The Sixth God (Arc 1: From The Pale Ashes) [BL]

Chapter 14

Shida's whole body was in pain. One that consumed him, molten lava that crawled over his skin, seeping deep down into the marrow of his bones. His eyes blearily stared at the dark ceiling, little light leaking from the darkness. Shida heard soft voices and muffled sobs surrounding him, a stench that burned his nose. His cracked lips parted, skin breaking from the movement as a wispy moan escaped to join the chorus. His tongue like a dried sponge flapped in his mouth but he couldn't even form coherent thoughts, let alone words.

The first day was nothing but pain.

The second day Shida awoke when his head slammed against the floor. The carriage hit a rock, sending everyone in it flying. His body creaked and groaned, a high fever making him look like a sweaty tomato.

Shida opened his eyes, taking in the cramped apartment. Iron bars as thick as his fist surrounded him, a black tarp was thrown over to keep them from looking out. There were fifteen people, young and grown, sporting shackles linked to the bars. The adults' faces were bleak in the darkness, shoulders slouched in acceptance. The children muffled their sobs, hugging around an older girl in a desperate attempt for solace.

The older girl looked at him, stringy blonde hair familiar.

"You're alive," Claire whispered pity in her bluish-grey eyes.

Shida slowly pushed himself up, skin twitching and sending pain whenever a person shifted or brushed against him. They were all together, packed like sardines, and couldn't take a breath that five other people hadn't exhaled.

"Where..." Shida croaked then coughed, hacking up black phlegm. Bursts of pain went through him, his body shuddering as tears sprang from his eyes.

"You don't remember?" The pity in Claire's eyes grew. A few children whimpered and she pulled them closer, hands reaching out to rub whatever she could reach of the frightened child.

Shida shook his head. The last thing he remembered was burning alive in the fire with Ina...no....Shida narrowed his eyes. ...wasn't someone with them? Black figures?

"You've been sold to the slave traders. They told us we are being transported to Inford for the auction." Claire answered, eyes squinting to make out his face in the shadows.

"Slave traders..." The memories of the last few nights rushed back to Shida. He quickly checked his body, realizing why he hurt so bad. His body was full of burn marks and blisters, some popped and leaving gaping wounds. His skin was red and patchy, peeling. The bite wounds were ripped open and filled with ash, the cuts and bruises from the beatings....all of it made his body riot in pain and refuse to move.

If he was this bad how was Ina...

Shida looked around at the people, searching for the familiar chubby face. Panic raced through his heart.

"Where is Ina?"

Claire recognized the name and shook her head. "Ina wasn't taken. Milly and Grey love that child and they are not short on money. They wouldn't sell him."

Bitter relief and fear battled inside Shida. Did Ina get out of the fire too? What did Milly and Grey do to Ina once Shida left? Is Ina okay?

"Don't worry too much. He is in a lot better place than we are." Claire tried to soothe but it went straight through Shida's heart.

That's right. Ina was in a better place than him. Milly and Grey would take Ina back in a heartbeat without Shida around. Perhaps they would be in a better mood and refrain from hitting him too. Ina would have his warm bed and food, go to school.