Blood Runs Thick

On Fire

      Blythe filled me in on most everything. This was a "school" for training assassins. Cold blood murderers. They taught everything, from torture to where is a good place to murder someone. I also found out that the man who had killed my mother was the head of this place. His name was Shepard. Most of the time he was away on "missions" but when he was here he was always testing the new recruits. Blythe was in charge when he was gone.

     I got assigned the job of being janitor. I didn't have to do much since everyone pitched in. All I really had to do was sweep after meals and check and make sure all the bids were made. 

     I hated the man I admit it but I was having fun. The guys were fun to hang out with and the conditions were nice. I stopped trying to look for a way out. I didn't see the point anymore, if my mom gave me up then that was her choice. She got what was coming for her. However, I will never forget what I did next.

"C'mere" Blythe said at the door of our room. He was smiling and breathing heavier than usual. I jumped up and headed to him. He turned around and broke out in a trot. 

     I matched his pace and asked "Why?"

     "Don't ask questions, just follow orders." he said still smiling. He headed to a small hut, only one room. Shepard sat with his feet propped up on a oak desk.

     "You can leave now." Shepard said to Blythe. I glanced at the now exiting Blythe. My heart leapt into my throat. I in took a sharp breath, not expecting this sudden change in confidence. "You are ready to start training with the other recruits. I know this must be a great change for you." He started examining his fingernails. " It is customary for trainees to demonstrate what they know before training. That being said you will report to the dining hall after dinner for your first torturing session." My heart dropped into my stomach. Cold spread through my veins. I must have not hid the horror i was feeling because Shepard added " Your not the one being tortured." he laughed. "you the one torturing." His words didn't comfort me. " You can look to others for help but in the end its all you." Shepard finished up. " You are dismissed."

"What are you planning on doing?" Blythe asked. I was laying on my back in our room. I rubbed my face with my hands.

     " I have no idea." I was still dreading my "test".

     "What do people fear? I took what I thought would freak out people the most and used it to torture the person." He tried to coach me.

     I thought about it for a minute. "What did you use?" I asked.

     Blythe laughed. "Well first I put a live spider in his mouth and taped it shut." I shuddered. "Then I Started breaking his fingers. Shepard said it was the best test he had seen in years." Blythe said, dreamily. It was obvious how much he idolized Shepard.

     " What is the purpose of these test?" I asked lifting my head. What if I could get out of it, I thought to myself.

     "Not sure, its just something we can do." Blythe answered. I got up and marched out of the room. "Where are you going!" He said, making no attempt to follow me.

     I came to a small hut. I didn't bother knocking, I just entered. Shepard was on the phone. "Not tonight, I got something going on." He noticed me standing in the doorway. He held up a finger, signaling to me to hold on. "First thing in the morning is the earliest time I can leave." there was a short pause then he yelled into the phone "Its not like he is going anywhere! I leave tomorrow and thats final!" He slammed the phone shut. "Its rude to barge into someones office like that, next time I expect you to knock."

     I nodded then said "What is the purpose of this test?"

     Shepard scratched his chin and said "To see what you are capable of. Do you have a problem with this?" He looked at me, sizing me up.