Chapter 3

I looked in the mirror and slowly pulled off the gauze from my cheeks, wincing. I stared at my reflection. The stitches holding my mouth together were throbbing and when I lightly touched the forming scars, I quickly withdrew my hand as an intense burning sensation caused me to hiss with pain.

"You did a very good job on that," a voice said to my right.

I looked over my shoulder at Dante. It had been three weeks sense Dante had taken me under his wing. He had taken me to a large house and was currently housing me.

He was leaning against the bathroom door frame, arms crossed over his chest. I looked back at my reflection and started cleaning the wounds.

"I think it may be infected," I said through my teeth, pain rippling through my body as I applied the antiseptic.

"Let me see," he said walking behind me and looking at my reflection.

He leaned closer to better examine the puffy, stitched up cuts on my cheeks. They were red and painful. His expression quickly went from curiosity to that of concern.

"I'm sorry," he said in a low voice, lowering his eyes.

I remained silent and continued to take care of the wounds gingerly. He watched me from the mirror, his eyes never leaving my new scars.

It wasn't like I blamed him. In fact I thanked him for showing me my wrong ways. I was given purpose; to become Dante's apprentice, his student, and learn everything I could from him so I could start putting ungrateful, unworthy, people to the test. If they passed, then they want their life. If they failed…well…let's just say school let out for them.

The way Dante told it, the people who failed didn't want life enough to make sacrifices or spill their own blood. What we were doing was putting an end to misery, but in order to do that we had to put some people in a situation where they could either endure a bit of pain, or do nothing and suffer the ultimate price; the loss of their life. This wasn't murder, but the news didn't understand. In fact I doubt you understand.

This wasn't murder, it was retribution. I believed everything Dante told me. Why you ask? After what he did to you? Yes…I trusted him fully. I didn't even know why I did. I guess you could say it was complicated.

A hand on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. I looked at Dante, he smiled at me faintly, turned, and left me to finish taking care of the wounds. When I finished, I placed new gauze on my mouth and walked out of the room.

I didn't get very far before I heard my name could from one off the many in the large house. I followed the sound and stopped at the door just across the staircase. Dante looked up at me from the floor. He was tinkering with some sort of contraption.

"Yes?"

"Come here for a moment; I need your help."

I walked over to him and kneeled down next to him.

"I need you to hold this bar straight while I secure it in place," he said sliding a steel bar into place between tow gear sets.

I stood and held the bar firmly, the cold metal chilling me, the rust scratching my bandaged palms. The loud ringing of a riveter filled my ears and the bar shook in my hands. I held onto it tightly and waited for Dante to finish. The ringing stopped and I heard the cluck of the thing hitting the ground.

"You can let go now, Kaiya."

I let go and looked down at Dante. He was inspecting his work, a smiles lightly touching his lips. I stared at the sculpture-like metal contraption. Dante stood beside me, still smiling. The thing looked like a piece of art.

"Is it finished?" I asked.

"Far from it, I'm putting this project on hold for now."

"Why?" I asked a Dante threw a greased stained sheet over the device.

"Because I have another project I'm getting ready to work on," he replied, turning away from me.

"You know if you keep working on one thing and stop to work on something else, you'll never get anything done," I said smiling playfully.

"It will get done, but I have been meaning to pick up this other project now for awhile now," he said returning my tone with a smile.

"What new project are you working on?"

"I'm sorry, Dear Kaiya, but I must keep this one a secret from you for the time being," he said walking to a large stack of boxes and almost as tall as he was.

"I'm going out for a bit. Stay inside the house and if someone comes to the door for whatever reason, don't open it," he said walking past me.

I nodded and lowered my eyes. He always told me the same thing; stay inside, don't go anywhere, don't draw attention to your location, don't mess in things. The same routine. I obeyed of course, but I felt as though I had little freedom.

I watched Dante walk down the stairs and out the old, chipping, wooden door. I walked to the room that was mine and fell on the bed. I usually napped until I heard a car door slam and keys in the lock of the door, signaling Dante's return. But last time he went out, he was gone for hours and I had missed my chance to speak with him, sleeping well into the next morning.

Tonight I felt hot, feverish. I shivered slightly, my temperature fluctuating dramatically due to the infection. I tried my best to hide this from Dante, not wanting to make him feel guilty or worry. I closed my eyes and eased myself into a light sleep.

