Chapter 5

"…Punch

Uppercut

Defend

Punch

Punch

Defend..."

"Good morning Champ, Good morning Pup, breakfast is on the table," Dad said, walking into the storage gym. "Good morning. We will be there in few, thanks dad.", Rock replied for both of us. " Hmm. I'm expecting you both on the table in 5 minutes," he asserted while walking out. "Alright Angel, let's do the cool down stretch and then refill our fuels," Rock mumbled, and we both began to do just that. After the quick stretch regime, we were on our way to the kitchen via the back door. The sweet aroma of chocolate chip pancakes hit us like a truck, my mouth salivating on instinct, as we entered. In front of us there lay freshly cooked batch of pancakes, bacon strips, poached eggs, French toast, apple juice, orange juice and of course a mug of coffee. The pancakes, egg and orange juice were for me; french toast, bacon and apple juice for Rock; and bit of all for Dad, with his caffeine. I know, remarkable right? Hey, don't get jealous, we don't have an English breakfast buffet every morning. Today, is a special day, thus special treatment. What's special you may ask! Well, for starters, we are now officially settled in our new home. I even nicknamed it as FM - Forest Mansion. Cool right! Okay, so the second reason for today being special is, well, today Rock is going on his one and a half month summer camp. Also, we are going to get enrolled in our new school, so yay! I know, I know, getting enrolled so early? Well, Rock would be back a week after the school year starts, thus early enrollment to avoid any last-minute trouble. "Come on Champ, eat up. We have little over an hour left to leave for the school. ", Dad warned, seeing as I was lost in my own thoughts, to even bother to eat. I nodded, letting him know I heard and tried to finish up quick. Once done, we all went to our separate ways to get ready for the day.

This is the first time I would be staying without Rock for so long. I mean, yea he goes to summer camp every year, but this one has to be the longest. Usually, it's for 15 - 20 days, and most of the time I'm also busy in some summer activities myself or with Aunty G to notice the difference. But this time, I'm going to miss him terribly, I don't have either distraction. And for the worst, campers are not allowed to bring any electronic devices with them for security and safety reasons. They are only allowed to talk to family in case of emergency, that too by the phone line of the campsite. I know I'm not looking forward to his departure, and I'm sure dad is too. As I said, this is the longest he is going to stay away from both of us.

In little less than an hour, I'm all ready and waiting for them downstairs. I'm dressed in a blue and red strips shirt, dark blue jeans, pairing it with the white vans. My hair is up in a ponytail. Soon, Dad comes out of his invisible room, wearing a crisp light blue shirt and black dress pants. Well, someone is dressed to impress. But that's my Dad for you. Shortly, Rock is done too, dressed in a burgundy cargo and black shirt. Guess he is already in the camping mood. " All ready", Dad asked the obvious. "Alright, I've got both of your documents with me. The appointment is for 9.30, and it's 9.00 now. The drive is of 15 minutes. Let's hit the road." He said, summing all up and leading me and Rock to the car. Rock was in the passenger seat while I sat back, and dad obviously occupying the driver's seat. "Are you excited about camp Rock?" I asked trying to break the silence in the car. "Excited is not the word I would use. Anxious perhaps." Rock replied. "Why?", I felt myself asking almost impulsively. "It's the first time I'm going to stay away for long. I'm just scared that what if something happens and I'm not there. I mean, Ya Dad is here, but I worry about you. You would have to go to the first day of high school alone, starting at an entirely new place all by yourself. I'm scared that you might need me. What if someone attacks you? What if anyone of you gets injured, what if you get bullied, what if..."

"Woah there Pup, relax. Take a deep breath", Dad interjected, comforting my near to hysterics brother. " Take deep breaths. That's it, calm yourself.", Dad instructed and encouraged him to copy. "Now, listen to me", he continued once Rock was relaxed enough, "Nothing is going to happen to anyone. You go to this camp every year, and this year too you would. As for Champ, she is safe with me. I'm here to take care of her. And goddess forbids but if something is to happen to either of us, you would be first to get notified and you can be here in a matter of hours. Okay! Everything will be good. You just enjoy there, and us father-daughter would enjoy it here. Right Champ!", Dad said in a gentle voice to ease Rock. "Yea bubba, you are only going to be a few hours away, not days. And I promise to try and not to get in too much trouble. And as for my high school experience, it's only a week without you. As for bullying, well, I will teach them a lesson with my fists. Action speak louder than words anyway ", I replied, saying the last one nonchalantly, and calling him bubba. I only do that, when one of us are too stressed. "That's the spirit", "Absolutely not", Dad and Rock exclaimed simultaneously, with former being Dads' and latter Rock's. "Angel, please promise not to engage in any kind of fight, be it verbal or physical. At least for the duration, I'm not there.", Rock asked or more like stressed. "You are no fun.", I grumbled. " I'm waiting", he asked with raised eyebrows. "Goddess, Fine. I promise not to start a fight or to look for one. Happy!", I cried out, throwing me hands up in the air in frustration. " Ang...", "Leave it Pup. That's more than okay Champ. Now come on you both, we are here.", Dad butted in stopping one of many infamous PC fights, Pup-Champ fight, as he puts it. I was so lost in our talks I didn't even noticed when Dad had parked in the school parking lot, and judging from the look of shock on Rock's face, neither did he. Sighing, both of us existed the vehicle towards our next hel... I mean school.

There lay in front of us the "Blackwood High", carved out in neat calligraphy in a piece of wood, hanging above the metal gates. The sign also had a wolf craved at the upper right top corner, which apparently is the school's logo. It is also said to be an old building like most of the buildings in the town, but the infrastructure is anything but aged. The place is well kept and updated with a huge building divided into different sectors, with a ground for football and tennis/badminton in the back. The property extends into the vast forest, which forms a semicircle around the school. " This place is huge", I called out, looking around the property. "Nah, it's normal. A bit bigger than my old high school though," Rock retorted, chuckling at my awestruck expression. " Come on, let's go in. We have only 5 minutes to spare," Dad ushered us in looking at his watch and checking if he had taken all the relevant documents.

Not once did any one of them look at the black van which has been following them all the way.