What?Elodie frowned. She didn’t put much effort in trying to understand.
“Have you seen a man killed, Ely?”
The question threw her off guard and she looked fully his way, meeting his ghoulish grey eyes. “Yes.”
His finger continued to tap the bar. “I mean, really killed, up close and personal, whites of their sclera exposed and black pupils staring straight at you as the life slips out of them. Have you ever killed a man?”
Had she?No.She thought back.No.There had been times where self-defense had been needed, tasers used, pipes cracking men’s heads but no, she had never directly killed someone, but then she never stuck around to make sure.I never struck for a killing blow. I don’t feel guilt.
“No. Have you?” she knew the answer but asked anyway.
“I’m the reason this is happening right now...” Gunner nodded in the direction of the guard.
The guard held the prod behind his neck with both arms as he taunted the men. She’d missed some of the conversation and leaned forward slightly to hear better.
“All you damned engineers. Everyone is an engineer out in abyss space. Your skill set brings little to the table. Can you fight?” the guard asked.
“As well as any man in my field.” One of them moved inside his open cell and even from where she sat, Elodie could cut the tension with a knife. “I can fight,” he said.
“You?” the guard looked at the other.
“Yes...”
“Well,” the guard took a step back to allow the prisoner to walk out. “Show me.” When the prisoner didn’t move, he laughed. “Oh come on, you two must’ve expected this!”
The men looked at each other and for the first time, her chest squeezed.They’re friends. They’re haunted. And so, so tired. They had to have known.
“Gunner...” Elodie whispered, worried. He shifted closer to her.
Minutes slipped by and nothing happened. The guard waited like the rest of them. Eventually, the shoulders of the freed prisoner sagged, and the pointed, hungry features of his face hardened. He stepped out slowly and moved toward his friend’s cell. The guard poised his weapon at him as he waved a key over the panel and the door clicked open.
He shoved the man in and locked the door.
It hurt her heart to see them embrace.
“Fucking fags,” the guard sneered and tossed his prod through the bars. “You really think I’m going to let you both out to try and jump me?” The weapon clanged against the floor. “The last one standing leaves. There’s no loyalty but to the captain. Don’t keep me waiting, it’ll only be worse if you do.” The guard didn’t stay to watch, seemingly bored and looked back at the rest of the prisoners. Elodie dropped her eyes until his gaze passed. “Who else wants a spot? No one eats until I’ve got meat in the bunks.” he yelled.
“I’ll...take one,” another person spoke up, pulling the guard in a new direction.
“Watch them,” Gunner murmured. “The two in the cell.”
The men spoke to each but it was too low for her to hear. Neither of them made a move toward the weapon.
“What are they saying?” she asked.
“They knew it might come to this, but chose the odds that favored them. The guy with his back to the wall needs medical attention.” He paused. “For what, I don’t know. They’re deciding who is going to take the beating.”
“They care for each other?”
“Seems so.”
It surprised her.
“They could’ve waited, could’ve hoped to make it through to the end. Whatever that may be.”
Elodie saw Gunner shrug out the corner of her eye. “The evil you know—”
“—over the evil you don’t,” she finished.