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I opened the door and stepped inside the house. I was greeted by the familiar scent of home as I pulled the scarf that was hiding my scars off my face and tossed it into the chair next to the door along with my keys and fedora. I closed and locked the door behind me and started for the stair case. Usually I was greeted by my sweet little Kaiya when I reached the top, but she's been sleeping a lot lately.

I walked to her bedroom and peered in, opening her door slightly. Something wasn't right with her. She was shivering and her breathing was off. Worry washed over me. It was new sensation I was still in the processes of getting used to.

I opened her door wide and stepped in.

"Kaiya?" I called.

She shifted and looked at me. He eyes were glazed and unfocused. As she attempted to push herself up off the bed, her arms shook and gave out, causing her to fall back down.

"Kaiya?"

I ran over to her and rolled her on to her back. I could feel her fever a full inch away from her skin. I rushed to the bathroom across from her room and opened the medicine cabinet, pulling out a thermometer. Running back to her side, I put it in Kaiya's mouth and held it in place under her tongue. I watched the numbers reach 100 in a matter of seconds. Soon it was up to 103.7.…103.9.…

Her temperature was raising quickly.

"Kaiya, look at me," I said pulling the thermometer out of her mouth and setting it on the night stand.

I gently took her face into my hands and looked at her. Her eyes fluttered, then closed, her body going completely limp. She had slipped into unconsciousness. I had to do something to lower her temperature and I had to do it quickly. I knew all too well how hot the human body could get before the brain starts to fry.

I picked her up and stumbled with her into the bathroom. I laid her in the bathtub and turned the cold water on, letting it wash over her while I went back to fetch the thermometer. I knelt next to the tub, dipped a rag in the freezing water, and placed it on her head.

I replaced the thermometer under her tongue and watched the numbers rise to 104.3 and hold steady. I removed the thermometer again and laid her deeper into the water, soaking her clothes and hair. I watched as she began to shiver violently, her fever beginning to break. I sat with my back against the wall and watched her carefully for a few moments as her fever came down. When her fever was down to 100.2, I drained the water in the tub and wrapped her up in a thick blanket.

I carried her back to her room and placed her gently down, resting her head on the pillow, her hair still dripping with the water from her ice bath. I cocooned her in the blanket to dry her off and keep her warm. I sat on the edge of her bed and watched her closely, monitoring her temperature and symptoms.

I carefully pealed off the wet gauze from her cheeks to let her wounds dry out. The cuts were swollen and red. I examined the stitches and winced. I had asked her not to contact a doctor and she had agreed, claiming she could stitch the wounds up herself. I sighed and sat back, still staring at the wounds on her face.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. I was in my room and the sun was casting a pail light through the black out curtains. I looked down at the blanket that I was wrapped tightly in. I wriggled free and sat up. The blanket was damp as where my clothing. I rubbed my sore head, but something at the foot of the bed caught my eye.

A body at the foot of my bed was breathing deep and slow. Dante was sleeping on my bed. I carefully removed the blanket from my legs and attempted to get out of the bed, but a firm hand on my leg stopped me. I looked over at Dante and saw his firm expression.

"Lay back down," he said.

My damp jeans were clinging to me and I wanted to change, but his voice commanded me to obey him, so I did. When I was back on the bed, he got up and moved for the door.

"You're going to stay here until I get back with some things. Don't leave this room. Don't even get out of the bed," he said.

I did as I was told as I normally did, but I couldn't help but feel like a hindrance to him. Because of me he had to more to worry about. I laid back and sighed. My fever was down and I was feeling much better, but I couldn't remember how my clothes became wet and I was becoming rather uncomfortable in my damp clothing.

I made up my mind and got out of the bed. I changed my clothes and replaced myself in the bed after removing the damp blanket from my covers. I crawled under my dry blankets and threw my damp pillow off the bed, resting my head on the mattress. I felt weak and tiered so I closed my eyes. Sleep's strong hand soon gripped me and dragged me down into a sound sleep.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Dante sitting in my floor with his back to me. His head was bent low over some papers and his arm was moving slowly. He was drawing something on graphing paper; blueprints if I had to guess. When I sat up, he looked over his shoulder at me.

"Welcome back to the world of the living," he said smiling at me.

There was something in his voice that told me he had been up for some time. My room was dark and there was a small lamp on that he was working by. I looked out the window and saw that it was dark outside. I heard papers moving and returned my gaze back to Dante who was standing up and walking toward me.

