The Selection of Prince Creed

SEBASTIAN

"Get up."

Rough hands grabbed the figure next to me. I struggled against my chains, trying to keep them from taking him.

"Shut up."

The hands shoved me back. My head smacked against the stone wall, black spots darkening my vision.

I wanted to call out, but the band around my head kept me from speaking. Tears filled my eyes as I watched them drag the figure away. I didn't remember who it was but I knew I didn't want them to take him.

I didn't want to be alone here.

The door slammed shut and I once again was covered in darkness. My body trembled, knowing that there was no other living soul in here with me.

I was truly alone now.

Sobs shook my body as I mourned for my cell mate. I knew he wasn't coming.

They never came back.

The days have run together. Have I been in here for days? Weeks? Years? Was anyone looking for me? Did anyone care that I was going to die down here?

I knew that I was going to die down here. The stale pieces of bread and watery soup they gave me once a day was a meal for the dying. They were keeping me alive just enough to play with me.

The music started.

I ached to cover my ears as the dark music filled the cell. I could never tell if it was heavy metal that they played. I just knew that the music haunted my dreams.

Pulling my body as far as the chains would go, I huddled against the wall of the cell. I pressed my head against the cold stones, trying to block out the music. My cheeks were wet and my body shook.

Why didn't they just kill me? They had played with me enough. I wanted them to kill me. It was better than living like this.

The music got louder. I could barely think, my heart seemed to beat to the beat of the music.

Sobbing, I cried out. I couldn't open my mouth but I could make noise. I needed to hear some other sound than this.

The music played for hours. Or it could have been longer. I couldn't tell. My voice gave out after a while and I had to just sit there, wishing that it would all just end.

Finally, the music quieted. I relaxed slightly against the wall. I lay there til the guards came.

They came, their boots heavy in the halls outside my door. I heard the key inserted to the door and it swung open.

"Time for your meal, Illeán scum."

I didn't bother pushing myself up off the wall. Hands grabbed me and pulled me up. Then the strap around my head loosened and my mouth fell open. I knew that they had put the food and water in front of me. But I made no move for it.

Maybe if I didn't eat I would die sooner.

The men left the room and the door slammed shut. A blinding light filled the room and I squeezed my eyes shut. Terror filled my chest as the music started again.

They wanted me to eat.

Reaching my hand out, I felt the bread and grabbed it. Bringing it to my mouth, I took a bite of it. It scratched my dry throat but I finished it. Then I sipped the watery soup. Lastly, I grabbed the cup of water and held it close to me.

The bright light flickered off and the music stopped. I had eaten. They would be back.

The door swung open again, the guards coming back in and tightening the strap. My mouth was closed and I didn't even bother trying to open it.

It was no use.

No one would hear my cries anyway.