Chapter 2: The Release
This is a part two; however it was written in a different Person than part one so please forgive the confusing switch.
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I sat against the wall, slowly eating my dinner. A paltry porridge yet again, not designed to sustain life for long, but those in the coliseum rarely need worry about it. Growling I bounced my bowl off the cell wall.
Once again I heard the distinct tapping of the guards boots in the corridor. This had become quite a ritual each night, taken from my cell and walked to the visiting rooms where I would take Helen, forcing her to be the slave for a little while but always knowing that I would again be led back to my cell in chains.
The guard seemed a little smug this evening. He had a silly grin on his face like he had a secret that he was yet unwilling to share. Once chained I started forward to seek out the familiar rooms and the Lady that once again waited for me.
As I started into the visitor room, the guard yanked me back by the chains that bound me. βWait a minute,β he ordered. Reaching into his belt the guard pulled forth a cloth bag. βYou wouldn't wish to spoil the lady's surprise would you?β He asked sweetly, almost mockingly.
The guard was truly no friend; as a matter of fact he had seemed more and more hostile with each nightly trip. It was no secret what had been taking place but it was highly unusual for a matron so fair to repeat more than once. His anger was also fueled by my silence as he plied me for details on each trip back to my cell. Most gladiators had not the morals to keep from openly bragging about what had happened and in some small way sharing the woman with the guard. It was too obvious he lusted heavily for her and of course felt degraded as he begged me to reveal exactly how soft her skin might be. He hated me for it.
So I donned the hood and made my way into the room. I was chained as usual to the ring in the wall. I had full freedom of movement up to ten feet from the wall, but waited silently for him to leave and Helen to pull off the cloth bag.
I was startled a bit when instead it was the guard that spoke. βRemove your hood mighty Maximus. Remove it and let your eyes see your lady friend now!β He gleefully challenged in triumph.