Prey

Chapter 3 - Here we go.

Chapter 3.

Here we go.

The silence was deafening, without Zed to reassure me, or even to carry a conversation. None of the other denizens seemed all too talkative. There was nothing to pull my mind from that moment. So I sat, teetered on my heels and caressed the ring Zed had left for me.

At least three days would have passed when the iron grate slid open, sending in its parcel of nutriment. Like any ritual the denizens of the room mulled over to the heap on the tray taking a handful each and returning to their patch of concrete to eat. Again faint sobs filled the room, but all the noise of a bustling market couldn’t get the aromatic smell of food from my mind, all other thoughts gone.

I made my way over to the tray cupping my hand to take my share, as I dipped my hand in I could feel the warmth envelop it, and again that wet fabric feeling was all around, I lifted my hand and slowly made my way to my corner to eat.

As I sat something fell from my hands and hit my foot, bouncing once then stopping, not wishing to waste any of my meagre rations I pooled the remaining food back into one hand and leant down to retrieve my scrap.

Then I saw it, something that had been so reassuring and so damning at the same time, a bright blue eye…

I couldn’t react, my hands let themselves loose dropping the rest of what could only be my friend’s entrails boiled down.

Without any hope of restraint I lashed out hitting the wall with my fist as streams of warm tears ran down my face I felt the rest of my body go icy, I didn’t even feel having broken my knuckles…

As I squatted back down nursing my hand and mourning my friend I felt the ring again.

I had to escape, get out of this retched place, and my plan was born. Zed had shown me the way.

I spent the next while waiting eagerly for the enforcers to return, in-between retribution attempts my plan unfolded, the hole in my plan was glaring though, outside of this room I had no idea where the halls led or how to actually leave the building. Once out I figured I could find my way back to an old entry point I once used to sneak in to steal odds and ends for outside barter. But navigation in here would be an obstacle that needed to be overcome.

Stage one was simple enough, make sure I’m chosen. Do as Zed had done, defend whoever was selected.

As I ended that train of thought my time had arrived, the keys gave their unique clinking in the lock and the door creaked open.

“You know my orders men, bring me the little lamb, we have a favoured client today” the booming voice stated even before the door reached halfway to opening.

I knew exactly who they meant. God… the first time I have a plan and they players can’t even let me look heroic doing it… oh well.

Without a second though I rose to my feet and raised my arms to allow ease of access.

The two usual enforcers entered the room and made a direct line to where I stood.

“Meal time little lamb” they grunted in unison. It was actually quite daunting when aimed at you. But my goal was clear and they couldn’t take that away from me. They practically picked me up off the ground as they took my arms and dragged me towards the door.

They allowed me to touch the ground closer to the exit, and the dented enforcer stepped back into the hallway washing my face in the artificial lights.

A stray thought wandered through my mind, that these guys were part of the churches legions, why not have gotten the armour repaired? It quickly faded into the back of my mind as I set myself back up to the task at hand.