"Please don't do this guys. It was nothing personal, just training. Please." I figure I should try to talk my way out first but it doesn't even faze them. Slowly
Drew comes closer to me and grabs me by the hair. He throws me to the ground and Molly kicks me in the side. Pain rips through me and I can't breathe. Molly continues to kick me and Drew punches me over and over again.
All I can do to protect myself is cover my head. Finally I can't stand the pain any longer.
"Help! Somebody help me! Please!" I scream at the top of my lungs. I don't know if anyone heard me but I have no more options. Drew reaches down and grabs me by the throat, picking me up until my feet dangle a foot above the ground.
"Nice knowing you Stiff, but now it's time to say goodbye." He moves forward until he's holding me above the Chasm on the other side of the railing. The water roars below me and I know that I'm not going to survive until tomorrow.
My vision start to become dark around the edges and I force myself to stay conscious. Suddenly I hear a thud behind Drew. Before he can turn around someone punches him hard in the temple and Drew drops like a stone. But when he passes out he also let's go of me and I can feel myself falling. Before I can scream someone grabs my hand. I look up into Tobias's blue eyes and my heart swells with gratitude and love for him.
"I've got you." He says before pulling me up and over the railing. I fall into his arms and am enveloped in his warmth and the comfort of his strength. Suddenly all strength and energy leaves my body and everything goes black.
I wake up in Tobias's room, laying on his bed. I look around for him and finally see him sitting at the counter drinking a glass water. He seems I'm awake and quickly walks over to me and sits on the bed.
"Here have some of this." He hands me the water and I slowly take a sip.
"How are you feeling." He asks me while stroking my hand.
"Everything hurts. And I'm mad."
"You have every right to be mad. Those idiots that attacked you were cowards and will be Factionless tomorrow." I nod and am glad they're going to be gone but my eyes well up with tears.
"Hey hey hey. What's the matter!" Tobias asks looking at me worriedly.
"I feel so helpless."
"You are not helpless and you should never feel like you are. They attacked you two to one and nothing is more cowardly than that. I need you to do me a favor though."
"Yeah and what's that?"
"Before they are sent away, make them pay." I can't help but smile.
"Will do." I try to move into a more comfortable position but stop because of the pain in my sides. I can't help but wince and take a sharp intake of breath.
"Hard to move huh?" Tobias asks.
"Yeah, this really sucks." I say. Tobias laughs.
"I can see that. Would you like to stay here tonight? You'll still be sore in the morning but my bed is more comfortable." He flashes me a smile and I decide if would be much more pleasant to stay here with Tobias safe and comfortable.
"I guess I can do that. But where will you sleep?"
"I can sleep on the floor."
"No don't do that! Maybe we can share?"
"As long as you don't mind."
"As long as you don't accidentally hit a sore spot." I say teasingly. Slowly and gently he climbs onto the bed with me. He lays down behind me and scoots up nice and close. Slowly he wraps his arms around me and snuggles close.
"Are you ok?" He whispers in my ear.
"Never better." I whisper back.
"I'm glad. Now get some sleep ok? And I'll be here for you all night long." I smile at the thought and the last thing I remember is the feeling of Tobias holding me close.