I look down at my watch after delivering some boxes of paper to the bottom floor. 14:47. I still have a long way to walk to get to the reception on the bottom floor. It would take a lot less time if we were allowed to use the lifts, but we're told that it's 'wasting power' and that we can get more exercise by walking. What if we're running out of power? No, remember what Tom said. There's nothing to worry about, we're safe.

By the time I reach the reception, it's 14:56. I don't have anything else to do today, so I plan to have a nap or to read some books from the school area of the building. On the way back to the room, I see a small boy running around with a plastic knife, pretending to slay a dragon.

"Damn!" I forgot about meeting the guy at 3 pm. Somehow the little kid armed with plastic reminded me of him, which is quite worrying. I look back to my watch and see the number change to 14:57. I rush to the stairs and run up to the next floor, doing the same on each floor until I'm almost there. "I really wish we could use the lifts."

I pull myself up the last flight of stairs and walk to my room, grab my bag with my knife in it and rush to where I'd promised to meet him. I've almost got my breath back, so I reach into my bag and pull out my still sharp knife, stuff the pillows back into the empty shelves and sit down on the floor. I didn't realize how out of shape I am until now, how can I fight if a few flights of stairs makes me sweat? At least I know that I need to improve my stamina, as I doubt I'll survive for very long with what it is now.

There's a faint knock at the door. The guy I met yesterday creeps inside, checking both ways down the corridor before closing the door. He has a bag around his shoulders which looks almost empty.

"Ready to start?"

"I think so." He pulls a knife similar to mine out of his bag.

"Where did you get that?" He didn't mention that he had one before.

"I was washing up in the kitchens after they served lunch, so I grabbed it as I was leaving. They probably won't notice because there are so many in there."

"Nice. And before I forget like last time, what's your name?"

"My name? Oh... my name is Alex. Alex Thompson. What's yours?"

"Lilly. Lilly Alexander."

"That's a nice name, Lilly."

"You too. So have you done any martial arts training before?"

He laughs. "Do I look like I know how to fight?" I have to admit, he looks like he might snap in half if the wind is too strong, like a piece of lead from a pencil. I've never seen someone so skinny before, even though I went to a school where most of the girls went to the gym to get a smaller waist or flatter stomach to impress the boys.

I did karate for three years before we started preparing for our GCSEs because I wanted something to be good at. I also wanted people to be scared of me, but I'd never tell anyone the real reason. The only time I ever got to use any moves was when Ruby's ex-boyfriend tried to hurt her, but I ended up with detentions for a week after almost breaking his wrist. There are obviously some things I've forgotten, but I'll try my best to teach him something.

"What do you want to know?"

"How not to die."

"Fair enough. We can start with some punches." I get into a fighting stance and open my hands for Alex to hit. He misses my hands a few times at first, but after altering his stance and changing the distance between us, his punches start to sting.

"You're doing well."

"I am? It doesn't look like it."

"Just don't be so tense, it makes your punches sloppy and tires you out faster."

"Got it." His punches don't get any stronger, but at least it looks like he knows what he's doing. Thirty seconds later, his face has become an alarming shade of red, and his punches gradually grow further apart.

"That's enough for now." He nods and sits down on a storage box, gulping down water from his bottle.

"That was pretty pathetic, huh?" His spark of motivation has blown out already.

"No, it wasn't. You'll get better, don't criticise your first time."

"I'll try. I need to help tutor some eleven-year-olds, but can we meet at this time tomorrow?"

"Sure. Don't bring your knife though, I'll teach you how to use that once you know basic self-defence."

"Thanks for doing this, I won't be late. See ya'." And with that, he walks away, barely ten minutes after he arrived. He needs to stop doubting himself before he gives up completely because that would mean I've failed as a teacher. It looks like I've found my first friend.