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him. He stopped for a second to twist his body so that it brushed past and just touched his bare flesh, and finally got a hold on the shaft and locked it firm.
    The iron ball was coming for him. The huge man wielding it swung it wide to make a powerful swing at him. He quickly leapt further around so that the javelin man was directly between them as the ball and chain came at him, and he ducked down. The ball went right over him and around the javelin man. The chain fully wrapped his throat firmly so that he could not breathe. It was enough for him to release his grip on his javelin.
    Zed spun the weapon around and launched it with all his power towards the larger man. From this range he couldn't miss. The blade struck him hard in the chest and pierced his leather jacket with ease. He turned his attention back to his first target. He was on his knees trying to get the chain off, but his energy was failing fast. Zed leapt on top of him and pulled the chain tight, watching him gurgle before finally falling silent.
    He looked up to check on the other wounded man, but it was too late. A fist was coming right for his head and struck before he had time to even think of what to do. The blow knocked him back, and he staggered all the way to the wall of the arena. It was a harder blow to the head than anything he could remember. But as he struck the wall, he had a sudden flashback. A new memory to add to the modest few he had, the woman and child. He remembered kissing the girl’s head as the woman led her off to school in uniform.
    He quickly snapped back to reality as the hulking man covered in blood rushed towards him. The memory reminded him of why he must live. It was about far more than just his life. He had nothing to defend himself with, and he could see the thug wanted to end him with his own hands. That would be his undoing. He strode forward and kicked to where Zed's head was, but he easily rolled away as the man's heavy boot drove through the corrugated piece of steel he had been resting against. Zed reached for the bowie knife on his back and drew it quickly while he was trying to draw his foot back out from the metalwork.
    As the blade drew, the man realised his error and turned to give him a backhand, but there was no time. Zed slashed his filthy hand as it came at him, and that forced it down. He cut again to the inner thigh, opening a deep wound that brought the man down to one knee. Without another word, he cut down with all his power in a vicious blow that buried deep in his collarbone. He collapsed like a ton of bricks. And as the body hit the ground, it was all too clear just how quiet the audience had become.
    It was a moment of peace that allowed him to think back to the happy memory he’d relived in the midst of the deadly fight for survival. He ignored all of his surroundings now. His arm reached up to wave, but he didn't even notice it, as if he had no control over his own body. He smiled as he watched the memory play out in his head. He waved and watched as the woman looked back and smiled while the girl ran excitedly on.
    The roar of the crowd brought him back to reality, and the blood-soaked sands he hailed from. Jay was clapping his hands loudly, audible even over all of his gang.
    "Bravo!"
    This can't be all there is to life? I have to get out. I have to find them!

Chapter 5
     
    The night passed slowly. He looked up from his cell in the hope of seeing the stars, but there was only a fog in the air or thick cloud cover. As his body cooled after the fight, so did the ground. So much so that he began to shiver. There was no one coming to give him hot food or a blanket, no one to tend to his wounds or share a few words.
    Is there nobody left that cares?
    Four hours had gone by, and he had slept no more than one of them. Every creak or distant voice awoke him. It wasn't just the bitter cold, but also the fear of what might come for him. Who might come to stab him in the back or slit his throat? Footsteps