When Arava was young, she had dreamt about becoming a superhero. Before the world turned to rubble, she remembered watching old movies about people with powers and genius abilities. She used to want to be that person, someone everyone respected and looked up to. Someone's hero, that's all she ever wanted to be.
When she was taken from the orphanage along with many other kids, she realized that superheroes don't exist. No one ever came to save her when she wanted them to the most, that's when she knew she had to become her hero. She had to save herself because no one else would do it for her.
In almost every situation she had been through, she has always been able to help herself. Even in the stickiest of situations, she has gotten herself out of all of it. However, the one she was currently in was harder for her to get out of. It was one she had never been in, something she had never prepared herself for.
Sitting in the office of the High Lord, was unnerving. Kaidyn sat in the chair beside her while a guard stood between him and the blond and her boyfriend. They sat sulking in their seats, obviously upset to be here.
The High Lord, is a man with greying black hair, a salt-and-pepper beard, and dark brown eyes. He was an older man, probably late 40s or early 50s. His eyes stared at her as if his eyes were searching for something in her. Slightly taken back, she turned her eyes at Kaidyn with a long side glance. This is going to be a strange meeting.
2 Hours Earlier...
Kaidyn had taken her to her room so she could take a shower. When she had turned the water on, she almost cried at the feel of warm running water. It's been so long since she's taken a shower. She happily accepted the chance and let herself enjoy being able to clean herself.
She wasn't sure how long she was in there, but when she was finally done, she came out of the bathroom to find that Kaidyn was waiting for her on her bed. Thankfully, she had already put her clothes on before she got out.
Kaidyn looked at her and smirked, pleased to see the clothes she was wearing. He had given her more clothes to wear, these were nice and comfy too. He had somehow found her a pair of leggings, a new t-shirt, panties, and a bra that fit her. "Now that you're dressed, let's get you something to eat." He stood up and left the room, expecting her to follow him.
As she rolled her eyes and trailed behind him, she noted that the closer they were getting to a certain area, the louder the noise coming from the direction they were heading in had gotten. "You're about to meet all the other enhanced. I will only warn you this once, do not start any unnecessary fights with anyone." The serious tone of his voice was enough to tell her that it was not a good idea to fight another person in certain areas.
After all, no one likes the Aendium Enhanced. She nodded mutely as she ran a hand down her face. "Is there anything else I need to know before you take me here?"
He only gave her a long look before he finally answered her. "Don't start any problems with the guards, they don't like us and will find any excuse to try and punish us." He emphasized his point by adding extra enunciation to his last words.
"Duly noted." She replied loud enough for him to hear as they came up two open doors that peeked into what looked like a cafeteria of sorts. He stopped and turned to her, his gaze holding her in place.
"I have to leave you here by yourself for a bit, I need to go do something. Go and get something to eat and wait for me. I'll come back and we'll go over your training regime and battle schedule." Kaidyn looked like he meant business as he told her his plans. She scowled at herself, hating the thought of having to exercise. "Don't pout too much, baby girl. I'll be back before you can miss me."
The overconfident look on his face made her scoff and shake her head. "In your dreams. Now run along and do what you need to do." She waved him off with a roll of her eyes. He only smirked and nodded before turning and leaving her in the open doors.
As she stepped through the doors, it was as if everyone knew she was already there. All eyes turned in her direction, surprising her. It was as if she was being sized up and down as if they were trying to figure out if she was a threat to them. Why does this feel like high school? She groaned to herself as she moved through the canteen area where food was being served.
As soon as she stood in line, many went back to what they were doing. Still, many had their eyes on her, studying her. Arava wanted to leave this place, to run away from all their gazes. But she can't. She's trapped in this place surrounded by both sides.
As she moved down the canteen line, her tray was filled with meat, vegetables, bread roll, and juice. It wasn't a lot of food or the best of meals, but she hadn't eaten in so long that her stomach had made a loud noise at her. She wasn't able to eat the deer meat she had hunted, due to her capture and kidnapping. After getting her food, she looked around for a spot to sit. As she looked around, she saw that people were still following her with their eyes.
