Thunde

by Arcadia Shield

  The sound of quiet footsteps through the trees made Jessie turn. It must be Thunde back from his communication with the Fraken. She was curious to know what they’d told him. A sense of relief ran through her as the footsteps grew closer. Thunde was uninjured, and the Fraken hadn’t attacked him or punished him. That was a good sign they knew nothing about the two of them working together.

  Jessie took a few steps forward and her breath caught in her throat. The footsteps sounded wrong, almost as if there were three feet stomping along. Thud, thud, thud. It wasn’t Thunde, unless he was leaning his weight on something.

  Jessie ran her tongue over her teeth, and her hand went to her bag, where a small blade was stored.

  The noise slowed, and branches parted in front of her. It was a Fraken, and he was carrying a lightning stick. That was the noise she had heard, as he’d rammed the stick into the ground as he moved.

  She slid backwards, trying to find some cover, but then froze. The Fraken had seen her.

  ***

  Thunde ground his fist into the comms post as he waited for the Fraken to link with him. They'd kept him waiting for too long, and his anger was barely in check. He hadn’t wanted to leave Jessie behind, but it was best for her. If the Fraken saw them standing side-by-side that would be it for them. They’d send in a ship full of warriors and destroy them.

  The comms screen flashed to life, and the Fraken, Death Wish, appeared in front of Thunde. “What have you done?”

  Thunde inhaled sharply. “Kept myself alive.”

  “You killed the hybrid dragon,” said Death Wish. “It was one of our prized beasts. You know you are not supposed to kill them.”

  “My life is more important than your freakish dragon.”

  “And the human woman? You saved her, as well.”

  “To keep myself safe, I had to kill the dragon,” said Thunde. “Therefore, she lives.”

  “Why did you not drag her into the clearing after the battle and take her head off?”

  “As I’m sure you noticed, the dragon almost ate me. The killing had to wait.”

  “Yes, we saw that.” Death Wish sneered at him. “And the female saved you.”

  Thunde shrugged and looked over the top of the comms screen. Just seeing Death Wish on the screen made him want to smash the link to pieces. “I cannot explain that.”

  “Try,” said Death Wish. “Are you working together in this game?”

  “No,” said Thunde, his gaze snapping back to the scaled face in front of him.

  Death Wish hissed and bared his sharp teeth. “I am sure you’re aware that two of your colleagues have vanished from previous games. What do you know of their method of escape?”

  “You asked me that before I entered this game. My answer remains the same; I know nothing.” Thunde spoke the truth. Axen had been discreet in telling him how he’d gotten out.

  “You are planning to do the same,” said Death Wish. “We will not tolerate any more disruptions in our games.”

  “Then tell me how I’m getting out.”

  “If I knew that, I’d prevent it from happening.”

  A blast of pain shot through Thunde’s collar, and he gritted his teeth and glared at Death Wish.

  “You will tell me how you plan to escape the game,” said Death Wish.

  “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

  Another jolt of pain shot through Thunde’s collar, but he refused to kneel before the Fraken. He gripped the edges of the comms post to keep himself upright. “You can shock me for as long as you like. There is nothing to reveal.”

  “Not that you would do so anyway, even if you did know anything,” said Death Wish. “I know all about the ridiculous loyalty you have to your fugitive warrior friends. It’s an embarrassment. You are allied to a fugitive, an alien who is currently being hunted down. I have my warriors on his trail, and he will be dead soon. If you’re thinking you will join him in his futile mission, then you will be disappointed.”

  “I know nothing about any mission of his,” said Thunde.

  “Did he not trust you enough to tell you what’s going on?” sneered Death Wish. “That suggests to me he does not consider you a valuable warrior. You need to consider which side you are on.”

  “Axen is a loyal Vorten,” growled out Thunde. “Whatever he’s doing, it’s for the greater good.”

  “It is not for the greater good of our games,” said Death Wish. “You need to kill the human, or we will come in there and destroy you both.”

