Dalliance

Seventeen

I peeled my eyes open adjusting quickly to the light in the room. Judge leaned over me, stray curls framing his beaming face. His pearly whites shone brightly causing me to frown and crumple my eyebrows together. I moaned leaning to one side hoisting myself up in a sitting position.

"Well?" Judge asked impatiently.

"Well what?" I asked holding my head with one hand keeping the other steady on the floor behind me.

"You read The Book." Judge began clapping like a hysterical seal.

I rolled my eyes, "That was the book I was suppose to read in the beginning wasn't it?" I groaned.

"Of course stupid!" Judge squealed with delight.

"You could have told me that." I mumbled standing up and grabbing The Book from the ground.

"I did. " Judge looked at me confused.

"When?" I asked annoyed.

"What are you talking about? It was the first book I showed you." He looked at me puzzled, "It's not my fault you were too dumb to read it."

"Why didn't you say something?" I gritted my teeth.

"Would you have listened?"

"Yes!"

Judge raised an eyebrow, "Would you?"

I thought about our first conversation. How everything about Judge made me want to jump and strangle him. He was right, I wasn't going to listen to him when we first met. I was too set in my ways.

"You're right." I whispered.

Judge smiled, "what did you learn?"

I shook my head, "I didn't understand any of it."

"Then you can't save anyone if you can't even save yourself." Judge looked at me so disappointed. It seemed as though he was rooting for me at one point and I just let him down.

"I-I'm sorry, Judge, really I am. I tried." I rambled.

"Try harder!" Judge stood up suddenly, anger shooting out of him.

"I can't! I need to go into the war zone! You can't just keep me in here! Find me an army! Sir is waiting for me on the battle field! It's time to fight! It's not time to read silly books!" I yelled.

"That!" Judge began pointing harshly at The Book, "Is not just any book! It is Thee Book!" He put so much emphasis in each word he said. "It's the only form to keep you alive!"

My face turned red from frustration, "I'm going to war with Sir. I'm going now." I crossed my arms in front of my chest challenging him.

Judge took a deep breath letting it out slowly. His shoulders relaxed and he smiled at me. "Right this way then." He held his arm out leading me to the door.

I followed Judge down a corridor. We walked down eight flights of stairs. I felt like I had been walking and following him for years. He didn't say anything to me. He seemed tense the entire way. I didn't even try to get him to talk. Finally we reached a dungeon. There were people filtered in and out practicing their craft. I looked around with chains hanging down the walls and spiked clubs left on hooks.

"What is this place?" I asked breaking the silence.

"This, Judge held out his arms twirling, "This is the game room." He smiled wickedly, "And these," he pointed to the people surrounding us, "Are your comrades. They'll be going to war with you."

The people around us stopped and got into formation in front of me. I stared at them all. Some had their chests puffed out, they looked hungry for battle. Some stood in line like good soldiers ready to listen to their commander. I saw a few though that were holding back tears. They looked scared. I could see them shaking, clenching and in clenching their fists. I nodded my head in understanding.

"I appreciate you all participating in this. I know for some of you it's difficult, this may be your first time called to fight. I know it's hard," I smiled gently, "But it's not about us, it's about all those who fell. This is about the ones we loved and lost. This is for the next generation so they don't have to be witnesses to such cruelty. This is so we can have a better tomorrow." I saw some people who were scared begin to grow taller, "We fight not because we have to, but because we already are." The room began to rumble as people stomped their feet and cheered, "We fight because we have to speak for those who can't! We fight because we are alive!" I pumped my fist in the air and my fellow soldiers followed suit punching the air hard.

My heart beat profusely as we marched into the field where Sir was waiting. I could feel my veins constrict and my heart hammer in my chest. My lungs felt tight but my brain was screaming. Every pulse was electrified. I was ready. This was the day Sir went down.

May the war begin.

Author's Note:

Hey readers! Shorter chapter sorry!! On my way to bed :) hope you enjoyed it though! Vote and comment! Love you all!!!!