THE WIND PICKED up around them. Sebastian turned to face the woman. She had crawled and placed her back against a tree. Fear shone in her eyes, and her cheeks were glistening in the firelight from falling tears. 

Sebastian watched her straighten her back as he approached. "Don't be afraid. I can help you. What is your name?"

"Ann—Annalysia." She whimpered. Sebastian glanced around the surrounding area. He looked into her eyes. Her soul shone with innocence and fear. She did not belong here.

"We need to leave," he said finally. "Cedric had many followers. I don't want to be here when they find their leader murdered." 

Footsteps sounded in the distance. No doubt they heard the gunshot and would be upon them soon. Without a word, Sebastian swooped down and picked her up. He took off among the trees. Annalysia weeped against his chest and clung tight to him.

"Listen," he yelled as he traveled among the branches, "you can't trust anyone in this arena." Peering down into her scared eyes, he paused. He remembered when they had thrown him into the arena as if it was yesterday. He learned survival the hard way. She wouldn't suffer the same fate if he had a say in the matter.

"Cedric, I believe was his name," Annalysia swallowed a lump in her throat, "told me the same thing when I arrived yesterday. What makes you any different?"

Sebastian stopped in his tracks and took in her weary green eyes. She was right. What made the difference? For a starter, he wasn't after her for a good time, right?

"Because I am Death clocked in flesh." His eyes flashed emerald, showing her his power, "No one will come near us if they know what's good for them." 

The woman flinched. No doubt she wasn't expecting such an answer like that, but it was true. Ever since the government called him unfit for civilization, he had become the most feared person in the arena.

"I—" she whimpered, "I'm innocent!" He stared at her as she began weeping. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, and her body trembled in his arms. "They threw me in here for killing my fiance, but I didn't do it. I was nowhere near him. I want to go home—No way I can win."

"I have heard of a way." Sebastian muttered.

"Really?" She cooed, causing him to glance down at her. She wiped away stray tears, and a hopeful gleam showed in her eyes.

"If I knew a way out of this place—why would I still be here?" He shouted. Fear returned to her eyes. "I've heard rumors, but I doubt they are true." The leaves rustled on his left. Sebastian paused and glanced towards the underbrush. 

A lion pounced out and raced towards them. The reaper lifted the woman higher on his back then turned and ran. He had to get out of harm's way, but how? If only he could get rid of Annalysia then he could use his scythe.

"Drop me," she whispered from behind. Sebastian's slide to a stop. The lion's steps grew ever louder. Could he risk letting go? What if he died or she ran off and got lost? Would he be able to find her? What would happen if he didn't make it back?

The lion roared as it appeared out of the brush.

Sebastian let go of Annalysia, allowing her to slide off his back. "Run," he said as he stared ahead. He had to fight. He had to make sure she stayed safe. 

The woman nodded before escaping into the woods. Now he was free to fight with his full strength. "Hey, ugly come and get me!" With those words, he turned down a path. The lion followed close behind.

Once he had led the lion away from Annalysia, he bounded into a tree. The lion stopped and glanced around, searching for its prey. 

Sebastian laughed as he fell out of the tree and landed on his head. He withdrew his scythe and ran the blade across its neck. The lion fell limp under his weight. He jumped and scanned around.

One thought engrossed his mind. Where had Annaylsia gone? Sebastian froze. What if, while he was distracted, someone had taken her. 

No, they couldn't have, there were no gongs while he fought the lion. She was still alive. But for how long? He turned and faced the direction from which he came from before proceeding back down the path. What made her so special to him?