  “I don’t know where she is.”

  “She has escaped you?”

  “As you saw, the dragon injured me, and I can’t explain why, but the woman rescued me. But when I awoke, she had gone. She could be anywhere in this game by now. Maybe you know where she is?”

  “You are the predator, you hunt her down. Use your tracking skills and find her before this game is ruined.”

  “I have been weakened by my injuries,” said Thunde. “I will track her when I’m recovered.” That comment earned him another painful jolt from his collar.

  “Track her now. The audience grows tired, and they wish to see results.”

  “They’ll get them.”

  “You are weak,” snapped Death Wish, “just like the other failed Vortens.”

  Thunde glared at the comms screen. “A Vorten warrior is never weak. And Axen has not failed Vorten by not returning to the warrior arena.”

  “He is a failure,” said Death Wish. “He has brought Vorten into disrepute. There are already other alien races reconsidering the use of Vorten warriors. Any warrior who flees from his purpose is not seen as reliable. His foolish actions have done great damage to your people.”

  “That is not true,” growled Thunde.

  “You will find out for yourself, once you complete the game and kill your prey,” said Death Wish. “Your planet is in jeopardy because of one foolish move from your warrior brother. Be careful if you keep following him, or you will also become a disgrace.”

  Thunde dug his fingers into the palms of his hands, fighting the fury that heated his blood. “Lies.”

  “You will see for yourself,” said Death Wish, “that is, if you get out of this game. We are questioning your loyalty to us, and you must demonstrate you are still true to the Fraken.”

  “I am true to the Vorten, no one else.”

  “It pains me to hear that,” said Death Wish. “Some of our audience bet generously when you are a part of the games. You are an asset to us.”

  Thunde couldn’t hold back any longer. “What will you do if I refuse to take part and stop being such a useful asset?”

  “Finish the job you have failed to do.” Death Wish locked his gaze onto Thunde as a fierce jolt of pain shot through the collar. “Obey us.”

  “I will never obey you again,” spat out Thunde, the smell of his own burning flesh drifting up his nose.

  “Then suffer the consequences.” Death Wish sent another blast through the collar, so painful that Thunde finally sank to his knees.

  His teeth ground together as the pain continued. He’d never felt such a strong pulse. The Fraken must have adapted their technology and made the shock collars stronger.

  “One final chance,” said Death Wish. “Kill the woman.”

  “Never,” growled Thunde.

  “As you wish.” Death Wish sent another blast through the collar, this one so powerful it made Thunde’s teeth rattle.

  He fought to remain conscious as black dots danced in his vision and his flesh burned. His thoughts turned to Jessie and worry clutched at his stomach. He’d made a mistake leaving her alone. If the Fraken found her now, she’d be dead.

  Hissing as the pain continued, Thunde staggered to his feet and ran forward, a single image of Jessie filling his head. But the shock was too strong, and he collapsed on the ground, his body shuddering and his fists clenched. He had failed Jessie; she was on her own.

  Chapter 14

  Jessie stared in wide-eyed h
orror at the Fraken in front of her, clad in black body armor, his dark green scales barely visible. She backed up rapidly, but the Fraken raised his lightning stick and shook his head.

  “We have something for you,” said the Fraken. “Hold still and get on your knees.”

  Jessie licked her lips and continued to back away, memories of her time in the showers with Tarliq flooding over her. She wouldn’t let that happen to her again.

  “There’s nowhere to run, little human,” said the Fraken. “You must take your punishment.”

  “Punishment for what?” Jessie’s words wobbled out of her.

  “For surviving too long,” said the Fraken, “and working with the warrior. We believe he has lost his mind, which is why he’s assisting you. But when he returns, he will be back to his normal self.”

  Jessie blinked and her brow furrowed. “You think there’s something wrong with Thunde?”

