Uncovered

Chapter Eleven - Finneas

The harrowing cry of the bear filled the air as Finn watched Loky disappear beneath a mass of brown fur. He couldn't remember the last time he felt anything like fear for one of the recruits but the sinking feeling in his gut told him otherwise. He didn't like it. He wasn't supposed to feel anything for them, it was easier that way but watching now as the blood began pooling out around the still figures in the middle of the arena, he realised with a bad taste on his tongue that he was worried for the damn kid.

The bear wasn't moving, and every single person was still, including Finn. The remaining recruits were all frozen in place, as if their bodies all went into shock at the same time. Bloody cowards. Finn contemplated ending all their lives right there on the spot. Moments passed and not one person moved to assist Loky as he remained under the bear and Finn was unsure if he was dead or alive.

Finn overheard the other guards murmuring to each other: "he's dead for sure", "the kid's got no hope", "is someone going to do something?"

He was forbidden to intervene with the trials. More time passed with no movement, if by some small miracle Loky was alive under there the sheer weight of the animal would surely suffocate him. Finn was just about to damn the consequences and jump into the arena when the animal moved.

His breath caught.

"It's alive!" Someone beside Finn yelled.

But it couldn't be.

He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if this kid had come so far only to die by suffocation from a bear when the situation could have been avoided in the first place. He didn't deserve to be killed like that, so Finn took the biggest risk of his career so far.

"No, it's not you fucking moron."

He pushed passed them all, jumped the fence headed straight into the arena.

No more movement came from the bear as he stalked closer trying to keep his footsteps quiet, he observed the chest region to see if it drew breath. Nothing. Reaching out his hands, Finn grabbed two massive handfuls of fur covered fat, gritted his teeth and pulled with his entire weight. The bear barely moved.

Again, he tugged.

Harder and harder, panic sweeping in and sweat beaded over his brow. Still no one helped and rage and adrenaline kicked in.

"Someone get down here NOW!"

He boomed over the arena to no one in particular, just to anyone brave enough to help.

Heaving again it only rolled back once he let go. Pairs of hands began joining with his own, all pulling in unison they heaved one final time, Finn knowing full well how long it takes for someone to suffocate they barely scraped through rolling the bear off only to find a lifeless Loky underneath.

Finn's heart stopped but the adrenaline in his system kept him going, his body acting on instinct he started to save the kids life. Placing his hands over Loky's chest, Finn began.

Pump, pump, pump.

He kept going and giving him oxygen when necessary.

Pump, pump, pump.

It felt like a lifetime passed as Finn kept pumping away, sweat dripping down off his nose.

"C'mon you stupid bastard, wake up" he said to himself through gritted teeth.

High above the arena a hawk let out a piercing cry as if it was watching over them, or Loky in particular. Finn looked up into the sky as he pumped away and for the first time in his life prayed to the gods that his new friend would survive.

***

The sound of Loky's deep inhale could have been heard across the other side of the world. Finn heart was thundering in his chest, but he neutralised his facial features to hide his relief from all the people crowding around. No one said a word.

What Finn had just done went against the rules of the recruitment process. He'd deal with his Uncle's wrath later. Loky should have died today but something in the back of Finn's head told him this kid was destined for something else and he wanted to find out what that was.

Why was he truly here?

Pushing his thoughts aside, the competition wasn't finished yet. Finn stood up and observed Loky for a moment, watching as his wide, terrified green eyes scanned his own face and at the small chest which rose and fell, once again full of life, thanks to him. Finn looked down at his own hands for a brief second. Hands which had brought so much terror and death to so many, and today they brought life.

What was happening to him?

None of that matters right now, as he realised everyone here was waiting on his next orders. Loky was now propped up on one elbow, only a short distance away from the dead bear that nearly killed him.

There was still one final element of this recruitment process. So much shit had gone down today, they'd lost half of the recruits already. All except Loky deserve to die for being such cowards in the final test for bravery but his Uncle would not appreciate only one champion. They'd have to host another trial and it would be too costly.

So, he decided to tweak the remaining trail. He truly didn't want the full wrath of his Uncle coming down upon him.

"Get up," he ordered Loky and then addressed everyone else, "we finish this now."

Loky was already manoeuvring his body to stand up when Finn whistled for the stable boys once again.

He watched one of the men reach down a hand in assistance only for Loky to growl,

"don't touch me".

Clearly, he too was livid with the lack of courage or support from his fellow recruits, but Finn had a feeling this kid just liked to do things for himself. His determination was phenomenal.

Slowly, and without so much as a cry of pain, Loky rose onto legs which Finn could tell by the strain on his face were trying so hard not to wobble. Blood coated his tunic, face and legs, a mixture of his own and from the bear.

A slight dip of his chin was the only thanks Finn was going to get at this stage and he was ok with that.

The stable boys arrived with a small wooden box. Just big enough to be held in both hands. He opened it up and was presented with ten vials full of liquid. He'd only need five now. At the start of the day Finn was supposed to give these to the remaining recruits he thought worthy... now, he doesn't have a choice if he wants to keep his Uncle happy. Everyone will get one, whether they deserved it or not.

A thought that had his temper rise.

So, he began telling the men before him what the box was for and that their very lives depended on it.

Literally.

*****Just a short chapter for Rhys, I really want the next part to be in Loky's POV.