Kai woke up to pain filling his whole body. Even though his eyes hadn't opened, he squeezed them shut tighter. Everything hurt, so badly. What had Thorn done to him? All he remembered was going into that room with Thorn, then... darkness. Why did everything hurt so much? Kai didn't want to open his eyes or move to check. It wasn't a flesh wound kind of pain, but an ache all over his body, and bruises throbbing painfully. 

For once, Kai found himself missing school. He wanted to go back to the life he had before - coming home and showing his mom his good grades, coming home to the loving arms of his proud dad, coming home to a family. He missed school. He missed his family. 

"Hello?" a soft voice said to his left. He jumped at the noise and winced in pain, keeping his eyes closed. "Are you okay? Thorn dragged you out of the room like you were a piece of trash and threw you in there."

Kai finally opened his eyes. He was laying on his back, and above him was a crusty, earthy ceiling. He rolled his head to the right and saw an empty cell next to him, then looked left. Sitting at the edge of her cell, clinging to the bars that separated them, was the girl. Her blue eyes were full of concern as she watched him try to sit up. 

Pain racked his whole body, and Kai was pretty sure he'd broken a bone in his left shoulder, which was throbbing so painfully that the edges of his vision turned black when he moved it. He gritted his teeth and leaned against the wall behind him. It took a moment for it to sink in - Thorn had discarded him into a cell. Had he changed his mind about keeping Kai under his watch, or was he toying with him? 

The girl asked again: "Hey, are you okay? Say something." Her voice was like a sweet taste of honey during a lapse of the sore throat. She sounded so kind. Kai wanted to sink into that sweetness of her voice and stay there forever, not having a care in the world. Not having to survive against Thorn, who was probably insane. 

Kai tried to say something like she'd said, but his throat felt too thick and his mouth too dry. He closed his eyes again for a brief moment, then tried to speak again. Once more, nothing came out. With much effort, Kai shook his head at the girl. 

She was quiet for a little bit. "Sorry, I shouldn't be pushing you. After all, who knows what Thorn did to you in there?" She was silent again, and Kai turned his head to look at her. She was studying him again. "I don't see any flesh wounds. That's good. Does your head hurt? Just shake or nod your head." 

Kai realized with a wince that it was pounding. It felt like someone had thrown him aside with no mercy. Which probably did happen, now that he thought about it. He nodded his head once. 

"Alright," the girl mused, putting a finger on her mouth. Kai noticed with pity that there was dried blood flaking off her fingers. That must have come from the wound on her leg when Thorn was pulling him into that room. "Does anything else hurt? Are you able to point to what does?"

Kai nodded his head again, then lifted his right arm and pointed to his left shoulder. He also gestured to his whole body, making the girl giggle. 

"Of course everything hurts," she said kindly. "Thorn is a jerk, isn't he?" She earned a frantic nod. "Is your shoulder hurting you the most?" Another nod. "Do you think it's broken?" Nod. "Do you know how it broke?" This time, Kai shook his head. "That's understandable. We all heard you scream, then there was no noise. He must have knocked you out right on the bat." 

Kai jumped and eyed her. He'd screamed? He didn't remember doing that. All he remembered before this was Thorn advancing toward him and saying "This won't hurt. Much." and giving him a creepy grin. 

The girl smiled at him. "I wish I could shake your hand, but..." She tapped the bars. "My hands may be tiny, but you're probably not up to shaking hands. I'm Abby. You don't have to tell me your name until you can. I just wanted to tell you mine. I'm ten. You look about my age." 

Kai nodded. He was ten, too. This man was horribly cruel if he took in children for them to be his warriors. His fighting toys. Kai seethed with rage, and Abby giggled. 

"I know, he's terrible." 

How is she so happy? Kai wondered. She's trapped in a cell, waiting anxiously and nervously everyday for her turn to fight. Can she even fight? Well, where else would that wound on her leg come from? Then again, Thorn did say - and I can just tell - that he likes to torture people. 

Abby watched him sigh. "You seem nice." That was the last thing she said before Kai slipped back into a dreamless sleep.

~

Kai woke up feeling a little better. His shoulder didn't hurt as badly as it did before, and the throbbing in the rest of his body had dulled. He found himself still leaning against the wall and studied himself with his right hand. He was extremely thirsty, however. This made him feel a little lightheaded, but he could see clearly and move around a bit. Still, he needed a professional doctor to check his shoulder, even if it wasn't broken. Going without treatment could turn out bad. 

