CHAPTER 12: BLACK AND ORANGE
"Yes sir", everyone screamed at the top of their lungs temporarily deafening Caleb.
He had just been searched, stripped of his clothes, and given these orange uniforms to wear alongside boots.
"At least these are a lot more comfortable," he said sighing as a guard chuckled at his misfortune.
The guards put a collar around his neck, sending chills down his spine. ANOTHER LIMITER, he mused. He wondered why they even bothered. He wasn't going anywhere. Not unless Papa willed it so.
As he strode to his cell, he noticed groups of people huddled in batches. Some were exercising as a guard watched them and occasionally barked out instructions. Some were fighting each other, either bare-handed or with weapons. At the far end, some seemed to be digging; mining for something.
"This doesn't feel like a regular prison," he remarked to the guards accompanying him to his cell.
"You'll figure that out yourself" one replied starchily and the other gestured for him to quiet down.
As he made his way down the hallway, all eyes turned to him, faces peeking out of their cell doors. Some hurled insults, but he paid them no mind. His thoughts raced to his ailing mother. How was she holding up? Would she be alright without him? Would Papa take care of her in his absence? The worry for her gnawed at him as he ventured deeper into the unknown.
"This is your cell", the guards said to him, opening the door and shoving him inside.
"Your roommates will be back by 2 pm sharp. Be nice" one said before they both walked away.
Caleb looked around his room. There were two bunk beds, a single bathroom, and a sink. A separate door led to a shower and two towels already hung there. Caleb stood in the center of the room and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes briefly. There was someone else here. No. Two of them. He could smell their scents faintly. He took off his boots and laid his rough feet on the floor. The cold soothed his anxiety briefly. Thoughts raced through his mind. How long would he spend in here? Was this Papa's idea of punishment? Was his mother currently worried? How would she fare without him? She could barely do her usual activities without his help.
"Papa would take care of her," he said to himself "It's part of our contract after all"
He picked himself up and climbed one of the lower bunk beds. He looked at his uniform and saw the number 1786. The guards would refer to him with this from now on. His thoughts dragged him back to their realm. How would he get out of here? How did he even get here?
The last thing he remembered was getting hit by someone's broadsword.
"Straight to the temple," he thought to himself. Besides that and a bunch of murmuring, he had no idea how he ended up in prison. After that, the next thing he knew, he was putting on orange.
"New roommate," someone said from the door. He turned around to see two figures standing at the doorway.
"I knew it was weird that we had bunkbeds," the shorter one said slapping his forehead
"I mean…that was much obvious ei" the taller one responded
"Alright, alright. It slipped my mind not gonna lie. I thought it was just for vibes"
"Vibes? In a prison" the taller one said giving the shorter a nasty look.
"Erm…hello," Caleb said sheepishly
"You should stand on your feet when you address your superiors," the shorter one said and Caleb jumped off his bed, hitting his head against the top bunk in the process.
"I'm sorry," Caleb said rubbing his head while looking down at the floor
The two roommates stared in silence for a while before the taller one asked
"You were a slave ei?"
"Yes sir"
"Drop the sir," he said "We're prisoners like you"
"I mean I kind of liked the respect"
"Shut up," the taller one said hitting the shorter one
"Come on. Look up. We're not going to hurt you" the shorter one said trying to hit the taller one
Caleb glanced up at his cellmates. The first, with a warm tan complexion, possessed a cascade of fiery red curls that framed his face. His deep brown eyes sparkled behind braces, and his build was on the plump side. The second, standing taller, had a shock of blonde hair. Scars marred his left eye, a stark contrast to his piercing, emerald gaze. He bore a subtly defined, lean physique. Their attire matched Caleb's, but instead of orange, theirs was a stark black.
"I'm Purfe," the taller one said
"Pur-" Caleb tried saying
"P - U - R - F - E" he spelled out loud
"I have never heard that name before in my life"
"That's exactly what I said too," the shorter one said laughing out loud
"You'll get the guards," Purfe said hitting him in the stomach
"That hurt you know"
"He's Ryan" Purfe said pointing at the shorter one.
"What you in here for," Ryan asked rubbing his stomach
"Honestly, I'm not too sure. I wasn't told anything" Caleb replied
Purfe and Ryan entered the room instantly, closing the door behind them with a hushed click. An acknowledging nod passed between them before they ascended to their respective bunks. Purfe occupied the top berth, while Ryan settled beneath. They both turned their attention to Caleb, leaning in to speak in barely audible whispers.
"This prison is a mine. An amethyst mine" Ryan whispered with his hands covering his mouth. "They use us prisoners to mine amethyst that the military uses to make weapons. It's the only thing the royal family thinks we're good for"
With a hint of irritation flickering in his eyes, Purfe said in a calm but stern voice, "I won't tolerate royal family slander."
