The Death Doll by Brian P. White

wounded animal.  She stared it down in disgust; pity long abandoned her.  Then it grabbed her ankle. She kicked it away and she kicked it again.  She kicked and stomped the thing until it finally stopped moving. 
    She sunk to her knees and wept by the bloody mess she made.  She didn’t understand why she couldn’t just pull the trigger.  It wasn’t a person anymore, no matter how young it was when it died.  What remained only wanted to kill, just like her mother that time.
    A gloved hand shook her from her sorrow.  She popped up to her feet.
    “Now that’s the spirit,” Didi said with a grin.
    Rachelle shoved the woman she thought she looked up to.  “You would’ve let it eat me.”
    “But you wouldn’t,” Didi replied, not looking the least bit fazed.  “I knew you had it in you.”
    Rachelle flinched, not sure if she wanted to punch Didi or walk out on her.  “What?”
    “The way I see it, God gave you that life to protect.  Well, you did,” she held up the fallen revolver, “and you didn’t even need this to do it.  I’m proud of you.”  She patted Rachelle’s shoulder again and walked outside. 
    Staring at the bloody remains at her feet, her anger slowly subsided, and she realized Didi was right: Rachelle had to take out this rotter.  It was her responsibility to protect herself, and she had the power to do it.  She really was ready, thanks to the best teacher left in the world. 
    I’m going to be just as awesome as you, Didi .
    She ran out of the house with a huge smile on her face and met Didi and Cody in the driveway, her heart beating wildly with anticipation at what the next house held in store for her.
    “Somebody’s ready for more,” Cody said with a grin as he loaded the small revolver and handed it back to Rachelle.  “Sorry about the bullets.”
    Didi patted Rachelle’s back with a proud grin.  “Oh, she’s fine.  She got a taste of power.  I’ll bet she could take on an entire mob right now.”
    Rachelle put her hands up.  “Oh, no, thank you.  One at a time if we can help it, please.”
    Didi giggled as she tussled Rachelle’s hair, then drew her sword and headed for the front door of the next house.
    Rachelle stopped Didi from kicking the door in.  “Wait.  Can I try?”
    After staring her down, Didi sheathed her sword and stepped back.  “You can try.  It’s not as easy as it looks.”
    Rachelle ran to the door and jump-kicked it like a kung fu movie baddie.  Pain shot up her leg, telling her how right Didi was.  Thankful her mentors weren’t laughing at her, she glanced up at them.
    “It’s all about follow-through,” Didi said.  “You don’t just kick it.  You push that sucker in at a very fast pace.”
    Rachelle stared at the door, psyched herself up, and tried again.  It didn’t hurt as much, but it didn’t open the door, either.  She gave the door a couple more kicks, but it didn’t give.  Another approach came to mind, so she tried the knob.  The door opened.  She felt pretty stupid. 
    Didi and Cody softly applauded. 
    “Shut up,” Rachelle said, though unable to hold back a smile.  She kicked the door further open and charged in. 
    Three steps in, she froze solid, not expecting to see guns pointed at her.
     
    *****
     
    Pepe needed to psych himself up for today’s lesson from Gray’s Anatomy, hoping something from the Lounge would do the trick.  He stepped in and found the other teens sweeping the floors, including the lovely Dawn, who smiled at him.  He smiled back and ran into a table.  He stopped himself from cursing at the sharp pain in his thigh.  She laughed lightly; not meanly, but a charming giggle.  The others laughed as he straightened himself and headed for the counter. 
    Jake didn’t laugh at all.  Something bugged him.  What now?
    Pepe rounded the counter, approached the espresso machine, and opened one of the spiced chai boxes, another testament to this camp’s luxury.  He reached through