any of those medium knives could.
"The gates will now be opening. Fight!"
The gates opened, and I was now facing Aliyah. She had a medium knife in a stabbing position and her game face on.
"Come at me bitch! If I can survive the first round, I can survive anything. You think you're better than everyone just because you always have a high test score? Well, look at you know just a no-good bastard with poor taste in knives." I walked up to her and started with hand to hand combat, and she was on the floor I pinned her down.
"Wait, wait, let's rethink this I'm on your side I was just putting on a show." I scoffed at her antics. Aliyah then grabs her knife and stabs my leg. It only pierced my skin because the knife she picked up was flimsy and could easily be broken.
"Those words sound like they came from your heart love, and it had a lot of aggression that doesn't like a show to me."
"Fuck you and your friends." I stabbed her in the heart twice, and I got up and wiped my pants."You can come after me, but don't ever come after my sisters." I walked away from her body that was bleeding out and into the next arena.*************I finally got to the last arena. I had successfully killed everyone before me, and now I was down to the last person.
"For this last round, you may now use guns! But be careful each gun has a different amount of bullets in it. You aren't allowed to check and see you. Your gun could have not a single bullet in it, or it could have a whole clip. Good luck fighters." I grabbed a Glock 19 and stood at the arena door. When the door started rolling up I saw Emma.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here. The poor lethal Girl Scout who couldn't take a simple test." She started laughing hysterically.
"Well, since your gonna die, right here, right now, I might as well tell you I rigged your test. I'm so sick of you being number one. So I knew if I failed the test and make you fail the test, I'll get the opportunity to kill you myself."
"Green doesn't look good on you, Emma, but red will compliment your wicked face, you bitch." Emma started shooting at me. I took shelter behind a small wall that was nearby.
"Oh, come on, don't be such a pussy, Camila. My drum gun and I don't bite." She fired shots in the air to try to get me to come out. I then propped myself in a sniper position before I could take the shot to her heart the voice that has been narrating all the fights comes on the intercoms.
"Ladies! both of you have won per request of Madam A! You may both put your weapons down and meet in the middle to speak to madam A." I put my Glock on my hip and walked to the middle of the arena. Madam A and Emma were already standing.
"When you guys were fighting against other people and each other, I was watching you girls. You both have good combat and survival skills, and I can't afford to lose one of you. So, in the 25 years, I've been working here, I will be calling the third tie ever called in history. Congratulations ladies you both can stay alive." I looked at Madam A then I looked at Emma.
"The exit is that way, love." I immediately threw the Glock on the floor and exited the arena where my sisters were waiting for me. They looked up, and their eyes lit up seeing me alive. They ran up to me and hugged me tightly. It felt like everything was in slo-mo. Donna's body crashed into mine, then followed Miya and Victoria. I could feel their hot fat tears slapping my skin. Their loved washed away all the pain I had from killing all those people. They reminded me that I didn't need love from my parents to have a family. I didn't need validation from people older than me to feel like I had a family. I needed sisters this was the only family I needed. Even though they aren't my blood I've been through so much with these girls and they know every dark secret of mine and accept me for it. They gave me love which my parents failed to give me. My parents giving me away wasn't a tragedy is was a miracle.
"Our parents were dumb bitches for giving you wonderful human beings up, but I also thank them because if they hadn't I wouldn't have an amazing family like you girls." They all looked at me trying to keep strong and not cry.
"Parents are overrated anyway," Victoria said.
"We all knew it. Lethal Girl Scouts for the win am I right?" Donna said.
"Right. " We all said in unison.
"Till the very end," I added. Madam A and Emma then walked out of the arena, and the girls were looking at me like I was crazy.
"It was a tie between Emma and me. So Madam A let us both live."
"Omg, your lucky that's only the third tie that's been called in TOKAA history."
"I know, and I could've gotten through each round without you guys will." We all hugged again until madam A split us.
"Now that the lethal Girl Scouts are still intact what career chooses will all of you choose." We all looked at each other. We knew it was now the end of the beginning. We hugged again and faced Madam A.
