The Cruelty Challenge (Accepting)

Tabbitha- Bedroom and Lobby

We all fall asleep quickly after drinking the glasses of warm milk that were on our bedside tables. It tasted kind of funny, I thought, but that could just be my imagination. My suspicions are confirmed, however, when I wake up. I have developed a fairly good internal body clock, so if I want to get up at a certian time, I do, but we are late for breakfast. Knowing Blade, he probably laced it with something.

Speaking of Blade, here he comes now, or right after we change into our latest uniforms, that is. He unlocks the door to our bedroom/prison (just because it's a nicer prison doesn't mean that it's not one.) and strides in, grinning his shark-toothed grin. "Someone slept in now, didn't they? You know what that means. No food for the girls." His shark-tooth grin widens in sadistic pleasure. "Too bad. You could have used the strenghth with what I have planned today."

It's all I can do to not bolt for the door, which Blade has left open behind him. Not only does my fear stop me, but my growling stomach does too. Can't run away from monsters on an empty stomach. Fearing what will happen if I do not, I follow Blade out of the door, where we again are forced to grab the electric rope, led by Kalef. He looks at us apologetically, but he looks away an instant later. It could have been my imagination, but maybe it wasn't. Maybe we're not alone after all.

During our walk back to the lobby, I make a mental map of the various hallways. I still get lost in the twists and turns, but I've got a better idea of the layout than before. There are no escape attempts to speak of. Everyone has learned their lesson about what happens if you do. I know. I was the example. Plus, everyone thinks that today will be the day when Blade tells us what's going to happen to us, what he's going to do. We all hate the feeling of never knowing, or at least, I do.

When we arrive at the lobby, we are practically thrown onto the couch, next to the boys, who have already arrived. They are in the same uniforms as we are. The electric rope stays on, with Kalef holding tightly to the end. I guess it's to make sure no one tries to escape after we hear what Blade is about to say. Not a good sign.

Blade sits down in an armchair across from us, and begins to explain our fate. He begins by saying, "Today will be the first day of something called the Cruelty Challenge." Whatever it is, it can't be good.

Sorry I haven't had a chance to post yet! I just started school and had to catch up on some summer homework I procrastinated. I'll try to keep up, so just tell me if I'm doing anything wrong, and I'll change it. Thank you!

Kyler Greythorn

I wake up, naturally, at probably 4:30. It's only a guess though, based on the amount of sleep I feel like I got. I stay, laying in the soft bed for a long while, thinking over the previous day. Last night, I had thought it was all a dream. But now that seems very unlikely for many reasons. One, that food was delicious. And another, I've never been able to remember dreams. I had a nightmare last night. Which is unusual. Usually the real world is the nightmare.

The three of us boys didn't talk much the night before. But it was easy to guess what we were all thinking. I still don't know whether or not to trust Calaf or whatever his name is. But.... He did have that look in his eye. Like he meant it. Like he wanted to help. Like he knew exactly what I was feeling. It doesn't make much sense why he'd help us, though, and as far as I know, we might not even need help. Okay, that's stupid; of course we need help. Blade wouldn't have done what he did to Mary if he was just going to let us go.

I sigh and sit up. Thinking of the girls makes me anxious. I hadn't even known they existed before yesterday, but seeing their frail bodies... I bet I don't look much better. I had tried to stay fit while I was in my cell. But the chains didn't allow much movement.

"You all slept in, so no food for you" Blade's voice sounds from behind me. I try not to send a smirk over to him. At least Calaf did come through there."Same thing with the girls." My smirk disappears from my mind, only to be replaced with dread and hatred. The girl's didn't get food; they weren't as lucky.

(I'll try to post again. Hope this is all ok!)

