Marked For Death 

I sat there, rain falling on my face as the fresh scent of flowers filled the air. The willow tree stood tall as I hid under it for shelter. My body couldn’t feel, but my mind was relaxed. The hill the tree looked to be sitting on was a great viewpoint for the rest of the scenery. So beautiful and peaceful, I didn’t even realize I fell asleep. That is, until I woke up to a pair of eyes staring back at me in the darkness. 

Continued 

I woke up in the bunker Grey had placed me in. It was like a college dorm; only the beds were high up on the wall, like a loft bunk bed with no loft. There was a small couch against the wall in between the two beds, and each bed had a window on the wall it hung. A small rectangular window that spanned about half the bed's length and positioned to be next to the head of the bed. Each side had a closet imbedded into the wall. Connected to the room was a bathroom. Seemingly normal living space with a little bit of a new touch. I climbed down the ladder at the end of my bed and went to check out the closet. The handle had an electric thumb print scanner on it, and it spoke at the outline lit up. “Please place your finger on the designated space to register your wardrobe” A bit of overkill to protect closets, but I had to admit it was cool 

I place my thumb on the outline on the handle. It blinked for a couple of seconds and then spoke again. “Registered: Audreys wardrobe.” “Oh, that’s cool” just as I said that there was a knock on the door. From the other side I recognized Grey’s voice. “Hey, we’ve all been told to meet in the main room for training now.” I open the door and slightly smile at my friend. “I’m there” “seems like all you needed was a nap.” Grey said, eyeing me as we walked back to the training grounds. “I’m only human, you know. Less of a hero than you all make me out to be.” Grey fell silent. We entered the training grounds and everyone but me was dressed in a uniform. “You couldn't let me know there was a dress code? Ding dong. Anyone in there?” I said knocking my fist against his head. “You were asleep, I couldn’t exactly change you myself.” The thought of Gey changing me made me nauseous, but that didn’t mean that I would've hated him if he was helping me. Just as I was about to rebuttal, Kiyo walked in, what joy.  

“As you were told yesterday, four of you will be battling it out one on one. Your partner will be chosen randomly and obviously winner plays winner.” His eyes find me and my body tenses as he points in my direction. “Miss Aubrey, was it? Where is your uniform?” I folded my arms as I stepped forward “It’s Audrey say it right or I won't respond. Second, I was not told we needed one, sir. However, it seems only four people will need them, yes?” A glare met mine as always as he spoke with a hint of rising amusement. I hated this game. “There's training after the battles, but now that you mention it... You are one of the four.” Surprise was not hidden as Kiyo threw a training uniform in my direction. Catching it with an eye roll I said in my best Victorian accent, “Of course, to question my captain means nothing short of a hanging. What great mercy, my lord.” “Your humor will be the first to break.” He said sitting at a table set aside for him. “I don’t know about the first thing, but like everything that has to do with us humans, I’m sure you’ll find a way to destroy it.” I turned away after sending a glare in his direction, the smile slightly less apparent on his face. Then I changed 

The uniform was almost like tight spandex with fur inside for insolation. Grey portions framing the ribs, elbows and hips with black boots built into the suit. I get dressed and head out just in time for the first match to begin.  

Depictions of violence. Reader discretion advised. 

Grey stood in the match circle promptly made moments before it seemed. Facing another man i recognized. A tall man with a big build known as Frank. He was responsible for most of the Chaos back on earth. The leader of the group that wanted to lead the remaining part of human civilization. I watched as he lunged forward towards my only companion left in the world with so much anger. I pushed my way toward the front of the crowd just as grey was slammed to the floor. Thy struggled for a bit with Grey landing a few hits only to recieve more. I watched him struggle for a second to get up and without a second thought I screamed. “Get up now” Grey knew I wasn’t asking. He smiled and pushed himself back to his feet. "Run me ragged,I guess." I smiled, it was a goodsign he had his humor right now. I glance over at Kiyo who's eyeing with something strange in his eyes.  

Frank tried to push on, but Grey put himself into a shielded position. A sharp inhale came from Grey, and seconds later there were sparks covering the match circle. Frank was done, the lighting had so much power that if my hair wasn’t tied back, my red hair would stand straight up. Frank fell to his knees before the entire circle was hidden from the rest of us with lightning. I was about to cheer when I heard a grunting sound come from within the electricity and then a thud.  

The electricity stopped.  

Grey fell.

Time stood still. So very still.

I watched as my friend fell to the floor. Frank, who had snuck a knife, sighed back as if pleased. I heard nothing and then... I heard everything. Everything went black and when I opened my eyes again, I was being held back by guards and frank was passed out on the floor teeth and blood. My fists were bloody and they hurt like hell, but my eyes were focused on this sad sack for human flesh.

Grey was being carried down another hallway I had never been down. Was he still alive? Did Frank actually kill him?  

