The War prisoners

Lita

       Months in this pit of nothing but skin and bones of people who hold no dignity. I had dignity and pride maybe a bit of an ego. I left my home south of Diablos when I was ten in hopes to find my aunt and uncle. One year later a gang found me and took me in. Later it came to my knowledge that was life was only thanks to a resemblance to a lost daughter of the head honcho. I was taught multiple languages, extortion, manipulation, terrain mapping and surviving, and how to kill. Emotions and relationships weren't on the list of needs. The reliance I had on them proved futile as it clearly was far from mutual.
         Three days ago a joint mission with two other from the complex went side ways both died and our "leader" sent our trainers in. They killed the other two and almost killed me. It was all a setup to strip the sides of excess. I managed to take their equipment and bandage my wounds efficiently. Till I stumbled to far close to a war camp and got myself caught.
        Some twiggy chick popped up and nocked me out. When I was granted consciousness a oddly steral smell greeted me as I laid on the cot and scanned my body a stunning realization hit all my wounds were dressed and sewed properly, and my head was wrapped where it bled on and off the past few days. The girl was no where to be seen. I hate owning people. I didn't ask for help. I don't need others help. I have me and that's all I need.
     Once guards realized I was awake my comfort faded. Four days in a cot with a slice of hard bread and a small glass of water. The girl who never spoke or fazed came in to Check my wounds and the others inside. When she one was well enough to return they would be escorted out to where ever they go. Soon I found out it was a pit of cells led by her and four others put to watch her. More I saw she had and the more she got away with it pissed me off.   A man named Joe attacked her after his brother died in a job she put him. She looked sad and finally I heard her speak but only every few words " poor Joe...Death...pill...tree..little time." Apparently whatever it was wasn't enough and Joe was taken and executed on the platform. Three other joined him by the weeks end all for the same penalty. Then she was called up likely for the weekly supplies we are given but when she came down she was different. Her eyes were far away, breathing erratic, body trembling, something happened up their.
      The weeks soon blurred together and my plan to execute miss do whatever I want was coming together nicely. She was well rounded in knowledge but so am I. Im a warrior. No im a killer. Im the killer. Soon she will know it to but the guards wont. When the storm hits and visibility is poor my time to strike will be perfect. The signs of the coming storm were clear but I was trained to read the sky and the land to see what it was for-telling.
      Few days have passed and the girl seems on edge. Today she gave everyone new work details and coincidentally we are working the same detail, Torture clean up and practice. I watched as she lifted a flask from a frequently drunk guard who looses a flask every few days. Apparently the lost flasks are her doing as she waste no time vanishing only to return with glazed eyes and a calm demeanor. The next day I found out that clean up means disposal of the dead, and a complete scrub of the room and equipment used. If the person is alive you kill them unless they are wanted then you clean them up and make them presentable for the next round. The day after the lesson on practice means new toys to test and to test they mean on us the prisoners. Cause if we die we can be replaced. I was luckily freed of the experience as another newer prisoner got the privilege. The same day the girl vanished down a hall early in the morning and hasn't been seen since. One of the main generals appeared and had fun killing off some of the prisoners and making the rest of us clean it up. Then the girl appeared draped in fancy clothes that left little to the imagination. This seemed to enrage him as his fist slammed into her cheek. She crashed to the ground but quickly returned to her feet. The liquor made since, yet why she was dressed up and next to him didn't I and so many others watched in awe as she took blow after blow.
" You told me to wear this upon your return" his anger grew " Did I say you could speak girl!" His voice rising with every word yet she didn't flinch. He wasted no time throwing blow after blow from her stomach to her face no space was was left unhurt. Tears dripped as she laid crumpled on the floor. " Maybe I shoulda claimed another. Hell maybe I should and make you experience everything you have been exempt from over the years. Like the little camp to the north were backtalking little twits like you are used over and over by any and all my men. Would you like that?" Her sobs were easy to hear as her head shook violently. He laughed as he kicked her across the small platform " take her to my playroom and chain her to the bed. Gotta remind her who I am and what she is." The bile in my throat grew as the men around me looked baffled and conflicted. One man from her guard ran forward toward the stairs screaming at them to leave her alone. " No! Just let it go. Don't die for me! Its not worth it!" Her words fell on deaf ears as the man soon fell dead with his head rolling. The swordsman chuckled licking the bloodied blade. She Surprised me as I processed her words and the events just seen. She was claimed by a high ranker meaning she had privileges that others didn't. That night screams of agony and sorrow filled the air worse than those of the Torture cells. They reminded me of my mothers screams all those years ago.
      The next night the storm hit and my plan vanished. The weeks of preparation for nothing. Her screams joined the guards laughter and were hushed by the storms rage. Four days passed before the general left and she returned. She looked as of nothing had happened but the way she walked spoke different Her side was bleeding through her shirt and her wrist was cradled to her chest. She looked the same but her eyes were just as far away as before he arrived and overall she was more reserved than before. She vanished into her hut and stayed away for a while. When jobs were changed again her guards gave out the roles. When the week concluded she barely made an appearance.