The girl in the arena

Body Count

I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it.

The room, my room, was empty. Bare from the high creamy ceilings to the sturdy hardwood floor.

No bed, no dresser, not anything.

"I assume you need a bed. And a few other things." He poorly concealed his smile behind his hand. "You have some clothes in your bathroom. Take a shower, you're filthy."

I instinctively looked down at my clothes. Clothes torn and tattered, I still clutched Jasper's jacket from earlier to my chest. Before I had the chance to look back to those eyes of his, only his ghost remained.

After wandering aimlessly in the large room, I reached the bathroom. A large room, the size of my cage at the facility. I skimmed my fingers across the marble countertops, palmed the assortments of soap, and grasped the clothes left for me.

I got soap but no bed? Interesting...

I settled on next to scolding water after removing my glasses, burning the stuck on grime off of my skin. My eyes remained fixated on the floor as my hands roamed my body, and my mind wandered to distant lands.

What's going to happen to me? What's Ms. Ebner's game? Whats Christian's game? Will I have to keep fighting?

After what I decided was entirely too long of a shower, I stepped out, the cold air like daggers along every inch of my exposed skin.

I looked at the clothes provided for me; a maroon knee-length dress and some socks.

My brow furrowed on instinct when I looked at the undergarments. Surely this was a joke?

A black bra, with barely any material other than lace and matching underwear.

They want me to put this on? For who? These are night clothes, they cannot possibly expect me to walk around the manor in such inappropriate clothing!

I almost growled in disgust as I put on the clothes, trying not to let my mind wonder how they got my size for everything.

I was running my fingers through my hair as Christian knocked on the door.

"C-Come in." I crossed my arms over my chest self-consciously as he slowly opened the door.

"Well hello, ready?"

"For?"

"Every time we get a new arrival, my lady holds a dinner. You would be the guest of honor tonight."

"I don't think that-"

"Shall we go?" He offered his arm out to me, eyes blazing.

I silently took his request and placing my arm in the nook of his. My eyes kept shifting to the chip in his hand until my curiosity could not be held anymore. I broke the silence with a small voice.

"Can I know what happened to your hand?" My hand tightened on his solid arm as we walked down the steps.

"If you can remember to ask me after dinner, you may know."

Before I could respond, laughter boomed through the hall. My steps slowed until we were in front of the large doors of the dining hall. Christian turned his head towards me, quirking an eyebrow as he took in my expression.

Not even waiting for a response, Christian opened the door, exposing me to a huge crowd of people, all different ages and sizes. My eyes scanned the room over and found that almost every person had a noticeable modification to them.

Logan stepped forward and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug until I squirmed to get free.

"Well hey there, pretty lady. Adjusting well?" He shoved his hands into his pockets as Christian reluctantly dropped my arm.

"I'm glad you made it." Sophia's soft voice drifted through the room, the warmth of her eyes reaching me from feet away. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as she leaned in to give me a hug. I was paralyzed when she leaned forward to where my pulse fluttered and whispered, "I do hope you're adjusting well." She leaned back and walked away towards where the food was being prepared.

~~

Dinner was fantastic.

Laughing never ceasing, everyone was so alive and electric.

I sipped on my dark red substance as Logan downed another glass of his alcohol beside me. Christian was on the opposite side of the table, giving me no choice but to give him at least one glance.

The table went quiet when Sophia gave a simple request: "Tell us a bit about yourself love. What's your story?"

"I-I'm about nineteen, I don't keep track of time very well. I was in testing since I was about eight..." I gave a small pause and looked down at my hands only to look back at Christian to find him giving me an encouraging nod, his green eyes urging me to go on. "I have enhanced sight, and I have the ability to...push lightning from my body and turn it into a weapon."

"This young lady may be the most powerful person I have ever come across, truly exceptional." The entire table turned to face me at Sophia's words, one hundred pairs of eyes peering directly at me.

The table was quiet for a few seconds before a stern voice cut the silence, "What's the body count?"

"I-I'd prefer not to say."

"Michel. That was extremely rude. Give her a formal apology. Now." At her words, a man who must have been well over six feet stood, his bulky frame taking up my vision momentarily.

"I'm sorry....can I know your name?"

"My name?" I don't know

"Her memory is a tad bit foggy, give her a moment to get settled, then you may continue to ask her appropriate questions. Alice, be a dear girl and please take this young lady to her room. Fourth door on the third flight. Christian, meet me in my room please."

Christian stood wordlessly as murmurs and snickers filled the dining hall. I fidgeted with my glasses on my face, a nervous gesture that I had acquired over the years.

The two of them left the room in silence, but when they were gone, the room erupted in conversations.

Did I miss something?

The girl named Alice, a tiny lean thing no more than nine, came into my vision. With her black dress fluttering around her, she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my seat with surprising strength.

"Do you have dolls in your room? Can we play dress-up? O-Or we could play pretend with my friend Molly, whatever you want to do is fun!"

What an adorable child. I pray she was never hurt.

Alice led me up the flights of stairs until we were at my door, gushing the entire time about her imaginary friend Molly.

She placed her hand on the knob when I finally spoke up.

"Alice, I'm sorry, but I don't have any toys for you, Molly, and I to play with." I leaned closer as if I couldn't risk anyone else hearing what I said next, "I don't even have a bed to sit on yet. Maybe we could play in your room?"

"That can't be right, Molly said that it had a ton and of cool things in it. And she's never ever wrong. Let's just take a tiny peek. Please?" Her eyes grew until they took up the majority of her head and I was compelled to say yes.

"If Molly says we can, then of course."

She squealed and bounced as she opened the door.

What are Christian and Sophia up to?

What do you think of our darling Alice?

What's Michel's deal?