Free *Editing*

Chapter 11

Birdy is sitting on Markus's bed, her leg bounces to the beat of her racing heart. She assumes it has only been a few minutes, but it feels like days. Rendell is pacing back and forth with his hands rubbing together sharing her concern. Barn, is lounging at Markus's tattoo parlor with an un-amused look gliding blankly into the distance.

"I don't know why they took Markus." Rendell mumbles. Barn wafts his hand side to side. "He was caught with Opilampsie. Duh." Rendell turns on his heels and barks. "No, idiot. He took the bottle from you two because he wouldn't. Markus can do anything he wants. The warden is paid well enough to not give a shit."

Rendell scratches his head. "It should have been you who got caught." He points at Birdy. "We don't even know you." Barn returns with his typical "Keep her out of this." Birdy takes a steady breath.

"Your right. Markus has done us a huge favor. We owe the Spectors big time." She nods at Rendell in understanding. His anger diminishes back into the soft hum of insecurity. Barn is busy mulling over his bruises and cuts to thank Rendell properly. He reluctantly nods his head and closes his eyes fighting off an oncoming headache.

A figure stumbles into the cell.

Markus blinks up at the three of them. The bruise around his nose has turned black and light purple. He licks his lips and raises his eyebrows with inquisitive intent.

"You all waiting for little ol' me?"

Rendell attends to him instantly. He hoists Markus by his arms and helps him to the bed. Birdy jolts to her feet and tugs on the blanket trying to straighten it. Barn stays seated, watching like a deer in the headlights. He fixes his posture-"Did the guards do that? I thought they were on your side."

Markus blinks slow "They are on my side." he talks slow and indecisive. Rendell sits on the bed next to his companion. "Edric?" he asks. Birdy and Barn attend to the new name.

"Who is Edric?" Birdy mumbles. Rendell turns to her.

"Look, it's none of your business. Why don't you two go kiss ass to Huld and stop bothering us?" Barn stands up from his chair. "Fine." He pouts. Birdy stares back and forth between the two men dumbfounded.

"Let's not let our emotions control the situation shall we? Unless you two are dying to get into another fist fight." The appeal pleases Rendell. Barn stares at his sister confused. "What are we doing Birdy? We don't have the drugs, and we don't have their protection." He points at Rendell who is nodding.

"So let's go." he begins to sulk towards the door. Markus stops him. "Edric, is my father." The room falls silent. "He's the real leader of the Spectors, not me. He sent me here to fight in the Colosseum." Birdy frowns.

"You weren't there, when we fought Carnivore." Rendell chimes in. "No, he wasn't. Because he doesn't need to listen to that cocksucker!" Rendell gets on his feet, ready to plead his case to Markus.

"Screw that man, you don't have to do what he says." Markus glares. "I do, and I don't want to fight in the ring alone..." Markus takes on a sad tone. He looks away from his concerned friend and towards the siblings.

"You two. You're sentenced to fight in the pit. Right?" Birdy nods slow and steady. "Yes, we were sentenced to participate in every fight." Markus stares deep into her eyes. "Why?" Birdy says, "We're from the Outskirts, we came here wanting a better life and King Adamant saw it as treason."

"What are you doing Bird?" Barn retorts. "We don't know these people. They don't need our personal history lesson."

Rendell warns, "You're real thick aren't you? A second ago you were cooing about how you need us. Or are you just stubborn? Junkrat." Barn glares. "I'm getting real sick of you calling me that..."