Virulence

Chapter 7 - Lark Rises and Falls

I've been trapped in this stupid cage for three days now. I'm going fucking insane in here! I haven't seen Rias at all in those three days. Zade is the only one that spends more than a few minutes with me, which helps fight the madness. He brings me food and a friendly face. I'm keeping my rage in check visibly, but it's starting to crack.

On the fourth day, Rias finally showed his face. I was currently smacking my forehead against the bars out of sheer boredom.

"You figure out why you are in here?" Rias asked with a small smirk. I resisted the urge to smack him in his smug ass face.

I stopped bumping my head against the bars and looked at him. "Because I'm a loud asshole that needs to learn to shut up."

"That's a good guess. Keep at it." Rias turned to leave.

I growled and punched the bars of the cell. "What the fuck? I knew you'd done this out of spite!"

Rias just waved back at me before disappearing through the cave mouth. I kicked and punched at the bars until I was exhausted, anger bubbling inside me.

Later that night Zade stopped by like usual. I didn't bother moving from my spot on the floor.

"What's wrong, Kid?" His voice sounded worried as he slid a plate of sandwiches under the bar door.

"That asshole isn't going to let me out of here." I groaned. "He's probably going to let me rot in here."

"I was sure that you were on the right track. It must be something else then."

I sat up and glared at Zade. "What the fuck else would it be?"

"You tell me, Kid." He grinned. The bruise around his eye was slowly fading away. I softened my anger a bit. It wasn't his fault that I was in here.

I flopped back down on my back. "I have no idea anymore."

"Don't give up Lark." Zade said quietly. "You won't be in here forever."

I caught the hint of anger in Zade's voice. I sat up on my elbows to look at him. He was smiling, but it was forced. He was honestly angry. I sat up again and looked him in the eyes, smiling.

"I'm glad that I've at least got you in my corner, but you don't need to go out of your way to protect me. You already took a punch for me, I don't want you to have to take another."

Zade's anger dies down as he rubs the bruised side of his face. "I'm sorry, Lark."

I picked up one of the sandwiches and took a bite, even though I wasn't really hungry. Zade seems to have designated himself as my personal guardian, an idea that I seemed to both love and hate.

I'm glad to have a friend for backup but my pride refused to let me just lean on Zade for protection.

"It's ok." I shrugged. "I just don't want to hide behind someone when shit gets bad."

Zade smiled and nodded. "I understand."

Zade said goodbye and left me alone to brood. The others passed by every now and then, but mostly I was left alone.

Three more days pass, and I was getting stir crazy. I'm paced and scratched at the walls, drawing things in the mud. I stopped eating to Zade's dismay, and quit acknowledging the others. I was losing my mind. I needed out of this freaking box!

On the third night, Zade arrived when he always did. I was lying on my stomach facing the door.

"You going to eat anything tonight?" Zade asked, sliding the plate in front of my face. I scrunch up my nose before pushing the plate aside.