Free *Editing*

Chapter 9

The way up to the third floor is an endeavour. People move in and out of their cells, and Birdy spots Dyn and another guard shoving two more people into a cramped cell. Birdy avoids eye contact with him and keeps her eyes on the floor. The shove past yet another crowd of prisoners and walk past Birdy's cell. She notices that the guards have shoved a new set of pillows and blankets and pillows on the floor alongside her and Ardenia's bed, are they going to have more cellmates?

Markus's cell is nestled next to the wall and feels far off and lonesome. She looks over at Barn before they enter. "Remember we need this help. If he's an ass-hole or not, please keep your cool." Barn looks down at his ice pack insulted. "I always keep my cool." His response only receives a half hearted- "Uh huh.." from Birdy as she leads the way. She slams her fist on the metal bars three times and gazes into the cell that is wide open. She has caught everybody's attention. Two sets of brown eyes gaze at her. A man around her age is slouched over at a cheap workbench. The wood has cracked down the middle and stacks of drawings cover the unsightly crevice. Similar drawings are taped on the walls slouched over and disorganized. On the man's right is a small black box that used to contain shoes. The exterior is painted black and a handmade contraption rests inside. Birdy can't quite nail down the details, but she supposes it is a tattoo gun.

Her eyes trail to the bunk beds, the second man is reading a religious scripture on the top mattress and seems vaguely unimpressed with the duo. He has buzzed black hair and a chiseled jaw, his long grey sweater looks fuzzy and comfortable. It is rolled up to his elbows and he flips the pages of his massive book closed.

"We aren't expecting anyone." The man on the bed says. Birdys steps into the room and Barn stays tight to her side. He says, "We were told we could get help from Markus." The man's chiseled jaw loosens in disappointment. "Well I ain't Markus." He thumbs towards the man at the work table and opens his book back up again. He starts reading and the siblings are left to talk to the stranger.

First off, Birdy had to admit the man is handsome. She realizes it subconsciously, and can't help but stare a moment to long at his soft complexion and reflective eyes. He has short, mopped straight black hair and a binary tattoo design that crawls up his neck and stops at his left ear. His grey shirt fits comfortably and his arms are strong and lean. His skin is a soft beige and looks healthy and clean. He shows no shared amusement and turns around after eyeing down the two of them.

"Ya I'm Markus. Who told you I could help?" His tone is straightforward. Barn and Birdy try to respond at the same time.

"It was-"

"We where-"

It's awkward. Barn signs and rolls his eyes. He nods, letting his sister take the lead. Markus secretly smiles down at his papers.

"It was my cellmate." Birdy's eyes bore into Markus's back as he slouches over again to work on his current designs. "We pissed off this guy. His name is Huld." Markus's shoulders lift in tune to his chuckle.

"He's the head honcho of Nitros, you know that? Tells all his stupid lackey where and when to kill, sleep even piss." He mumbles and Birdy remains composed despite Markus's humor at the situation.

"I know that to. We accidentally killed his brother in the Colosseum."

Markus stops drawing. He drops his pencil and spins around in his chair. "You two fought in the Colosseum?" he taps his foot. "The recent match? Against-"

"Carnivore-" Birdy finishes his sentence. The two siblings see a flash of intrigue pass through his eyes. Barn looks over at Birdy. It's his turn to talk.

"Birdy was protecting me during the match and hit his brother over the head with a rock while he was trying to stab my heart out with a knife. Now Huld wants us dead if we don't do what he wants." Markus replies sharp and keen. "So what does Huld want?" Markus rests his leg on top of the other and his cellmate has turned to stare at us intrigued.