Chapter Eight: The Little Push

A day had passed, and Penny and Lysette did not continue the training. Penny seemed for more interested in trying to locate her necklace whilst Lysette had went out to collect more food for their journey. They had not planned to stay here for much longer, and would need as much food as they could get for the trip deeper into the mountains.

" I just don't understand how I haven't managed to find it. It was on my neck and then it just dissapears. I always keep it under my shirt, so it couldn't have been caught on a branch or something..it just doesn't make sense" Penny spoke out loud to herself, trying to retrace all the steps she had taken in hopes she could find her necklace, but she had no luck with this. On top of this, Lysette still did not seem to have any interest in helping her locate the item. This bothered Penny still but considering they would not be here much longer, she had to focus on more important matters rather than complaining about the lack of help.

" I couldn't have lost..I know I couldn't have. I've never lost it. My whole life..even when I was a kid, I've never lost it.." Penny tried wracking her brain and then the thought came to her.." Lost it.." Penny turned her attention to Lysette's room. She knew Lysette had just left to go check some crude traps she had made for the animals in the area and this meant she would be able to check Lysette's things without risking another argument.

Penny walked to Lysette's room, as quickly as she could to find very little belongings within it. It seemed as though Lysette had not even unpacked her things. As Penny searched through Lysette's back, she heard a commotion coming from outside. It sounded like foot steps to her, which made Penny close the bag and rush out of the room and to her own, pretending to still be searching her room. It had to be Lysette coming and Penny was not going to risk Lysette discovering her.

After a few seconds, the door opened and in walked Lysette with a bag of what Penny assumed to be full of small game.

" I managed to get enough food for us. Once I'm done cooking everything, I think we should leave. So, that means tonight. If you are not packed, then get to packing" Lysette called out, which left Penny breathing a sigh of relief. She had not noticed her and didn't seem to suspect anything. After calming herself down her nerves, Penny began packing her things back up in her own bag, and made her way out to the dining room where Lysette was cooking like a mad woman. Doing almost 20 things at once and not even breaking a sweat.

" Looks like you've recovered" Penny pointed out. She had indeed fractured a few of Lysettes ribs which left her moving slower for a short time but now she was back to full speed and full force.

" Lycans recover quickly" Lysette responded as she picked up a big pot and put it on the small stove.

" Yeah. I kind of figured that is what it was" Penny sighed as she made her way back to the dining room table and took a seat, pointed directly at the kitchen.

" I'm sorry I didn't continue the training" Penny apologized, feeling as though this was something that needed to be said despite not wanting to be said. And of course, as usual when bothered by something, Lysette didn't respond. Penny knew she had dissapointed her. She knew she had to be pushed in order to improve but there were times when Lysette got carried away. Not everyone had the stamina of a Lycan. And that was something that Lysette seemed to know all to well but chose to ignore.

" I do want to continue the training when we can, I just feel like sometimes we need to slow down. I want to be pushed but sometimes I need a break..I don't feel like I'm asking for too much" Penny tried to explain but Lysette simply continued to cook. " Are you even listening? " Penny was beginning to raise her tone at the annoyance of silence coming from Lysette. The clinking and clanking of pots and pans did not help the current mood either.

" Okay" Lysette answered finally, much to the disappointment of Penny.

" If you are mad, then just freaking say that" Penny finally bursted out. " I am tired of the damn silent treatment. Every single time you are mad, you don't speak. I know I have to learn these things but I am eighteen dammit. I'm still a kid. I know more than most at my age, but I'm still a kid. And I am also not a Lycan. I dont recover as quickly as you do. So I know you expect alot from me and I promise you, I try to fulfill your every expectation but please, give me a break here.." Penny ranted which had managed to get through to Lysette on some level as she had stopped cooking and stared down at the counter.

" I am sorry. I don't meant to put too much onto you. But I just...well..I'm sorry. We can continue when you are ready" Lysette's words carried with Penny who was surprised to see Lysette handle things so calmly.

" Its okay.." Penny responded, as Lysette went back to cooking, trying to clear her head and focus on the task at hand. This was was going to be their relationship until they managed to find a new home and Penny knew this. But, was training really going to be the best thing to do during times of such stress? Finding an outlet for the stress and anger could be a benefit but, Penny still had her doubts.

After sitting in silence for a few more moments, Penny decided to head outside and practice her fighting technique which had been critiqued quite heavily by Lysette during their training.

She practiced, taking her time to make sure she got her form as perfect as she possibly could. As she did so, Lysette watched from the kitchen window, smiling slightly at the effort being put in. " All she needed was a little push " She remarked to herself. Deep down, she knew that Penny was going to have a hard time keeping up with her. But, if the only enemies were going to be humans, then this would have never been an issue. But Penny's destiney was bigger than both Earth and Humans and so she had to be ready.

Plus, the true potential and limit for Penny had never been reached. Her power had never been tapped into and this was something Lysette really wanted to achieve. The last training session had seen Penny use some extraordinary strength but that was nothing in comparison to what Penny should be capable of. Though, Penny was unique to herself. The offspring of a Night Slasher and a Witch. Nothing had existed quite like Penny so her potential should be limitless.

This brought many issues for the guardian. How could one bring out the best in something and someone that is unlike anything else that exists. A challenge that Lysette both wanted and had to take on, no matter how difficult.

Penny continued training, focusing now on her speed and endurance. She stood as still as she could, and tried to roll as quickly as she could out of the mock battle happening within her head. Though, remembering Lysette's speed, Penny was not satisfied with her dodging capability. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't match the speed of a Lycan.

" If I can't match her speed, then I have to find a way to slow her down" Penny thought to herself, but was having a difficult time with how to achieve this. Thousands of scenarios ran through her head but there was only one that she saw true potential in.

Penny knelt down on the ground, and placed her hand against the chilled dirt. "If I can find a way to change the terrain, it will throw her off of her balance. " I wonder.." Penny asked herself as she pushed her hand harder against the ground, finding that It began to crush under the weight of her hand. " How the hell.." Penny questioned as her arm was now being swallowed by the earth. Immediatly, Penny drew back her arm and left an empty crator in the ground.

" I...how did I do that? " Penny was shocked by the newfound power but immediately began strategizing. She had a battle plan now, if she can consistently replicate this.

Penny leaned back down and placed her hand on the ground, and pushed down again, managed to create the same crator. " This is so freaking cool" Penny squealed as Lysette stepped out of the front door to inform her that it was time for them to leave.

" yeah...I'm coming" Penny muttered as she stared down at the crators on the ground, a wide small stretching across her face. " Hell yeah"