Blade
I smile wickedly at the boys and girls. I hear a stomach growl on the girls' couch. Exactly what I want! Weakness. I see Kalef bite his lip, and turn away. I plan on not giving them any real food till lunch.
"So I suppose you all are wondering what I brought you out of your cells for. Well, we begin training today, for The Bravery Challenge, aka The Cruelty Challenge." I see the boys look inquisitively at each other. "So, I'm going to want one volunteer from the boys and one girl too. It will be a quick demonstration," I say. "No one, okay, I'll choose. Kyler, and Tabbitha. Step forward you two." They stand up, and I nod at Kalef and Calaf to release the ropes, because the door is locked. I put Kyler and Tabbitha's hands onto my own rope, and lead them out of the room. I lock it behind me. I take them to the room beside the one we were in, and push them in. It's light is the same as the light outside. They walk in, and I push them towards the back of the room. I give them each a suite that is stretchy material. They put it on. It covers their whole body, even their face. They now look like manikins. They can't see either. I put them each in a little separate room, and close the door.
Where their eyes are, inside the outfit, there's a screen. I make the room a forest. In their eyes, it'll look, and feel like real life. They won't actually move at all, but the muscle movements will make their person in the 'fake life' move. Kyler begins walking, feeling each tree. I see him smell the pine trees, and look confused. In the 'other world' they look like they normally do. I begin the fun.
I make a double edged sword appear in his hand, and one in Tabbitha's. I create a sound that says "Fight or run". That means they either fight against eachother, or run from the wild fire and animals I will create. Their choice. I move Kyler's arm for him. He swings at Tabbitha. I swing Tabbitha's arm back. They each look confused, then angry. They begin swipes of their own. Realization that Kyler's fighting comes to him, and he stops. But when he stops, I make wolves jump out at them. With a flash in her eyes, Tabbitha begins fighting again, and the wolves back away. But I see they are fake fighting. I move Kyler's arm to hit Tabbitha's knee. She reels back in pain. I move Tabbitha's arm, and slash Kylers. This is becoming fun! The fun continues longer...
I put the automatic controller on. Every three minutes, it makes them both hurt eachother. I make the animals get closer. I turn the lights down so it gets darker. I see the panic on their faces, as they fight eachother. I walk out of the room, into the sunlight. I close the door, and lock it. I get to the other room with the rest.
"Okay, who's next? The pairs will be-- Daniel and Auburn. and Spencer and Mary." For a moment Daniel's eyes light up, but when he hears a scream and a cry from next door, he starts getting scared. I lead them into the room, where there are other glass rooms and outfits waiting. I can't wait to make these kids suffer!

Spoiler

Okay guys, sorry for the long post! I re-read it, and saw it's really cruel and dark... If you guys think it's too awful, please tell me! I really don't want this to turn into something bad...

Mary

Blade pulls Tabitha and Kyler away with him. I'm scared about what will happen to them, but right now I just don't want to die. Blade enters about ten minutes later, and they look very shaken up. They don't look physically hurt but there's something in there eyes.
Blade asks for the next group and I just want to get this out of the way so I stand up.
"Good," he mumbles to himself when he sees me. "This will be interesting." He pulls me into a room and dresses me in some sort of suit. He seems to do the same to Spencer. Suddenly all sorts of trees and wild life are around me, at least I think they're trees.
Suddenly long swords with curved ends appear in both of my hands. Spencer has a large claymore in his. Spencer swimgs at me. I am shocked that he would hit me and I slice down with my right sword. The swords feel natural in my hands and I catch his shirt on the hook of my sword.
I make another jab after I shove him up against a tree. He blocks the attack with ease, but the sword is too large for him and he can't lift it far above his waist. My swords also give me an advantage too I drop my right sword and punch him in the face. His nose is bleeding and it seems everywhere else on his body is too. I see what I've done and I help him. All I can manage to say is sorry.

Tabbitha- Simulation Room

Am I really outside, in the woods, or is this just another cruel trick Blade is playing with us? Before I can really grasp the fact that we're here, a sword materializes in my hand. A simulation, then. Another clue is when I hear Blade's voice, seeming to come from nowhere and everywhere at once, saying, "Fight or run."
Then Kyler swings his sword straight at me, a look of suprise appearent on his face. That's odd, I think, but understand his suprise a second later, when my hand moves, the sword slashing down, completely out of my control. This can't be good.

Then Kyler starts to fight again, in his control, but it seems like he's on autopilot or something. Not really knowing what he's doing. When he finally comes to that realization, he stops. But then the wolves appear. Snarling killing machines frothing at the mouth for a nice tasty snack of children. It's clear to both of us what the rules are: if we stop fighting, we get attacked. But just because we know the rules doesn't mean we have to play fair. Instantly, Kyler's and my eyes meet, and we silently make a pact not to hurt each other.

