The Ace of Swords

Chapter 27

"Are you ready Ace?" Storm asks. She's worried for me because I'm standing outside the arena about to begin my first solo fight. Instead of vines painted in my face like last time I have black covering my eyes like a mask my hair was died a dark brown yesterday to match the paint Storm used. The shirt I wear is low cut to show off my tattoo. My lips are also painted a blood red with some dripping down my chin. Storm said I look a lot like a vampire. She seemed rather excited about that too. 

"I think I am going to throw up," I sway on my feet as people place their bids on who will win. Storm rubs her bloody knuckles against my back. She fought against these two girls that were literally foaming at the mouth. They didn't stand a chance. Storm was faster and well fed. 

"Just don't think about it. You can throw up when you get in there. You could do it on your opponent. That would be awesome and I would totally make fun of you for it," Storm said with a bright smile. It caused me to chuckle just a little. It died as the gates open and I was shoved in. 

At first I thought this was a cruel joke. A large mountain of a man stood in front of me. He wore only a pair of shorts. His body was painted with a network of orange and red stripes. His face held a sadistic grin. The most surprising thing was his lack of eyes. It looked like they had been gouged out. My guess is they had been. This fight is going to be easy. I can take out a blind man.

I charge at him, hoping to take him off guard. It's not like he can see me. The second I get close to him he moves swiftly out of the way. He moves fast which is strange for a man his size. I circle around him. He copies my movements despite not being able to see me. If I wasn't fighting for my life I would be curious. I don't charge at him like the first time. Instead I ease closer to him until I am barely an arm's length away. I bring my foot up and kick him in the groin. He doesn't double over like I expect him to. His hand launches forward and grabs a chuck of my short hair. He throws me to the ground at his feet. I feel a kick to my ribs as I try to stand. I roll away before he can do it again. I ignore the blood pouring from my stitches and my throbbing ribs. This is not the time nor place for pain. His fist comes forward but goes over my head without much movement from me. He can't actually tell how tall I am. I'm not sure how I can use that though. 

He backs away from me to regroup. I know I shouldn't let him, but I need a second as well. I can hear the crowd crying out for blood. Some of them throw things into the arena. With out any hesitation, the man rams into my ribs and takes me to the ground with him. I gasp for breath and try to roll over, but his weight pins me painfully to the ground. One of his hands pins me to the ground to completely immobilize me. His other free hand punches me in the face. It connects with my cheek first, then my eye, and finally one connects with my jaw. I taste blood dripping down from my busted lip and one eye is unable to open. He leans forward to whisper in my hear. 

"Just cry mercy and maybe I will stop," he whispers into my ear. As much pain as I am in I have no desire to give in to this man. As he pulls his face back I spit into his face causing him to snarl. I brace myself for a punch that never comes. He grabs my throat with one hand to cut off all oxygen. I struggle against his grip. I feel tears coming to my eyes as I fight uselessly. I feel dizzy and weak. I'm going to die just like the man I killed at my last fight. The last thing I see is the man above me smiling in obvious enjoyment. 

I wake up to pain. I can't comprehend anything. I roll over and connect with another person. I'm not sure who but they are warm. I want to snuggle closer but that might be weird so I don't. 

"Ace you should hold still. I don't want out to break my stitches. Again that is. My brother told me to tell you that he hopes you get better. I'm not sure why he cares. You're just a Red," the annoying voice of the one and only Leo. I'm starting to think I should punch the guy. If he wasn't such a good healer I probably would.