Sarah's Story Chapter 008 - Brawler

Sarah found herself sitting up in bed and her breath caught in her throat. She was unsure if she had yelled out that last sentence out loud, or if it had only been in the dream world. Her mother gave her no clue either, as she leaned in, years of stress and regret weighing down her expression as she nearly glared with a piercing expression, searching Sarah’s face.

“Wha-” she started, and Sarah felt the passage of time slow down around her and her body moved on instinct. Her thoughts accelerated faster than she could move her eyes, and she extrapolated from what she could see, and what she couldn’t:

Her mother’s hands.

Sarah’s mother was sitting to her left, leaning forward. With her right hand, Sarah flung the sheet up and toward her mother, blocking her field of view as she tried to retreat to the other side of the bed. Her mother was still closer to the door, but worst case the window-

Brawler Class Skill [Danger Sense] acquired.

Brawler Class Skill [Threat Awareness] acquired.

Brawler Class Skill [Escape Planning] acquired.

But Sarah was too slow. Before she could spring from the bed, her mother had lunged forward, sweeping her up into a hug that made her bones creak.

Sarah squirmed for just a moment trying to break free before the sound of her mother’s sobbing and the wetness on her shoulder entered her perception.

She surrendered, letting the tension drain from her body as she hugged her mother back.

“Y-you did it. You chose a combat class, I know it…”

“Mhm.” Sarah managed to grunt affirmatively.

“Did… did you choose Brawler?” her mother asked to confirm, face still buried in Sarah’s shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around her midsection.

“Yeah.” Sarah groaned. She attempted to pat her Mom to yield but her arms and hands were pressed firmly to her side.

Sarah was starting to realize that a Grappling Brawler really was advantageous in certain situations.

With a mighty sniff, her mother righted herself, let Sarah go from the crushing bear hug, and firmly put her hands on Sarah’s shoulders, then looked her in the eye.

Sarah forced herself to maintain eye contact even as intrusive thoughts threatened to distract her.

Brawler Class Skill [Danger Sense] has reached level 2.

Brawler Class Skill [Threat Awareness] has reached level 2.

“And… your second class?”

Sarah became aware that her father had silently opened the door and was watching them, his attention equally split between his wife and his daughter. With some chagrin that this was dragging out the tension, Sarah took several shuddering breaths before she answered.

“I didn’t choose it yet. I kept my promise.”

[Brawler] Class chosen. 1/2 Classes chosen. Please select a Class.

The thought was in the back of her mind, like a leaf caught in her hair. Present in her awareness at all times, but ignorable if there were more pressing issues.

And yet the urge to run her hand through her hair, the urge to hurry up and choose a second class, it was there.

“Thank you… thank you… th- sniff -nk you…” her mother whispered over and over, eyes clenched shut as tears streamed down her face.

Stephen shed a tear as well as he walked fully into the room and wrapped an arm around his wife.

She had suffered so much, in silence, although Stephen knew. He had always known.

“Let’s move down to the dining room,” he proposed. “It’s nearly lunch time, and neither of you have eaten.”

Helen stood up abruptly, managing to sniff affirmatively as she covered her face with her hands, and headed downstairs first.

Sarah untangled herself from the sheets – when had they gotten tangled around her legs like that? Mom! – and pulled some day clothes from her dresser before she noticed her dad was still in the room.

“Uh, Dad?” She said, raising an eyebrow.

Stephen shook his head with a serious expression on his face. “No, come down as you are. I’m not letting you out of my sight until you complete your oath. Your mother…” he trailed off, not wanting to speak the possibility into reality.

Now Sarah was just confused. “But, I already did. I chose Brawler, and held off on my second class just like I said.”

Stephen’s expression tightened. “No, you swore to hold off on choosing your second class until you discussed it with your mother, and you haven’t done that yet. I trust you, Sarah, but I’m not taking the slightest chance that I let you out of my sight and you slip up and select a second class. Not until you talk with your mother, a real talk.”

Sarah’s mouth fell open as she realized that in all this time, her father hadn’t blinked once.

Brawler Class Skill [Danger Sense] has reached level 3.

Brawler Class Skill [Threat Awareness] has reached level 3.

And he was still blocking the door.

For a brief second Sarah visualized breaking through the window behind her and how to stick the landing on the ground a dozen feet below.

But the urge passed and she nodded, understanding her father’s resolve.

“Okay.” she nodded, matching his seriousness. She was already wearing her winter pajamas anyway; it just felt sloppy to wear them outside the bedroom.

They headed downstairs and found that Helen had already managed to whip up a hearty brunch of bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, and a glass of milk for everyone. Now that Sarah had her own class, she understood better just how powerful even a Homemaker class could be.

The presence in the back of her mind grew heavy but she forced it down with an effort of will.

No, not until I fulfill my oath, and not unless there’s a Class to help me find James.

Sarah’s resolve didn’t feel unshakable, but she put her entire will into it, and the urge faded.