Comrade

"I know what your problem is." I said and this sentence attracted her more-than-needed attention.

"What?" she asked, her tone serious and eyes sparkling with curiosity. She looked like a child curiously waiting for an ice cream. This thought made me smile.

It made me realize how distant she keeps herself from others. Maybe an hour ago, I overheard Carl talk about her with his friends and from their talks, I'm pretty sure no one has seen this side of her, ever. And I didn't know why but this made me happy, extremely happy. I was happy that she opened up to me. Maybe a little bit she did.

But right now I had to focus on her problem. I can't see her blaming herself. For some reason my heart ached when I saw her like that, cursing herself because she has a power she couldn't control.

"You were not able to control your power because you never tried to."

"What do you mean?"

"You were trying to bury it down instead of using it. That's why you couldn't control it. For you this charmspeaking is something to get rid of, for you it's a curse. But it's not true, only you think it is." I told her but before she could reply, I heard someone call me.

"Hey, Adrian. What are you doing their alone? Come over here." I looked at the source of the voice. Carl was their, waving his hand and calling me their.

"But..." I was going to say that I am not alone but then I remembered that Isabella had used an invisibility spell. So clearly, Carl couldn't see her.

"I'm coming." I told him and looked at Isabella. She mouthed the words 'Go' and I left.

"What were you doing there?" Carl said.

"Nothing. I just... just wanted some time with myself." I lied. And Carl frowned. For a second I thought he knew the truth but what surprised me even more was: It was affecting me. The thought that someone would know that I was talking to Isabella, alone, was affecting me. Why?

"Leave it. Now let's get some sleep." he said as he yawned. I really liked the idea. It was a tiring day, I needed some sleep.

We entered our cabin and I crashed on my bed. I was so tired, I immediately drifted into sleep and had a strange dream.

I couldn't see anything. It was as if I had became blind. I tried and tried but in vain, my eyesight just seemed to have abandoned me.

Then I heard something: a deep angry roar. Then I heard it again. The cry was so strong that it made the ground tremble. I couldn't see anything but still my senses could feel the source of the sound.

It felt like someone was imprisoned in this dark place. Someone very, very strong. I could barely walk closer to him without feeling a tingle, as if my body was starting to burn. As I got nearer to him, the air crackled and smelled of ozone.

The prisoner struggled to release himself but in vain. The chains were just too strong. Though I couldn't see, but I could feel the chains around the prisoner's arms. Even in my dream, I could feel how angry he was. But somehow it felt like he was angry because he wanted to hide something. His fear.

He roared again and I woke up, drenched in sweat.

"Morning. You sleep pretty hard. It was almost impossible for me to wake you up." Carl greeted me with a mischievous smile.

"Morning Carl." I said.

"Fast, take a shower and get ready, we're already late. I fear Hecate will change us into guinea pigs if we didn't hurry." he worriedly said.

"Late? For what?" I asked.

"Monster Fight, of course. Didn't I tell you yesterday about the rules." he was acting like a teacher who was angry because I couldn't answer why the hell the earth rotates. Now, why the heck am I supposed to be blamed for him not telling me the details. Huh?

"No, you didn't." I shook my head and he pouted. "Never mind, l'll tell you on our way to the training area."

I got ready and stepped out of the cabin. Carl was waiting there for me, in full battle armour. I found it strange, very, very strange but I kept it to myself and together we headed to the training area. On our way to there, Carl told me about the game and it's rules.

It's a simple game or maybe... just he thinks it's simple. According to Carlopedia, in Monster Fight you and your partner have to confront at least one monster. Who will be your partner and which monster you will be fighting, will be decided by draw of lots.

"What is draw of lots?" I asked.

"You'll see." was all he said. The rest of the time I kept complaining about my outfit. Carl had forced me to wear a bronze breastplate. That was because I refused to wear full battle armour, which he insisted very much on. I was feeling so awkward in that breastplate that I can't even begin to explain.

We reached the training area, everyone was gathered there and it looked like we reached in time. Everyone was wearing battle armour as if a war was about to start.

'Hey, what is it with you guys and battle armours.' I wanted to ask everyone.

The draw of lots was just about to start.Two kids, one in purple and the other in black T-shirt, were standing in front of a platform. The platform was a meter high from the ground. Two throne-like chairs were placed in the middle. I presumed that they were for Hecate and Apollo.

The two kids, about eight or nine years old, held two bowls in their hands. One was labeled as 'Monster' and the other as 'Comrade'.

"You have to pick a piece of paper from each bowl. The 'Comrade' bowl will tell you your partner and the 'Monster' one will decide which monster you will be fighting."

My turn came and I picked a piece of paper. It was blank, just a number was written in the middle.

"Eleven." as soon as I pronounced the number, a name became visible on the paper. Isabella.

I got the idea of how this thing worked but still wanted to make sure.

"Hey Carl, how this actually works?"

"It's simple, just say the number and the name of your partner will appear on the paper. Actually, the bowl contains pairs of numbers." he explained like a maths teacher. "Like you have got number 'Eleven'. There must be another child who chose this number as well. He or she will be your partner. See so simple." he said, stressing on the word 'So'.

My partner was Isabella. I started looking for her then I heard a familiar female voice from behind.

"Comrade." I turned and found Isabella smiling warmly at me.