Thankfully there was an empty table side, her feet taking her there automatically. She slid into the seat and kept her eyes down. She hated being the center of attention, right now especially. It felt like half of the people there were waiting to tear her apart.
She ate her food slowly, enjoying the little food she could get. The chicken was a little dry and needed some more flavor, but she had found some hot sauce and helped herself to some of it. She had gotten to her vegetables and had a few bites before she saw someone sit beside her, a little too close. She made a small show of scooting away and pushing her tray with her.
"Hey there, I noticed you're new around here." It was a guy, she finally turned and looked at him. He was blonde with green eyes and looked like he just graduated from high school. He had the look of a high school jock with an ego too big for his head.
She should respond to him, that was the polite thing to do. However, she already had one guy trying to seduce her, so she doesn't need to deal with another one. "Look, I'm sure you're a great guy, but I'm not interested in being friends or anything." She gave him a tight smile and turned back to her food, taking another bite.
Arava hoped with everything in her that he would just take the hint and leave her alone, but he just had to have that male ego. "That's a bit rude for a fat bitch like you." He snapped, his words making her pause after she swallowed her food.
He looked angry and glared at her, his hands clenching at his side. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, not bothered by his insults. It's not the first time she's heard someone call her insulting names, she is unfazed by it at this point.
"Is that it? A fat bitch? You could be more creative than that. I've heard fat cow bitch, ugly rat bitch, oh, there was this fun one. Someone called me a dump truck body ass bitch one time. That was an interesting one." She laughed to herself and she shook her head. "Oh, those were some good times." A wistful sigh left her as she remembered some of the times when she thought she had a friend.
She looked back over at him to see a bewildered look on his face. "You're a fucking weird one." She rolled her eyes again, bored of this conversation at this point. She picked up her bread roll and took a bite with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Okay and? I don't care, I am me and that's all I care about." Arava just wanted him to leave her alone, but she can't ever catch a break. By the universe's plan, this guy's girlfriend just had to walk in.
"Joshua! What are you doing!?" A high-pitched voice screamed with anger across the cafeteria. The whole place went silent as all eyes were directed at the voice. A tall and skinny blonde girl was standing at the entrance. She wore jean shorts, a pink tank top, and matching pink heels. Oh God, of course, she had to be that kind of girl. The number of times she's had to deal with girls like the blonde would probably make her an expert on mad blonde bimbos with cheating boyfriends.
The look of rage on her face was enough to tell her that this girl was ready to look for a fight. As she took another bite, she pinched her nose, irritated already. As the girl came to stand behind her while her boyfriend stood to meet her. "Babe, it's not what you think." He sounded almost nervous, knowing he had got caught.
"What is it supposed to look like then? Why are you over here flirting with other girls?" The blonde crossed her arms as she waited for her boyfriend to answer her.
"Like I said it's not what you think babe. She came onto me first." He pointed to Arava whose body tensed up and turned and glared at him. She should've known he would pull some shit like this. The blond turned her glare to Arava and sneered.
"Do you think it's okay to flirt with my boyfriend? I'm warning you, new girl, you won't like me." Arava felt anger start to boil under her skin. She rose from her seat, glaring back at the blonde-haired girl.
"I don't take threats lightly little girl. So I suggest you watch who you're fucking talking to." She growled at the girl. "First of all, your boyfriend is a liar. He came over to me and started talking to me first. When I told him I didn't want to be bothered, he called me a fat bitch. So get your facts straight before you start looking for trouble." She stepped up, getting in the girl's face. "You need to learn to keep him on a leash and teach him some fucking manners or the both of y'all can get an ass whooping!" She sneered at the blonde.
The blonde glared back, an ugly scowl on her make-up-covered face. "And I suggest you watch who you're talking to new girl. I'll make you regret it if you keep it up." The blonde was making it harder for her not to snap and do something stupid.
