I tried counting the holes in the ceiling tiles.  It did not have the
calming effect I'd hoped.

Neither did the straight jacket.

I'd had to pee for the last three hours, but there was no way I was going to
give Stone an excuse to take off my pants.

Several bruises on my breasts and backside attested to how much he wanted
that.  I shivered.  Despite my best efforts, a tear escaped my eye and slid
down my face.

He was at my side in an instant.  He tenderly wiped away the moisture.  "Don
't cry, pretty.  You won't have to suffer the auction block.  I'm keeping
you for myself."

As if * that * was any comfort.  He wrapped his arm around my waist and
pulled me to his side.  He pressed kisses over my face.  I kept my eyes and
mouth sealed shut.  My fear paralysed me.

"But you must have your sleep, pretty."  He backed away and pulled out a
syringe with a 20 gauge needle on the end.

"Oh no."  I wiggled back as much as my bound legs could get me.  Stone
grabbed my ankle and expertly inserted the needle.  I felt the effects
seconds after he pushed the plunger.  Soon, blackness fell.

~*~

Come, pretty, wake up."

"Shouldn't she be awake by now?"

"Yes. Shut up."

Thick fog permeated my head.  My body felt leaden, my mouth cottony.

"She has a fight in an hour."

"I know. Shut up."

I opened my eyes and stared up into Stone's black ones.

"That's it pretty.  Here, drink this."

The bitter taste of strong black coffee filled my mouth.  I had to swallow
before I choked.

"Half an hour."

*Already? *

"I know.  Shut up."  More coffee and I was still more fuzzy than not.  "Come
on, pretty.  Let's move."  He pulled me to my numb feet.  I couldn't even
support my own weight.

Two more cups of coffee and some Vivarin later, I could stand and walk and
see about ten feet before my vision started blurring horribly.  It was time
for the fight.

"She's gonna die."

"She won't.  Shut up."

I was finally conscious enough to realise that they'd dressed me up like
some show girl.  A Black spandex catsuit covered me from ankles to wrists.
I wore red leather boots and brassiere with red cuffs at my wrists.  "You
expect me to fight in * this *!"

Stone cupped the back of my head in both hands.  We stood nose to nose.  "I
expect you to win."  With that, he pushed me to the door.

I stepped into the arena.  A cloud of dirt puffed into the air with each
step.  Across the arena stood the biggest woman I'd ever seen.  She had to
weigh 300 pounds.  One thing stood out in my drug-clouded mind.

Don't let her touch me.

She charged like a bull.  I stood my ground, waiting until the last possible
moment. The drug had disappeared beneath the onslaught of adrenaline, giving
me a clarity I wished I didn't have as I stared at that ugly, bloodshot mug
heading my way quickly.  Her breath puffed into my face, I lunged right, my
shin made contact with her ankles.  I rolled away, the bruises on my breasts
protested loudly as they were assaulted.  She hit the ground with a subtle
boom that echoed up my body.  I back-pedalled as she lumbered to her feet.
* Shit, I'm in trouble! *  My hands shook as I retreated.  She flipped her
braid over her shoulder and glared at me.  She started stalking me around
the arena, more slowly this time.  I evened out my breathing, trying to stay
calm.  I ducked under her grasp and slammed my knee into her pudgy gut with
no small amount of satisfaction.  As she doubled over my other knee crashed
into her solar plexus and my doubled fists smashed down between her shoulder
blades.  She collapsed to the ground.  I felt a grin pull at my lips as I
straddled her back and pulled her head back into a lock.  My eyes scanned
the crowd for the adjudicator.

I spotted a man all in white.  He silenced the crowd with a slice of his
hand.  "Finish her!"

I gasped.  "Fuck you!" I yelled back.

The man in white lowered his hand.  "I think you don't understand.  Either
you kill her, or my sniper kills you both."  He crossed his arms over his
chest.  I imitated his pose.

A rifle cracked and I felt a lick of pain flame along my left arm.  My teeth
clamped down on my cheek.  The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth.

Then I saw Logan step from the shadows and wrap his arm around the man in
white's throat.  "Hold your fire or Angel-boy gets it!"

I dropped the woman's head and slowly stood.  Would that really keep them
from shooting me on sight?  Somehow, I doubted it.  I ran toward Logan and
somehow leapt up the ten foot wall into the stands.  The whistle of a bullet
behind me prompted me to go faster, my hands slamming to the sharp edges of
the railing, arms straining to pull me up.  The movement felt familiar
somehow.  I shoved the feeling aside for later analysis.  Right now, I was
fleeing for my life.

Kai reached out and hauled me the rest of the way over the wall.  "Nice
jump.  Don't EVER go off without us!  They had you in that van before we
could do ANYTHING!"

I smiled wryly at Kai and pushed her back towards the exit.  "Fine, have any
idea how we're gonna get out of here?"

"Shut up and run, grasshopper," Kai growled sarcastically.  I scampered off
after Logan.  The short man led the way down, under the make shift
bleachers.  I cursed as I smacked my head into one of the support bars.
Logan took a sharp left * into * the walls.

I heard gunshots echo behind us.  Some one was not happy.

Then I heard the sirens.  A sweeter sound I'd never heard.  I slowed, Kai
put a hand to the small of my back and * shoved *.  "We do *not *, I repeat,
do *not* want to be caught.  MOVE!"

I rushed after Logan, I didn't look behind me.