Chapter 19: Self defense
954 Words
Evelyn
Arm around my waist, slightly gripping on me tighter. Chest moving closer to me each time he breathes in. His smell, warm and woodsy, making me feel safe and cozy, yet refreshing, sharp and exciting.
Yesterday morning I woke up remembering every little detail from the previous day. You know, those few seconds before you wake up and become aware of everything. And I've been reminiscing ever since.
"Dear, please tell Theo everything is set. They can come have lunch whenever they want."
I'm brought back from my daydreaming when Dianna comes back. I get up and go to the total opposite of the castle, through long corridors, where Theodore and Kane are with the kids. This is a huge room, more like a hall, with soft mats on the floor. I get in, and see Theodore demonstrate something on Kane. They both are wearing white kimonos.
"Get it? Now who wants to try? Anyone? You! What's your name?"
"Gabriel."
"Come my friend. Good. Now take my hand. Now press."
Theo let's the kid practice the move on him and I can't help but notice how good he is at what he's doing. He is demonstrating and explaining with so much passion and patience.
"Ok buddy. You're good. Nice work!" He smiles at the kid and finally looks up in my direction. It caught me unprepared from my thoughts.
"Umm… The food is ready." I mimic with my mouth.
"Kids, we're gonna have lunch now. And after that you can see a match between me and Kane."
The kids get all excited and start to cheer up.
"Follow my beautiful friend Evelyn." He says directing his hand of me.
All the kids turn and look at me. Center of the attention. Not my cup of tea.
"Hello! Follow me." I smile awkwardly at them and head out.
* * *
After Dianna and me ended cleaning up after the meal, I head to the hall again. All the kids have gone too.
"You need help?"
He is about to say something but pauses.
"Actually, you could use some help."
I give him a questioning look.
"Come here. Let me show you something."
I come close to him and he grabs my wrist all of a sudden.
"Free yourself." He is holding me tight, but not too much to hurt me.
"What…"
"Come on, you need a lesson in self defense."
Right. There's no self defense in this. Obvious disproportion of strength.
I start to pull my arm away. When I see it's no use of it, I start to twist and pull. Then he pulls me back to him.
"Let me help you. First you need to stand correctly. Turn to the side. Legs apart. That's the base." Then he pulls me again.
"See. Now you're more stable."
"And still not free."
"We're gonna get to it."
"No way. You're to strong for me."
"True. That's why the first rule in self defense is to stay alert. And the second rule is to run away."
Is he mocking me now for not running away? Or maybe for the failed runaway. But he adds nothing after giving me a meaningfull look.
"But if you still get in a situation like this, there is a catch. Grab my arm. Now, instead of pulling away, you push your elbow and touch my forearm and pull your wrist back. See. You have to lean a little forward. Now you try."
I repeat after him, just the way he showed it to me.
"Good. See, your thumb, the narrow side of your wrist, has to face the the opening between my fingers. And you have to come closer while doing it. One more time. Good. You're a natural."
We practice that a little bit more. Then the variations where he grabs me with the both hands, or my both hands. I have to admit this feels nice.
"Now, something a little harder. Lie on the floor. Come on, don't look at me like that. This is serious. It is happening. No one is safe."
I hesitate but listen and lie down. He comes on top of me, between my legs. This feels uncomfortable.
"Try to escape."
I push and toss and turn. All he does is lie on me and take me into a hug.
"This is pointless, I can't."
"You still have a chance. You have to manipulate me. Calm down. Don't move."
I lie and try to listen to him. Even if it's all pretend, I feel a bit of tension.
"False surrender. Say you give up. 'Please don't hurt me. I'll do whatever you want.' That's when I will get relaxed too."
He let's go of me and straightens his back.
"From this position, you put your one leg on my hip, the other one stays on the ground. With this leg, you push yourself out. The same shoulder stays on the ground. Good. Now the other leg on the hip. Now my instinct would be to keep you in place by grabbing your legs. That's when you hit me. Do it with a palm on my ear. Ok? Soft spot and you don't hurt your hand. When freed you run away."
We do it a couple of times, at first he leads me on, then i start doing it myself.
"I give up! Please don't hurt me, I'll do whatever you want."
I lie down completely still. Then I put my leg on his hip, push. Hit. Pull away.
"Great. You can add a punch with your foot if needed."
Great... I feel great. Empowered. Safer. Sweated out. Released of some tension.
"We'll practice again. You can get a shower now."
- Writer