"Sorry man. I know you got history with them, but that doesn't mean I have to like them" Ryan said shrugging both shoulders.
"Anyway," Purfe continued "Prisoners are divided into two sects. The pumpkins and the dates."
Caleb stared at Purfe puzzled.
"The oranges and the blacks" Ryan explained
"Right now, you're a pumpkin, so you answer to both the guards and the dates. The black prisoners. They're not allowed to bully you but you have to be careful not to get on their nerves"
"That's fine and all, but how do I get out of here" Caleb asked
They both looked at each other before replying
"The dates are the only ones allowed to leave the prison. We get sent on escort duty most times for those fat rich people" Ryan said with a very disgusted tone
"What he means to say, is you need to be black before you can step foot out of here"
"That or you bust out," Ryan said softly
"Don't give him ideas"
"How exactly do I bust out of here" Caleb paused before asking
"You don't," Purfe said turning to lay his head down.
"No one has in a while," Ryan said "At least until me"
"Give it up kid," Purfe said facing the wall "People have died trying. For now, try being a date first"
"And how do I do that"
"Earn a date's respect or recommendation"
"Can't you two just do that"
"We're your roommates. We're not allowed to" Ryan said sighing
Caleb paused a bit.
"Who's the strongest date in the prison right now"
Both his roommates fell into an oppressive silence. The footsteps of the guard reverberated outside their cells; the weight of the hushed atmosphere palpable. Murmurs from neighboring prisoners' cells seemed distant, as though muted by the profound silence. Caleb felt as though he'd unintentionally broached a forbidden subject, a question that hung heavy in the air, unanswered.
"Wind whisperer"
"Purfe what are you doing"
"If the kid wants to kill himself, who am I to stop him ei" he asked before sticking his face into his pillow.
"I don't think I'm going to die though," Caleb said silently
"Oh, you just might," Ryan said rolling to look at him "She's killed people before"
"I'm willing to risk it" Caleb replied without hesitation.
"Why" Purfe said sitting up slightly ticked off. "What is so important outside for you to try risking your life? Why not just wait out your sentence ei? Why do you want to meet an early grave kid?"
"Because my mom is still out there," Caleb replied with a heavy heart, taking a seat on his bed. His voice held a deep, unwavering determination, and he declared, "I'm strong enough." He punctuated his words by gently tapping the wall, his actions reflecting the unshakable resolve that losing wasn't an option when it came to his beloved mother.
Purfe paused. He murmured something to himself before replying "I'll take you to her tomorrow. And I'll tell you what to do"
"He has a plan," Ryan said and chuckled
"No, I do not. And goodnight" he said laying on his pillow and facing the wall.
* * * *
Caleb walked into the mess hall alongside both his roommates. The prison mess hall, a grim chamber, echoes with clinking trays and subdued conversations. Harsh fluorescent lights illuminate a sea of uniformed inmates, each with their back to the wall. A narrow serving line dispenses bland, colorless meals, a daily reminder of confinement and lost freedom. The hall and the court were the only two places where everyone was allowed to mix up. Purfe seemed to scan around for something or someone while Ryan just kept saying hi to people everywhere.
"What exactly are we looking for" Caleb asked once they passed the fifth table
"Whisperer" Purfe whispered to Caleb
"She usually sits at the edge of the hall. Alongside her two lackeys," Ryan said and smirked before saying hi to someone else
"But she's not there right now which means she's sitting somewhere else" Purfe continued.
"So where is she" Caleb asked before he felt it. A chilling, malevolent presence gripped him, making him nauseous with terror. His legs refused to obey; his neck rigidly locked in place. Each breath felt like a gasping struggle, and dizziness overwhelmed him. It was as if an unseen force was closing in, a phantom menace. Then, an icy blade of fear pierced his very soul. He spun around abruptly, his frantic breathing echoing in his ears. His surroundings were eerily empty, and Purfe and Ryan's lips moved, but their voices were lost in a haunting whisper that finally pierced through, uttering chilling words.
"Turn" the cold voice seemed to stab his ears.
He then grasped the situation, and a sigh of relief escaped him. In his thoughts, he mused, 'If it's something I can touch, it's something I can beat.'
"Turn around," the voice said again
"Why not show yourself" Caleb replied gaining his composure.
"Then turn". He obeyed and turned around
Behind him stood a guy just his height. He had jet-black hair with ebony skin. He had bright yellow eyes which seemed to glow compared to the rest of his skin. He wore a black uniform that blended so nicely with his skin.
"You're not who I want to see" Caleb immediately said to him.
"That hurt my feelings," he said grinning. He had perfect teeth. Sharp canines like they could rip flesh.
