I stared at the male who dragged us along behind his horse, hating myself for this happening. I got Thelia in more danger here than at the battle where I know she would have been protected until Zargis arrived. My actions got dragons hurt. My actions were going to get Thelia killed.
It's a week since the day I looked a human leader in the eye and gave hope to the dragons who were chained with me. It's been a weeks of traveling since I lost all hope of escape. My nose now bleeds frequently due to Gideon's punishments every night. My face throbs constantly from the punches he threw. Thelia didn't receive much better.
Now I walk in a daze, unfazed by the yanking of chains, the dirt in my eyes, or the infection in my shoulder where I had a knife wound from when I tried to fight him off. I felt weak and heavy. My vision was blurry, my balance was off, and I mumbled incoherent words to myself.
Thelia suddenly put a hand on my arm, halting me. However, Gideon yanked at us, making us fall to our knees before beginning to sheaf us. From my wrists, I feel the cuffs jiggling. I squint, but couldn't make out what was happening.
"Hold on!" I heard, I think.
Then, I wasn't being dragged, but left alone. A minute or two later, I feel hands under my arms and lifting me up. "Come on, Jose! We have to run!"
I groan and got to my feet, then followed the girl before me as she began to run.
Something loud was coming up behind us and instinct told me to curl into a ball, so that's what I did. "No!"
I feel myself swept up into crushing arms and a horrible laugh loud in my ear. "Come with me nicely and I won't add more poison to her body!"
"Gideon! Take me! Just leave her alone!"
I tried to understand those words, but was too tired to care. "Thelia, you know I will win here! I always win! Even in the orphanage!"
A cry sounded, sad and broken. "Okay!" I felt a knife stop just before entering my good shoulder. "I'll come!"
Next thing I know, I'm on the ground, pain flaring from every nerve in my body. Arms wrapped around me, warm liquid dripping onto my face. "Let's go!"
"I promise, we will go home!" whispered a girl's voice. "I'm sorry Jose! Please hold on!"