Playing the Game

Chapter 25: The Waiting Game

It didn't take long for me to black out from the pain. For once, I welcomed the darkness with open arms. I didn't care what the figment of my father had in store for me, but strangely nothing happened; it was just black.

Was I dead?

This was the only solution I could think of, but it was later refuted as I drifted in and out of consciousness in the gladiator's tunnels.

I was draped over Kilgorian's shoulder. He placed a hand on my lower back to keep me in place, careful not to touch my various wounds. The remains of my shirt were no longer white, but rather soaked in crimson. With every step through the tunnel, more blood gushed from my back. Kilgorian's attire was almost as stained as mine from carrying me. We were leaving a horrid trail behind us, enough blood to confirm that I would be dead in a matter of minutes. But there was nothing I could do about it...

Except black out again.

When I came to, I was no longer bleeding. I could feel that my wounds had been tended to, but only enough to keep me alive. The collection of deep slashes were left open; a promise that my back would forever be mutilated by dozens of scars.

If it hadn't have been for the brief change in my wounds, I wouldn't have known that time had passed. I was still draped over Kilgorian's shoulder as he walked through the tunnels to some unknown location. I looked around through hazy eyes in search of more guards, but we were alone. It was obvious that I wasn't a threat any longer, so Kilgorian must have dismissed his men to handle his orders alone.

I fidgeted in an attempt to see around his body, wondering where he was taking me.

"Conserve your energy." He muttered, "You're not in the clear yet. Death still looms over you."

"Whe-... where..."

"Prince Decimus ordered me to take you to the palace prison."

I tried to frown, but it required too much effort. "But-...this-"

He already knew what I was going to say, so he saved me the effort. "Yes, we're still in the tunnels below the arena. I was to clean your wounds first in the infirmary." I could feel him tense as he continued, "I wasn't allowed to close the wounds. He wants you to remember..."

It almost sounded like an apology.

"We just need to make one more stop before I take you to your cell."

Kilgorian kicked open a door and swiftly moved us into the small room. When he turned to close the door, I finally got a look at our cramped surroundings. Even in my injured state, through blurry vision and occasional blackouts, I could still identify the man shackled to the wall.

"CANDRA!"

My heart leapt with great effort as the scruffy man moved to his feet, pulling on his shackles in a poor attempt to reach me.

"Keep it down! I'll bring her to you." Kilgorian moved closer and carefully set me down on the ground.

The scruffy man fell back to his knees instantly to cradle me in his arms, mindful of my back. I rested my head against his chest in exhaustion, listening to his hammering heart with envy as mine was slowly dwindling away. I was too tired to look up into his eyes, but I knew that he was crying as his tears dropped to my forehead.

"What did they do to you?!" He cried out in agony, kissing my temple a thousand times to comfort me.

"You have ten minutes before someone comes looking for her. I'll have to take her." Kilgorian murmured before leaving the room to give us some privacy.

I didn't understand why Kilgorian did this, but I was grateful all the same.

We sat in silence for a great while, but I couldn't let this stand for much longer. There was already too much unsaid between us; this would certainly be the last time we saw each other.