by Gavin Magson
They maintained eye contact long beyond the accepted norm. Ilya was captivated by his crystal blue eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul. This man was the real deal. Now all she needed to do was find out what tempestuous meant.
“Are you going to tell me what happened or just stand there like a goon and watch me work?” asked Mel, no longer keeping her anger in check.
Peter cursed as his torn flesh was pulled tight without warning. Mel made fast work of the wound, Ajax could not understand where she had found a needle in this place. He did not bother concerning himself with whether it was sterile. Perhaps she had smuggled it inside, it might be wise not to ask for fear of being berated like Peter.
“Don't look at me, I have no idea how Peter ended up like this. You'll just have to keep interrogating him. I am an advocate for torture in the right scenario.” said Ajax, his mischievous grin gone unnoticed by Mel.
He really pitied Peter right then. The cold stare Mel cast on her unfortunate victim was enough to freeze his blood, or scare him to death. With one swift yank of the needle he could really regret lying to her.
“I thought the cave was empty. I could see their food piled in a corner, we are all starving down here and it was too much to resist. Before I know it I'm set on by these three rabid animals, they started biting at my flesh and dragged me to the floor. I killed one of them before another slashed me with a shard of rock. If it weren't for Ajax I'd be dead right now. How many times do I owe you my life now?” asked Peter.
“I thought you said that you did not know how he got this wound?” asked Mel.
“Okay, I lied, but it was fun watching you torture Peter. It's his own fault for trying to steal from others. He almost ended up on today's menu. I've lost count have many times it is now, you'll be indebted to me even in the afterlife at this rate.”
Peter glanced over at Ajax, his mouth twitching as he thought of whether to comment on the man's mention of an afterlife. Ajax failed to notice and turned back to picking the dirt from underneath his nails with a daggers point.
Mel finished the last stitch and stepped back to allow more of the fire's light to illuminate her handiwork. It wasn't pretty but it would do, Peter was lucky to not have lost his eye from the attack. He was not out of the woods, the amount of blood that had reached his eye could still blind him yet.
“I've changed my mind, I don't want to know any more. Just try to stay out of trouble, both of you; I don't want to be playing nurse again so soon. Ajax, can I have a word with you whilst this fool licks his wounds?”
Ajax nodded and followed Mel over to the caves new corner. He had become restless staying behind as the others worked in the mines and factories to earn their measly rations. Ajax had taken it upon himself to extend their cave; it was amazing what he could accomplish when bored.
The surplus dirt, clay and sand had been used to thicken the outside wall and make the entrance narrower and angled, giving the sentry a wide view but any attackers had to enter one at a time. His efforts had also increased the caves heat retention, which improved the ache in his shoulder.
“What is with the long face?” asked Ajax, when the silence had stretch on too much for him to bear.
“You have to know by now, we are almost out of food. The rations are not enough to feed everyone and I know you've been skipping meals, don't think I have not noticed your weight loss. Is that what caused Peter's injury? Were you both raiding other caves?”
Ajax looked down at his feet, which did nothing to hide his face from the shorter Mel. He knew that he should not feel ashamed of his actions, in Justice One the only way to survive was to leave your conscience behind. Mel could make a saint feel guilty.
“What else were we supposed to do? There is food for everyone to eat tonight, Peter knew the risks involved before he went with me. I won't allow cannibalism amongst us, I know the others have already discussed it, even if they hide behind thin jokes. We get to live another day, that is all that should matter.”
It was hopeless, Mel knew that to press her point any further would just aggravate Ajax. It was a minor miracle that she had gotten so many words out of him tonight, he was usually content with his self-made solitude. She sighed.
“I suppose you are right, even if I don't agree with what either of you are doing. Just try not to get yourself, or Peter, killed out there. If you die then it would no doubt be the end of us all, so think of that next time your life is on the line.”