"What time is it?" I asked, my voice weak and thick with sleep.

"2:45 A.M...You slept for almost two days, you know that?" he said stopping beside my bed.

"That long?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Here, take these," Dante said tipping some pills into my hand and handing me a glass of water.

"What is this?" I asked looking at the different colored medications in my palm.

"Something to help your infection…Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?" he said staring at me with a stern look.

"I did…I told you I thought it was infected," I responded, adverting my eyes.

"Yes, but you didn't tell me that you were running a fever," he said.

His under tone was angry. I knew I was in trouble and I had caused him to worry more than necessary. I should have told him as soon as I developed the fever.

"Sorry," I said lowering my head and adverting my eyes.

He sighed and I felt a hand placed on my head. I looked up at him to see a faint smile was placed on his lips. He embraced me in a tight hug then said, "Don't be sorry. Just tell me if something is wrong next time so I can help."

I looked at him as he let me go, my cheeks burning not with the infection, but with some unknown, implacable heat. I watched as he gathered up his things and walked for my door.

"You should get some more sleep. One of those pills was a sleeping aid as well as something to ease your pain and kill that fever," he said turning off the lamp, plunging my room into darkness.

I was blind and unable to see, but I felt a hand on my shoulder push me into my pillow that was now back on bed. The effects of the sleeping pill worked their magic fast and I was soon longing or sleep's embrace.

"You need to rest now," Dante's voice said soothingly.

I closed my eyes, inviting sleep to wash over me. I was vaguely aware of a hand gently stroking my head. I was lulled into a secure state and sleep soon followed.

I woke with a start and sat up quickly. My head was spinning and I had broken into a cold sweat. I looked around my room, the sun barely making it thorough my blackout curtains. I sighed with relief and held my head in my scabbed hands, covering my eyes. My hands where still shaking slightly when a voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Kaiya?"

I looked up at Dante. His expression was of worry and I stopped shaking when I saw him.

"Are you alright?" he asked walking into my room.

"I'm fine," I said.

My nightmare had been of him. He was sick and dieing and I was powerless to do anything. I don't know why that scared me so badly, but it was enough to pull me from a deep sleep.

I stood up and stretched, my joints popping loudly from my lack of movement. Feeling much better, I felt like I should have some liberty to move about the house at least.

"Don't try to do too much. You're still sick," Dante said moving closer to me.

"I feel fine."

"You still have a slight fever," he said pressing the back of hand to my forehead.

Over the past month he has been like this. Over caring. I couldn't figure it out. One moment he is completely distracted and uninterested, the next he's over bearing. I'm not complaining, don't misread me. I was just confused was all.

"It's not that bad."

"You don't understand do you…?"

"Understand what?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"You need to understand how important you are to my work, my dear Kaiya. You are irreplaceable to me. You need to understand this," he said sternly.

"I-"

"You still have a lot to learn before I can let you take over, so listen to me. I can't afford to lose that brilliant mind of yours. You are the only one who has passed their test so far. I can't afford to lose you," he said.

He shoved some more pills into my hand and handed me a glass of water.

"Here. Take these. They're for your infection. Take the pills I give you and you'll get better in no time," he said smiling at me.

With a sigh, I popped the pills into my mouth and chased them down my throat with the glass of water. Handing him back the glass, I smiled at Dante. He smiled back, took the glass from me, and walked into the hall and to the stairwell.

"Come on then. I've fixed lunch," he said.

I followed him down the stairs.

"Lunch?"

"Its past 12:30. You slept late."

I smiled and walked into the kitchen, taking my seat at the table. A plate was placed in front of me and I was joined by Dante, who sat across from me. I looked at the food in front of me. It was ham with pineapple. I had never been cooked for by a guy before, and I was stunned to see someone like Dante cook very well.

When I asked him where he learned to cook, he had responded with, "When you're someone like me, you have either a lot of time, or non at all. During the weeks when one has nothing to do, you tend to pick up things to help you live on your own. That, and I just happen to find cooking fun."

I smiled at him from across the table to signal my thanks and I picked up a fork and knife. The bite I took caused me to wince, the saltiness burning my cheeks.

"Eat it. It'll help with the infection," Dante said sternly.

I nodded and took another bite. The burning soon became a dull pain that I found pleasing. As I ate, I become increasingly aware of the fact that I was being carefully monitored.

