Read It Rained Red Upon the Arena for Free Online Page A

wall behind him. The metal on the cells came from the ceiling overhead to the stone floor. On the floor there was a bed mattress up against the wall in the back. Nick sat down on the greasy old mattress. He wanted to cry but he felt as though he had no tears left to shed.
    This was the worst night in existence; nothing could compare to the pain Nick felt. His mom had passed away from sickness and that hurt all too much. But to have his father murdered in front of his very eyes was something he could not comprehend. It had all happened so fast. One minute his father and he were having a conversation, the next minute a drunken man drove a sword into his father’s neck.
    Now Nick sat in a cell where he had hoped to put criminals in one day. He loved his father with everything he had. Christopher was his only family. Now he was left in the world alone, no family to help him, love him, or watch him grow into a young man. He had his father taken from him, and he knew the next day he would be on trial for killing his father and another man.
    The night grew colder, and it was a long night indeed. Sleep was not an option for Nick; it could not even cross his mind. What proof did he have that he did not kill his father, but rather killed a man in self-defense.
    The man said they talked and worried about my dad , thought Nick. He did not know what that could mean. It was not a bar fight gone bad. Somebody had sent a hit man to that tavern to kill Christopher Bint. Nothing about the scenario made sense.
    Hours flew by as Nick’s thoughts consumed him. His mind was going in circles. He had to prove his innocence even though no one had seen what had truly happened. He had to do this for his father. He had to prove his innocence and mourn his death later.
    ***
    A click and clatter of steel boots was heard as the two Refect returned to Nick’s cell. “Eat this plate here. When you’re finished we head to your trial,” said one Refect.
    A plate of brown mush was given to Nick through a hole in the middle of the metal cell wall. A wooden spoon accompanied the meal. It did not look appetizing but Nick tried the brown slush. A mix of mud and cow feces is what it tasted like. One bite was enough for him. “I’m good on the food. Just take me to the trial,” said Nick.
    “You want to know something? You will get so hungry that you’ll be begging for this after your trial, boy,” replied a Refect as he chuckled. “Alright, put both hands between these two metal bars.”
    Nick faced the Refect and put them through. The Refect to Nick’s right shook his head and said, “Turn around, smart one. You always are cuffed with your hands behind your back. Don’t worry. You will get used to this soon enough.”
    Nick was walked through the cell hall and back the way he had come. The Refect held Nick’s arms with a firm grip as they walked him. “Lucky you, you got to spend the whole night by yourself in there, buddy. Normally there are a few we get every night, but don’t worry; there will be friends to be made at the arena in due time,” said a Refect as he walked Nick.
    “You know I’m going to become a Refect soon after this trial. I’m not going to the arena. You better know this because one day I will be in charge of you, I can assure you of that,” said Nick.
    The two Refect burst out laughing. “Funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Thank you for that,” said one Refect. “The only thing you can be assured of, young murderer, is that you will be dead in a few weeks in a pool of blood on the sandy floor of the Vincot Arena. You sound like a snobby little kid. Better learn to keep your mouth shut, Mr. Bint.”
    Nick walked quietly now. He had to focus and not let the two men get into his head. He knew what he had to say to prove his innocence, but he knew he might also need a bit of luck on his side to be a free man again.
    Nick was walked out the front door of the cells building and onto the porch. It was early morning judging