  “He’s having his senses restored right now,” said the Fraken, giving her a sharp toothed smile. “I trust he didn’t give you false hope by keeping you alive for this long. You will be his target when he finds you.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with Thunde,” said Jessie. Even as she said those words, she wasn’t entirely sure she believed them. Could his talk of freedom and safety have been nothing more than a delusion? Had all these years of killing sent him insane, and there was no plan, no Axen, to save them?

  “You will see for yourself when he re-engages in this game,” said the Fraken. “He will be a different warrior. Now, do as I command, or your punishment will become more severe.”

  “What are you going to do to me?” Jessie held her hands out, a trickle of sweat running down her back as the Fraken moved closer.

  “Make sure we can track you in the game more effectively. You have been hiding from us and our audience for too long, and that does not provide for an effective betting environment.”

  “You’re losing e-credits on this game?”

  “We never lose e-credits on our games,” said the Fraken. “But our audience is unsure of what to bet on. You have made things complicated, and we do not like that.”

  Jessie fought against the fear that made her knees shake and her stomach roll over. “Some are betting on my survival?”

  “That is not an option for them.” The Fraken gestured to the ground. “On your knees. Or would you like me to force you to submit?”

  Jessie couldn’t let herself be at the mercy of another Fraken. She continued to move away, only stopping when her back slammed into something hard and a scaled arm wrapped around her waist. Terror slid through her veins like a knife as she twisted in the strong grip of the second Fraken.

  “Looks like I’ve caught myself a prize, Anaz,” said the Fraken behind Jessie, his body armor pressing against her spine.

  “Hardly a prize.” Anaz approached and pulled a thin metallic circle from his belt.

  Jessie knew what it was. Thunde had a similar band around his own neck. She twisted her shoulders to try to break the Fraken’s grip, but couldn’t get free.

  Anaz smirked and his pointed tongue slid across his teeth. “From that look in your eyes, you know what this is. If only you’d behaved yourself, it would never have come to this. But now, we have to treat you like one of our errant warriors, and the shock threshold has been set just as high. A blast from this can kill, so you will be wise to obey us from now on.”

  Jessie kicked out at Anaz, trying to keep him away from her, desperate not to have that collar clasped around her neck. “You don’t need to do this.”

  “But we do,” said Anaz. “Our games are important to us, and we will not have them disrupted by disobedient prey and a warrior who has lost his mind.”

  “Thunde hasn’t lost his mind,” gasped Jessie. “I believe everything he has told me.”

  Anaz slid a sharp talon down Jessie’s cheek, and she felt a sting as the skin tore and blood trickled down to her chin. “And what, exactly, did he tell you?”

  Jessie’s nostrils flared. “That we’re getting out of this game.”

  “Then he really is insane,” said Anaz. He barked out a laugh and then gestured behind her. “Take her down, Balet.”

  Needles of pain lanced through Jessie’s stomach as she was forced to the ground, and Balet hissed in her ear and nipped the flesh on her neck.

  “Steady now,” said Anaz. “We were instructed to keep the prey alive for a little while longer.”

  Balet growled and his talons dug harder into Jessie’s stomach. “We can still enjoy ourselves before we let it go.”

  “If human is your taste, then be my guest.”

  “You don’t want to sample her?” asked Balet, as his knee ground into the base of Jessie’s spine.

  Jessie stifled a moan as she fought against the weight of Balet. Terror made her dizzy, but she refused to give up and pressed back against the Fraken, trying to keep on her feet.

  “I grow tired of these humans,” said Anaz. “We have had several in our quarters, and they break so easily, it’s almost no fun.”

  “That’s why I like them,” said Balet. “Fragile little things. And they beg so sweetly.”

  “I will never beg you for anything.” Jessie spoke through gritted teeth, her breath shooting out of her in short gasps as she continued to fight to get back on her feet.

  “Stay still.” Balet pushed her head into the ground. “This would be so much easier if you obeyed us. Fighting back is futile. We always win.”

  Jessie kicked her legs wildly and knocked the collar to the ground. “Keep that thing away from me. I’m not wearing it.”

