Apprentice

Chapter 6: I want to play a game

Note: TIME TO SWITCH TO SOME OTHER POVS :O

 Lewis’ POV

 “Morning Simon, I brought you a coffee.” I call out from a few floors down. I can hear him mumbling and groaning as I flick a switch, starting up the machines. Activating my flying ring, I take off into the air, flying cautiously with the steaming hot cup in my hand, and landing gracefully next to his bed.

“Mmm” he hums under the covers, popping his head up. The short ginger dwarf had a massive king size bed that took up too much space, but I wasn’t going to argue against it-I had been down that road too many times, and he ended up threatening to set his beard on fire if I didn’t let him have one.

 It had only been last night that the end of the survival games had finally dawned. I shivered at the memory of spotting Minty being thrown off a tree by Nilesy, the crunch of her bones as they shattered against the floor, and the everlasting blood pool that had circled her. At least it was quick, I think, but it was little comfort when I remembered the slower, more torturous deaths, such as when Rythian got his hands on Sips…

Simon watches me from the safety and warmth of his bed as I shudder, my eyes distant. “It’s over now, friend. We’re safe now.” He tries to soothe me, but to no avail.

“Yeah, but for how long? Who knows when Ridge’s next games will be?” I say bitterly. Just as he opens his mouth to reply, he is interrupted by Lomadia’s voice calling my name.

Quickly, I fly away, leaving a sighing Honeydew to grumble “Love birds” and tug himself out of bed to follow me.

 Simon’s POV

I had only just woken up when Lewis came up. I didn’t want to wake up at all. I just wanted to curl up underneath the cover of the bed, dark, warm and safe, safe in the land of dreams where nothing could go wrong, and when it did, it turned out it was only a nightmare and you wake up. Was that all the games were? Just a constant nightmare that we all have simultaneously?

 Following Lewis downstairs, I watch as he embraces his Lomadia. “Hannah,” he breathes into her ear softly, his voice saturated with love and relief.

“You OK?” she murmurs back as he nuzzles her head softly, shifting her flowing, blonde hair.

“Now that you’re here, yes” he smiles, gripping her tightly as if she was going to disappear.

“Hey, where’s my hug?” I sniff, and grin when they pull me in for a cuddle. I wished I could protect my best friend and his lover from Ridgedog, but all I could do was dig holes, which he could fly over, and blow up stuff, which wouldn’t even blow a hair out of place on his smug little face.

“Enjoying yourselves are we?” a voice whispers close to us. I yell, pulling away from the two, knowing exactly who it was.

“Show yourself, you bugger!” I roar, taking out my pickaxe and swinging it in midair. He chuckles and appears, floating as usual. Lewis pulls Hannah and I behind him, and I almost swear at him too, but I know he means well, and I wouldn’t be able to do anything anyway.

“What the hell do you want, Ridge” Xephos snaps.

The demigod chuckles sadistically. “I want to play a game” he laughs.

“We’ve already played one of your stupid games, Ridgedog!” Hannah yells, curling her hands into fists.

He tilts his head. “Well, we know who wears the pants in this relationship, don’t we?” he laughs again, drifting closer.

 “I want to play another one. Tia?” he says quietly, and hands suddenly grip my arms tightly, pulling me away from the safety of Lewis and Hannah. I yell out again, and turn my head. Tia is the one grabbing me.