Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
On the ride to the shooting range, Jenna was especially giddy. Giggling every so often causing her teammates to exchanged weird glances. When the van came to a halt, she sprung from her seat and charged outside while Ryan and Leah laughed at her excitement. But when they stepped foot on the ground, their faces turned to confusion.
“This isn’t a shooting range!” Jenna whined.
Chuck leaned against a tree wearing an army camouflage uniform and a helmet made of the same material. He pushed himself from the tree as he greeted his young team “Hi guys!” he greeted, waving them over.
“Uncle Chuck.” Ryan greeted respectfully “I thought we were training on shooting?”
“We are.” He raised his brows as he held out a long barrel metal gun with a large cylinder container with paint balls inside “How fun is this!!” he laughed excitedly.
Jenna groaned, “They tricked us again!! I thought we were using real guns?”
“You thought wrong.” Chuck replied as he motioned for them to stand up straight “We’re going to separate in teams of two. We have a perfect amount too. The paint balls come in three colors, red, blue and yellow. My team is red, so who wants to be on my team?” he asked with a wide grin. The five turned their heads, not wanting to acknowledge Chuck and muttered incoherent words. Chuck crossed his arms with the gun pointing to his chin as he used the end to scratch an itch he had “Okay…I see how this works.”
“Sorry Chucky, but it’s not exciting if we don’t get something out of it.” Jenna said honestly “You guys did trick us, what do you expect us to do? Jump up for joy?”
“I agree with Jenna.” Mark added.
Chuck began pacing as he tapped his chin carefully “Hmm, in that case…I know! Which ever team wins, I will personally take them to a shooting range. With real guns and targets. Sounds good?”
“Now you’re talking!!” Jenna excluded “I pick Ryan!!” she raised her hand first.
“No fair!” Leah complained, “You pick the best one.” Ryan smiled feeling special that they thought so highly of him.
Riley patted Leah on the shoulder “I’ll be your partner if you don’t mind.”
She shrugged her shoulders “Okay.”
Chuck tilted his head at Mark who sighed, “I guess I’m stuck with you.”
He laughed at the remark “Just to let you guys know, back in my early days I use to compete in shooting competitions and won first place for 5 years straight.” Jenna’s smile faded and her jaw gaped open “But I’ll take it easy on you.” He winked at her playfully and turned to the ready box and passed out the helmets and body shields as well as the guns.
The team separated in the large field filled with boxes, trees and obstacles. It was a maze like environment where there were four entrances and only one exit. Whichever team made it there first would win. Chuck stood his ground with Mark next to him as he raised his gun in the air “On three! One, two, three!!” he let out a shot as the paintball flew into the air marking their beginning. The group twisted and turned as they dodged flying painballs aimed at them from all directions.
Ryan and Jenna were in the lead after five minutes, both were not shot “I’ll cover you.” Ryan whispered as he pointed her to the right, a few yards away was a box where they could hide behind.
“Okay!” She nodded and sprinted while Ryan covered her with shots to his opponents.
“They’re getting away!” Leah cried while she shot at Ryan unsuccessfully.
Chuck narrowed his eyes “I’ll get her.” He aimed it carefully and shot when he had a clear view of Jenna. He let go of the trigger and shot hit her heart.
“Wooh!!” Mark jumped up and down happily.
Chuck quickly pulled him into the cover “What the hell are you doing? Giving them an easy target?”
“Sorry…I got excited.” He smiled apologetically.
“Come on.” He pointed to the left.
Jenna fell to the ground, grabbing her heart “I’m shot…” she said huskily while reaching for Ryan, who was laughing and playing along as he took her in his arms “Darling…I’m sorry, I cannot give you the child you always wanted. Take care…and don’t forget me.”
“I won’t.” he said with fake teary eyed.
“I love you…” it was a whisper as she fell limply back with her head. He was laughing to hard to hold up her relaxed head, his arm slipped and her head toppled to the ground painfully “Ow!” she rubbed her head.
Ryan couldn’t help but laugh louder “I’m sorry.” At the corner of his eyes, he saw Mark and Chuck catching up “Crap, they’re gaining on us. Come on!” pulling her to her knees, the two looked for an open spot.
Time flew by when they were having fun. The first competition was won by Ryan and Jenna. But Leah and Riley disagreed and soon a fight began and it was Chuck who suggested a two out of three win order to get the prize. Hours later, the winners still came out as Ryan and Jenna. She was smiling smugly at Leah who in turn was pouting, “Don’t be a sore loser. Even if you guys claimed that we were cheating, we still win.”
“Oh shut up!” Leah snapped.
Chuck smiled at the group “Okay, no cat fights. Leah, they did win fair and square. I don’t thing you had a chance.” He pointed to her paint filled shield “Tomorrow, I’ll take you two to the shooting range.”
“Yeah! We-” Jenna stopped herself “Wait a minute. Why tomorrow, why can’t we go now?”
“Because I’m late for class.” Chuck replied as he peeled off his body suit and helmet “I have to go home and shower too. Hey Ryan, can you clean up for me? It’s all paid for just bring all the stuff back to that trailer office.” He pointed in the distance and quickly rushed away “Bye gang!”
Jenna stared after him strangely “Where is he going that he needs to shower?” she wondered to herself.