Unfotunately, Blade could see through our ruse. Soon enough, our actions were again not our own. We were forced to hurt each other, and not just shallow wounds. And, even though it was just a simulation, that didn't make it any less painful. In fact, at one point, when Kyler- or should I say Blade- delivered a particularly good counter-attack that left me with a deep gash in my stomach, I could not bite back my scream, no matter how hard I tried. And all this time, the wolves were getting closer, and I could hear Blade's uproarus, scornful laughter from all sides. I am in my own, personal hell, I thought. If only I knew what the upcoming days would bring.

Auburn Snow

Kyler and Tabitha slowly retreat back from wherever they have been, casting their eyes down to the floor as Blade smirks openly at them. What has he done to them? I don't get much chance to ask as Blade is already starting to speak.

"Auburn and Daniel" He says dismissively is eyes already on his next target.

I end up tripping over my own feet as I am forcefully led out of the room. Why him?
Again I do not get much time to think about it before something is shoved at me. I glance quickly at it and decide that it is just a piece of rubbery clothing. I look over to the other side of the room and see Daniel putting his on. I slowly pull it on, hoping to get it over and done with. Once we are dressed we are led from the room to another one bare walls facing us. I start to turn around, Untill my vision blurs and trees and soft forest meet my searching gaze. What? When I walked in there where no trees. I turn around and see Daniel gazing at me from a couple of meters back. I feel a cold metal slicing a small cut in my hand and look down in surprise.

There is a sabre in my hand.

I look over at Daniel who is holding a thin sword is movements no longer his own. Without warning his arm lashes out at me. To stunned to speak I stumble back but not before the blade slices a shallow cut on my arm. My own arm, no longer controlled by me, whirls around on a deadly arc.

We fight like this for what seems like for ever, our eyes pleading for forgiveness Untill our vision is restored.

We gasp and cling to each other, too surprised to care as we are led once again back to blade and the other kids.

Spoiler

Yay! I'm so glad that we're writing. I will write more. For those who haven't written, you can catch up! Thanks!

Calaf
I've noticed the connection between Auburn and Daniel... not good, not at all. I'll have to tell him the consequences of liking a girl. For I, yes I, do know. Blade hasn't noticed yet, I still have time.
They walk in looking at themselves, wondering where the cuts are. There aren't cuts, those were just pretend. I still don't know how he can make the pain so realistic. I see Daniel's apologetic face, and Auburn's tear streaked one. I take the boy's rope, and lead them out. I see Daniel's face pleading to be forgiven by Auburn. She nods, and turns away. I pull them into a small room. The boys eat separate from the girls. I sit down near to Daniel, and turn off the rope. I trust them.
"Daniel, I have to talk to you... about something that's-- that's really, really painful to talk about..." I say, trying to hold back my pain by biting my lip. He turns to me, and I motion to the food. "You can eat while I talk, because I don't have much time." He nods, and grabs some food, but still pays attention.
"What is it?"
"You-- Auburn... It won't work the way you want it to... I-I had the same problem, but my guard didn't tell me... Her name was Amber. She had golden hair, and was the prettiest girl ever... I was 16, she was 17, and more mature." I bite my lip again, and turn away.
"We liked each other, a lot... But-- but, it showed... too much... and Blade noticed." I let my tears streak down my cheeks.
"We were out... all of us... three boys, three girls... out on a mission... a challenge, the cruelty challenge that you'll go on."
"I loved Amber, and I would have married her... but we were not allowed to. Blade always made me fight against her, and hurt her. He made me be awful. We would always forgive eachother. On a mission... where we had to hurt innocent people, and capture kids to become the next cruelty challengers.... we went together, both boys and girls. Amber, Rachel, and Kailey, the girls, saw Blade himself kill a mom and a dad, and steal their 4 year old twins. They cried, and when they heard that's what they're doing... they refused. We all formed up a team, all six of us. When blade left, we took out our swords and in this case guns. The girls got the guns, us guys got blades. At the same time, all the girls lifted their guns to their temples, and us boys positioned our sword at our hearts." I openly let the tears stream down my cheeks. I choke, and wipe my eyes.
"What happened? How are you still alive?"
"The girls were about to shoot their guns, and us our swords... but Blade came, and made them disappear. We were all disappointed. One of the boys, seeing Blade coming, had grabbed blade's dagger, and had run himself through. We couldn't do the same... They separated the girls, and sent them to another of these camps..." I remember clearly the night it was announced. We were allowed to say goodbye. Amber had run to me, and we had walked into the woods. We had told eachother that we loved eachother... We had promised by blood that we would never get married, that we wouldn't kill ourselves... and that we'd somehow get back together someday. That day hasn't come yet. I briefly tell Daniel what happened to us, telling him about our promise. His face holds pain, and shock.
"So, what I'm saying is... until you're beyond this camp, and until you know what you want in your life... don't give your heart... Or, if you're sure... give your heart, but only show it alone... I can relay messages for you... I wan't your happiness right now, to last longer than mine did... If I ever get you guys to escape... Don't come back unless you have an army... And, if you ever find Amber, tell her that I'm still waiting for her."
"You said there were 6 in total... Three girls, three boys... One boy died.... What happened to the rest of the girls?" asks Spencer. I didn't notice they were listening.
"The girls? They went with Amber... to another camp..."
"And who was the other boy?"
"My brother..." I see their faces turn pale.
"And... what, what happened to him? Who is he?" all three ask.
"He-- he was in love with Rachel.... He vowed the same thing as me..."
"But, who is he? Where is he?"
I just shake my head. They all stare at me.
"Who is he!?" exclaims Kyler.
"Is he alive?"
"What's his name?"
Questions are thrown at me, and I decide to answer truthfully.
"Just his name? Please?" asks Daniel. I nod in submission.
"His name is..." They all listen closely.
"Come on, he's your brother... you didn't forget..." says Kyler. I nod again.
"It's just hard..." I say. "Fine. His name is Kalef." their jaws drop open. Just then, Blade walks in.
"What's the open mouths for?"
I put on an evil grin. "Why? Because I told them that we'll be doing the same thing we did today tomorrow, and that this activity was the best so far!" I make up. Appearantly, he believes me. He nods, and walks out.