"What do you want Deli" Purfe asked
"Don't call me that" he barked at Purfe.
"What do you want"
"She wants him," he said pointing to Caleb
"Where is she" Caleb asked him
"Just come with me," he said walking away.
Deli walked ahead leading the way past tables towards the table at the corner of the room. Inmates turned to look at Caleb and his roommates as they walked past. Some looked confused. Others laughed at them. Others didn't even care and just went about their business
"Here he is Whisperer" Deli said to a figure as she stood up and walked forward.
Caleb scanned her face. She wasn't as tall as he was but she seemed intimidating at that size. She had brown hair woven into a single braid that rested its base at her hips. She had milk brown eyes which seemed to contrast her almost pale skin. Contrary to the chilling presence Caleb felt, she felt quite welcoming and warm. She almost reminded him of someone else.
"You wanted to see me," Caleb said staring straight into her eyes
She cast her discerning gaze over him, a measured evaluation, before gracefully returning to the table where she had perched. Caleb couldn't help but follow her every movement, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Dressed in a sleek, form-fitting black uniform that accentuated her alluring curves, she embodied an enigmatic blend of danger and allure. Her left sleeve, torn away, revealed a smooth expanse of skin, while her right sleeve was casually rolled to her elbow, exposing a slender arm marred by a provocative, barely healed cut. As she moved with a model's grace, there was an unmistakable sense that beneath the allure lay a captivating danger, a quality that added a layer of intrigue to her striking presence.
"You want a recommendation?" she said quietly.
"Are you going to give it to him?" Purfe asked softly pushing Caleb behind him
"Why do you care?" Deli asked Purfe grinning
"You should leave them alone" another lady sitting at the table chipped in at Deli
"Leave me alone Spine" he barked back
"Whatever Panther," she said before turning her back to Deli.
"If you want a recommendation, you might have to earn it" Deli said sitting up "You'll have to fight me for it"
"He doesn't want to fight anyone" Purfe insisted
"Then he can't get our recommendation. Find someone else to bother Tree"
"We only call codenames on missions" Purfe retaliated"
"Whatever man"
"Come on Caleb. Let's go" Purfe said dragging Caleb away by his hand.
Caleb turned around to leave but felt that cold presence again. Only this time, he wasn't as intimidated
"Do any of you feel that" he whispered to Purfe and Ryan
"Huh" Ryan seemed to break from his trance
"Don't tell me you were staring at Mera again" Purfe whispered to both of them
"I can't help it, man. She does something to me-" Ryan and Purfe kept going back and forth as Caleb turned to face the table again.
"What do you want," Deli asked Caleb "Run along with your cowardly friends"
"You want me to fight you, don't you?" he said looking straight at a smiling Wind whisperer. "I'm ready if you are"
"Very well" she replied crossing her legs. "Meet me in the courtyard this afternoon. Do not disappoint me"
"Right back at you," Caleb said walking away as the noise from the mess hall enveloped his footsteps.
Noon came faster than anyone would have liked it. Especially Caleb. He spent most of the morning in the amethyst mines trying to dig up the crystal. Now he was a bit tired and needed to rest. But he couldn't because he had challenged the strongest person in the entire facility to a duel. Purfe had told him a few things. One, the matches happened in the courtyard outside. And usually had the guards officiating matches. Two, limiters were on for the entire fight so in essence it was a fistfight. Three, avoid the Wind's talons. He figured he meant to avoid her kicks.
He walked into the courtyard and was surprised to see practically everyone murmuring and waiting for the match to start. Some guards stood at the sidelines to prevent anyone else from jumping into the courtyard. Purfe and Ryan stood at the corner waiting for him
"You sure you want to do this," Purfe asked him "You can still back out"
"You better not hurt her face," Ryan said to him punching him in the shoulder
"I can do it. Without punching her in the face" he said chuckling.
Purfe and Ryan both stepped back to join the spectators as she walked into the center. She walked with grace. As if the wind carried her steps
"Suddenly the title makes sense," Caleb said to her as he assumed his boxing stance
She nodded at him and began stretching
"Three rounds. No lethal blows from either side" a guard said coming to the center of the courtyard "The first person with the most knockouts wins the match"
"Are you ready?" he asked Caleb
"Yeah, I think so"
He just looked at her and nodded. She nodded back and the guard went back to the sidelines.
"Have at it" he shouted for them to commence.
Both combatants locked eyes for a fleeting three seconds, and Caleb mentally counted down. On the first second, they both assumed their fighting stances. By the second, she vanished from his sight, an elusive wraith. As the third second ticked away, Caleb's quick reflexes saved him as he blocked a kick aimed for his stomach.
Stepping back, the raucous crowd roared its approval, and Caleb's arms throbbed with pain, a stark reminder of Purfe's earlier warnings.