Leah wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulder “Maybe because he stinks. And you do too…we should all get cleaned up.”
“No, just you.” Riley quipped. He only managed to get three shots on his chest and arm.
“Ha ha.” She said sarcastically.
Jenna shook her head as she nudged Ryan “No…there’s something fishy about the way his stomach jiggled. Chuck doesn’t get excited for class and what kind of class is this?”
Ryan smiled at the carefully analyzed clues she took in “I’m not sure. But I heard from Ga Jei that he’s been after this girl who teaches a night class. I think she mentioned it was an English class or something.”
“That’s it!!” Jenna exclaimed “Oh, if he thinks he can just ditch us for another woman. Come on team, let’s give our lieutenant a little skit.”
Leah grimaced “What did you have in mind.”
“Whatever it is, count me in.” Mark smiled at the sly girl.
“You in or out?” she asked Riley.
“I don’t have a choice. Teamwork.” He nodded with a grin.
“Okay, let’s go!” Jenna pointed as they raced to the trailer and signed in the equipment.
***********
Chuck rushed up the stairs as he muttered to himself “Stupid elevator…broken, why today?” he was losing his breath quick by the time he got to the third floor “One more…” he huffed and pulled his back straight when he opened the door and walked inside with an air of confidence.
Her class had long begun but she stopped speaking when Chuck strolled in “Nice of you to join us.” Eve smiled, but there were daggers behind the eyes.
“Sorry, I had some important things to do.” He said coolly.
Eve nodded for him to take a seat in the back “The next time that comes up, I would rather you not come in. Do you know it distracts everyone in this classroom when a late student comes in? I don’t mind that you’re wasting my time, but you’re wasting everyone else’s time in here.” She lectured with reason.
The classmates threw him unapproved looks while Chuck smiled apologetically “It won’t happen again Miss Fong.”
“Good. Now, where were we?” She returned behind her desk and began the lecture. But within five minutes, she was once again disrupted. In walked in five people dressed in black suits and black sunglasses “Are you looking for someone?” she asked suspiciously.
Ryan raised a hand calmly “Yes.” He waved for his team to follow as they marched over to Chuck, who was beet red and his eyes have never been so round and wide.
“Sir!!” the group saluted.
Jenna spoke up next “We are here to report for duty, Sir!”
Eve crossed her arms “Mr. Lam, what is the meaning of this?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know these people.” He replied through gritted teeth while whipping his head towards the door at the five stooges.
The frustrated teacher stepped closer as she instructed for the group to move out “Please, I am trying to teach a class.” Gesturing her hand out, it was quickly gripped by Jenna as she pushed the girl’s arm to her back “Ow!! Help!!” Eve began to panic.
“You are not allowed to come near Mr. Lam within three feet.” Jenna replied in a monotone and firmly pinning her arm down.
Chuck moved out of the chair as he hit Jenna’s hand and helped Eve to her feet “I’m sorry Eve. They mean no harm really.” He turned to the group “Apologize.”
“No, Sir!” the five replied in unison.
“Fine, get out!” he pointed to the door, his nose flaring “This is an order!!” his voice commanded.
Leah leaned into Jenna “I think he’s mad.” She whispered.
Jenna knew they had taken it too far “Come on.” She muttered and walked them out of the classroom with Chuck following close behind.
“I’m sorry…I really am.” He said sincerely to Eve, who still looked like a frightened rabbit. He closed the door behind him and glared at the five who looked ready to sprint from the scene “Is this some kind of freak show?!” he yelled.
“Shhh…” Jenna hushed “There’s a class in session.”
Chuck tilted his head at her sternly “This is not the time. I guess it’s safe to assume that this is your idea?” he scowled at Ryan “I’m surprised at you. I thought you would be more mature than this. I’ll be sure Matt hears about this.”
“Please Chuck, don’t…we’ll get kicked out.” Leah begged, looking ready to sob.
His nose was still flaring but his voice was calmer “I’ll think about it.” He looked from one person to the next, their outfits were familiar looking “And who let you guys use the teams’ uniform? You are not allowed to take their uniforms for personal uses.”
Ryan felt guilty as he raised a slow hand “Sorry Uncle Chuck, but when we got to headquarters, no one was there. My tag allowed me to enter the Uniform Room, so we…” he faded away knowing that they did the wrong thing.
“So where is the team? And where is Matt? He’s usually in the office.” Jenna said with sly eyes.
Chuck pointed his chin up “That’s not important. I want you guys to return the uniforms and go home. I’ll deal with you tomorrow.”
“You still have face to go back inside?” Jenna asked in shock.
He stopped and turned to them with a pressed smile “No matter the outcome, I have to do the right thing.” He entered the classroom quietly and took in the stares and stern expression from Eve.
“He’s brave.” Ryan sighed.
“Hell, I wouldn’t go back.” Riley commented.
“I would.” Mark nodded with a smile.
Leah rolled her eyes “You don’t have to kiss up, Chuck’s not even here.”
He gave her a strange look “It’s sincerity. Maybe you should take a few lessons from me.”
Jenna arched her neck back as she followed the group to the stairs “Feisty tonight aren’t we? Didn’t like losing to a girl did you?”
Mark shrugged nonchalantly “I don’t mind if it’s you.”
“Give me a break!” Leah cried with disgust.