Fugitive of Death

18

 I came to somewhere on the outskirts of camp with a mind-numbing headache. My body felt like overcooked potatoes. I could hardly open my eyes, doing little more than laying comatose on the grass.

"Is that Bitty?" I heard someone say nearby. "Holy Divines, get the Captain!"

Ugh, could we please not yell?

I agree, Death's voice rumbled in my mind.

Oh. Right. That.

No wonder my head hurt.

"She's over here!" someone called out. They sounded familiar. Maybe Markos?

Hands cradled me, causing the blood to rush from my head. I groaned loudly.

Do you grant this person permission to touch you? Death asked.

Is it a lanky man with dark skin and a brilliant smile? I probed.

Yes, Death replied.

Then yes.

"Out of my way." I knew that cold voice. Definitely Xander. "Let me see."

"How in Oblivion did she survive the Culling?" someone asked.

"There's a hole in her shirt and dried blood but no wound," another followed.

"Where the fuck is Yiani?" someone asked desperately as if I had the answer.

I mean, I did, but they didn't know that for certain.

"Bibi, can you hear me?" Markos said. "Are you alright?"

Is that what they call you? Death asked. Bibi?

"Shut up," I said aloud.

"Well she's alive," Markos said, "and has tart as ever."

"No, not you," I said, sitting up and pointing to my head. "Him."

I finally managed to pry my eyes open to find the remaining cadets surrounding me. And in unison, they gasped.

"Divines," Markos breathed. "Bibi, your eyes."

"What about them?" I asked.

Ah, yes, Death answered. I may have made a slight modification during the binding process. Standard procedure.

Modification?

The Captain crouched down before me. "Bibi, I'm going to need you to answer very carefully." I noticed he hadn't called me Bitty. "What happened during the Culling?"

Clutching my head, I struggled to remember. "I made it to the temple. I was cornered there by Yiani." I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. "The Death arrived."

The other cadets held their breath. Markos stared at me, wide-eyed. Only Xander kept his cool, as always.

"Then what?"

I met his gaze and for the first time, I saw fear and awe lurking in their depths. Raising my hand, I pointed to my head. "He's in there."

Chaos erupted.

Half the cadets dropped to their knees and began to pray. The other half hurled every insult ever created at me.

Xander grabbed me by the arm, hoisted me to my feet, and pushed us through the crowd.

How noble of him, Death said. Perhaps I should have chosen him as my Divine.

Oh, this may have been a huge mistake.