The Parables

Zsak - Precinct Fourteen

Zsak - Precinct Fourteen

It's finally happening. The day I've been dreaming of for so long has finally arrived. I've become a Martyr. I'm going to The Parables. And I'm going to win.

My heart has not stopped pounding since the car left the village. Adrenaline has been pulsating around my body faster than the speed of light. I've been constantly fidgeting in my seat constantly; I just can't sit still. I scarcely had any sleep last night because I couldn't find a comfy spot. Partly because there's nowhere to rest my head apart from against the cold glass window but mainly because of excitement. Excitement of being thrown into an unknown climate with fearsome beasts trained to kill, and as one of only a couple of people with survival and combat skills up my sleeve, I have no doubt in being successful. Besides, I have to do this for my family. I have to do this for Jechi.

Jechi, with her shoulder-length caramel hair. Jechi, with her sparkling, sapphire eyes. Jechi, with her freckled cheeks and shining smile. A tear slides down my cheek for some unknown reason. I'll get back to her. I know I will. Maybe it's the apprehension of not having her here with me, to comfort me through this...journey. We've always been there for each other, since little kids playing tag in the Prairie, and now we've been separated for over a week. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't what Jechi's going to do. She needs me more than I need her.

"Thinking about your family?"

My eyes land upon the rearview mirror, in which I can see the eyes of the sentry driving the car.

"My...girlfriend," I mumble.

"Ah, I see. She's a lucky girl then. I hope you get back to her alright."

"Oh, I'll get back to her," I reply confidently. "For sure. I'm gonna be the one to win The 99th Parables and nobody is going to stop me."

"With an attitude like that, there's no denying that you'll win it," the sentry remarks. "Good for you mate."

Resting my elbow against the window's thin rim, I lean my head against my palm and close my eyes. My family is now in my thoughts. I need to win this for them, not just Jechi. It costs a hell of a lot to keep me in training school and even more for extra one-on-one time with the instructors. Which is what my parents are currently paying. Father's job is scarcely paying him enough to keep us well-fed, educated and trained. If I win, my winning fees would make such a difference to our lives. Xari and Zen could have the same training as me, which won't happen at this rate without a sudden increase in Father's wages or a sudden large addition to our money jar.

Sighing, I close my eyes and bring my legs up onto the seats, snuggling into the leather as if it were my own bed. Nothing's more comfortable than my own bed, but I suppose this will have to do. We won't be arriving at the train station for another good few minutes, or so I hope.

"How long till we reach the train station?" I mumble, opening one eye.

"We got about ten minutes left. I'd speed up but this thing goes a maximum of ten miles an hour."

"That sounds fast."

The sentry chuckles. "It's really not. It's two times the pace of power walking. The train you'll be travelling on goes about twenty times as fast as this car."

"Now that's fast."

"And this car's slow." The sentry checks the timepiece on his wrist. "Speaking of slow, we may be a little late to the train station."

"Great." I sigh. More time to sleep."

The walls are of gnarled branches intertwining together, leaves patching up the gaps in between. They seem to grow closer and closer together as he sprints down the passage. Glancing behind him, he gasps in shock as he sees a shadow emerge from the shrub corner. It grows larger and larger over the muddy path, the shape becoming more defined and beastly. Suddenly, a claw lashes out into the centre of the path. His head snaps back forward and he sprints faster. He appears to be no closer to the next turning, yet he has been running for ages. All of a sudden, he feels something. Something on his back. Someone's breath. Something's breath. A chill runs down his spine. He stops in his tracks. Slowly he turns around and-