Whoah! Huge post! Sorry!

Daniel

I poke at my food, my apetite gone for the first time ever. I can't believe what Calaf says. They won't take her away from me! They can't! She's the only thing that has ever mattered to me. I hated seeing her cry. I hated myself for hurting her in the simulation. I hated Blade for making me do it. But no matter how much I like her, it doesn't matter. She doesn't like me. I can tell. I saw the way her eyes narrowed when Blade called her name with mine.

More importantly, there is no way I'm going to abduct children or kill innocent people in real life. Somehow, I'm busting out of here. I look at my fork, and I look at the lock on the door. It's just the same as the lock on the bedroom door. If I can turn off the electric current somehow, I can pick it and we'll be out of here.

There isn't much more talking as we eat the rest of our lunch. What are we supposed to talk about, the morning's trainging? I force the food down. I know I'll need my strength for whatever is to come. After I finish eating, I discreetly slip the fork into my pocket. Calaf gets out the rope again and escorts us back to the lobby.

Tabbitha- Lunch room

After we are through with the simulation, we are put back on the ropes and brought to seperate rooms to eat. The boys, with Calaf, go to the door on the right of the hall we are in, and we go to the left, with Kalef. We are all submissive, eyes cast downward, feet shuffling along. When we reach the door, Kalef opens it, and locks it behind him electronically. Then we are released from the rope, and Its now-familiar electric shocks. We are told to sit down at a rectangular table, and we comply without question. No one utters a word, not even Kalef. I have a feeling he knows what we're going through. He's just too much of a coward to help us. So we're going to have to save ourselves. But how?

Trying to cast away the thought, because I have a feeling I will come up with nothing, and then I will be utterly hopeless, I concentrate on the food on the table. There is so much food, its indecribable. So is the taste of it. I have no idea what any of it is, but the food as a whole is sweet, savory, and spicy. In a word: delicious. Soon, all thoughts of simulations and escape attempts are banished from our minds, replaced by sounds of chewing and delight.

Eating the food, I remember seeing the boys first thing in the morning. They seemed a little healthier than we did, but I know they didn't eat breakfast either. Are boys really that much stronger than girls, more resilient? I don't think so. It sure didn't seem that way yesterday. Something else is going on, but what?

