• I bit my lip gently as my “cell” was unlocked. They grabbed me by my shackles and yanked me out. “Oww!!” I shouted, hating this world.
    “Get over it.” The man spat in a barely audible snarl.
    “You almost ripped my arms out of socket!” I screeched.
    He didn’t respond. I grit my teeth when he placed my shackles on a hook and made a sharp whistle. I grunted as the hook moved towards the ring, me in tow. “I hate my life…” I whispered, shaking my head slowly.
    I fought the urge to snarl as the door to the ring opened and the soft murmurs of the crowd reached my ears. Some of spectators booed when they saw me, but I didn’t care. They were scum who thought it was fun to bet on who could kill each other first without spilling blood. I could see my opponent was new. He would be easily defeated if he was as jumpy as he looked. It should only take a few jabs to throat to spook him. After I get him reeling, I’ll kick his legs out and choke him to death. I ignored the cold hands that unlocked my shackles as I fell instantly into a crouch. I shivered as a sudden chill blew into the arena. The bell rang, snatching me back to the fight. The boy launched himself across the arena at me, spinning once. I ducked as he flew over me. I grabbed his ankle and threw him to the ground. His breath left him in a huff as I placed my foot on the center of his back and pulled. He screamed pitifully, setting the spectators to screaming. They knew my style enough to know I like to end it quick.
    The boy twisted his arm, sliding my foot off the center of his back. He grunted as he rolled out from under me. I bit my lip gently watching his every move. He stumbled for a split second and I was on him. He didn’t have enough time to escape the strangle hold I cinched him in. I could feel his throat working, trying to pull air past my arm. I wasn’t having that. I pulled my arm tighter across his throat. I could feel his heart pounding, trying to pump blood and air through his body. “I’m so sorry brother…” I whispered into his grimy hair.
    “Just do what you have to…” He managed.
    I clenched my eyes shut as I grabbed his jaw and head swiftly, and broke his neck. I closed my eyes as I pushed the boy’s corpse off of me. Almost instantly, the ringmaster was holding both my hands with one of his. “The winner folks!” He bellowed, “Vampires and werewolves fear her name! Behold, the Queen of the Ring, Aki!”
    I scowled at how he twisted my name. “Akidanya.” I murmured.
    “Silence, human.” He spat, “You may own the ring, but I own you.”
    I scowled. “Just don’t forget to feed us.” I raised my hands as he dropped them.
    “Very funny.” He muttered, slamming the heavy shackles back on my wrists.
    I winced as he struck bone. I clenched my eyes tighter as the sound of the body cart reached my ears. Finally, the crowd started screaming. Every pitfighter knew what was going on. They were trying to get the bet on the boy’s blood. I fought back bile as I judged the small bruise building on the top of my right foot. I shook my head, shaking out my hair. I would have to cut it soon. Long hair was death in the pit. I bit my lip gently. Bleeding was death wherever I am. Hell, being alive was dangerous. I sighed as the ring master threw me back into my cage. I snarled as I crashed into another human. “Kill her, and you go back to confinement.” He warned.
    “Tch.” I scoffed, flicking my hair with my fingertips and turning to the newbie, “So how’d you get here?”
    “I got caught on the street.” She spat, “With no papers.”
    “So…?” I probed.
    “I’m part werewolf.” She sighed, “All the symptoms, no change.”
    “Wow that sucks.” My eyes narrowed.
    “Tell me about it.” She mumbled, turning to the lock, “I can get this open.”
    I arched an eyebrow, “You think I haven’t tried that yet?” I spat, “They’ll hunt us down and lock us in a big cell together and watch us try and kill each other.”
    She blinked once. “So what’s your name?”
    “Does it matter?” I whispered.
    “It does to me.” She retorted.
    “My given name is Akidanya.” I bowed my head.
    “I’m Shanuk.” She smiled.
    “Strange name.” My eyebrow furrowed.
    “Half-breed?” She sighed.
    “Oh yeah.” I mumbled, “Now shut up so I can get some sleep before my next fight.”
    Shanuk didn’t respond as I cleared a spot to lay my head in the near-moldy straw. I slept for two hours before they rattled the bars. “Lay down!” I breathed, just loud enough for my ears to hear.
    I felt the straw move as Shanuk laid down beside me. I held my breath as the ringmaster stopped by our cage. He spoke fluently in the Ancient Language, pointing at me and Shanuk. They tossed two small pieces of meat at me and one to Shanuk. I bit my lip softly, instantly regretting it. Shanuk stiffened as the scent wafted in the cage. I closed my eyes praying for control. I almost screamed when the ringmaster walked away. Shanuk was on her feet and getting her meat before I got to mine. She didn’t dare take my meat though. Not many people had the guts to steal from me. I ate quickly and threw myself onto the floor again as the ringmaster came back. I didn’t have enough time to warn Shanuk this time. The ringmaster grabbed the iron tipped stick that rested beside the door and stabbed at Shanuk. She snarled, her body shaking furiously. “Calm down!” I hissed.
    Shanuk threw herself to the floor beside me, still shaking. I watched as the ringmaster motioned with one finger for something I didn’t see until he flicked it at me. The needle tip glistened, inches from my bare skin. I grabbed the needle and held it in my fist. My jaw clenched as I shook the pole, banging it against the bars of my cage. I didn’t see the one behind me as I twisted to see what the noise was. The needle stuck me in the ribs, sending me into swirling darkness.