Jared looked at the woman and shook his head.
‘They get younger and dumber every year.”(Guess the reference)
The woman woke up half an hour later.
She tried to move her hands but found they were handcuffed and tied to the chair.
Her voice was muffled because she was gagged with a towel.
“I had to make sure you wouldn’t escape, hence the handcuffs and rope.
I also gagged you for two reasons.
One, in case you had any resolve or ways to kill yourself, and the other is so you wouldn’t talk to me.”
The woman huffed and tried to make the chair fall over.
“If that chair falls over, then you are going to stay down there.
Just sit and wait until we land.
By then, you will have the chance to speak as much as you want.” Jared put his head back and closed his eyes.
‘Two more hours and I will be home.
It should be around 10 or 11 in the morning when we land.’
Zach was woken up by pounding on his door.
“You think locking your door is gonna stop me from waking you up!
You got 15 to meet me down by the truck.” Zach was in bed catching his breath.
‘At least he didn’t barge in this time.’ He got up, washed his face, and put on his clothes.
He grabbed his bag and rushed downstairs.
Nyla stopped him for a hug and kiss.
“I just heard from your dad.
He should be here between 10 or 11am.
That should be enough, right?” Zach knew what she was referring to and nodded his head.
He wrote down on a nearby piece of paper before heading outside.
[Leave all technology here.]
Nyla balled up the paper and threw it in the fireplace.
It was late November in Chicago.
The temperature outside was dropping.
Zach ran down the porch and tossed his bags inside the truck.
“Whoa, easy there.
Get out and stretch, you’re running to the gym.”
Zach stared at him.
“Grandpa, you know Rocky is a movie franchise that took place in Philly, right?” Henry stared at him without saying anything.
Zach sighed and closed the door.
He jumped around, pulled his hood over his head, and took deep breaths.
Henry started the truck and took off.
Nyla sat with Diana in the kitchen as they left.
“I see Henry is still a fan of Rocky.” Diana laughed as she took a sip of coffee.
“I remember when he made Jared do the same thing when he was around his age.” Nyla chuckled.
“I thought the movie came out in 1976?”
Diana set her coffee down.
“Jared was born in 73, and you were born in 75.
It’s 2012 right now, so that means Jared is 39 and you are 37.
He made Jared run after he stayed out all night and got drunk.
That boy was throwing up all over the place.” Diana laughed, and so did Nyla.
“I bet he never did that again.” Diana nodded at Nyla.
“That boy didn’t touch alcohol again for a long time.” Nyla smiled and took a drink of her coffee.
“It has been a while since I went down to the gym.
Maybe I should head down there and watch Zach.”
Diana agreed and let her go.
Nyla grabbed a bag and left.
She took her training gear and a change of clothes.
She texted Jared to meet her at the gym when he landed.
She put her phone on the nightstand and left it.
Zach controlled his breathing and pretended to sweat.
“When you feel like your lungs aren’t dying, then come inside.
You have ropes to do.
I want three reps of ten for everything: Climbing, jumping, alternating waves, and slamming.”
‘Holy crap!
If I weren’t already so strong, this workout would kill me.
This old man may be a sadist on the inside.’ Zach took one last deep breath before heading inside.
He saw Fred dead on the floor in a corner and joined him.
Fred looked over and gave him a half-wave.
“Dude, I broke my room just about last night.
Why didn’t you give me a heads up on the whole new strength rule?” Zach sat next to him.
“Sorry, my bad.
The stronger you get, the more restraint you are going to have to use.
I have a talent called [Total Control], so I don’t really have that issue unless I don’t focus or you know care.”
“Lucky.
My dad made me do squats, wall sits, and planks for an hour last night, and he took my phone.” They both sighed and groaned.
“Things could be worse.
Blair’s parents caught her too and now think she needs to see a priest.” Fred snorted before grimacing.
“Don’t make me laugh, my core still hurts.”
They fist bumped and smiled at each other.
“What the hell?” Fred sat up and looked over at Henry.
“Why are my parents here?” Zach looked over and saw Fred’s parents.
His dad was on the leaner side and auborn colored hair.
His mom was short, with red curly hair and freckles.
Zach patted him on his back.
