Culling

Part I • Chapter VII

I was stuck here and I couldn't leave the area otherwise if a fight broke out. I might miss Kota.

What to do?

There was really only one option, I couldn't let them fight.

Before I could convince myself that this was bad decision, I was rushed forward and put myself in between the ringleader and the giant.

They both stopped talking and stared at me, both wore looks of disbelief.

"Please don't fight..." My arms were outstretched between them. They were both looking down at me, it was incredibly intimidating.

I felt so small between them. Perhaps this was a bad idea? After all I had a lot of them lately.

I studied the ground as I lowered my arms and put my finger to my lips nervously. Hopefully they wouldn't turn on me now that I got them to stop focusing on each other.

"I heard that you can't fight now, you will get into trouble." I knew my voice was meek, and I was super embarrassed at my outburst.

"Well, it looks like you have got that handled." Another man casually strolled up to us from deeper within the gardens.

As he came into the light I could see that he had reddish-brown hair and also was tall, though not as tall as the dark-haired man standing behind me. The newcomer came up next to us and stood by the taller man. "Thank goodness you were here Peanut, otherwise Silas might have been overcome."

The giant, who was apparently named Silas, barked out a laugh.

I cocked my head at the newcomer. Peanut? Who was a Peanut?

Chet frowned at the intruder. "Who are you?" Then he waved his hand dismissively. "You know what, who cares."

He turned his focus to me. "What about you? You must be the lady tribute that everyone has been blathering on about. So this is where you've been hiding?"

Chet studied me now, his eyes scanned me top to bottom. "Not bad. I assumed you were something hideous to look at considering that no one volunteered to take your place, but you'll do. You should come with me and I'll make it worth your while. I won't even make your death hurt in the end. This arrangement could be mutually beneficial to us both."

There had to be something wrong with him, that offer didn't sound very appealing at all.

"No thank you..." I knew my voice was weak, but I couldn't help it. He seemed creepy, kind of like Greg. I backed away until I could feel Silas' body heat behind me. It was much preferable to this Chet guy. "I'm good."

"Come on doll, you'll have a much better chance with me for a longer life than staying with these losers." He reached for my arm and I flinched.

There was a quick movement from behind me and before I knew it I had been pulled back behind Silas. He and his friend now stood in front of me, blocking me from Chet's view. My hands gripped the back of Silas' shirt. I was nervous and, like with Kota, I had a good feeling about these two - they didn't seem to have ulterior motives to helping me at least.

Silas' deep voice was a growl now. "She's not interested either."

"Listen you punk," Chet sounded like he was gritting his teeth. "You cann-"

"Is everything alright here?" A sharp voice interrupted whatever Chet was going to say.

I peeked around Silas' side and that Kota had arrived on scene. He was with a few other men, but my focus was on the one who had spoken.

He had a commanding presence and was currently looking back and forth between the three of us and Chet's group. A look of curiosity sparked in his steel eyes as he spotted me and he raised an eyebrow, but he hid it quickly and moved on as he continued addressing Chet. "What are you doing, Mr Adair?"