The Colosseum

The Last Supper

Kova

By this time, I'm no stranger to car rides. But today, it feels a little weird. Maybe because instead of Ezra and Leon with me, I'm cramped up against a stranger driving, Ajax, and Ten with me in the backseats, and Josephine sulking up front. There's a trail of cars behind us, and though the outdoors looks the same as it does every time I come out here, it still feels...odd, as if I'm seeing it through some sort of filter.

Though it seems I'm the only one inexplicably unnerved. This is because for the first time since her existence, Josephine is seeing the heart of this vibrant nation. For over 100 days, Ajax was robbed of the luscious shrubbery displayed on every street, the careful path of lights illuminated at night, and the towering billboards that inform viewers about TV shows, upcoming movies, and urgent news. For Ten, he's seeing the place he grew up in for the first time in over 200 days. I wonder if he hates seeing it now. Once upon a time, all of this was destined to be his. Then somehow, things spiraled out of control and Ezra took the throne. I wonder if he hates seeing all of this now, or if it only motivates him to end Ezra once and for all.

Glancing at Ten to my right, I watch his silver eyes skip over business headquarters, public parks, and outdoor markets. The car circulates air from the outside, feeding our noses scents of citrus fruits, newly blossomed flowers, and homemade cooking. What a wondrous place to have been born. Despite that, Ten's mind is clearly elsewhere.

Reaching over, I pinch his elbow. Groggily, he looks over. "Hm?"

Now that I have his attention, I'm unsure of what to say. Awkwardly, I manage, "Are you okay?" I tried to speak softly so nobody else noticed, but Josephine's sickly pale eyes dart right to the review mirror. To my left, Ajax smirks at my display of concern. "Never mind."

Nodding in understanding, Ten dismisses my question and looks out the window, leaving me with this burning feeling that something bad is about to happen. Twisting my body as much as I can in this tight space, I glance at the cars behind us, all of them equal shades of black with equally dark windows. Nothing is out of the ordinary, yet again.

Noticing my discomfort, Ajax utters, "Someone's restless."

"I just have a bad feeling," I whisper. "Don't you?"

Peering down at me like I'm crazy, he shakes his head like his neck is stuck in a pool of molasses. "No...then again, living in the Colosseum makes me have a bad feeling all the time. I'd say my intuition is stunted, but I never really had one to begin with."

I didn't think I did, either, but here we are.

Smoothly, the cars loop around the central fountain at the palace. In the background, the massive clocktower watches over us, it's minute hand crawling around the hours. Maids from inside pile out of the social room, superficial smiles wrinkling their faces as they open our doors and instruct us inside. After all 10 of us are inside, Leon emerges from one of the side halls, an equally fake smile on his face, as well. "You can follow me, although to find the Dining Hall, I'm sure you all just follow your noses." He's right, too. Rich spices, cooked luxury meats, freshly steamed vegetables, and sickeningly sweet fruits create an entire aroma of the palace.

It's almost enough to take away from the fact that something is very off here. The churning in my gut, the fake smiles of the maids and Leon. I could just be paranoid, and rightfully so, as a player in the Colosseum, but it's better to be too careful than too careless.

Turning on his heels, Leon swivels towards the Dining Hall, steps falling forcefully on the floor, like he's battling some invisible ghost nipping at his ankles. My heart starts to race as we get close to the door. Surely, some beast is waiting to devour us all. "There are nameplates by your dishes," Leon informs us, hand on the doorknob, building anticipation. Next to me, Ajax's mouth visibly waters. At my other side, Ten's jaw feathers, his eyes dead as if he sees right through the door. Nervously, Leon eyes Ten. Ten, who recognizes the servant, locks eyes with him. Uncomfortable, Leon looks away first. "Then, let's eat."