"Stay clear of the Wind's talons," Purfe's caution echoed in Caleb's mind. He repositioned himself.
She circled him, her movements an almost silent dance of grace. Her footsteps were a mere whisper as she hunted for an opening. Caleb's vigilant gaze tracked her every move. Frustrated by the lack of opportunity, she sprinted directly toward him. Caleb lunged with a jab, but she vanished with the swiftness of the wind. She countered with a flurry of kicks to Caleb's legs, causing him to stagger momentarily. The finishing blow came in the form of a devastating kick to his face, sending him tumbling across the arena floor.
"Round one set" the guard screamed as the crowd roared with excitement.
"That boy's gonna die," Ryan said dreamily staring at her while Purfe looked away in annoyance.
"That was my nose," Caleb said massaging it with a grin. The wind whisperer paused. Shocked to see him smiling as if he had just won this round. She grinned to herself briefly before giving distance for the guards to referee.
"Round two. Are you ready?" the guard asked Caleb
"Let's go again" he replied with his fists up
"Have at it" the guard said and she dashed at Caleb.
Caleb bridged the gap between them, his punch aimed at her. With fluid grace, she sidestepped and without delay kicked his knee, forcing one leg to buckle. His other knee hit the ground, and before he could recover, she delivered a precision strike to his face. Caleb, however, intercepted her leg with a grin, spun her around, and tossed her aside.
She rose, brushing off the dust that marred her sleek black uniform.
"Fast, but that's all you've got," Caleb taunted, assuming his stance once more.
"Let's put it to the test, shall we?" she challenged, closing the gap in the blink of an eye. Her fist found its mark, landing a solid hit on his nose. Caleb felt the dull ache, noting that her punches were less painful than her kicks, although his nose was now throbbing.
Stepping back, she gestured for him to come at her. Caleb charged with a left jab, but she sidestepped it with ease and delivered a punch to his back. He attempted another punch, but the result was the same.
"You're tedious," she commented, before culminating with a powerful kick to his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Round two set" the guard screamed as the crowd roared with excitement.
Caleb got up and adjusted his nose again. He couldn't win this anymore. She already had two knocks on him. He could tell she wasn't trying to kill him. But he wasn't doing his best either.
"That backfired," he said sighing out
"Just give up now," she said to him looking him dead in the eye from where she stood
"And miss out on this. Nah" he said as he let out a breath "Referee. Third round"
A chilling pause gripped the arena, and she unleashed a sinister grin so malevolent it sent shivers racing down the spines of everyone watching. Their collective unease was palpable, the audience trembling in the wake of her menacing expression.
Yet, standing across from her, Caleb responded in kind. His grin mirrored hers, a predatory, icy smile. The atmosphere crackled with an almost tangible pressure, and the onlookers could hardly bear the intensity of their duel. The thrill of the fight coursed through him, and in that moment, they exuded a disconcerting aura that sent waves of fear rippling through the crowd.
Without awaiting the guard's signal, they lunged at each other, the clash of their confrontation echoing through the arena. Caleb unleashed a series of punches, but she effortlessly evaded them and countered with a swift, punishing kick to his head. He reacted quickly, ducking beneath her follow-up attack, and retaliated with a powerful kick, sending her crashing to the ground. She rolled away just in time to avoid his impending head strike.
Caleb pursued her, gripping her throat, and unceremoniously slammed her onto the unforgiving ground. Her laughter, chilling and triumphant, filled the air as she remarked, "You'll do nicely." With a rapid motion, she kicked him away.
Deli and Purfe, seeing the brewing storm, seized her arms with an iron grip, forestalling a potentially lethal confrontation that would have unfolded had they not intervened.
"That's enough Mera" Deli said
"If you go on, you'll lose control"
"Leave me alone. I'm enjoying this" she said sounding battle crazed
"Due to interference, this round goes to the pumpkin," the guard said with a terrified voice. The crowd booed as Caleb looked around. Ryan walked up to him and wrapped his arm around him.
"You did real good for a pumpkin. The only other one to fight a date is Purfe right there"
"I could have won if I didn't hold back," Caleb said laughing.
She broke free of Deli and Purfe's grip and walked towards Caleb. The courtyard seemed to get quieter as she walked towards him. Caleb let go of Ryan and walked towards her as they met in the middle. She chuckled a bit before staring into his eyes. He looked back at her menacingly.
"I like that look in your eyes" she said to him in a hushed tone. She grabbed him by his uniform collar and planted a kiss on his lips unprovoked. The courtyard erupted into chaos.
"You're mine now" she said letting go of his collar and walking away.
"Yours as in a boyfriend or yours as in a slave?" he asked perplexed.