“Don't worry, Mel, I'll do my best to survive. Haven't you heard? I am a hard man to kill. I'm off to bed now, make sure to wake me when it's my turn to stand guard.”
Mel left him to sleep on his makeshift bed and returned to the grumbling Peter to check up on his wounds. It wasn't long until Ajax's gentle snores filled the air.
A voice called out his name and brought him around, the shock to his system unwelcome. Peter had learnt quickly and refrained from standing too close when waking Ajax.
“Is it my shift already?” asked Ajax, his voice deep and groggy.
“No, there are three guards outside asking for you by name.”
Ajax grunted as he rolled over to better look at the entrance. He could not see out into its gloom. “Perfect, did they say what they wanted?”
“They did not, I asked but got a round of thousand mile stares. These guards look like they mean business, I would not fancy our chances against their guns. I'm behind you if you need me though.”
“I'll take care of this on my own, you can rest up before you are no use to me anymore. Do not get involved, I have enough blood on my hands without yours being added to it.”
Ajax fetched up his jacket, brushed off the worst of the dried dirt and checked his weapons. Satisfied that he had enough metal about his person Ajax left the caves safety, shuffling sideways through the doorway and stepping out in front of three guards. Peter closed the cloth door behind him.
“Are you Ajax Frost?” asked the middle guard, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, hovering next to a holstered gun.
“That’s me, what can I help you with today?” Ajax tried to keep his tone open, resisting the urge to bite.
“You are to come with us,” came the response.
“And why should I?” Ajax quietly asked.
“We've been sent by the warden, he wants to meet with you to discuss your particular skills. He told me to relay that he wants to make a deal with you for food. Proper food.”
They certainly knew how to pique his interest. Ajax had become used to the large dishes served in the Haven and they were missed every second he was in this desolate prison. His bones had become more prominent once again as the fat reserves he had built up were depleted, soon his muscles would waste away too. How could he resist?
“I'm not one to turn down a good meal, lead the way, gentlemen.” that was a mistake, he could tell by the guards scowl that he had overstepped the mark. Ajax slid his fingers around a hidden leather hilt, ready for anything that might come his way.
“Follow me.” said the head guard, turning away and striding down the tunnel. Ajax breathed out when the other men relaxed their stance and slipped a hand into his pocket, holding down a button that would turn on his miniature tablet.
They headed for the staircase Ajax had descended on his first day, since to turn the other way would only lead to a dead end; Ajax had learnt that early. Through investigation and word of mouth Ajax had discovered that the prison had numerous levels, though really they were just tunnels that branched off from the single stairwell. On arrival he had descended deep into the prisons bowels, before finding a cave to rest in, a handful of prisoners in tow.
Their ascent took a long time, Ajax counted out the familiar steps as the guard behind him began to breathe heavily. It made a change to walk through the tall gate, instead of waiting in its shadows. There were signs of pitched skirmishes in the ground underfoot, the stench of blood, guts and death prominent. The guards appeared oblivious, or ignorant, of the lives lost entering
the prison. They climbed higher, where the air was clear of the stench of decay.
He stopped on the factory floor and basked in the warm sunlight, it was such a surreal feeling on his skin. For too long he had lived in shadow, now Ajax could truly see the state of himself. Dirt was ingrained into his skin and clothes, which were starting to rot away from his body. There was nothing he could do about this now, so instead he savoured the suns warmth and committed the feeling of an open space to memory.
It was all too soon when a shove in the back broke his concentration. The guard behind told him to carry on, his tone short and tense. As they crossed the busy floor Ajax felt a sudden vibration in his pocket that indicated a message had come through to the tablet. Perhaps only on the surface he could get signal?
He was being lead across the bustling floor of the low roofed building, past those prisoners privileged enough to work on the surface. He had not bothered inquiring about how one ended up here; Ajax had intended to remain covert during his time here. The guards showing up at his cave proved that had been for nought.
