Licking Wounds

There had been a man in the cage beside mine. Rows of cages stretched into the shadows, each holding a huddled, faceless figure, but this cage, this slave, I remembered. He'd saved my life, after all.

I didn't know his name, nor had he spoken to me more than once. That had been the time I angered our master, and she'd broken my ribs. I'd lost so much blood, and when he saw I hadn't the will to staunch it, ordered me to do so. I remembered trying, but the pain was too great, and he ended up reaching through the bars and tying the bandage himself. 

That was the last time I'd heard from him, but now, as I lay on the edge of death, I could hear his voice again. The words had long since faded, but I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to move.