"I don't give a fuck if I'm new here or not. What you're not going to do is think you can threaten me and I'll just take that shit! You thought wrong bitch. It's not my fault you can't keep your dog trained!" Arava was just on the edge of doing something. She hated when people thought they could easily say such things to her. She was tired of threats, she preferred action over talk. "Now if you want to tussle, then we can fight right now bitch, I don't give a fuck!"
Arava bucked at the girl, seeing her flinch a bit as if surprised. That was before the anger set in and she lifted a fist to punch her. Arava was ready for it and pulled her fist back, swinging upwards with full force. It landed before the blonde's hit could even graze Arava. She heard the satisfying clack of the blonde's teeth as her jaw felt the blow of her hit.
Arava smirked as she stumbled back from her hit, slightly dazed. "You want another one? Can your pretty little face handle it?" She sneered, hopping from one foot to the other. The blood in her body was running with adrenaline now and she was ready for anything that came at her.
Blood trickled down from her lip, now split and hurting. The blonde touched the blood on her lip before sending her a glare and a sneer. "You're going to regret that you ugly bitch!" The screech of her nasal voice made Arava cringe. The blonde charged, her fists raised, Arava dodged a hit to her right by pulling her head back.
As they moved with the momentum, she saw an opening where the blonde had dropped her arm and she went for it. Arava threw another punch, this time it got her on the side of her face. Arava felt it when her knuckles collided with the other girl's face, there was a vibration that rattled the bones in her arm and hand. Arava stepped back on her right foot as the blonde stumbled back from the impact of her hit. While she was still slightly dazed, she moved in for the finale. She grabbed the girl's arms and yanked her, the blonde's body stumbled towards her and Arava kneed the girl in her stomach.
The blonde gasped and hunched forward in response, Arava then struck her with a fist to her other cheek. The blonde looked as if she was in disbelief by her. Her hazel green eyes widened, fear evident in them. She didn't really care, she grabbed her by the front of her shirt and pulled her arm back once more. She was angry, there was so much going on and then this girl and her boyfriend had to go and make it worse. Her emotions were at the boiling point, everything in her screaming to make an example of the blonde. Everything around her slipped away as her focus was solely on the girl who was practically on her knees in front of her.
Time slowed down as the blood pounding through her veins echoed in her ears. A dark instinct inside her screamed at her to do it. Her rage, her sorrow, and every emotion that has been slowly overtaking her mind lead her to the breaking point. 'Kill her, now!' The voice screamed, its words snapping something inside her. Her hand came down, she could see it in her peripheral as her first came inches away from the blonde's bloody face.
Before Arava could get her last hit in and feel the satisfying crunch of the blonde's facial bones breaking, an electric pulse surged through her whole body, the pulse made her every nerve burn under her skin, her hands had let the blonde go in effect. She grits her teeth as she felt every nerve inside her pulse. Her knees buckled, but she still held strong, letting her muscles tighten up. Having done so, it made the electric currents a bit more bearable, but it still hurt for her to keep it up. The electric current kept up, making it harder for her to focus on anything.
Her vision turned red around the edges as she looked at the blur of people in front of her. She wanted to loosen up and let the tension go, but the electricity still singed her nerves that it was making her discombobulated. She could hear nothing but her pulse and her heavy breathing in her ears.
That was until she heard Kaidyn's voice in her ear. "You need to calm down, it will stop soon." His voice sounded so calming, it helped her body relax as she felt the electric current stop. A heavy breath she never realized she was holding left her chest. "Good girl, look at me," His voice had her turning to look at him, his lips moving as if he was trying to say something else to her.
A pounding in the side of her skull had her eyebrows scrunching in confusion. The disbelief in Kaidyn's eyes as he stared at her made her brows scrunch. Her ears popped, causing her to wince as the side effects made the pain in her head worse. The only sounds she could register now in her ears were the thumping and the ringing in her head. For some odd reason, it felt as if her head was underwater. The world around her seemed to have no more sound.
Her head turned and she could see the crowd of people around them, everyone looked as if they were watching a strange scene in front of their eyes. However, Arava was not sure what was happening anymore. The blonde was being hauled to her feet by her boyfriend while men in black uniforms surrounded both of them. Why is she suddenly feeling this way? She was fine moments ago when she was fighting the blonde. Speaking of the blonde, both of her cheeks were swollen and bruised, and her lips and nose spilled blood down her tank top. She wanted to open her mouth and gloat, but it was as if her mouth would not do what she wanted.