"Private assassins."
The girls and I packed our bags and kissed our room goodbye. We wrote our initials on the walls just to remember where it had started. Even though we all hated TOKKA Academy for making us the monsters we are today, we could never forget what great memories we made as young girls, now adults in this room. As we were leaving the academy we saw a fresh new set of three buses pull up to the school. I wanted so badly to warn them or tell them to run, but no warning or wish could stop a person from TOKKA Acadamy. I saluted the new kids in the buses and, hopped into the car waiting to take me and my sisters to a new home.
"We would've loved you, girl scouts, to stay at the academy and teach our future students, but I won't try to change your mind about your choice. You, woman, are the best group of students that we've ever had especially you Camila. "
"Teaching a new generation isn't for me, but thank you Madam A for the offer."
"Your welcome love." She smiled at me delightfully.
"All of you can call me Antoniette since you've all graduated."
" We won't be back anytime soon so no need for formalities."
"Oh yes you will." then mumbled something underneath her breath.
"Could you say that one more time Madam A I couldn't quite hear you?"
"I said have a safe trip." I gave one last look to TOKKA academy and a tear fell down my cheek.
" I am no longer trying to survive, I believe that life is a prize, but to live doesn't mean your alive."
"Wise words Miss Ortega." I looked at Madam Antoinette one more time then hopped into the car. Donna drove the car, Miya sat in the passenger seat, and Victoria and I held hands in the back. Donna adjusted her mirror. Donna held out her hand and grabbed Miya's.
"Greatness is what we are on the brink of." and let the swift movement of the car send me to sleep.
It all started with a large orphanage in the middle of nowhere. Since I was a young girl, this was the only place I knew my whole life. The older I got, the more I realize it wasn't just any random orphanage. If a family didn't adopt you by the age of twelve, you loaded onto a bus and taken elsewhere. I didn't know where they took them until my twelfth birthday. I thought I would've been adopted by then, but every time a family showed interest in me, they would never show up again. They always seemed to have disappeared.
It made me feel useless and unworthy of being adopted. All I wanted was a family that loved me because all I had was love. I didn't have money or a special talent, but at least I had love. I had plenty of friends at the orphanage, but the kind of love I got from them was different. I wanted to have faith till the very end, but how could I when I was no more than a bastard. Once my twelfth birthday hit, I waved goodbye to all the new kids that came to the orphanage and prayed that this new path led me to better things.
All the other kids and I who were also twelve and weren't adopted were loaded onto a bus that brought us somewhere. None of us would've imagined where the bus would drop us off at. It was a school for training high-quality assassins. We learned how to use knives, guns, bombs, anything lethal, you name it, we trained with it. Our bus wasn't the only one though three other busses pulled up behind ours. The second we got out of the bus, they stripped us of our bags, made us get in single file lines, then split the girls and the boys up.
When they took us out separate ways they had us strip. It was so inhuman having the guards watch us as young women strip. After we all had removed our clothing, we had to line up again and get our hair cut. Everyone had their hair cut to 14in long, and once our hair was cut we were given a uniform. We were required to change where we stood in the all-black uniform. It felt like a prison the way we were already being treated from the beginning. Once everyone was changed, we were all escorted into a large area where the boys were already lined up. We were all scared silent. No one dared to talk. It was so quiet you could hear the people next to you breathing.
"Welcome children to the TOKAA Academy, I am your principal Madam Antoinette. Today you'll be put in your dorms and taking a test to see how advanced you are. I hope that everything goes alright! The teachers here will help you through the rest now. Anyone questions?" One girl rose her hand slowly into the air.
"Oh, look at what we have here. What's your question, dear."
"What if I don't want to?" Madam A started laughing hysterically, which gave me goosebumps."Oh, she's bold. Well, I guess I'll make an example out of you. Listen to me boys, and girls. If you don't obey me, and my sergeants then this is what will happen." She walked up to the little girl, pulled out her knife, and slit her pinky clean off her hand. The little girl started screaming as blood was spurting out from the nub that was left.
