Just From the Books

ii North, 8

The ropes on her arms were untied and the huge door in front of her opened. She could hear loud cheering and it made her ears ring. She went through the door and was blinded by light. Everything focused. There was music, people, and her in this circle. This was a colosseum it seems. In front of her was another opening which usually was where another person or animal were to go through it and she’d had to fight for her life, she hoped this wasn’t the case. “Silence!” An object who looked like the leader yelled and everything went quiet. “Are you ready?” They yelled again and the cheering came back for a short while. “Choose your weapon leaf.” Someone came out and threw four things in front of her. Bow and arrows, a hammer with spikes, a sword, and a gun. She bent down for the gun but was pushed back violently by the person who gave her the weapons. “We choose what you use, everyone?” The whole colosseum was spitting out words, “Use the hammer!” One yelled, “No, make her use the bow! That will be a challenge!” Everything came out at once and the leader held up their hand and everyone shut their mouths. “The bow and arrow if you will.” The object picked up the gun, hammer, and sword and left. She didn’t even know how to aim or use it! She’s gonna have to rely on those 5th grade archery activities that only happen on friday. “Share your name and where you are from.” They demand. “I uh, I am Leafy and I’m from Bfdi East!” She introduced.

They smiled down at her, “Ah yes Bfdi East. You know, we traded a lot from there and we were on good terms till that black goop started destroying everything. It made everyone insane so I had to do what I needed to do, become their ruler! And a ruler will do anything to keep their people safe and happy which means I will bring them entertainment! Test Tube if you will.” So called Test Tube flipped a switch and the second door pulled upwards. Her heart was pounding in and out of her chest, she was frightened. If this was how she was gonna die she will not accept it, she will not die in some universe that isn’t even hers. Her grip on the bow tightened, it was open. A dark hallway that smelled like dirt even from where she was standing. The ground vibrated with loud stomps and she could hear heavy breaths come from inside it. Everyone was silent and watched with their eyes focused on that door, she was as well. The sun was hot coming down on her and she wanted to pass out but she knew if she did she’d never see it again. IT came out, it was huge.

It wasn’t a person or an animal of any kind but a robot. Either they made it themselves somehow or it came from another universe but there is not time to question it. The machine started running up to her and she leaped out of the way. There was no way this stupid bw and arrow could kill literal metal but maybe that was the point, to have her die uselessly. Or… She noticed some parts of the beast wasn’t actually metal but some kind of contained green substance, maybe that was the solution! She pulled back the arrow and took a shot, she missed and hit the metal. It roared and pounced on top of her. The huge mass made it hard to breathe, she could feel herself suffocating. The hand holding the bow was out but she couldn’t feel any arrows, they must have flung out of her reach. Use what you got. She lifted the bow up and took a few stabs and before she knew it, something was dripping onto her arm. The beast whimpered and got off the poor girl to run into its hideout of the hallway. She got up and coughed out sand and saliva, her arm was covered with the green stuff that was in it.

Instead of cheering for her victory, people groaned in disappointment. “That wasn’t supposed to happen. Test Tube, fix that thing and guards, take that leaf away.” Guards came out and dragged her back inside, throwing her on a cell. She trusted Candle, but Candle betrayed her, betrayed her trust. Candle brought her into this new type of hell, a hell where you are destined to die in. “I heard you say you’re from Bfdi East, yes? Though I have never seen you before.” She turned her head and saw an egg with yellow dots and is cracked a bit, armless. “I lived there until everything went downhill with that weird worm thing. I was walking with the Losers after Pin and Coiny made it clear they didn’t want to come with us when we were attacked. I was the only one who was kidnapped though, the rest of the Losers escaped. I was locked here and heard so many screams of bloody murder from out there, I don’t know when I will be next. It is very impressive that you actually survived that, but then again your metal cover helped you.” Leafy completely forgot about the yoyal-metal, how long has it been? It should have worn off by now.