It was quiet in the room as I stared at the man before me. Blood covered his face and his eyes were rolled back into his head. What was he doing here? Each prisoner had their own cell in the castle, but this man had been thrust into this room with me?

I swallowed hard and approached him silently, I knelt down beside him and tore a piece of cloth off of my ratty clothes and sponged away the blood that was on his head. There was a large cut on his head and I bit my lip hard.

It was the only mark on his body, he didn't have a tattoo on his face like the Krimson Guard members, so I knew he hadn't been a member that decided to abandon his duty. But usually the people that were brought here were part of the underground or were guards who deserted their posts.

"Who are you?" I whispered to myself in the quiet room. My own voice echoed silently off the walls and silently played back in my ears. I shook my head as frightened tears welled up in my eyes. I knew what his fate would be, as mine would be eventually.

I heard noise outside and I looked up fast as the door opened. "Tess," said the rough voice beneath the mask of the Krimson Guard, "The Baron has ordered you to be moved to a new room, now grab your stuff, and come with me."

I nodded silently, I looked down at the man in my lap and placed his head gently back on the cold, steel floor. I knew the guard would stop me if I tried to move him onto the bed. I leaned down to whisper in his ear, "You will survive."

I would make sure of that myself.

I stood up and grabbed my only item off the bedside table: the headband I'd received from my fallen lover. I walked out of the room without looking back at the injured man that lay unconscious on the floor.

He'll be fine, I only need to look at him and know, that he's our survival.