Page 1 of Spider

PROLOGUE

SPIDER

Screams echoaround me as they bounce off the walls. There isn’t a place here where you don’t hear it. You would think that after being here for so long, you would get used to it, but it doesn’t get any easier.

Sitting on my bed, I flick an old coin through my fingers back and forth, over and over. It’s my distraction, or at least I try to make it that. My bed isn’t anything fancy. They are all the same; basic military style with a mattress so thin I can feel every spring cutting into my body.

A girl in the corner opposite me whimpers, taking my attention. I look over to see her curled up on her bed, hugging her dirty bear to her chest. Glancing to look at the door, I feel panicked that if she keeps making those sounds, they will take her down into the crypt. I place my coin in my pocket and walk over to her.

“Shh. They can’t hear you, or they will come for you,” I whisper as I glance over my shoulder, looking at the door. Looking back at her, I see her bright red tear-stained eyes staring at me. She sniffs. “You need to be smart, and you need to do exactly what they say. Do not be seen, do not be heard. Never ever show them weakness,” I warn her. “Okay?” I whisper.All the while, my eyes are constantly flickering to the door. She nods. “What’s your name?” I ask.

“Amora,” she whispers.

“How old are you?” I ask.

“16,” she answers.

She doesn’t look 16. She looks so young and fragile. “That’s good. You will be out of here soon. Just do as I say and you’ll survive,” I whisper.

The sound of heavy footsteps echo from the hall. I place my finger over my lips, telling her not to make a sound as I run back to my bed. Laying down, I make sure not to move a muscle. Hearing them get closer and closer, along with a dragging sound, I peek through my eyelashes, watching as they chuck the boy’s lifeless body on the bed next to me. Even in the dark night I can see the blood stains on his gown.

“Mouthy little shit won’t be so quick to fucking speak back in future,” one of the guard spits. The other one laughs. I hear them turn and watch as they make their way to leave, but they stop at the foot of Amora’s bed. “She new?” he asks.

“I haven’t seen her before,” the other answers.

“Fresh meat,” he says with a tone of excitement. My stomach recoils, remembering what they do to the‘newcomers’. “After my hard work teaching that little shit a lesson, I think I deserve a reward,” the guard adds.

I clench my fists tight as he grabs Amora’s ankle, dragging her off the bed. She cries out, a scream escaping her, her nails clawing at the floor as they drag her. It’s then that I do something I don’t normally do; I break my own survival rules. I jump out of bed, screaming as I run at them. I punch, kick and attack them with everything my malnourished 14 year old body can throw at them. He drops Amora’s ankle, and she quickly scurries under her bed to hide. I smile, but my smile doesn’t last long as a large fist connects with my face. I fall to the floor, andthat is where they take it in turns kicking and stomping on me with their heavy booted feet. I lay there, staring at Amora under the bed, watching as tears stream from her eyes.

“Take him to the crypt. The little fucker can stay there for a while,” one of the guards growls.

I’m grabbed by my ankles and dragged down the stairs to the place we call the crypt. They strip me naked and after they chain me to the wall, they turn and leave, slamming the door closed behind them, engulfing the room in complete darkness. My head hangs as I feel the blood pour from my face.

“Fuck man, they gave you a kick in. What did you do to deserve that?” a voice next to me asks.

“They were going to rape the new girl,” I rasp. “I jumped up and hit them to try and stop them.”

“Shit, wish I had seen that. Although you know they will still get to her. No girl is safe in this place. Hell, even we aren’t safe,” he states. “Nice to have some company though,” he adds after a moment.

“How long have you been here?” I ask, not recognising the voice.

“In the crypt, I think it’s been 2 weeks. In this home, around 4 years,” he answers. “You?”

“2 years. It’s my second time in here. I learnt quickly not to be seen, until today.” I sigh. “What’s your branding?” I ask. Each of us have a brand that’s seared into our skin when we enter the house. I have an X branding me, which means I’m a fighter for their entertainment.

He sighs. “V.” A solider of the guards.

I go quiet and don’t talk further. I’ve seen some of the soldiers. They do what they can to survive, even if that meant turning on some of the most vulnerable in here.

“I know what you are thinking, but I ain’t like them. Why do you think I am in here? I won’t hurt those that don’t deserve it.I take the beating instead. I’m not scared of these motherfuckers anymore. If I don’t die before then, I’m out of here in 18 months, and then I will burn this hell to the ground,” he says.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Nash. Yours?” he questions.

“Luca,” I answer.

“Shit, I know you! I’ve heard the guards talk about you and your fights. Fuck man, you are lethal.” He laughs.

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