"You're awake," Abby said, and Kai turned his head just in time to see her scooting back to the bars. "Did you sleep well?" 

Kai felt an uncontrollable smile form on his face. "Yes, I did." He was surprised to find that he could speak, but his voice sounded raspy and weak. At least it was better than being unable to talk. "Thank you for... talking to me earlier. You're very nice." 

Abby beamed, somehow managing to look even cuter. Her blonde hair swirled around her shoulders. "You're welcome! Now that you can answer, I'm going to ask a few more questions."

Kai nodded his approval and turned to sit in front of the bars, right in front of her too. She beamed brighter. 

"What's your name?" was the first question, which Kai answered kindly. "Kai. I like that!" She smiled again, and Kai smiled too. This girl was making his time here seem much better. 

"Kai Watson," he said, adding his last name. 

Abby's eyes widened. "Wait, Watson?" She studied him for the third time. "Oh my gosh! You're Falte Watson's boy!" She clapped her hands and made a little 'o' with her mouth.

Kai flinched, and Abby immediately apologized. "No, no," he said. "It's okay. H-How do you know my dad?" He couldn't help but wonder. 

"My dad knew yours," she replied. "They were pretty good friends." Her face suddenly fell, but only for a second. She looked back up at Kai, a small smile on her lips again. "I can't believe you're here! I never got to meet you due to how quickly I can catch sicknesses. My parents were always worried about me. My dad often went out with yours." 

Kai remembered now - Falte saying he was going out with a friend, but not telling Haley or Kai who. He may have mentioned Abby's father's name, but Kai didn't remember that part. "Right. I remember my dad going out with yours." 

Abby nodded. "When did Thorn catch you?" she asked, going back to the questions. "I didn't see him come in with you." 

"That's because he brought us into his room," Kai answered. "He snapped his fingers, and suddenly we were there." 

Abby nodded. "He does that a lot. He calls it teleporting. He has some kind of magic. So do his minions." She twisted her fingers together. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened when he caught you?"

Kai thought about this. Should he tell her? Was she trustworthy? But... Kai felt like he needed to get it out. Just thinking about it made him shiver. "I... Had gone out for a bike ride. It was my mother's birthday." 

Abby gasped. "Oh, that's horrible! Why would -" She cut herself off, then flapped her hands. "Sorry, continue." 

"When I came back, it was too quiet. When I went in... Some of the guards were there, and they had a gun pointed at my mom's head." 

Abby made a squeaking sound, but didn't say anything. 

"I told them not to hurt her, but to do what they wanted and to let us go. The man holding me back threatened to shoot me. That's when Thorn came out. He told the guy not to shoot. But he ordered the other man to kill my mom. Before that, he'd told me not to say anything. I felt like I couldn't when the man with the pistol shot her." Kai shivered and felt tears rise in his eyes. He fiercely fought them down. "Then Thorn told me that I was going to serve him. He took me here, and that's when this whole thing started..." Kai choked down a sob.

Abby had her hands over her mouth and her eyes were swimming with tears, making the blue sparkle beautifully. "That's terrible..." 

Kai shuddered again. "The guard who had put the gun to my chest seemed - and still does seem - a little off, like he doesn't want to do this job, but he does anyway." 

Abby nodded. "I've noticed him, too. The other day, when Thorn had summoned me, that guard took me there. He was shaking. I'm serious," she said when Kai raised an eyebrow. "He was trembling! I don't know why. He just seemed off. Like he didn't want to let Thorn hurt me. He even talked to me. I didn't hear what he said before Thorn took me into that room... But I think he said 'sorry.'. I'm not sure." 

Kai looked away in thought. "Maybe he cares for you?" 

"Ew," Abby laughed. "He looks thirty with all that armor on." 

Kai shrugged. "You never know. I had a lot of older people call me fifteen." 

Abby squinted at him and then giggled. "I can see that."

Kai was glad he'd met this girl. She was so nice. She could probably make anyone smile during the hardest times. She was amazing. 

~

Third chappy! I thought I'd update this again. I think I might make chappy four, too! 

Wow, three updates in one day! Crazy! 

I don't think I'll delete this one, guys! This is here to stay. Unless I choose otherwise (which hopefully I don't) later. 

Hope you enjoy!! 

Peace out!!~~