More armed guards ran in and circled them, her eyes slowly moving across their faces. All the men wore riot gear masks that showed no hint of identity. They pointed their weapons her way, the white glow of Aendium bullets sparkled at her from inside the barrel of their large guns. She should fight, but it felt as if half of her energy had been drained from her body.
"Arava, are you okay?" Kaidyn's voice echoed in her mind, bringing her attention back to him. His eyes had changed and he now looked at her with worry in his eyes. "Take a deep breath for me." She followed his instructions and inhaled deeply,
As she released her breath, the world finally started to make sense to her once more. Chatter from the people around them and the shuffling of feet finally registered in her ears. She looked around to see everyone talking to each other, many staring her way. Oh shit, she went and did it now. She groaned to herself as she finally remembered that Kaidyn had warned her not to fight anyone. "Kaidyn, what's going on?" She met his eyes, he looked as if he was trying to find an explanation for what was happening.
"How many times have you all been warned about starting a fight outside The Stadium?" A booming voice echoed throughout the cafeteria.
All attention turned to the voice and a man stood there looking angry. Silence ensued as no one spoke up. That was until the cheating boyfriend spiked, his words stuttering. "She attacked Scarlett first!" He pointed an accusing finger her way.
She scoffed and shook her head, starting to mumble under her breath. "Motherfuckers get mad at me for beating their ass and wanna go point fucking fingers. Just wait you, dirty bastard." She sneered his way and glared, hating this bastard every second more.
Arava wasn't one to let people accuse of her doing things she didn't do. "Wait a damn minute you, ugly bastard!" she yelled, trying to stand up. Her legs felt like jelly, but she hasn't ever let something as small as that stop her before.
The guns followed her as Kaidyn kept an arm wrapped around her as if to hold her back while he helped her stand. "You're blaming me for your infidelity issues when I already told you I wasn't interested! So shut the fuck up before I go over that do the same thing I did to your girlfriend's face to you!"
"Watch your mouth-" He began to shout, but was silenced by another voice echoing through the cafeteria.
"Enough, the both of you!" Arava turned back to the man and she also realized he wore material that looked unattainable by standards today. It screamed expensive and hard to come by. She began to assume that this was the High Lord as everyone referred to him. He strode to stand in the middle of it all. His eyes circled the cafeteria, eyeing everyone down. She saw how many flinched and looked away from the man.
She hummed to herself and shook her head, so everyone is scared of him. "You four will follow me. Immediately." The man snapped and turned on his heels and walked away. The blonde and her boyfriend followed behind him first with some guards following them and then they were forced to walk behind them. Guards stood on all sides, ready to shoot any of them.
"You don't know how to listen." Kaidyn's voice whispered into her ear, his warm breath tickling the sensitive skin. She pursed her lips, rolling her eyes.
"I didn't start any of it. It's not my fault guys don't know how to take no for an answer." She shrugged her shoulders, realizing that he still had an arm wrapped around her waist. "You got real comfortable right there, didn't you?" she nodded down to his arm.
He looked down, then back at her with a smirk. "How can I not? After all, I can't let my student get lost." He had a lot of jokes as he grinned at her. "Besides, I know you like this just as much as I do." He then leaned down to reach her ear. "One day you'll be asking me to hold you." She suppressed the shiver that wanted to run down her spine.
"Like I already said before, in your dreams." Arava rolled her eyes, but let his hand stay where he placed it. Yes, she was cautious, but she still had hormones and desires. She was no saint after all. She was thankful for Kaidyn's presence, he helped her mind be taken off of things. However, as she took in the sight of the High Lord, she knew that this conversation would determine a lot from here on.
Present
"Scarlett, Jonathan, how many times have we had this conversation?" The High Lord first addressed the couple. Arava saw both of them look like kids getting yelled at by their parents in the corner of her eyes. She wanted to laugh at the petulant looks on their faces but decided against it. "If you two can't handle being in a grown-up relationship, then I'll have to make you both break up the next time something like this happens again."
