The Ranch

First Place (4)

Elliot can feel death looming over his shoulders. He can feel his employer's eyes boring into his skin, causing him to become more irrational. His mind completely blanks and only comes back through a sharp pain.

His hands are gripping the wavy blond boy's throat, choking him. That's the last thing he sees before his view slants down. His eyes look at his body. A clean cut angled right through his chest.

A silence falls over the audience as they stare at the dead body and the luminous light staff in the other boy's hand.

The dead body's hands lose their strength, dropping Kai with a thud. The only sound in the colosseum is the painful coughing and sharp inhales of Kai. Bruising is already starting to appear on his skin.

What happened was, when Kai was grabbed by the man, Tih went into autopilot mode. His hand switched on the light staff as his body spun around the man. The laser appeared just before it sliced right through the man's back.

The thing is, after the light appeared, Tih immediately forgot everything around him and started to observe the light staff, even after Sherlock and Lucien climbed up the stage.

Sherlock went to check on Kai's condition to see the severity of the bruising. Lucien managed to take the saber out of Tih hand and turn it off before he did any more damage.

Lucien ponders something before whispering in Sherlock's ear," It could be useful defense if we find someone trustworthy."

Sherlock nods," Then we won't sell it." One of the major reason they didn't originally want to keep the prize was because everyone knew they had it, which would bring a lot of unwanted attention, but now Tih's actions will be a good deterrence.

Sherlock looks in the direction of the announcer and the other three that didn't have time to intervene and protect Tih, not that he ended up needing it. "We'll be taking our friend to a doctor. I hope you can take care of this mess appropriately?" Sherlock phrased this in an ordering tone, but means it in a worrying tone. These men's words hold a lot of weight. Depending on their explanation for this incident, they could be in trouble. Although killing a man isn't a big deal usually, in this scenario, said kill happened in front of many people.

The announcer looks at Sherlock with wide eyes. Not many would have the guts to question the two of the largest businessmen in the island. Even if they say something that hurts their group of newbies, they don't have the power to do anything about it.

"Don't worry about it. We'll handle the rest." Instructor Maddox understands Sherlock's worries and had already planned to help the boy. Sinclair doesn't comment.

Although he has a good impression of the child, that's all it is. His disciple is the one that's friends with the boy. The man's death was too much of a spectacle and can't be covered up.

Protecting the child in public has no benefits, especially since on the surface, killing others is frowned upon. A very hypocritical view of things, in his personal opinion, but he doesn't mention his opinions often.

"Can you stand?" Sherlock asks Kai as his breath finally returns to normal, if not still slightly painful, but that can be covered up in front of his friends.

"I'm fine." Kai's voice comes out hoarse, which makes him frown. He tries to stand but realizes his limbs are weak, making him frown harder.

Sherlock puts Kai's arm over his shoulder and supports him off the stage. Lucien pulls the Tih who's had his object of observation taken away from him and they follow the other two.

Quickly after they leave, the crowd peaks in noise as discussion quickly fills the colosseum. The announcer looks towards his boss. Instructor Maddox nods and the announcer attempts to settle the crowd.

Meanwhile, the group of four finally leave the colosseum. Kai, who has a larger frame, is a struggle to hold up for Sherlock. The reason he managed to make it this far was pure willpower.

He looks to Tih," Tih, can you take over now." The reason Sherlock didn't ask this earlier was because of what's happened next.

Tih came over and lifted Kai into a princess carry. Yes, Sherlock was saving Kai's pride as a man because he knew this is Tih's go-to position of carrying people. He really wonders who Tih picked it up from.

With Kai being carried, they quickly reach June's office. They find the buildings light on and June walking around. "Oh! You're finally here. Be a dear and go set him on the bed for me."

The four look at June in confusion. The way she's acting is like she anticipated their arrival.

June rolls her eyes," I was watching a live broadcast of the event. When I saw the condition your friend was in, I assumed you'd come to me." She gives a happy smile to Tih.

Tih ignores the second part and follows the first command, placing Kai on the lowered bed. The uninsured wait in the lobby while Kai gets fixed up.

A little later, June comes out and explains," It's good that he wasn't in that position for too long, but the strength used was a lot. He has heavy bruising around the neck, but luckily that's all it is."

"Then we don't need anything for it?" Sherlock asks.

"Nope, just time. You could buy medication, but it's expensive and unnecessary for this type of injury."

Kai comes out holding an ice-pack to his neck.

"Oh? Tih, your not wearing a cap? You look very cute without it." June mentions off-handedly.

The other three immediately stare at June with vigilance. After spending a couple month on the island, their understanding of relationships has broadened. Especially with the multiple incidents surrounding Tih.

June pouts but her eyes remain as sly as a fox's," Very protective, aren't we? I was just teasing the little cinnamon roll." She pinches and stretches Tih's pliable cheeks like an old grandma would to their grandson.

"...If that's all, we'll take our leave." Sherlock says as politely as possible before grabbing Tih and slipping out the door, along with Kai and Lucien.