"Anyone else wants a spin? I didn't think so. Next time you'll learn never to defy me, little girl. Will you be a dear and clean this up, sergeant Ann?" All the kids were gasping and trembling as they saw the girl's pinky on the floor lifeless. The tall woman wore the little girl's blood on her face like a trophy. She was wearing blood-red from head to toe. It hid the blood that was on her shirt from slicing the girl's fingers off. She elegantly walked away without another word. The only thing that was heard for a minute more was the sound of her heels clicking against the tile floor. They decrescendo as she walked away evilly. The girl was taken away from the rest of the group, and the blood was cleaned up immediately.
"Okay, maggots! I hope you can count because that's how you'll be split up into dorm rooms! Four people in each room, no more, no less! Got it!" We all stayed silent because of how shocked we were that her finger was gone.
"Did Sergeant Lex not make herself clear? She said got it!" Little yes's murmured here and there as the sergeants started counting us off. They then grabbed us by the arm and threw us into a dorm. I was hoping at least one of them was from my orphanage, but none of them were. We all got thrown into a room, and we all just stared at each other until a girl named Donna broke the silence.
"Hi... I'm Donna I, came from Rosette Orphanage, what's your name's?." Donna had a paler complexion and beautiful blonde shiny hair that could blind the sun.
"I'm Victoria I, don't know the name of my orphanage, but I know I'm from one." You could tell Victoria was East Asian because of her accent, and she bowed when she greeted us. Victoria had so much natural beauty it could make a grown woman jealous.
"I'm Miya I, came from Parkway Orphanage." Miya was blessed with melanin in her skin had the most beautiful complexion and small button nose.
"I'm Camila from Silverback Orphanage."
"Oh, what beautiful names you all have, I hope we can all get along." Donna was so cheerful in a horrid situation like this. We all nodded and walked towards a random bed and claimed it as our own. The bed already had sheets laid out all we had to do was put them on the bunk beds. Later that day, all the new students were taken to a room. They have all tattooed a barcode on us. The guys had the barcode tattooed on their torso, and the girls had it tattooed under their boobs. It was painful for a twelve-year-old to get a tattoo on their breast bone, but showing weakness on your first day was a bad start.*************** *8 years later*
"Okay, everyone, this is your final test in this academy, I expect nothing but excellence! If you fail this test, you will have to fight to the death to live against others who have failed me, but if you pass, you'll be assessed on if you are ready to take your first mission or not." It had been eight years since our admission into the school, and Donna, Victoria, Miya, and I always got the high scores, pass plus in training programs, and beat everyone in combat. We all stuck together so much and excelled in everything our group name quickly became the lethal Girl Scouts. At first, we didn't like the name very much until everyone would call us this. Even Madam A acknowledged our group name, so it started sticking. The way we tied knots and learned how to grapple from building to the building you would think were Girl Scouts. We realized quickly that it wasn't about compassion anymore. If you wanted to survive you did what you had to do. Even if it means fighting each other, we all agreed that we would do it, and may the best woman win. Even though we never fought against each other, we knew one day it'll get to that point.Day and night they had us climbing trees, analyzing footprints, running twenty-five miles a day, shooting bow and arrows, rewiring cables, and they would throw us in the woods with only a little bit of supplies, and we had to live off of it for a week. The person who lasted the longest within the week didn't have to run. They trained us to do things that even army soldiers didn't know. They trained us to be weapons instead of people. Ever since I turned 12, I've done nothing but tried to survive by boosting myself up in this system. I wasn't going to let the final exam take me down. The possible amount of points was 2,000, but you only needed passing was 1,450, and anything below 1,449 was failing.
It was our final exam at TOKAA Academy. If you passed, you had the option of becoming a sergeant at the school, working for the government as an agent or any government position, and taking private missions. If you didn't choose one of these pathways they'd put you to death because they can't have their secrets getting out to the world. After we had finished testing Madam A collected all of our papers then sent us off to lunch. By the time we came back, the scores were announced to everyone.
"How did you think you did," Donna asked.
"I feel like I got the same score as last time."
