SETTING: In the prison cell of Nero. He is 13.
CHARACTERS: Nero and two guards.
It's cold. The bite of chains on my wrists. The way they jingle whenever I try and move. How long have I even been here?
Days? Weeks? Months? I don't know anymore. I gave up on counting.
"Tch. There's the little shit. Isn't it time for him to be executed already?"
"No. The king wants him tortured first. Not that they've been getting any information out of him. Or so I've heard."
My eyes slowly open. Scanning the room. It comes back to me. The failed assassination, getting caught, being tortured and thrown in here. My wounds ache more as I sit there. A groan leaving my cracked and bloody lips.
"Shit…"
I whispered it so softly I barely even heard myself. Shifting my body so I'm able to sit up. My head hits the stone wall with a light thud.
"Oh hey. The bastard's alive. Heh. I thought they'd have killed you in there."
All I could muster was a dark, yet almost half hearted glare at the man. Spitting out blood in his direction.
"Why you…"
"Hey hey! You know we're not supposed to go in there!"
The other one held his companion back. Glancing at me with a wary stare. He frowns deeply.
"Plus...she. Her Highness took an interest in him. Remember?"
"What??? Since when???"
"I just got wind of it myself. But apparently she should be here to visit him soon…"
"SHIT!"
My brow furrows at them. Not understanding in the slightest. As far as I know. This kingdom has no Queen. Could...they mean...her? Their chosen one? Why would she take interest in me? I groaned again. Thinking about these things hurts.
"Shut up kid. I don't want to hear anything out of you again."
This makes me scoff.
"Oh? What will you do? Beat me?"
"Why you! That does it."
It was in an instant that the man was in my cell and digging his boot into a fresh wound. My eyes widening from the pain. A choked sob tearing from my lips.
"Hah. Can't even take that? Wait till I'm done with you."
It was next that his foot came down onto my head. I'm pretty sure I felt my head split open. Another sob leaving my lips. Consciousness blurred just a bit. But he didn't stop. Continuing to beat the crap out of me. Opening new wounds. Reopening old ones. By the time he was done I was left a mess on the floor. Tears streaming from my eyes.
"Hah. Serves you right. Bastard!"
The guard spits on me. Making me involuntarily flinch away. I quickly curled up into a ball. Trying my best to remain conscious. Although it was harder than I expected it to be.
"Tch. Pathetic kid."
I heard his footsteps leave the room. And the familiar sound of the door closing harshly. And then footsteps walking away.
'Everything hurts...why? Why me?' I found myself thinking about it. Why did they send me? Was it really because they trusted me? Or was it because they wanted me gone. The thought made me cry. I miss them.
Soon enough the sound of my sobs filled the room. My body shaking violently at the sensation. 'I shouldn't be crying...but it...everything hurts...I just...wanna sleep. Yes, sleep.' I found myself drifting away. The sound of rushing footsteps and a soft voice all I could hear before it all went dark.
