Escape

Elias guided her through the motion. ‘Good. But remember, timing is crucial. You strike when he’s off balance, caught off guard.’ Callie practised the move repeatedly. Elias was relentless. ‘Higher!… No, use the tip of your shoe…Pivot, make use of momentum…Again!...Again, and more force!...’ By the time the moon was high in the sky, every one of Callie’s muscles ached and sweat was pouring down her face in tiny rivulets. Elias’s lips curved into a proud smile. ‘Let’s call it a day. You did great, Callie. But you’ll have to keep practising.’ Callie nodded and flexed her small biceps. ‘I feel stronger already.’ ‘I’m not the best instructor to teach you self-defence,’ Elias said, taking her hand as they left the stadium. ‘The techniques I learned are aimed to maim or kill, not just incapacitate, but what you picked up today should suffice. When we have the time later, I’ll teach you how to shoot.’ But if he could help it, he hoped she never had to use a gun. *** After Elias made sure Call