"Damn, Camila, that's still a lot of points."
"Yea, but I wanted a better score this time."
"You are a high achiever."
"Well, so are you, Miya, and Victoria."
"Your right. The lethal Girl Scouts for the win, am I right?" All of us smile and nodded as we went to the cafeteria and ate our food. We headed back to our classroom. Madam A was sitting on sergeant Lexi's desk ready to tell us the exam scores.
"Now that we are in here, the following student pass plus the test. 1,995 points are Donna, Victoria, and Miya. Please give them a round of applause." I was so confused because they didn't call my name. Donna, Miya, and Victoria looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders aggressively. There must've been a mistake somewhere or maybe I just passed the test and not pass plus, but it was so unusual because I usually get at least 1,996 while they get 1,995."So now everyone else passed except for a disappointing handful of people. Madam A expected better from you that failed. So here are the names that failed. Camila, Nate, Logan, Tanya, Alisha, Tim, Gracie, Caden, Aliyah, and Emma. You all failed and will now fight to the death. May the best fighter win." It wasn't right at all! I couldn't even fathom how I could've failed?! I had a feeling I had been sabotaged by someone because there was no way I could've failed. Everyone in the class got up and celebrated while the people who failed stayed behind to get ready to fight. Donna, Miya, and Victoria had stayed behind too so they could talk to me.
"Camila, what the hell girl."
"I don't know, Miya! Someone must've sabotaged me because I never failed an exam in my entire TOKAA career." Donna came up to my ear and started whispering so that only Miya, Victoria, and I could hear.
" I bet it was Emma. She's had it out for you since we were twelve years old. You know she's not good at tests, but she is good at wiring. She must've wired your computer so that you would fail."
"I don't have any evidence of that so, I'm not gonna pin that on anyone. If I have to fight so, be it."
"No! Camila, you can't do this. We all know damn well you passed that exam with flying colors!"
"Are you going soft on me guys?"
"No!" They said all together. Victoria then walks up and holds my hand.
"I'm not going soft, but you shouldn't have to fight to the death when you passed that test. I'm going to ask Madam A if you can retake it because we all know you'd pass."
"No! Victoria! Remember what happened to the last girl who tried to talk to Madam A she got her finger cut off!"
"It's worth a try for a friend like you." Victoria then walked over to Madam A, and they started conversing inaudibly. Victoria then came back to my desk after a short conversation with Madam Antoinette.
"What did she say?"
"She said you can't retake the test. She said she understands that someone must've rigged your test, but there was no proof of it so, you still have to fight to the death. I'm sorry, Camila I tried."
"And you tried well enough. Just in case this our last time seeing each other, I want you all to have this." I handed them all rings that said the lethal Girl Scouts ingrained in the ring.
"You guys are like my sisters, and I appreciate everything you've done for me, and I want nothing more than to see each of you succeeds. If I don't make it out alive... I love you all."
"Don't say that shit! Don't you say it, Camila, don't make me fuck you up!" Donna yelled at me"Your gonna win! You always win in combat don't you tell me if and tell me you'll make it out."
"I'm just saying just in case."
"Well, don't! We'll see you when you win your match."
"Okay, ladies it's time to disburse. They have to prepare to fight." Madam A walked over to me and pat me on my back, then winked.
"Okay, I know a few of you have already fought to the death and survived, but I'll just be reiterating for those who haven't. If you have questions, save them for the end, please. Anywho so you will all be fighting against random opponents, and each round you survive you get different weapons to defend yourself. Whoever survives till the last round wins. Sounds simple, yes? But the refusal to kill someone results in automatic death. Any questions?" Madam A gleamed with happiness.
"None alright, Well everyone, please meet me in the area in three minutes. Thank you, I loved having all of you as my students. See one of you soon and to the rest of you, Rest In Peace, my loves."