When I was finished, I stood up and picked up my plate, carrying it to the sink and rinsing it off. Dante did the same with his plate.

I was on my way back to my room when Dante caught me by the arm.

"Where are you going?"

"To my room," I said.

"Good. Go get dressed," he said letting me go.

"Why?" I asked confused.

"Because I'm going to take you to witness a test," he said turning away from me to rummage through the cabinets.

I was shocked. He had never taken me into the field with him. I always sat in my room or on the sidelines where I couldn't see anything or interfere.

"Well go on then," he said to me.

I snapped out of my surprised trance and rushed up the stairs to my room. I closed my door, pulled on some jeans and a long sleeved black and grey stripped shirt, and made my way back down the steps, brushing my hair and pulling it up into a pony tail.

I was greeted at the foot of the stairs by Dante who was wrapping a scarf around his face, hiding his scars very effectively. When I reached him, he looked at me and held out a scarf that matched my shirt.

"For your cuts. And to hide your face. It would be very inconvenient if anyone from your past life saw you."

I took the scarf and nodded. He was right. If any of my old friends or family saw me with Dante there is no doubt that it wouldn't end horribly. I wrapped the scarf carefully around my cheeks and neck. I nodded to signal that I was ready. He then placed a fedora on his head and handed me a brimmed hat of my own. I took it and placed it on my head. I walked out the door that was being held open for me, the cool autumn air biting at my exposed flesh.

I looked around for some sort of transportation, but the only car I could see was a black 1969 Falcon with a yellow interior.

"Where is your car?" I asked still admiring the beautiful piece of machinery.

"Your looking at it," Dante said walking past me and to the Falcon.

"This…? This is your car?" I asked in disbelief.

"It was a gift. I like rare cars," he said opening the passenger door and standing to the side.

"Come on and get in already," he said sounding irritable.

A strong gust of wind picked up and blew my scarf's tails around my shoulders as Dante's mimicked the movement. I rushed for the car, ducked under his arm, and slid inside. When I was in, Dante closed the door and slid into the driver's seat, putting the keys into the ignition and turning it. The engine roared to life and we were on the main road in a matter of moments.

The small area of houses where Dante and I were residing, where practically abandoned. When we were on the main road, I noticed we were heading into the city. New York was a large place filled with big cities and plenty of abandoned store houses. It was easy to hide our works in a city as large a New York City. People who saw something would keep walking, not wanting to become involved, scared that they may get hurt. They would rather act like cowards then save a fellow human being.

But that didn't matter. What did matter was that I had seen where Dante works only once and that was just during the preparation of a test. The place he chose was completely off set from any other building. It was all but isolated; cut off from the main road unless you had a key to get in through the electrified fence.

I had no idea how Dante come to own a building such as this and I found it inappropriate to ask, so I just assumed he had help from some one he has come to know very well; someone who has been protecting him from the authorities.

I looked out the window as we turned off the interstate and onto a paved back road.

"Why are you going this way?" I asked glancing at him and then back out the window.

"A car like this is easily remembered and picked out of a crowd. I'm taking this route to remain discreet. This road is rarely used."

I thought about this and nodded, still staring out the window. But then a question slipped out of my mouth.

"How did you come across a rare car such as this?"

I bit my tongue and wished I could cram the question back down my throat, but to my surprise, Dante answered it casually.

"It was a gift from a very good friend of mine."

So that was that. The rest of the drive was silent except for the rock on the radio barely playing through the speakers and the roar of the engine. I occasionally stole a glance at Dante, but I couldn't see his eyes; he had placed aviator sunglasses on his face.

It didn't take long for the small one-way back road to come up next to a tall fence topped with razor wire. The steal, electrified fence stood a full 10 feet high, boxing in an old store house that I suspected had once been a meat packing plant or something of that sort.

"Wait here," Dante said pulling front of the fence's entrance and getting out of the car.

I watched as he unlocked the fence and opened it wide enough for the car to slip through.

"Alright. Pull in," he called to me.

I was shocked as he motioned for me drive the car through the gap in the fence. I swallowed hard and slid into the driver's seat and slowly pressed on the gas. I didn't really like driving that much. I wasn't that talented behind the wheel, but as I eased forward, Dante smiled and nodded, letting me know that I was in the safe zone. When I was through the gate, I gently tapped the break and slid back into my original seat. Dante slid the gate closed and locked it again before climbing back into the car and continuing to the building.

