Gladiators -- Clato

-Our Violence-

It was may. The snowmelt had begun to run down the mountains and turn the streets into a horrible mess of rock dust and dirt that sloshed under your feet.

I had my knives tied around my waist in a custom-fashioned belt, and my training boots fitted to my feet. It was quiet that day, the workers commuting on the trolleys and people milling about the market. In the distance, the sounds of the mine machines could be heard echoing over the peaks and into the Citadel.

I had walked into the Academy ready to learn. My trainer has not arrived yet, so I made use of my spare time by practicing dynamic knife throwing. I found it strange that no one else was in the Academy. Yes, it was early, but usually the most diligent students would be here practicing already.

It wasn't long before I realized the cruel prank. From the closet out jumped Cato and his best friend, Argus, swords in hand. On the other side of the room, Emilee, a girl maybe three times my size, slinked out from behind the pile of dummy's. I immediately got into a fighting stance.

This wasn't rare in the Academy. Duels between students are allowed and often encouraged. A three-on-one, however...

"Gonna cry?" Emilee taunted me, making her lip quiver. "go home to mama? oh, right... I forgot."

I stood my ground, legs constantly moving to keep a survey of all my opponents.

Argus made the first move, swinging at my thigh with the sword. I had expected the blow to be higher so I had blocked upward, and the tip of his blade caught the hem of my pants. No blood drawn yet.

I knew I was on the defensive, and being overly defensive gets you nowhere. Whirling around, I lunged towards Emilee, letting a knife fly as I turned. she avoided it narrowly, and smirked. I bared my teeth. she won't be smiling long.

Before I knew it, Cato and Argus were charging at me on either side. They may be powerful, but their weight made them uncoordinated and slow. With a deft movement I evaded Cato's sword and dash behind Argus, slashing the back of his arm in the process. blood leapt from the cut. I'd drawn First Blood.

He snarled and dropped his sword, settling for throwing a punch instead. I wasn't expecting that, and it catches me right in the cheek, knocking me to the ground. He was on top of me in a second while Cato and Emilee egged him on. with a sinister grin, he reached into his back pocket, revealing a sharp knife. it's not like the ones I throw. This is a handheld knife. for close combat.

He held the tip of the blade to my cheek, where his punch landed. I wriggle and shriek and try to kick him off me but he's much too heavy and holds fast.

"Clove," he said my name tauntingly. "Clove, Clove. someone told me you can't pay the Academy because your 'pa drinks up all the money."

"Shut up," I snarled, but he just laughed. "Does that strike a nerve?" He looked at Cato and Emilee, and grinned. "So what should I do to her, huh?" he seems to get an idea. "Hey, Clove. why don't you show me your wrist?"

He grabbed my right wrist, covered by my jacket, and held it in the air. I tried to yank it away from him, but he just kept pulling.

"Bitch." he muttered. Knife in hand, he sliced open the soft knitting of my jacket to reveal the dozens of tiny gashes on my arm. I nearly screamed, but Argus just spits profanities at me and Emilee laughs. I could feel the tears coming. I refuse to let this happen. Argus was waving my arm around, mocking me, and I realized it's my chance. With my free hand, I reached into my knife belt and gripped the cool blade of a freshly-sharpened knife. without as much of another thought I thrust the blade into the side of Argus' stomach.

He let out a blood-curdling scream and rolled of of me, thrashing on the floor beside me. Emilee screamed and ran toward him, and for the first time so far Cato speaks.

"Are you crazy?" he roared, his gaze flitting from Argus to me.

I backed away, knife still in my hand, jacket sleeve still sliced and useless. I was breathing hard, sweat dripping down my neck. I thrusted my arm behind my back, staring into Cato's eyes. I heard Emilee scream as Argus choked on his own blood behind me. I probably look terrified. I look weak. I bared my teeth at Cato, eyes narrowed. My head was spinning, heart was racing. 

"Get the nurse!" Emilee shrieked. "God, he's dying!"  

And in that moment, I knew that Cato Hadley saw what I was. He saw the killer in me then. The medics had come in and collected Argus. He survived. I went home and nursed my wounds. The torment continued.

When I came into the house early that day, my dad was already drunk. I smelled it the moment I entered the house. He rose from his chair and I immediately saw the gleam in his eye that meant It was over. 

I was up against the wall within seconds. "you're back early," He slurred, breathing the scent of cheap whiskey on me. 

I didn't say anything. Talking will be futile now that he already has me. He studied me, eyes glazed over but still sparkling with some disgusting emotion. 

"You were causing trouble, weren't you?" He muttered. I saw the hand coming before it hit me, so at least I had the time to flinch before his palm collided with my left cheek. I yelped, trying to get away, but he pressed me further up against the wall, yellow teeth bared like those of a street dog. It takes only moments before he's tearing off my clothes and forcing me to the ground and and I'm crying and screaming and all I can see are those horrible eyes and yellow teeth...

I snap out of the vision as the door opens. It's Cato.