Silence

Chapter 5 - Kyri the Killer

I'm dead.

☆

I wake with a start, my vision swimming. Dark blue and green lights twist around the ceiling. My back is pressed against something cold, and my arms are strapped against it as well.

Where am I?

I try to sit up, but to no avail. I was bound to whatever surface I was lying on for the time being. Around me were bright, metal machines that whir and beep and make a lot of noise. My head pounds as I lean back against the cold surface.

The door opens, and a young man steps in. He is wearing a crisp, black suit with a dark, almost blood colored pendant in the shape of a flame. Desert Nadic. He slowly walks over to the edge of the table I'm on, looking out the door. Another man, older this time, hurries through the frame, carrying needles and bottles. His pendent, an icy grey snowflake, hangs loosely around his neck. He leans over to the young man and whispers in his ear. I can just hear what he says:

"Kyri, are you sure this is a good idea?"

The young man, Kyri, turns his head to whisper to the older man. "I have my orders. Occording to his parents, he should turn only sixteen on the fourteenth of Augar. Today's the sixth of Juno. He's no threat."

I force my arms up, straining against the bounds. They both turn towards me. Kyri grabs one of my wrists and slams it back down on the table. I bite back a groan of pain and let my body go back to its relaxed state. Kyri stares at me, clearly furious.

"You're weak!" he snarls, grabbing my throat. I struggle to breathe as his grip gets tighter. The other man tries to stop him, to pry his arm off of me, but Kyri just pushes him aside.

"I don't need your help, Ptolemus," he growls, not taking his eyes off me. Ptolemus scrambles against the door, his eyes wide like a scared animal.

But my focus changes as the spot on my neck where Kyri's hand is pressed starts to burn. The smell of sizzling flesh wafts into the air, and white hot flames flicker from between his fingers. I clench my teeth and hold my breath. Ow ow ow ow ow.

I feel my muscles clench, and a pipe from the ceiling bursts and leaks into the room. Kyri, caught off gaurd, lets go of me, backing away from the spray. The water drips onto me, cooling my neck. I sigh in relief.

Kyri appears back next to me, leaning up to my face with teeth bared. "You little a-" I spit in his face, baring my own teeth. He takes a deep breath, obviously trying to stay as calm as possible.

Ptolemus takes a shaky step towards us. "Sir, shall I get the-"

"Yes!" Kyri says, his teeth clenched. Ptolemus scrambles through the door, leaving it open.

Outside the door is dark, lit by a blue light somewhere down the hall. There is little movement, but the air coming from the open door was cool and metallic.

Shuffleing and footsteps echo through the halls as Ptolemus walks back into the room, holding a piece of paper, a metal device, and a wooden board. He gives the board and paper to Kyri, then sets the device on an empty counter against the wall behind Kyri. The device lights up, emitting a green hue.

Kyri puts his hand on my collarbone, then pulls away. I feel a snap on the back of my neck as my pendant chain breaks. He takes it over to the device and sets it on top. The device buzzes and the lights go out. I struggle against the bounds again, trying to free myself.