I got up and took a deep breath. I was already ready for the next chapter of my life. Even if the next chapter ended up being the end, I wanted to give myself a chance so that the people I grew up with would be proud of me. I had to win not for me, but for Donna, Miya, Victoria, and all the teens that looked up to me. I never knew what it felt like to care about someone until I thought about how to hurt the girls would be if I didn't put my best into winning. I knew I was the best at everything I did, but I often doubted myself. I walked down the hallway with my chin up and chest out like all the other students as eyes followed my every move as a bug goes follows the light. I walked into the arena room, and I was all alone in the darkroom.
"Fighters! When the door opens up, you may fight! There are no rules! This first round is strictly handed combat! Go!" The darkroom was now shining bright. The stench of blood and sweat leaked into the room. As the door raised above my view, I saw Tim across from me. As soon as Tim saw me, he came running my way yelling. I didn't even get to step foot out of my arena room before he was already charging at me with punches. Tim was a nice guy, but he was easy to read. His fighting techniques were always predictable. I would let him wear himself out until he doesn't have the energy anymore, and that's when I'll strike.
I am 6'0, and Tim was only 5'6, which gave me an immediate advantage because he would always aim for my stomach since he couldn't reach my face. I continued to let Tim attack me as I dodged every punch and kick he threw at me. Till I found a point when he was vulnerable and weak, he started panting heavily and tried to throw a punch at my face. I immediately grabbed his arm and kneed it hard enough so that his arm popped right out of its socket. He started screaming and fell to his knees. I took the opportunity to kick him right in the gut. He feels his back wriggling around like a worm.
I walked up to him and grabbed his head. I looked Tim in his eyes, and he smiled at me."Thank you for everything, Camila. Tell everyone I'll miss them."
"We'll miss you, Tim."
I let a tear roll down my face right before I snapped his neck. I clutched his face then closed his eyes.
"Your winner is Camila! Congratulations, you will be moving onto the next round. Please walk over to your ex opponents arena room to face your next opponent."
"Goodness fuck off," I whispered as I wiped the tear that escaped. I walked out to his arena room and sat down for a second and thought about Tim.
"Second round, you now have access to small weapons. Choose any weapon of your choice. You may not take this weapon to the next round if you are to advance. Fighters ready! Choose your weapons, the gates will open in one minute!" I sprung back off from my feet. I looked at weapons that were presented to me and examined them. Even though the medium-sized knifes looked sharper they were fragile and could break easily. I decided to grab a pocket knife from the desk of weapons. Even though it was a small knife two stabs to the heart with this knife could do more damage than any of those medium knives could.
"The gates will now be opening. Fight!"
The gates opened, and I was now facing Aliyah. She had a medium knife in a stabbing position and her game face on.
"Come at me bitch! If I can survive the first round, I can survive anything. You think you're better than everyone just because you always have a high test score? Well, look at you know just a no-good bastard with poor taste in knives." I walked up to her and started with hand to hand combat, and she was on the floor I pinned her down.
"Wait, wait, let's rethink this I'm on your side I was just putting on a show." I scoffed at her antics. Aliyah then grabs her knife and stabs my leg. It only pierced my skin because the knife she picked up was flimsy and could easily be broken.
"Those words sound like they came from your heart love, and it had a lot of aggression that doesn't like a show to me."
"Fuck you and your friends." I stabbed her in the heart twice, and I got up and wiped my pants."You can come after me, but don't ever come after my sisters." I walked away from her body that was bleeding out and into the next arena.*************I finally got to the last arena. I had successfully killed everyone before me, and now I was down to the last person.
"For this last round, you may now use guns! But be careful each gun has a different amount of bullets in it. You aren't allowed to check and see you. Your gun could have not a single bullet in it, or it could have a whole clip. Good luck fighters." I grabbed a Glock 19 and stood at the arena door. When the door started rolling up I saw Emma.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here. The poor lethal Girl Scout who couldn't take a simple test." She started laughing hysterically.
"Well, since your gonna die, right here, right now, I might as well tell you I rigged your test. I'm so sick of you being number one. So I knew if I failed the test and make you fail the test, I'll get the opportunity to kill you myself."
"Green doesn't look good on you, Emma, but red will compliment your wicked face, you bitch." Emma started shooting at me. I took shelter behind a small wall that was nearby.
