Vermin

Captured

"RUN!" I heard Damien yell. The hunters were already shooting, bullets barely missing us. The wall was a five minute walk away, two if we ran. We'd never make it, at least not me. Not when I could feel my leg buckling at the sprint. Damien was just ahead, still going strong. His muscles rippling beneath his shirt. I was starting to lose energy, my wounded leg begging me to stop. But I wouldn't, I couldn't.
I recognised this part of the wood now. The wall wasn't far off. We would make it, we had to. A sharp, agonising pain, sliced through my ear. The bullet that did it, falling to my feet. My left ear was now soaking in blood, dripping onto my shoulder. I was half running, half limping now. But I could see the wall, I would make it, we would make it. Damien reached the wall, when one of the guards jumped on me.
I screamed, face planting into the mud. Damien turned round, already starting to climb the wall.
"No!" He roared, seeing me pinned to the floor. He was going to jump down to help. But I couldn't let him.
"Don't!" I yelled as the second guard jumped me. "Keep Going!" The first wood guard pushed my head deeper into the mud. I spluttered, Elfie's face gliding into my head. He was alone now, he had only my mother to keep he safe. And Kyra, I never got to tell her my true feelings. Rage bubbled in my stomach. I would not go down like this, not like my father, not like the other villagers who died here, trying to feed their families. I pushed up with all my might, but now a third guard was here, pointing his gun at Damien, still climbing higher. He would shoot him to the ground, then no one would be there for Elfie.
No!
I screamed and yelled, kicking and pushing.
Pay attention me! Not him. Me!
I fought harder, not just my leg, but my whole body screaming in agony. And it worked, the third guard turned his attention me. Pointing his gun at my face. I panted, still heaving in the mud. The first guard lifted his fist.

Damien was half way up the wall, when I passed out.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

There was a ringing in my ear. My body was aching all over, I tried to move, but somehow, my limbs didn't want to cooperate. I batted open my eyes. I was in a dark cell. Dead or alive? I wasn't sure which. Perhaps I was floating a long that boarder, my soul still deciding which way to go. I tried to move my leg. But the sheer energy going into it had me passing out again.

I opened my eyes. This time, determined to stay awake. I looked down at my hands and feet, both were tied with heavy chains, that felt cold against my skin. I wiggled my fingers, testing them. Then my wrists, still weighed down but moveable. Arms, elbows shoulders. Until my whole body was awake. My ear was ringing like mad, I touched a finger to it, gently feeling round the damage. The blood had now dried, leaving a raw brown crust. I ran my fingers round my face, feeling the cuts, bruises, the dry blood. If only I had a pool of water, then I would be able to see the real damage.
Water.
I hadn't realised how thirsty I was. My lips were cracked and dry, and my throat couldn't let out more then a croak. The cell was cold and damp, but in the corner a drip of water was falling from the roof. I shuffled over, chains rubbing against my ankles. I opened my mouth, letting the warm water drip onto my tongue. I tried not to moan in joy as the water soothed my throat and cooled my tongue. Suddenly, the cell door swung open, smashing against the wall with a loud thud. I jumped, backing against the wall, as two guards pushed their way into my cell. I tried to scramble away as the biggest guard came forward, grabbing me by my elbow. I yelled, kicking and twisting, as they half carried, half dragged me across the floor.
I was still handcuffed when they dragged down a staircase. They had freed my legs - all the while I hissed at spat at them. I was still screaming until one of them shoved a cloth in my mouth, leading my shouts to a choking stop. They pulled me through two double doors, my legs dragging behind me. They hulled me into a huge hall. The room had a large sloping roof, with painted glass decorating the windows. An immaculate red rug lead all the up to the throne at the end. I almost felt bad for the dirty trails my muddy clothes were making on it. I looked over to the end of the room. There sat a golden throne, so covered in jewels, it could feed my village for a life time. And there upon it, dressed in red and gold, sat the king of Tiyrin. But it was not the king that stole my breath, nor was it his expensive clothes, or the marble floor flecked in sliver. No. It was the girl sitting beside him.