Arava blinked in surprise at the man's words. How old are those two for this man to talk to them like children? "Do I make myself clear?" They nodded immediately, having nothing to say and he dismissed them. They had left quickly, never sparing her a glance. She looked back, stupefied by what she just witnessed. She then realized that he was looking at her once more.
"Before you try to reprimand me like I'm your child, hold on there." She put a hand up, feeling slightly unnerved by how he stared at her as if he knew who she was. "I didn't start anything with anyone. I've been running since I was little, and my first instinct when I am threatened is to fight back. So when I fight, I fight for survival. She was warned and she swung first, it's not my fault she's too slow and never fought someone like me before." Arava wasn't trying to brag, but she knew she won that fight fair and square. Sure, she could be a little overconfident in her skills sometimes and she might end up in a bit of a mess because of it. But survival and living to see the next day is all she knows. If she can find any way to live, she takes it.
The High Lord remained silent, his hands resting on his desk. She crossed her arms over her chest as she met his gaze head-on. As she looked into the man's dark brown eyes, a nagging feeling in the back of her head keeps wanting to tell her something. Yet, no matter how much she wanted to figure it out, it wouldn't come to her whatsoever. She wanted to run her hand through her hair but refrained as they continued to have a stare-off. Eventually, he opened his mouth and spoke.
"Miss Arava, here we have rules put in place to keep chaos from creating disasters." She raised her brows, wanting to retort to his words, but held her tongue. "Fights such as these can cause serious accidents and injury, as well as permanent damage. We enforce these rules for the safety of all the Enhanced, as well as the security teams and civilians. I am asking you to cooperate and refrain from fighting with anyone outside of the Stadium." Arava noted that the man had a slight Spanish accent but still spoke eloquently. She pursed her lips and clicked her teeth as she listened to him speak.
"What makes fighting in the Stadium safer for everyone?" She tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. "Aren't you just using them for little show ponies?" She wasn't one to back down under any circumstance, especially when it came to men. She expected him to feel offended by her words, but he instead let out a small laugh. "What's so funny?"
He sighed as he shook his head. "Forgive me, it's just that you remind me of someone I used to know." A sad and almost distant look entered his eyes as if he was remembering someone he was fond of. "You resemble her very much."
Arava nodded, almost bewildered by the turn of events. "Right, I'm sure she was a lovely lady." She wanted to look at Kaidyn to gauge his reaction but held herself back. She had to keep herself straight and hold her head up.
"She certainly was." He sighed before bringing himself back to the real conversation. "The Stadium also has rules in place to prevent major injuries. One that includes, no killing the opponent. Kaidyn will tell you the rest, but they were made with everyone's safety in mind. To retaliate to your other statement, most of the Enhanced are here and fighting for their own free will. Others because they have broken some of our laws and fight to amend their charges. You trespassed on our land, meaning you have to serve an 18-month sentence."
Arava scoffed, shocked by the sudden allegations he made against her. "Trespassing? I didn't even know there was a whole city still working here. You can't force me to fight when I didn't even know that this was 'your land.'" Sarcasm dripped from her lips as she stared at this man bewildered. "I am so sorry for trespassing, but I had no intention of staying in your city." She wanted to curse at this man but did not want any more issues or headaches.
"I am sorry you feel that way, but these are our rules. You have to serve your sentence and once it is served, you are free to leave." The man spoke as if he did not hear a word she just said. She scoffed and nodded, the urge to knock the smug man on his ass was strong. After inhaling a deep breath and releasing it, she shook her head.
"I'll tell you this, buddy, you're fucking lucky." She laughed to herself, knowing that threatening this man could get her locked up. Still, she could not stop her mouth from speaking the words that she wanted to say. "If you didn't have your little guard dogs watching your back every second of the day, I guarantee that you won't like me."
