Prologue

I hated the eyes. They are the most moving part of the being. Their bright life-filled eyes. At least one time in their life, they had been filled completely. Every. Single. One. I hated it so much.

Now, I sit here silently, holding all the keys to the cells. My head bows slightly as I close my eyes. I meditate silently. Then, I heard it. The chains, the soft breath of the living being, for now, and the dragging footsteps on the hard dirt floors.

One foot at a time. I'm sure they beat the being to a pulp like they always did. Bruised, bleeding, and bones broken.

"Tanda," my name is spoken by the King.

I rise from my sitting place, my hood keeping my face dark so no one can see my features.

"Yes, your majesty?" I replied.

"Tomorrow we will hold a service."

"What is the prisoner's name?"

"Solomon."

I won't comment any further. I move forward to take a hold of the chains, the cold metal against my own cold hands. At least the metal is colder.

I pull the male named Solomon along the halls of cells.

"Tanda, is it?"

I never make small talk with prisoners and I'm not about to start so I let him have no answer, just the silence that replies.

"Oh, not a talker. I should've expected it."

I blink and continue walking through the halls. As I turn into a new hall, I feel the air tense and I move swiftly, twisting before sliding my hands along the chains and pushing them across Solomon's throat. His breathing is labored in gasps.

I laugh quietly. "You underestimate me, prisoner. Do not ever dare try a stunt like this or I will make you wish for death. I have before, various times and I can do it again. You will wish to be dead."

Solomon stares at me wide-eyed and gasping for air.

"That's right, keep trying to breathe." I press the chain harder against his throat and I watch as the life hesitantly drains from his emotion-filled eyes. Just as he is about to pass out from the lack of air, I move the chain away and his lungs inhale the air as a man stuck in a desert without a single source of water nearby. I smile but am irked by the man's failed attempt at trying to harm me.

Finally, as he composes from the near-death situation, I pull him through the halls again. Once I come in front of the empty cell, I push the shrieking door open and enter. I take off Solomons's chains and he collapses on the hard floor. I turn and lock him up, going back to my original spot in the dungeon and sitting back on the stool. My back was straight, my head slightly bowed, and I go back to meditating.