The guards did not seem to acknowledge what was going on all around them. Obviously they did not miss the suns warmth on their skin like a prisoner did, none seemed to react to it. They lead Ajax towards the far wall, the pace brisk.
A grey walled office sat elevated on a raised platform protruding from the buildings wall. From the ground floor Ajax could not see anything through the room’s large window. No doubt so that it's occupant could keep a close eye on everything happening below and keep the workers vigilant when the warden’s attention was otherwise engaged. The three guards stopped at the staircase that lead up to the office, leaving Ajax to climb alone.
His legs felt weighted down after numerous days of living off scraps, each step became progressively harder for him. He had expended all his energy trying to keep his charges alive and safe from attack; Mel had been right about him skimping on meals. Ajax climbed upwards, his boots clanging with every step on the precarious polished metal underfoot. Whoever had the genius idea to polish steel steps should be rounded up and shot for their idiocy.
He did not have time to land a single knock before the door slid away, sideways into the offices wall. Ajax stepped inside, the door closed and with it the noises outside were instantly cut off.
Sat behind a wooden desk was an overweight man who wore his arrogance on his sleeve, looking all too pleased with himself as Ajax stood before him. As Ajax entered the man looked up from a monitor that faced him, Ajax guessed it currently showed a feed of the office door.
“Ah, you must be the fabled killer I have heard so much about. Mr Frost, I presume?” asked the man, not even removing his boots from the desk they rested on.
“That would be me. I'm sorry but I was only told the warden had requested me, I do not know your name.”
“You may address me as sir, though my name is Smith. Yes, I did ask for you; it seems you have made a name for yourself among the prisons population. If I remember rightly,” Smith picked up a nearby piece of paper, “your fellow prisoners refer to you as the Blood Shadow. Quite the strange moniker, I would be very interested to find out what earned you the name.”
Ajax rubbed at his knuckles absent-mindedly, thinking over what the warden had said. He had heard the name before, only in whispers as he hid out of sight. He did not know the name was his own.
“You are not on trial here, Ajax, frankly I don't care what the prisoners do to each other down there.” The warden pointed a swollen finger towards the ground, letting out a snort at his own comment. “My job is simple, keep production going and don't allow anyone to escape; which is impossible, even if you could get outside the desert would kill you in a day. Fine, if you won't tell me then I will fill in the blanks on my own.”
Ajax thought about how to reply without potentially facing further punishment. He did not trust the rotund warden as far as he could throw him. Whilst it was easy to believe the man truly did not care about the actions of prisoners, it was just as easy to think this all a trap.
“It wasn't through choice, sir; it was either fight or die. I tried to keep a low profile, but apparently that is impossible in here. Men came to my cave with the intention of murder and rape, I ended the threat and protected those around me. I never moved into a vacated cave, never turned to cannibalism. I only killed when necessary, not like the others down there.”
“Quite admirable, assuming you tell the truth. Most prisoners barely last a fortnight before turning to human flesh. The reason I have called you here is simple; I want you to fight again. I know all about your time in the underground fights, killing Kayne on your very first day was no small feat. Ours is run by slightly different rules, but you are more than qualified for a place.”
Ajax had not heard any mention of a fighting network within the prison, even off the well informed Mel. The warden’s intentions were finally crystal clear. “It's not like I have a use for money down here, what would be in it for me?” he asked.
Warden Smith opened a draw next to his chair and began rummaging around for something. Once found pulled out a tightly wrapped parcel and slid it across the table. “Open it, lad. That is the prize for winners.”
Ajax did not need to open the parcel, he could smell what was inside from three feet away. The brown paper had a piece of string loosely holding it in place, which put up little resistance as Ajax snapped it off. Inside was a loaf of bread, nothing like the charred offcuts he worked relentlessly for, and a hunk of cooked meat. The smell was delicious, his mouth started salivating instantaneously and his stomach rumbled loudly.