Arava could feel Kaidyn tense up beside her, giving her a look that screamed at her to stop what she was doing. "I'll serve your 18-month sentence, but when it's over, you won't ever see me again. I don't play games when it comes to my life and I'm warning you now. Fuck around and find out what it means when you mess with me." She stood up, swiping some papers off the desk in childish retaliation, and left, not sparing the arrogant man another glance. She was pissed off, mad that someone thinks they can keep her here like she was some kind of prisoner. She stopped being a victim a long time ago, she wasn't about to let someone treat her like she was weak.
She shoved open the door, satisfied when it slammed against the wall with a loud thud. She could feel the eyes of the guards as she strode down the hall, uncaring of how they saw her. She was not weak and would never let anyone make her feel weak. She walked with her head held high as she took long and purposeful strides. "Arava!" Kaidyn's voice called her name from behind, causing her to look back. He was running to catch up with her, as she paused in her walk to let him catch up. She almost forgot about him.
He finally caught up to her and he sighed heavily. "It is in your best interest to not threaten the High Lord. His position around here is similar to something like a president." She only rolled her eyes at him and scoffed.
"I don't care Kaidyn. I don't care if he is a president or a king. I didn't do anything wrong and he thinks he can give out punishments like I'm some kind of resident here. Hell no. I'll play nice for now, but he better not mess with me or he will regret it." She flicked her hair over her shoulder and continued walking.
"Very well, but I've been assigned as your new babysitter. So, you can't do anything to get us both in trouble." His words had her rolling her eyes again. "Stop rolling your eyes baby girl, or we'll have a problem later tonight." He had whispered the last part into her ear, giving her goosebumps. His hand rested on the small of her back, his touch sending a now familiar warmth to her body.
"You keep wishing baby boy." She gave him a pointed look. She liked the cute boy, but she can't fall for him. It puts her at risk and may make her heart change its tune when the time comes for her to leave.
He led her back towards her new room, both of them silent the whole way. She had a lot to think about and right now she doesn't know what she should be doing. She has to figure out how to run away from this crazy ass place, but it might not be as easy as she hoped.
Arava noted how every sign that signaled an exit was being watched by two guards. It wouldn't be easy and she was sure these men have dealt with runaways before, she just didn't know how she could get away without anyone seeing her. She thought about flirting with some of the guards but decided against it. She did not want them to think she wanted anything from them, but she couldn't just sit there and do nothing.
Perhaps if she picked the most vulnerable and tried to seduce him, she could actually get away. This was going to require some time, she had to pack some food and other supplies and find out where they put her stuff. The High Lord was a fool if he thought she was gonna stay here for 18 months without trying to escape.
As they walked, she noticed a single exit door, guarded by only one person. From a distance, she could see that the young man behind the mask was very nervous. It was as if he was afraid of screwing up, the tension in his shoulders was visible to her, even in the distance. A small smirk touched her lips as she slowed her walk down a bit. Kaidyn, who had taken the spot beside her, gave her a look. She only grinned at him innocently. "What's wrong? Did I do something to hurt your feelings?"
He only chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not the type of person who lets his feelings get hurt. However, I do enjoy a good challenge, especially from someone so... talented." His eyes had looked over her as if she was something he had been waiting for for a long time.
She felt her cheeks flush, somehow affected by his words. "I will always be a challenge for you. Remember that, Kaidyn." She flicked her hair over her shoulder, trying to not let his words have such an effect on her. As they came upon the nervous guard, she let her head turn to look with the guard's eyes through his mask. She sent the trembling man a wink and a small flirtatious smile, satisfied by the small pink blush that covered his cheeks.
This might be easier than she expected. As she walked away, she felt two sets of eyes on her back. She almost laughed out loud to herself but held back. No one has to know anything, not yet anyway. One thing she knew though that could complicate her plan was Kaidyn. He was an outlier in this equation and she had to figure out how to get him on her side.
Arava knew she had her work cut out for her, but it would not be easy. It was time for this place to see who they decided to fuck with and she was sure of that. Before she left, she would leave a trail of chaos behind her as a gift for the High Lord and his little groupies. A wicked smile touched her face as she thought about the following weeks to come.