9.9.7. Chapter 4:MIGHT AND DOUBT.

9.9.7 leaned against the stone walls of the cage he called home. His eyes slowly adjusting to the light. His throat felt like sandpaper everytime he swallowed. He winced and sat up straighter but that was an even bigger problem as it not only made his weak bones creak but also caused his bruised arms to come in contact with the cold wall. put simply, the pain was unbearable.Closing his eyes he evaluated the participation that occurred the day before. There were more from other sectors. Just what were they here for. A desperate struggle between anguished creatures did not seem to justify the weird nature of their actions. Especially considering the fact they rarely paid attention to the exclusive display. Rather divulging in actions 9.9.7 failed to discern from the ground area of the arena.He strained his arms to draw some figures on the dirt filled floor tracing the emblem on the uniform jackets of the visitors.A black seal in red waters, An arrow pointed upwards towards the sky.A figure approached him. collapsing on his right and handing him a stony cracker. Taking it in his palm he whispered “Thanks” “Your welcome” 7.7.3 replied “what are you doing?“Ummm. Trying to make sense of this mess”“You never change do you? You’ve been trying to make sense of this mess since you arrived here and you’ve made no progress “ she replied munching on her own cracker with a care free expression on her face. He retorted “of course I have. I noticed the “visitors” all seem to be from different places.. out there…. In the vast expanse of land we’ve never been” he trailed off.“Exactly. Nothing.” She affirmed with a proud smile.9.9.7 rolled his eyes, returning his focus to the mess of symbols and drawings on the dirt.“I mean while there might be a lot out there, seriously what can beat this place. We’ve got free food, shelter and time to gossip about our fellow captives as much as we’d like. Take for example, wimp. He’s seated by the window again” 7.7.3 stated in a lively tone.Sometimes 9.9.7 wondered if she was really all there. He turned his gaze to the window to find the guy 7.7.3 has termed “wimp” during her long tiring session of coming up with code names for the other captives and making sure he remembered them for “certain purposes” according to her. (Certain purposes being gossip of course)He was indeed seated by the window again “I suppose he is” he replied calmly. Current moment. The wimp screamed in pain as his skin emitted a faint red light, heat seeping into the atmosphere. The crowd has gone silent.“Why???“Just why???Why do we have to go through this? WHY????A loud shriek rang through the arena.8.2.1 who had been leaning on him slowly stepped away. Putting some distance between himself and the scorching heat emitting from wimp. No one moved.To think that a frayed would show up here of all places. 9.9.7 was no stranger to the frayed as well as other mutants. The captives have each come across them at least once or twice. The thing was they never lasted long.Various conditions were at play when it came to the mutants. Some more unclear than the others. One thing 9.9.7 was absolutely sure of was this “there was no power without a price “Just as that thought rang through his mind the wimp suddenly convulsed, groaning wildly he clutched his hair and let out a scream.“Hot. It’s hot. Soo hot. Please. Someone. Make it stop” he cried out but the room grow hotter. The heat emitting from his skin rose by leaps and bounds. The pale light glimmering beneath his skin abruptly became brighter and brighter and brighter as the scent of burning flesh filled the air and then……… chaos erupted.Everything happened in the blink of an eye.Wimp exploded.It didn’t start as light. Rather it occurred as though it had been chained. Restricted. But finally, finally it was free. An intense wave of heat shot out of the wimp and headed straight towards the steel….. and the participants. Those in front had already been fried on the spot. Behind them an intense wave of heat. Up front bio steels towered above them. Their chances were not good.A hand shot out with inhumane speed. Grabbing 9.9.7 by the collar, he felt his feet detach from the cold hard floor.Speed unlike any other, he felt the wind as he was suddenly in the air, nearing the towering pointed tips of the spikes. Just as he was about to yell out a warning an overwhelming feeling of queasiness overtook him.The air isn't air anymore. It's a wall punching through with his face. It screams in his ears, tears at his eyes until he couldn’t blink. His heart is slammed against his ribs, trying to catch up. And just when he thought he was going to pass out, he felt himself crash into something. Slowly, he opened his eyes. He was back on the stone floor. To his back was charred black remains of the steel spikes as well as the remains of everything that couldn’t get away from the blast on time. To his front, the Wall stretched above him.Feeling nauseous he lowered himself to the ground, his breath strained and heavy. To his side, the hero from the waiting room stood. Seemingly unperturbed though 9.9.7 noticed the pale skin of the captive as well as his shaking hands.“Why- why did you do that?? He askedThe hero just stood there. Silent. Just when 9.9.7 thought he was jotgoing to get a reply, the hero shifted. Staring up the wall he spoke evenly.“I was returning a favor. One from a long time ago”

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