  Anaz hissed at her before retrieving the collar. “I was not asking if you wanted to wear it; you will be wearing it.” He looked at Balet. “Hold her tighter. Let’s get on with this. We have more games to visit.”

  “My pleasure.” Balet kicked Jessie in the back and she sprawled on the ground.

  She pulled herself up, but sharp claws dug into the back of her head, and she was forced to lay flat. The heavy, cool body of Balet lay on top of her, and she smelt his hot, sour breath on her ear.

  “I’ve got you right where I want you,” hissed Balet. “I could do anything to you now. You are mine to control.”

  “I’d rather die than let that happen.”

  “That can be arranged,” said Balet. His talons raked down Jessie’s side, brushing against her breasts and snagging the waistband of her trousers, before tearing into the fabric.

  Jessie squirmed and shuddered in revulsion at his touch as she tried to shift out from underneath him, but Balet was heavy. There was no way she was going to get up.

  “Play with her after I’m done,” said Anaz. “This collar needs to be fitted.”

  “I can tell she wants me,” said Balet. “And she’s feisty, despite her size. She will be a joy to break.”

  “Break her later,” said Anaz. “Lift her head up, so I can get this collar on.”

  Balet growled, but then tangled his talons in Jessie’s hair and yanked her head back so hard she let out a cry of pain.

  “That’s right, my little human; why don’t you scream for me,” hissed Balet. “I always enjoy hearing your distress.”

  Jessie went still as she felt the cold metal fasten around her neck and the collar tighten.

  “You see, that wasn’t difficult.” Anaz tapped her on the head with a talon. “If only you hadn’t struggled, you could already be on your way. Instead, you have interested Balet, and now he wants to play with you.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” choked out Jessie.

  “Of course it will,” said Anaz. “We do what we like with our prey.”

  “The audience will despise you if you do this.”

  “It’s nothing they haven’t seen before,” said Balet. “There will even be e-credits placed on this happening.”

  “If you do this, Thunde will find you and rip your heart out,” said Jessie, as fear sweat prickled in her armpits. “And I will help him d
o it.”

  “You foolish human,” said Balet. “You will both be dead before the end of the day. My heart will remain very much where it is.”

  “I will kill you,” said Jessie, an icy rage filling her veins. If this Fraken violated her, she would get her revenge, no matter how long it took. She would destroy every Fraken she met in order to get to this one.

  Balet gave a guttural laugh as his hand dipped below Jessie’s waistband and he forced her legs apart. “I do not fear you.”

  “You should,” spat out Jessie.

  “Wait.” Anaz tilted his head to one side and then gave a sharp nod. “We need to get back to base.”

  Balet growled again. “They don’t need us straight away.”

  “We go now. Information has come in on the missing warriors.”

  Balet flicked his tongue across Jessie’s ear and ground his hips into her. “Another time, little human. I’ll take great pleasure in having you.”

  “Never going to happen.” Jessie almost cried out in relief as Balet’s weight lifted off her.

  “A small reminder of our time together,” said Anaz. He pressed a device attached to his belt.

  Jessie screamed as a shock shot through her. Her skin felt on fire, burning under the metallic touch of the collar. She’d never felt anything like it before and tugged at the metal, trying to pry it from her protesting flesh.

  “That is what will happen if you keep disobeying us.” Balet's hand lingered on her back.

  Hot tears leaked out of Jessie’s eyes as she flipped over and kicked at him.

  Balet raised a hand as if to strike her, but Anaz shoved him in the shoulder.

  “Let’s go,” said Anaz.

  Balet’s yellow eyes narrowed at Jessie, but then he nodded and lowered his hand.

  They both walked back into the trees, and Jessie gave into her terror, letting loose a choked sob. She couldn’t stop shaking, and her whole body shook as she remembered sharp talons raking over her skin. She looked at her clothes and saw one side of her trousers had been shredded, and rivulets of blood ran down her stomach where Balet’s talons had dug in.