Chapter 21: Ready or Not

FAYE

It never came.

I lay on the dirt, breathing heavily and painfully. My ribs ached as I felt someone's feet approach me. Heavy footsteps by the sound of it.

I could feel my left eye throbbing like it had a heartbeat. My whole body hurt in the worst ways. Tears mixed with the blood and sand underneath my face.

Had they sent someone else to finish me? I doubt the warrior was tired out.

He bent over my weak and broken form and I knew who it was in a flash.

Nathan.

"Weakling. You've convinced me you are worth nothing more than the turd beneath my shoes."

His words hit me like blows. I closed my eyes tightly; the tears rolling down. What had I expected? Why was I thinking this man would show me any kindness or even pity?

I heard his footsteps recede as he walked back out of the ring.

My heart raged as I lay there. Unable to move even as I tried to raise myself up off the floor, at least.

I struggled to my hands, raising myself above the floor a good way. Inching my knees closer