Kingfield

Chapter 4: Nightmares

David stared at the ceiling of the tent. He hasnt been able to fall asleep. He keeps thinking about his first trial. The woman that hunts them like they are animals. He can almost still hear the humming. The almost sadistic lullaby she loves. His heart races just thinking about it.

Trying not to focus on the awful memory he tried to close his eyes. He needed sleep. Especially if he was picked by whatever the fuck brought him here for another trial. Dwight had explained the simple stuff saying he would teach more while they are out in the trials together. Everyone had their own skills. They all were more than happy to help David.

"David you awake?" Dwight spoke in a hushed whisper. David opened his eyes staring at Dwight. His back was turned from David.

"Yeah what's up mate?" David said wondering why he was awake. David waited for Dwight to reply. Nothing. David felt something was wrong. He put a hand on Dwight's shoulder and turned him over.
Dwight's head was now in view. A big open slit down the middle of his face was shown.
David's heart skipped a beat.

"I don't feel so good David." Dwight said as a smile crept over his face. His head started to slowly split apart.

"David what's wrong?"Dwight asked. David quickly shot up and looked at dwight who had a concerned look on his face. He didn't have the split down the middle. He was alright. David felt like he was going to be sick. He put his face in his hands and laid back down.

"You were moving around alot and talking in your sleep." Dwight spoke softly. He put a hand on David's arm trying to comfort him. David pulled his hands from his face and looked to Dwight. He shot him a fake smile.

"Just a bit of a nightmare I suppose. I'm alright now." David replied. Dwight gave him a smile and laid back down.

"Well try to get some sleep. The nightmares don't stop here." Dwight whispered in a small voice. David opened his mouth to speak but shut it. He knew this place is evil. He doubts anyone hear dreams of happy things. "Goodnight David" Dwight said in a sleepy voice.

"Goodnight Dwight." David spoke softly back. David laid there until he knew Dwight was asleep. He needed to get up and walk around. Do something to make him tired. He shuffled out of the tent slowly trying not to wake Dwight.

He looked around. Everyone seemed to fast asleep but Jake. The man sat at the fire looking deep into it like it held the awnser to why he was here. David moved closer.

"Couldn't sleep?" Jake spoke softly not even turning to David. David stopped in his tracks. He didn't even know Jake knew he was there.

"Yeah just to awake." David replied simply in a hushed voice. Jake shuffled to the side a bit on the log and patted the spot next to him. David shuffled over and sat down.

"First night is always the hardest. Even though it's always night." Jake said glancing over to David. David simply nodded looking down at the hot embers in the fire pit.

"So what's your sob story?" Jake bluntly asked. This shocked David. Was he trying to piss him off? David clutched his knuckles. Almost as if he felt David's anger Jake added "Sorry not trying to make you angry. We all come from a rough past. Myself included." David's shoulders fell. Anger in him slowly leaving.

"Oh well, wouldn't say it's a sob story. I was a fighter. I fought is underground fights alot. My anger always got the best of me. I also miss my pub and mates. I'd be getting hammered if I wasnt here right now." David said thinking of the past. He turned to Jake. "How bout you mate?"

"My father didn't really care for me dropping out of school. I went and lived in the woods. Sometimes my mom would check on me." Jake put simply throwing a stick into the roaring fire.

They sat in silence for sometime. Jake got up and looked at david. He gave him a smile.

"Brawler huh? I wonder what skills you are gonna be bringing to the table. I'm gonna try and sleep. Try the same. It's hard to open a bear trap around your foot if you are drowsy." Jake said as he shuffled away. David sat there. The thought of having another nightmare stopping him from getting up. He stared into the fire. Jake was a man with few words. David smiled to himself.

Getting up he went back to Dwight's tent. He shuffled inside. Laid down and stared at the ceiling again. He began to nod off.

David woke up feeling decently rested hearing laughing outside. He waited for the initial sleepiness to lift before he began to crawl out of the tent.

"Morning sleepyhead" Nea teased at David shooting him a smirk. David laughed a bit.

"Mornin" David said sitting next to her. He looked around. Feng Min was laying on the ground drawing in the dirt with a stick. Meg was stretching probably going for a run. Ace was playing cards with Bill and Jake. Laurie was sitting against a tree staring at the dark sky. Claudette was inspecting flowers and plants near the treeline. Dwight was still asleep. Everyone accounted for. He couldn't help at smile a little.

"How'd ya sleep?" Nea asked as she fixed her hair before placing her beanie back on.

"Not horrible but definitely had better." He laughed trying to get the nightmare out of his thoughts.

"Trials should start soon. Hopefully you wont get picked two days in a row. It's always hard the first few trials. It gets better. Well not better but ya know what I mean." Nea stated giving David a heads up.

David nodded not wanting to think about it right now. Nea noticed David being spacy but knew he was new to this place. It takes a while to adjust. She even sometimes has moments of pure fear and confusion.

"So I heard your first trial was with this so called Huntress" Nea stated putting air quotes around Huntress. David looked over to her. He nodded. Trying not to think about the hatchet throwing maniac of yesterday.

"Hatchet wielding cunt. I got a good hit on her but she has some unnatural strength and resistance. Bitch smashed an axe into my chest." David scoffed. He hated her.

"I heard you buried a hatchet in her back. That's pretty bad ass man. Can't wait to see you in action in another trial with me. We can have some fun with those fucks." Nea laughed. David laughed a bit to that sounded fun. Have a good old brawl with weapon holding killers.

They laughed as mist began to swarm around them. Looking around David saw that Claudette and Jake were going to be going with them. Nea smiled looking at David.

"See ya soon Davy." Nea spoke as the mist fully embraced them.