Hell's War

Chapter Two

I sit bolt upright, my mind still half in the nightmare that consumes me each night. I'm in my kitchen, back in the living world. I'm standing there holding the kitchen knife that I brought over with me. I can feel the cold, hard blade. My mind is filled with depressing thoughts. Slowly I raise the knife to my throat, and before I can think about it, I've committed suicide.

I jerk my thoughts away from this topic. I don't like thinking about it. I cast around for something to distract me, and notice two men standing at the entrance to our cave. They seem to be arguing with the guards. Suddenly its all fixed up and every ones smiling. The two men enter our cell. 'Everybody wake up and stand against the wall!' The taller of the two gets us all awake and standing. He turns to a boy standing next to me.

'Right. What's your name and age?' The boy mumbles something.

'Speak louder, boy!' The man exclaims.

'John Magnus. 18.' He still speaks softly, but we can hear him.

'What were you killed with?'

'Poison.'

'No weapon, no spirit, how long have you been dead?'

'Two days.'

'Right, this kid has got nothing. Take him to the cells.' John is taken away, and I'm stuck there hoping I don't go the same way. The man turns to me.

'Name and age?' He asks with an air of boredom.

'Tanya Willow. 16.'

'What were you killed with?'

'A knife.'

'How long ago?'

'8 days'

'Alright, hand over your weapon, and once I'm done you can head to the training section.'

'What?' I'm stunned,'I don't want to join your gang.' I say this without thinking and immediately regret it. He grabs my wrist and bends it back until I let go of the knife. I try and bend down to get it, but he pushes me away. I trip in a rock and fall over. I'm dazed.

'Hey, you can't do that!' Someone yells. I see an athletic looking girl with shoulder-length lack hair and olive skin leap at the guy. She tackles him to the floor, but the guards quickly grab her and help the man up. He dusts himself off while I give my knife to the guards. The girl is next to be questioned.

'Name? Age?' The guy asks her gruffly.

'Roshni Mukherjee. 17.'

'What were you killed with?'

'Boredom.' She yawns. The guy gives a signal and one of the guards punches her face.

'What were you killed with?' The guy asks more forcefully this time.

'Ninga Death Grip.' She gasps. Once again, she gets punched for her troubles.

'I won't repeat this again, what were you killed with?!' He exclaims. She gives in.

'A gun.' The guy smiles smugly.

'How long ago?'

'Two months.' She smiles, as if proud of herself for staying out of their grasp for that long. I agree. I'd be proud too.