Fighting

Three Months Later

The crack of her elbow against Dale's forearm echoed through the sparring room and even though he stepped back, he didn't flinch as he waited for her to come at him again.

Ella pivoted, her breath shallow, and drove her knee upward. Dale caught it mid-air, twisted her off balance, and shoved. As expected, she rolled once across the padded mat, came up on one knee, almost snarling under her breath.

Her braid was unraveling. Her leggings clung to her thighs, soaked in sweat. But she didn't stop."You're off center again," Dale said as he stepped towards her, extending his hand to help her up.

"I'm compensating for the ankle," she snapped, standing as she moved away from him.

"That's an excuse. Compensate better."