“I don't see how I could turn down the offer. But you said that food is only for winners, when I fought sometimes even the losers were paid for their troubles. Is that not the same here?”
A smile crossed the warden’s face for the first time. “I think you must have misunderstood me. When I said our rules are different I thought you knew it was a fight to the death.”
Chapter 21
There were no changing rooms in the cavern, men and women alike either turned up dressed to fight or left clothes with someone they could trust as they changed in public. Peter and Mel arrived with Ajax, both looking far too out of place for such a spectacle of violence. He had tried to convince them against it but the cause was a lost one.
It was unbelievable just how many prisoners had crammed into the arena, the noise was near deafening as a thousand voices bayed for blood. In the centre of the cavern, carved from what had once been a giant stalagmite, sat several prison guards and the warden on a raised platform. Around them were three circles etched into the ground, fights pitted simultaneously in each one.
The guards placed wagers with each other, betting wages and life savings on who lived and who died. The prisoners wagered food tokens, which could mean the difference between them living until tomorrow or starving. Ajax knew that these fights would be a whole different experience, with your life on the line people could fight like cornered animals. Even with his advantage of accelerated healing he would have to fight to kill, no matter how messy or brutal his tactics.
Mel, upon Ajax's request, had fashioned a pair of loose shorts from materials she had managed to easily acquire. She had made sure they did not restrict his movements and would hopefully survive a few rounds of scrapping.
The trio found a quiet patch of ground for him to change into the shorts, no small feat in such a crowded cavern. Ajax handed his spare clothes to Peter and informed him that his life depended on not losing them. Back in their cave Ajax had already buried his tablet and weapons, not trusting his group to try and trade them immediately. Each day food was becoming scarce and the temptation would be great for them. Though he had told no one Ajax was impressed with the groups resilience; he had anticipated them succumbing to cannibalism by now.
Ajax was now stood near a wall at the caverns entrance, where he decided to give his new outfit a lunge test. He struggled not to laugh at Mel's embarrassment, her ch
eeks turned rosy as her gaze passed over his crotch. He did his best to ignore her, focusing on the strange acoustics of the cavern until his ears adjusted. He had felt nauseous at first when they stepped into the cavern, a multitude of combined voices confused his senses. Slowly the sounds stopped throwing his balance and Ajax allowed his body to relax once more.
The warden had told Ajax to report to him once he arrived at the cavern, as all fights were organised through the prison guards. Once he was satisfied his body had limbered up enough Ajax started the small battle to reach the platform. A press of bodies closed in from all sides as the trio navigated through the throng, never relenting or acknowledging them.
The platform definitely impressed Ajax. As they circled around it he found two guards stood in front of a perfectly carved stone staircase, which, unlike the floor underfoot, was not coated in liquids of unidentifiable origin. The men who stood guard had the air of hired thugs about them but a wave of the warden’s hand saw Ajax let through to climb the seven steps.
He left Peter and Mel behind, the less they were involved the better. From here he could easily see the three fights, a prime view for the guards as they sipped on tantalising drinks; Ajax would happily kill every one for a swig of a cold beer.
“I have been waiting for you, Ajax, I am glad you decided to join us. I've been entertaining my guest with stories of your past victories, those that I have reports of anyway. Are you ready to fight tonight?” asked the warden, who was sat next to a tall, handsome man. Both kept their eyes on the fights as he spoke to Ajax.
“Of course I am, sir, for as long as there is a beat left in my heart. Who will I be fighting?”
“My guest has chosen your fighter tonight,” Warden Smith indicated the man on his left. “Your opponent is a bit of a novice in these fights, but has survived two so far. We look forward to seeing your bout, just wait by the centre ring until your name is called. Good luck, Mr Frost. I hope for my wallets sake that you don't let me down. Oh, before I forget, I did not tell you about our one rule; no weapons of any kind in the ring. Get caught with a weapon and the punishment is a very long, painful death to the violator.”