"Oh, come on, don't be such a pussy, Camila. My drum gun and I don't bite." She fired shots in the air to try to get me to come out. I then propped myself in a sniper position before I could take the shot to her heart the voice that has been narrating all the fights comes on the intercoms.
"Ladies! both of you have won per request of Madam A! You may both put your weapons down and meet in the middle to speak to madam A." I put my Glock on my hip and walked to the middle of the arena. Madam A and Emma were already standing.
"When you guys were fighting against other people and each other, I was watching you girls. You both have good combat and survival skills, and I can't afford to lose one of you. So, in the 25 years, I've been working here, I will be calling the third tie ever called in history. Congratulations ladies you both can stay alive." I looked at Madam A then I looked at Emma.
"The exit is that way, love." I immediately threw the Glock on the floor and exited the arena where my sisters were waiting for me. They looked up, and their eyes lit up seeing me alive. They ran up to me and hugged me tightly. It felt like everything was in slo-mo. Donna's body crashed into mine, then followed Miya and Victoria. I could feel their hot fat tears slapping my skin. Their loved washed away all the pain I had from killing all those people. They reminded me that I didn't need love from my parents to have a family. I didn't need validation from people older than me to feel like I had a family. I needed sisters this was the only family I needed. Even though they aren't my blood I've been through so much with these girls and they know every dark secret of mine and accept me for it. They gave me love which my parents failed to give me. My parents giving me away wasn't a tragedy is was a miracle.
"Our parents were dumb bitches for giving you wonderful human beings up, but I also thank them because if they hadn't I wouldn't have an amazing family like you girls." They all looked at me trying to keep strong and not cry.
"Parents are overrated anyway," Victoria said.
"We all knew it. Lethal Girl Scouts for the win am I right?" Donna said.
"Right. " We all said in unison.
"Till the very end," I added. Madam A and Emma then walked out of the arena, and the girls were looking at me like I was crazy.
"It was a tie between Emma and me. So Madam A let us both live."
"Omg, your lucky that's only the third tie that's been called in TOKAA history."
"I know, and I could've gotten through each round without you guys will." We all hugged again until madam A split us.
"Now that the lethal Girl Scouts are still intact what career chooses will all of you choose." We all looked at each other. We knew it was now the end of the beginning. We hugged again and faced Madam A.
"Private assassins."
The girls and I packed our bags and kissed our room goodbye. We wrote our initials on the walls just to remember where it had started. Even though we all hated TOKKA Academy for making us the monsters we are today, we could never forget what great memories we made as young girls, now adults in this room. As we were leaving the academy we saw a fresh new set of three buses pull up to the school. I wanted so badly to warn them or tell them to run, but no warning or wish could stop a person from TOKKA Acadamy. I saluted the new kids in the buses and, hopped into the car waiting to take me and my sisters to a new home.
"We would've loved you, girl scouts, to stay at the academy and teach our future students, but I won't try to change your mind about your choice. You, woman, are the best group of students that we've ever had especially you Camila. "
"Teaching a new generation isn't for me, but thank you Madam A for the offer."
"Your welcome love." She smiled at me delightfully.
"All of you can call me Antoniette since you've all graduated."
" We won't be back anytime soon so no need for formalities."
"Oh yes you will." then mumbled something underneath her breath.
"Could you say that one more time Madam A I couldn't quite hear you?"
"I said have a safe trip." I gave one last look to TOKKA academy and a tear fell down my cheek.
" I am no longer trying to survive, I believe that life is a prize, but to live doesn't mean your alive."
"Wise words Miss Ortega." I looked at Madam Antoinette one more time then hopped into the car. Donna drove the car, Miya sat in the passenger seat, and Victoria and I held hands in the back. Donna adjusted her mirror. Donna held out her hand and grabbed Miya's.
"Greatness is what we are on the brink of." and let the swift movement of the car send me to sleep.
End of Downtown Love (18+) Chapter 9. Continue reading Chapter 10 or return to Downtown Love (18+) book page.