Chapter 169. The First Gift

Day 13 of The Games

KELLEN

Today was my day to fight. I had woken just before sunrise, watching the peak of the sun come up over the horizon. Its orange glow of the breaking dawn reminded me of the hot flames of a fire, distorting the air around it as the heat rose with a golden orb, creating a mirage.

I walked out into the open common area where it was still deadly silent. I had noticed in my first few days the lack of vegetation and animals. Not a single bird called out in the morning and not a single cricket chirped when night fell.

I walked the common area for a couple of hours, not really thinking of anything in particular except for my upcoming Gladiator match today. My thoughts drifted to home, they were mostly of Mike and Lamia. I also couldn't help but wonder if Uncle Michael and Uncle Marcus were still running the Kingdom or if Mike had had to take over. I wondered if they were still searching for me or if they had given up.

I had been