Before I can think about it longer, I am jolted out of my ponderings by Kalef's grunt behind me, signaling me to hold out my wrist. I do, my left one, and he tells me to grab the rope. I agree, and soon, we are all being led by Kalef though a series of unfamiliar hallways, to a place unknown. Hesitantly, knowing we weren't supposed to ask questions, just do what we're told, I ask anyway, "Wh- where are we going?" I try to make my vioce steady, but fail.

"You'll find out soon enough." He sighs, pity in his vioce and eyes.

Auburn Snow

My face is tearstreaked from the stimulation, Daniels eyes pleading with forgiveness, we are both shocked.

My fork cluttered to the floor as I pull myself out of my thoughts, Daniels eyes staring at me from beneath my closed lids. Something about the way his silky red hair fell over his eyes and the hopeful expression that flashes across his eyes makes me want to just sit down and bang my head against a wall, I had always dreamed of a prince, rescuing me fom the hellish world of weapons and cruelty, but after years and years in the pit he was my enemy, someone I wanted to run away from, and that is exactly what I feel about Daniel.

I'm not like Mary or Tabbitha, I guess I am the quite girl at the back, but I am athletic, I had once crafted my own sabre from the corner of the brick wall, sawing of the wood from the roof beams and scraping the bands of flint around the bottom of the wall, but that's all that I am good at, not a charmer like Daniel, not sneaky like Spencer and definitely not like Mary.

We get up slowly from the dining table finishing off the food in a rush, while we are lead in a distant maze of hallways

I don't really know what was happening in that simulation. I can only describe it as barbaric. Mary and I were unwillingly fighting each other with some sort of swords. We did some damage on each other, or so we thought, we came out of there looking and feeling the same as when we went in. I make my way over to Mary and frantically apologize, I feel so bad, I couldn't control myself. She accepts and apologizes as well. Then we are pulled apart and lead on seperate electric ropes. The food at lunch is amazing, but I barely touched it while listening to Calaf's story. How could Blade do all of those horrible things? I knew he was evil, but I didn't think he was that evil. When Calaf is through telling us his story, no one is really hungry. We are put back on the electric rope and led down a series of confusing hallways. I don't know where we're going or what we're doing now, but I din't dare ask, I don't think I want to know. I hear Blade sayibg something, but I can't quite make it out, when we're stopped at a door. Calaf slowly pulls open the door and leads us in. There stands Blade with an evil smirk on his face. I don't know what he's up to now, but it doesn't seem good.

Blade
They walk into the room, and seat themselves in the wooden chairs set out for them. There's a video up on the big screen at the front. It hasn't started yet. I see Calaf's face turn red, and he grips the handle of the rope tightly, biting his lip. I see the boys stare at him, as he is about to walk out.
"Calaf, please stay and watch, won't you?" His face turns as red as a tomato, and I see the fierceness in his eyes. I see the door close, and I jump to my feet. I walk out, and find Kalef walking quickly away. "Kalef, join us please," I say sweetly. He turns around, and I see his puffy eyes. I lead him back into the room, and he sits beside the girls. They look questioningly at him, as they see him grip the chair with a hard grip.
"No," he whispers. "No!" I see he bites his lip again, trying to look manly. "Please-- please... No," he whispers again. Obviously all the girls hear him.
"Not her... I can't---" whispers Calaf, resting his head on the chair in front of him. I see Daniel pat his back, and whisper in his ear. It calms him. He looks up, and sighs. I dim the lights, and the kids look on expectantly. It starts playing, with a group of youth, their age. There's a gray haired man standing in front, as the youth look scared. He kills a family, stealing a kid, and shows the youth how. They nod, but the girls look away.
"I can't bare to see you be so-- cruel! You sour faced, snotty nose, good for nothing old man!" screams a girl. "I hate you!" she screams again. "Kill me!" The man, smiles, and runs his blade through her. She dies.
There's a sharp intake of breath from the girls in this room. I stand up, and while the video is still going, I point to a boy.
"That's me," I say. They stare, trying to find similarity. I fast forward until I get to the next team. Now I'm the leader, and I lead a group of youth. Let's see their reactions now!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calaf
He starts the video again at a new time, with a new group, and him as a leader. I stare in shock as I see myself. In the video, a blonde haired girl is beside me. I'm hugging her, and plant a kiss on her forehead. She laughs, and hugs me. My face is a picture of happiness.
I keep watching myself, feeling her touch again. I see Blade kill the parents, and steal the twins. He walks to the next house, but us youth walk away. The girls are crying, and I'm holding Amber, letting her sob. I look around, and look straight at the hidden camera without knowing. My face shows concern. We all talk, and the video switches to another camera where it shows Blade again.
It returns to us, and the girls have the guns against their temples, their eyes closed. My sword is at my heart.
"I love you," I say. Amber nods. They load the guns.
"Go," says Kalef. Suddenly, the arms disappear. We see Blade, and a boy throws himself onto Blade's dagger.
The video abruptly changes to the good bye. They video tape me running off with Amber, and Kalef with Rachel. Without knowing, we had been taped. It shows us kissing each other lovingly, and sitting together, with me holding her hands.
It shows Kalef. It's the first time I've seen his side of things.
They hold hands deep in the woods. I see her kiss his cheek, and him wrap his arms around her. Her tears flow down her cheeks, and Kalef wipes them away. She tries to speak, but instead, she kisses him.
I look at Kalef in the room. He's crying with his head in his arms. I duck my head, and let the tears flow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kalef
"No!" I exclaim. I can't do this. I let myself cry as I watch my love again. "Stop this, Blade!" I yell, and stand up. I go to the screen, and with my fist, I break it. I run out of the room. I feel a sharp pain, and fall to the floor, senseless.

