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In that dark cell, with a world outside and dangers at every turn, I found an unlikely ally in Thillak.
And as our eyes locked, I felt a connection, a hint of a shared destiny that neither of us fully understood yet.
3
THILLAK
When the door slid shut behind Isla, time momentarily halted.
It felt as though my surroundings were steeped in an ethereal haze, my senses heightened.
My gaze, unwaveringly fixed on her, couldn’t help but drink in the sight.
Her eyes, a mix of fear and curiosity, looked even more dazzling up close, framed by long lashes and accentuated by her flawless skin.
The soft shimmering light in the cell allowed me to observe the delicate play of emotions on her face.
I could perceive the rapid beating of her heart, resonating in tune with my own.
The sweetness of her, unique and utterly intoxicating, hung in the air.
It was a perfume I somehow knew, one that evoked memories of distant dreams.
Every fiber in my being resonated with a singular thought: this was her.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
I’ve encountered countless Prizes, countless faces, but none had ever ignited such an intense reaction within me.
Was this what happened every time I saw her for the first time?
The thought was peculiar, but I couldn’t push it away.
After making our introductions, I said:
“You must be in shock,” I started. “What you’ve experienced would be overwhelming for anyone.”
She blinked, those piercing eyes searching mine. “Where…where am I? Why am I here?”
Her voice quivered, but there was an underlying strength in it, a determination to understand.
I tilted my head slightly, my eyebrows knitting in confusion. “Did the drone not explain the situation to you?”
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, and shook her head. “I must’ve passed out before it could.”
Ah, that explained the confusion, the overwhelming shock.
I cleared my throat, attempting to find the right words. “You’re currently in Ikmal prison, one of the universe’s most fortified detention centers. This entire moon is a prison.”
Her eyes widened, absorbing the gravity of my words, but I wasn’t done. “You’ve been abducted as a Prize. Fighters compete in the pits below, and if they emerge victorious, they get to claim a Prize of their choosing.”
The color drained from her face, her eyes darting around, possibly trying to find an escape route.
I couldn’t bear the thought of her being terrified.
“Listen to me, Isla,” I said, stepping closer, ensuring my words were crystal clear. “You won’t have to be part of any of that. I promise.”
She gazed up at me, her deep eyes filled with a mix of skepticism and hope.
