Disclaimer: just Aria and the Plot.

Chapter 2: Pain

Never realized how much I loved my brothers until we were separated. Wonder what they'd think of me now, bending my back and hauling heavy stones across this underground quarry. I smell the food cooking and my stomach growls. Aria is picking up small stones and lose rock to prevent us men from tripping. I've fallen before and had a stone trap my ankle, if the man that I was teamed with hadn't managed to hold the block up as much as he did I would've been crippled. A foreman brandishes a hot-whip at Aria as she ducks in front of him to grab a stone. I growl and stop, muscles tense. The Foreman glares at me but gives Aria a dirty look and returns to his watch. I'm known for attacking anyone for hurting her, I've nearly killed a Foreman before. They tend to avoid angering me too much because of that.

Aria charges over to me showing me the bright stones encased in the marble piece she has. I manage a smile and then dig into the ground grunting as I struggle to haul the heavy block. The man beside me drops his head and squares his shoulders straining to help me haul the weight up the slant. He's a…what do you call his kind? Oh a Ahalgan. He's kinda like a human, but his skin is more brightly colored and he had spikes instead of hair.

"So, you're the one they call the Demon," the man gasps. I grunt and nod. Heh, the Demon. Almost forgot they called me that. Forgot my real name ages ago, I became 369T82, lost who I was. I don't even remember my brothers' names after all this time, let alone what they look like. I miss them so much…and father…I miss him…I fight tears and bend forward, casting a quick glance to make sure Aria is not behind us. She's been nearly crushed when I've slipped before. Never forgave myself for that.

Then suddenly there's a sharp pain across my right shoulder. I grunt in pain and try to keep pulling. The pain gets worse and I grunt, we're almost there and then I can go get food for Aria…Oh please…just a few more feet. The pain doubles as I struggle to haul the stone upward. The man next to me strains forward, then I feel my arm jerk from my right socket and I can't stop the strangled scream. I drop to my knees and struggle to rise, the pain in my arm tripling. Please…I'm so close.

Aria is next to me, gripping my face. I'm struggling to breathe, suddenly I realize the harness is being removed and my shoulder is being examined.

"Easy Demon," the Medic says. I look at him, gritting my teeth from the pain.

"Well?" the Foreman asks.

"Dislocated the shoulder," The Medic replies, "A week off and let it heal, he will be good as knew. Good protein during the time"

"A week? I don't have a week to wait around for a slave to heal!" the Foreman snarls, "he'll get the same rations as the others!"

I grip Aria and struggle to move my right arm. I can't lose her, please…no…please…I'll work with it damaged, don't send her to breeding stock. Please.

"Its an order," the Medic replies sharply, "A week off, let that arm heal and double rations, high protein!" The man next to me looks at me in pity. He knows as much as I do what could happen to Aria.

I struggle to my feet and move slowly back to the harness. The medic watches me in horror as I struggle to put the thing back on. The Foreman looks smug.

"See? He's fine," he growls. The Medic glares.

"I'll go to the Master about this," the medic growls. The Foreman freezes. I feel like someone just kicked me. Our Master Hagrin demands that we be in at lest 50% health at all times. The Foremen tend to cut our rations short to feed their already stuffed bellies and work us longer than we're supposed to be. I watch nervously, my shoulder on fire. Aria whimpers and hugs my leg.

"FINE!" The Foreman growls, "set his shoulder and take him to the ration tent."

I feel suddenly weak and drop my gaze. Aria's amber eyes lock with mine. I manage a smile.

"Foreman Jakh, that chibi better be here when I come to check on him everyday," the Medic orders. I nearly hug he puts my shoulder back and I nearly slam him into the stone block it hurts so bad.

"Demon, name's Gahre, number's 7908A76," the Ahalgan tells me, I've made a friend. The Medic touches my good arm gently and I jump before following him, Aria close beside me. I keep my arm close to my plastron and trudge after the Medic. Touching Aria's carapace with my good hand as we follow him. He smiles at her and she hides behind me.

I've made two friends.

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