“Beautiful isn’t it,” Artemis whispers over my shoulder.
I’m startled by his sudden appearance. “Yes, it is,” I choke out.
“The ocean goes on forever, reaching lands that no one talks about anymore; republics that have fallen silent or are too terrified to speak; terrestrial beings no longer of any consequence to Sirain.”
I feel his breath on my neck, warm on my skin. My heart rate rises as I begin to feel flush.
Why is he having such an effect on me?
He moves closer to the window, smiling at the sight of the water, and nudges my arm, gesturing me to follow him as he guides me around the residence.
The room Aidan and Wes disappeared into is a game room full of all sorts of electronic gadgets, and several large view screens. It’s the only room that has walls, other than the bedrooms and bathrooms. Artemis’ room is right next to the game room, with a private bath and walk-in closet. My room is next to his, with a bathroom I’ll be sharing with both Corinna and Raven, who are in the room on the other side.
Artemis leads me into the dining room, where everyone has assembled for a large gourmet dinner prepared for us by Artemis’ private chef. The extravagant meal consists of a spinach salad mixed with fresh strawberries and a tangy dressing. For our main course we are served roast beef, mashed potatoes, rolls dipped in butter, and peas in garlic sauce. Matt and Aidan go back for seconds as I’m still working on my first helping. Artemis breaks out bottles of wine, giving everyone a healthy glass full. I only sip at mine as I don’t like the taste.
The amount of food for such a small group surprises me. I feel guilty in eating this lavish food since those in the Wasteland are struggling to find their next meal. I place my fork down, unable to eat the rest.
The fighters laugh at each other’s jokes, discuss strategies in regards to the opening battle sequence tomorrow, and make bets on who will come back a winner so they can advance to Round Two. Matt and Aidan have experience in this, and tell stories about their past battles. Matt retells more triumphs than Aidan as the latter has lost the last several times during the opening battle. Matt boasts about his many wins by showing off the tattoos he has on his right arm, each ring a different shape and color, indicating a win. Aidan tries to hide his left arm, but Matt grabs it before he can move, rolls up his sleeve, and shows the markings a loser receives.
Aidan’s left arm is scarred, not by intricate scrolls like Matt’s, but by raised burn marks, probably made by some kind of electrical bracelet placed around the bicep. Aidan shoves Matt away, who hits the table, knocking Raven’s wine into her lap.
“Hey!” she screams as the liquid soaks into her clothes.
Matt shoves Aidan back and a fight breaks out. Artemis lets it go on for a bit before finally breaking it up, telling them to save it for the arena. Aidan shakes himself free of Artemis’ grasp and stomps away to his room.
“Huh,” Matt huffs as he retakes his seat, “the old man needs to take a joke.”
Of all the fighters, Aidan is the oldest. He looks to be in his early thirties, a little overweight, and slightly balding on top. He’s the man I saw Matt take out my first day at the ranch. I poke at the remainder of my food while the others return to their jokes, now mainly about Aidan.
Our dishes are cleared after the wine has run out and we each slowly wander off to bed. I lock my door before changing. My closet is full of dresses, silk tops, dress pants, several cotton tank tops, and a brand new pair of running shoes sits on the floor. The drawers in my dresser house lace thongs with matching bras, white cotton pajamas, running shorts, and socks.
Do all closets in Tyre look like this?
This is too much. Why would you need so many items?
I put on the pajamas, brush my teeth, and crawl into bed.
I sleep very poorly, dreaming of Quin, his face plaguing my mind. He is yelling at me, blaming me for his death. I try and run from him, but am confronted by Terrance, who wears a mournful expression. He takes his old gun, aims it at my head, and pulls the trigger. I feel a projectile strike my forehead, shattering my skull.
I dart up in bed, pain radiating outward from between my eyes. Slipping out of bed, I go to check the medicine cabinet in the bathroom for painkillers, but can’t find any, so I go looking for the next best thing…alcohol.
I remember seeing a bar in the game room, so I quietly exit my room and make my way through the dark. One of the large screens attached to the far left wall is on. Wes is sound asleep on one of the red covered couches. The program he had been watching is still running, something about Tyre’s residents being more affluent than those of Acheron. I decide to leave it on as I walk over to the opposite wall and remove a bottle of Tequila from under the counter, along with a small glass to pour myself a shot, shaking my head at the irony of drinking Terrance’s favorite beverage while trying to erase his image from my mind.
I drink it down