He parked in a place beside the building that made the car close to imposable to see to passers by. He killed the engine and stepped out of the car. The cold air that followed him caused me to shiver, my body longing for the car heater to be turned back on.

"Come on," he said closing his door and walking for the store house.

I quickly joined his side, walking a little bit behind him. I looked the ran down building over. When I entered the store house, I was greeted by the scent of stale, unturned air. It was dark inside, and there were many rooms and levels. It was very possible to get lost in here.

Conveyer belts littered the building going in all directions. There were other machinery around that had been recently used; the mechanical smell still hung in the air. The building was cold with the November chill. If it wasn't for the scarf tied snuggly around my face, I would have been able to see my breath clearly.

I looked up at Dante who was standing to my left. He staring at me with an amused smile. Feeling self conscious, I looked away, but as he walked past me, I followed. He flipped switches here and there as he passed them, turning on the industrialized heaters he has installed.

It didn't take long for the building to heat up. I watched as Dante walked into an office of some sort. When inside, he pulled off his scarf and tossed it aside over a chair seated in front of countless monitors. I had only been in this room once, but I remembered almost everything.

I looked from monitor to monitor, looking for the one who was to be tested, but I didn't see anyone on the screens. I felt Dante looking at me and when I turned around, I was met by his serious, yet some what amused, look.

"You won't find the test taker on those screens, my dear," he said as though he had read my mind.

"Then were?" I asked, my voice muffled by the scarf I still had tied around my face.

"This way. I had planed on witnessing this test first hand," he said walking past me.

He walked to another door connected to the office. I had never been farther than this small room full of electronic equipment, so when Dante motioned for me to follow him, I hesitated slightly.

"Come on. This is the only way in or out of the testing area," he said extending his hand to grab mine.

I allowed him to grip my arm and gently tug me through the thresh hold. I was soon placed in a long, dark, hall. The vague, yet lingering, scent of death hung thickly in the air, sticking to my clothes and hair. The corridor was long and narrow. It was barely wide enough for Dante and myself to walk side-by-side.

I walked with Dante until we reached the door on the other end of the hall. Stepping in front of me and opening the door, Dante motioned for me walk through. As I did, he slid past the door, shutting it behind him.

The door lead to a rather large room. It was warm and almost welcoming here. The ceiling was high set, the lights very dim, and there was a long desk set the right side of the room. It was littered with folders, files, and papers along with some photos with large, red X's running through them.

As I turned around, I saw that the left wall was like a darkly tented window; a two way mirror. Through the mirror, I saw what looked like a medieval torture device, but it was crudely made from metal pieces, gears, and wires. I couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped my lips as my eyes fell upon a shirtless man strapped to it.

His left arm was strapped high above his head, his right hanging limply to his side, and his legs strapped firmly below him. Piecing the test together, I saw that if he did not pass within the time limit of the test, then he would be pulled apart. There was a glass beaker filled with a clear liquid hanging in front of him.

A hand on my shoulder brought me back to my current surroundings. I looked up at Dante. He wasn't smiling like he usually did when I looked at him. Instead he was wearing a serious expression. He reached up and I had to fight the urge to flinch as he pulled the scarf away from my face, tossing it across a chair.

"You don't need that in here, Miss Kaiya," he said a slight smile placed on his lips.

I bit back the blush and the heat rising to my cheeks, though the redness from my cuts would have hidden it quite well. I remained silent, nodding slightly. I returned my gaze to the man strapped to the metal contraption.

"You will simply be observing today," he said from behind me.

"What has he done?" I asked.

"Rape. Four accounts to be exact. His last victim was strangled to death and he got off scot-free due to a technical error."

I kept my eyes locked on this man, my heart holding no pity for him, but something didn't feel quite right to me. The crude contraption he was strapped to sent a shiver up my spine, settling at the base of my neck.

A hand on my shoulder shook me from my thoughts and landed me back into the present. I looked up at Dante and I couldn't hide my worried look. His brow furrowed slightly and he gently ran his hand down my back, relieving me of the shiver that was weaved into my spine.

"You look worried. Care to tell me what's on your mind?" he asked looking at me.

I stared into his eyes. They were an unnatural brown color, but they were strong and real. I shook my head and looked back at the man who was about to under go his test.

"Well, if there is nothing wrong and you have nothing to say, the test shall begin," Dante said removing his hand from my back and walking through a door on the other side of the room.