“Yeah, man, you definitely take after your mom.” Fred shot him a glare.
He was about to say something, but stopped.
“Yo, who is that?” Zach looked over.
“Why is she here?!” Fred looked between them.
A light bulb went off in his head.
He whispered.
“Dude, you are not saying what I think you are.” Zach nodded his head.
“You are telling me that bombshell of a woman over there is your mother!” Zach elbowed him.
Fred fell back on the floor, holding his side.
“Yes, and boundaries, Fred.
That’s my mom you are talking about.”
Fred raised his hands.
“My bad ok but sheesh, now I am expecting to see your dad.” Zach deadpanned at him.
“You boys get up.
Fred, you’re following and doing Zach’s workout today.
Your dad has informed me of your recent explosive strength.
Let’s put that to use.”
They both groaned and started doing what Henry told them to do.
Zach wasn’t really struggling, but he needed to pretend he was.
Fred, on the other hand, was actually going through the wringer.
They had just finished doing rope slams when Fred collapsed.
“Dude, how are you still standing?” Zach wiped his sweat.
“Because I am stronger, and secondly, I am pretending.
I can control everything about my body.
That means sweating, blood flow, emotions, hormones, and even the color of my eyes.” Fred rolled his eyes and drank some water.
“I feel like dying here.
I thought me getting stronger would prevent this.”
“What rank are you?” Fred looked.
“That explains it then.
Your body is stronger for sure.
You’ve kept up with me during this entire workout, and your body is responding as well.
It’s just not superhuman just yet.
I think you have to reach at least D rank in order to not benefit anymore from normal workouts.”
Zach looked over and saw Fred’s jaw drop.
He looked over and smirked.
“Well, well, looks like our ginger summoned a goth muscle mommy, huh?” Fred punched him in his arm.
“Shut it, dude!
How long do you think she’s been over there watching?” Zach shrugged his shoulder.
“I don’t know, dude.
Oop, looks like she’s coming over.”
Fred took a deep breath.
“Hey, Cynthia.” He did a shy wave before putting his hand down.
‘Real smooth, Fred.’ Cynthia nodded at Zach.
“Hey, Fred.
Thanks for telling me about this place.
There’s some real training going on here, and it doesn’t seem like there are any creeps here either.”
“Yep, my grandpa owns this place and is very strict about training here.
People can learn how to fight or just lift weights, and the membership isn’t too crazy either.
But I am gonna to the restroom.
I will see you in a bit, Fred.” Zach waved goodbye and secretly gave Fred a thumbs up.
Cynthia put her hand out to help Fred up.
Fred took her hand.
“You don’t look like it, but you actually have a solid build.” Fred ruffled his hair.
“Thanks, I’ve been training here for the last three months.” Cynthia nodded and looked down.
Fred let go of her hand.
“Don’t worry about it, ginger boy.” Fred paused and watched her walk away.
He caught up with her.
“I like the purple highlights in your hair.” Cynthia continued walking and glanced at him.
“What are you doing right now?”
She stopped at a punching bag and set her bag down.
Fred rubbed his hands together nervously.
“Uh, I was giving you a compliment.” Cynthia nodded.
“But why?
Most people stray away from me.” Fred coughed into his hands.
“I gave you a compliment because I think you are beautiful.
I propose I become your workout partner at least until the school opens back up.” He said everything fast but kept eye contact.
Cynthia was taken aback.
She looked around and put her hair in a ponytail.
Fred watched her but didn’t move.
She glared at him.
“Don’t just stand there, Roja, hold the bag.” Fred smiled and moved to hold the bag.
“Shouldn’t it be Rojo since I am a guy?” She didn’t respond and punched the bag harder.
Zach stepped out of the restroom to see Fred grinning like an idiot as Cynthia punched the bag.
‘Fred is one weird ginger.
I wonder if he wishes he were the bag?’ Zach chuckled at his own joke.
Before he could move towards them, he heard a commanding voice.
“Zach Shaun Maddox.
Come over here right now.” Zach’s body instinctively tensed up as he heard his full name said out loud.
He turned around slowly and saw his dad.
“Hey, Dad!
Before you say anything, I would like to say how sorry I am.”