Chapter 25

I’m blind.

My wrists ache when I try to twist against the new restraints.

Why am I blind?

All manner of scents attack my nostrils. Emotions, species, waste materials.

Come on, open your eyes! Open, goddammit!

The clanking of chains around my ankles is barely audible above the horrific screeching of other creatures.

Where am I?

A snarl to my left and a scratch to my arm make me jump back. The scratch is warmed immediately. And then it moves lower. I’m bleeding.

Will scares the creature back into what I’m assuming is a holding cell.

“Get back!” he growls.

The creature hisses and obeys. Will tugs me forward, nearly tripping over my own feet.

I need to get out of here.

“Since you want to fight so badly,” he says, stopping for a second to push a few buttons, “I brought you here. You nearly killed me. Now, you’ll be my champion.”

I am going to die.

A door shuts behind me. The floor shakes, before slowly lowering.