Spoiler

When the kids walk out, the girls will have a new guy, that oddly doesn't talk at all. He doesn't make a noise. He'll take them to their room and put guards around it. When they walk out, they'll see Kalef's body there. He has a chip to. He just fainted. They haul him away in front of your eyes. Calaf takes the boys to their room too. It's night time. They get a small box of cereal each (both girls and boys) and they'll go to sleep. Calaf again tells them to not drink the juice tonight, and to pour it down the drain. He can't get out, because Blade had a dozen guards around each place. But he thought ahead, and put food in his pack. They have their snack again. The girls again don't. Any questions?

Tabbitha- Hallway

Poor Kalef, I think as he convulses, then goes limp at Blade's feet. I sincerely hope he is still alive. Although, that may be selfish of me- I was beginning to like him. Maybe death is better than this. At least its over. I knew the instant he lashed out that it was him on the screen, with that girl. I wonder if that's what we're here for, to be trained to be gaurds,or maids or whatever. Something that serves the man that has kept us imprisoned here for so long. I shudder at the thought of help Blade. He was one of us once, too. How did he turn into such a moster? Which one of us will replace him?

My musings are cut short by Blade's mocking voice. Sidestepping Kalef's limp body and brushing off his slacks, he says to us, "I hope this serves as a reminder of what will happen if you resist. Don't make the same mistake as he did." He gestures to Kalef, "Or it might turn out deadly for you." I gulp, and he says, this time speaking into a headset, "Get someone to cart Kalef away, and get more guards here, too."

Not a minute later, there is a flurry of activity in the room, and soon Kalef is carted off and we are forced into our lines and onto the rope by a man that I presume is here to replace the incapacitated- or worse- Kalef. Grabbing the end of the rope, he pulls us along, a troop of gaurds pressing in on every side. The new head guard clearly does not feel any sympathy towards us, seeing as he would yank the rope every other step, causing us to trip and fall. I tried to help Auburn to her feet once, and was rewarded with a jolt of electricity running down my arm, ratcheted much higher then Kalef had it set to. We picked ourselves up after that.

For a second after that, I was ready to make a break for it, with no regaurd to who was there. But, as the moment passed, I realized that that would be futile, and that I would just end up like Kalef- incapacitated or worse. So, swallowing my pride, I tae the abuse without a single word, my head down, hands in pockets, studying my feet.

After what seems like millenia of walking down halls, we finally reach our dormitory. We are practically thrown in the room, the new head gaurd locking the door as he exits the room. I've noticed that he has not said a word, and has not even pated his lips once. I wonder why.

Still pondering about everything we just witnessed, we get ready for bed, changing into our pj's and eating micanically, all lost in our own thoughts. We stay silent throughout the night, even though we have so much on our minds. Let's face it, we are broken.