The First Redemption Games (1-5) & The Writer Games | 6 - 7

Interview: Marik

His eyes shot open as a shock soared through his body, shivers and waves of pain wracked his body. It was as if an elephant stomped on his chest, forcing his heart into action once more.

The room was as white as the snow on winter's solstice. There was a large screen filled with the ugly faces of millions of viewer, their eyes were chaotic balls of bloodlust and greed.

Marik's chest heaved up as he inhaled and collapsed downward as he exhaled. Before he even thought of speaking or making sense of his surroundings, he allowed himself a few more deep breaths.

He was alive once more. Why?

"Welcome to the First ever Redemption Games! A chance for past tributes to gain back their lives by winning a game." The voice was female, and something about it was simply annoying. Brielle. "Marik Cayne, you have been chosen once more. How do you feel?"

Marik groaned and rolled over. The fall off the table was surprising, but not enough to trick him. He was back on his feet through instincts, almost before he felt the wind from the fall. Looking down, Marik was surprised to find himself wearing new jeans and a black T-shirt which was covered by a knee length leather overcoat.

"Like a damn star," he growled, pushing the microphone away from his face. "Where am I?"

"In the capitol of course," Brielle said with a crooked grin. "You're on television. This is just like your previous interview. With a few additions, of course."

"What did you do to me?" Marik rubbed his face with one hand while the other scrambled for something to hold onto in order to support his weakened legs.

"Just a specialty of the Capitol." There was a pause before Brielle continued. "Marik, what do you think of all the other contestants?"

"How," Marik looked around again, this time noticing how well furnished everything was. Even the weird looking medical instruments. "The hell am I supposed to know? I've been dead for a long time I'm assuming." He pushed his hair back in order to gain some time. "I'm guessing that they're all back from the dead, right?" Brielle nodded. "Then my opinion is that they should go back to being dead. Dead people do not walk on the same earth as those who live."

"But you're alive aren't you?"

"Yes. And for the rest of my life I'll probably be in these sick games."

"I won't deny that, Marik."

"I bet," Marik grinned with a chuckle. "Don't want that pretty little face of yours getting in trouble with Snow, do we?" Her face flushed red and her eyelashes battered quicker. "Anyways, is that it?"

"Why do you want to make it to the decade?"

"I don't really care. Like I said. The dead should not walk among the living. Nor should they walk for the enjoyment of the living."

"But doesn't being inside the arena make your blood pump?"

"It makes my instinct for survival kick in. Morals and ethics are worth less than shit when your every moment might be your last."

Brielle nodded with an attitude that almost made Marik wish he was dead again. "My last and final question is; what do you think of the Redemption games?"

Marik raised an eyebrow mocking her and all that watched. "Are you serious? I already answered this question at least twice. The dead should not walk. This game is an attempt to bolster the power of the capitol and boast how powerful they are to the others."

"We-"

"I thought that was the final question?" Before Brielle could respond, Marik walked over to the first door that caught his eye. A blue rectangle with a jeweled doorknob and ruby encrusted edges. He reached out and twisted the knob easily. Marik turned back to face her and winked slyly. "If you want, I can start the games here. Or, I can leave this room." Three seconds later the door opened on its own.