Kiyo Knelt down in front of me an unreadable expression. I snarled, “I don’t want to play your stupid banter back and forth game.” "You need to control yourself." He said softly so no one else could hear. "Don't act like you care, lying doesnt suit your face." Before he could say anything, I pulled free of the soldier's grasp. “If Grey dies you will let us kill him.”, I said. “Us?” he questioned; I saw his eyes look behind me. I turned around to see the people I had protected for years with anger ridden faces. People who trusted me, trusted Grey. I turned back to Kiyo, “lock me away if you must.” I said through clenched teeth as I stepped inches from his face. “But if Grey dies It will be a lot harder for you to have your disposable army. So, if grey dies.” I point to the bastard laying on the floor looking up at me with fear in his eyes. “he dies.” I was inches from his face when I thought i heard him whisper "Amazing." I stood; head held up high. Even if he did say that i wasn't focused on that right now. Kiyo searched my face for something, but whatever he was looking for he didn’t find it; he looked displeased. “Handcuff the human. Shes to be confined until the results of everything going on with that boy get back. Give her water and food but that's it.” With a final stare down I smirked, maybe he could read minds. A few days in confinement might do me some good 

A week later 

The water bottles piled up in the corner to help me keep track of the days. I was meditating when the door suddenly opened. Kiyo walked in with a sigh at the sad dark room. “I would have cleaned up had I known I’d have guest.” Kiyo was silent, which made me even more warry of him. “Finally giving up on the pointless jabs, shame I had just come up with some good ones too.” “Audrey-” he started to say but I stopped him. "Here I was thinking you and I were making some progress bestie. Maybe it's for the best, with you hating my species and all." He walked closer to me and said one more time, more distinctively, "Audrey." “The guards were talking about it. They said he didn’t last through the night. I’ve had time to grieve, not that you care the only thing you're worried about is whether I can fight like normal.” There was an unfamiliar look on Kiyo’s face as he just glanced at his hands then back to me with his stone-cold look. “yep” “As long as our agreement still stands, so can I.” Kiyo didn’t say anything just nodded and left, leaving the door opened. “That means you can go back to your quarters now," the soldier who always spoke after Kiyo left said. His helmet was off this time revealing honey brown hair and tan skin with green eyes. He was probably as tall as Kiyo, but his build was slightly less built. “Names Rio, figured we’d introduce ourselves we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.” I pushed past his hands and started down the hallway. “That’s okay we’ll work on the manners part, yeah?” not going to lie, I smiled a bit. 

Heading back to the training grounds there was another announcement made in front of everyone. “Two things to be noted, one the prisoner is to stay tied until death under no circumstances is he to be untied. Second, as a gift for show of strength, the captain has given Audrey the title of lieutenant as well as access to the sensory room.” The shock of hearing who i now know is Rio calling me lieutenant gave me whiplash. Applause and cheers didn’t belong in this room but right now it’s all we could do. After talking around, the guy i was supposed to fight gave up his spot because he thought it belonged to me. I’d have to buy him a drink after this. But before I dove into my gifts, I had to face my problem.  

They dragged out Frank, tied down by chains leaning against a pole. Everyone pushed for me to be the first to get revenge. I had prepared. Ever since I heard Grey died, I had practiced. Every water bottle they brought me, I boiled it. Slowly, until it was cooked through, like a melted piece of wax. Frank was my next water bottle.  

All I did was place my hand on his shoulder and took a glimpse into his eyes. Filled with pleading, but no remorse. Soon, I think he noticed he was slowly being cooked because his eyes seemed to understand which created more fear within him. Finally, I took his hand and sent just enough heat energy to slowly cook him on a low simmer while others took their jabs. muffled pleading gave me a little sense of justice. I stepped aside and let the next person who was our town doctor have their turn, they held a little flask. "Slow acted poison." they said as they stepped up, I nodded. Everyone lined up for their turn while I went to check out that sensory room. 

After a long-winded search, I stood before a metal door that read S5. I had to ask for help but i found it. I walked in and it was at first just an empty room. A blank canvas. Then a prompt popped up. “Insert description of the sensory distortion you’d like to experience." it read. It took me a while, but it thought of one. The hilltop of my old home. With a willow tree right there. I thought of some more things, added them in and waited.  

I sat there, rain falling on my face as the fresh scent of flowers filled the air. The willow tree stood tall as I hid under it for shelter. My body couldn’t feel, but my mind was relaxed. The hill the tree looked to be sitting on was a great viewpoint for the rest of the scenery. So beautiful and peaceful, I didn’t even realize I fell asleep. That is, until I woke up to a pair of eyes staring back at me in the darkness.  

Kiyo slowly emerged, but it didn’t look like the normal Kiyo. He looked concerned, sad even. “I did not know it was being used. What a vivid scene.” Part of me wanted to ask him to get out in the most disrespectful way possible but then I remembered. “Think about it if we show we can be of use he’ll let his guard down.” Grey. I look up with a slight but not so apparent smile. he’s seen how I am a full-fledged smile will warn him immediately “You can sit and enjoy it if you would like, captain."