As I gazed back through the glass, I saw that the man had awoken and he was yelling. I could barely hear him through the glass. He was yelling for help. Then he suddenly fell silent and his eyes focused on something in front of him. I watched as Dante's pail, grinning face came into view.

A large brimmed hat hid the top half of his face in shadow. The grin on his face was clear.

"Who the fuck are you?" the man asked.

I strained to hear the man, but then Dante spoke.

"Hello, Kyle," he said tilting his head slightly; snake like.

His voice was sharp like cold steal; emotionless. I could hear it so perfectly through the glass that it chilled me. The way he moved his head when he spoke; never exposing his whole face. I shivered slightly and I felt a slight fear of the man known as The Court Jester.

The man began to yell louder and struggle against his restraints. Jester allowed him to yell for a few moments before laughing loudly in response to his calls for help.

"Yell all you want. No one can hear you. No one can help you. Now if you wish to live, listen to me."

His voice was smooth and calm, but there was a frightening anger laying just below the surface of his tone. The man was quickly silenced.

"You have caused other's pain. You've fed off it. Innocent people have fallen under your hand and now you are going to be put to the test to see if you are willing to sacrifice your blood in order to be forgiven of the life you took. If you do not pa-"

"Fuck you!" the man yelled struggling again.

The grin was no longer on Jester's face and he looked angry. Then he smiled again.

"If you do not pass then you will die. In order to pass, you must get the key from the acid in front of you," he said pointing.

As I examined the beaker, I saw that there was a small silver key slowly dissolving in the liquid.

"Hurry…The contraption you're strapped to will pull you apart in 60 seconds and the key will be dissolved in 30...Your time starts now."

And with that Jester walked back into the room were I was. I didn't make eye contact with Dante as he joined me and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. He remained silent and I stared at the man who was screaming. There were loud clicking sounds and the man's body began to stretch out.

He tried to un-strap his left arm from its restraints, but gave up. He screamed and tried to tip the beaker over, but failed. He the plunged his free hand into the acid, splashing some out and onto his body. He screamed and tried to wipe it off with his right hand. The liquid in the beaker was red and the man's shirtless flesh began to turn red and raw. It soon began to bleed. He screamed loudly and attempted to get the key again, but withdrew his hand. A blood chilling scream escaped his lips and his torso was ripped in half.

I suddenly knew why this felt wrong. It was murder.

"Kaiya…?" Dante's soft voice said.

I was aware of the hand on my shoulder. I was rushed back to reality and I had only one thing on my mind; I had to get out. I bolted out the door and rushed for the exit.

"Kaiya!" Dante yelled after me.

I was almost to the door when I was grabbed from behind. I screamed and lashed out.

"Kaiya! It's okay! It's me! Calm down!" Dante's voice said in my ear.

I went limp and I fell to my knees. The warm tears spilled over on to my cheeks, the salt burning my forming scars.

"Murder," I muttered quietly.

"What? Kaiya, your hands are-"

"Murder!" I yelled looking up at Dante.

"That was murder! What you just di-"

"No. It wasn't murder," he said in his sharp voice.

"T-then what?" I asked.

"Justice. Redemption. Retribution," he said.

I watched as he knelt down in front of me. He gently placed his hand on my head, stroking my head. His eyes were warm and welcoming.

"What I do…What we do is give justice and redemption. It isn't murder, my sweet Kaiya," he said running his hand down my face and gently wiping the tears off my cheeks.

I looked at him. Understanding washing over me. All these people that have been tested and have failed didn't disserve the lives they once held because they weren't willing to do what it takes to live.

I nodded and looked down and gasped. The gauze and wrappings around my hands were deep red; the wounds on my hands had began to bleed again. I watched as Dante gently took them in his and looked them over.

"I'm not surprised the cuts have opened back up with the way you were gripping that chair," he said.

"What?" I said looking at him.

"While you were watching the test take place you were gripping that chair so hard, I thought you were going to break a knuckle," he said standing up.

I didn't remember that. I guess I was too deep in thought. Dante grabbed me by my forearms and pulled me to my feet.

"Come on. Let's get those hands taken care of," he said wrapping an arm around my shoulders and holding me close.

That day I learned why Dante did what he did. It was justice. I believed this. And I would follow the rules of being Dante's apprentice. The rules are simple, the game is easy, but the tests are hard.

I still have a lot to learn…

~*~Chapter 3 End~*~