Mythical Rising

8

M.R8

My exercise routine was rigorous and relentless. With no distractions and nothing better to do I worked out. I ran on the spot. Crunches touching knees with my elbows. Holding plank position. Press ups. Squats. Its amazing the amount of exercise you can do with no equipment when you out your mind to it.

I will not let myself get out of shape. No one has ever escaped here until me. My determination was doubled. Now I had to figure out how to convince the others to work out.

Nigel was watching me intently through the bars. I pushed my self harder. Watching him slowly creep closer. Inch by inch he got. It was like trying to catch a wild animal. Ignore it let it think you haven’t seen it wait until it is close enough to catch. Then pounce. That’s what I was doing now waiting to get Nigel in a position that he can’t get away from without losing face to the others.

If I judge this right he will have no choice but to start working out. He wants to that much is clear from the way he is watching. There is something holding him back but I don’t know what. Ah ha he is to close now and been seen so he can’t get away.

“Nigel you ok Buddy?”

He flinched back at first but looked around at Susan and the other’s cells first.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. What is it your doing?”

His first yeah came out higher and a little shaken,

“Exercise. Haven’t queen it before?”

“I’ve heard of it but never seen it. Never really wanted to try it out either.”

“Come on join in with me it’s fun and you will feel good after. It almost makes you feel free again.”

I jogged on the spot. Nigel watched me intensely. Then when he was sure I wasn’t taking the piss. He started to jog. It was like staying in one place was impossible. He went around and around in his cell. With him being so small he was able to run a decent lap. A pang of jealousy washed over me but passed quickly. Without pause I started to do star jumps. My heart was pumping but I still had plenty of life left in me. Nigel stopped for a second and watched my movements. Then he copied me.

It didn’t take long for Susan to start asking questions. I explained to her and told her to join in. To watch Nigel for instruction. Before long I could hear the whole corridor moving in time with each other the volume increasing louder than the talking had ever been.

They couldn’t keep up with me for on. Years of laziness, had took a toll on heir stamina. They were all unfit. They’re going to take weeks or months for them to build up muscle and stamina but we had time. We might be bonding but we weren’t yet a team and there was no real trust yet.

As one by one, my fellow inmates stopped. All gasping and panting the sound slowly quieted. Then the rumble came at the far end. Moments later the guards marched past.

We were taken out for our exercise period. This time I was going to introduce myself to Terance the dragon. He is going to be a huge part of my plan. Sometimes bigger is better and there was none bigger than him I had seen yet.

When I saw him my heart sank. A truly magnificent beast chained and shackled. Bolted to the hard rock. Chains holding his jaw shut. He just lay bound even though he had a little slack in his chains. He was a beaten being. His soul was crushed. Animals had always responded well to me. I could call wild birds to my outstretched arm. They would flutter down and perch on me like I was no more of a threat than a tree. I hoped this would be the same for a dragon.

Others tried to speak to me as I walked to the dragon. I was polite and made my excuses to keep moving. I was a mere ten feet away when he swung his head at me. It would be a lie if I said I didn’t shit my pants. I fell back and landed on my arse. Some of the others laughed at me and so did the guards. Terrance blew a smoke ring out of one nostril. The ring drifted over me.

I let out a little chuckle of embarrassment. Still being careful I walked towards the beast. He just lay there and let me get close. His eyes were full of unspilled tears. The waster balanced on the rims of his eyelids. One blink would have let the buckets of salty water-free.

“It’s ok mate I’m a friend.”

I whispered as I gently placed my hand on his side. His skin was hard. I thought it would feel like a snake or lizard. Smooth and silky but it was like the thickest leather ever made. It wasn’t smooth either it was rough like sandpaper. Still I stroked him like the biggest dog ever seen. I walked closer to the head still rubbing the flesh. His breathing pushing my arm up and down. I got to his face one tooth protruded out of his lips. The tooth was bigger than me. If he was to bite me he would gobble me up in one go.

“We need you. I need you. Do you understand. Blink once if you do.”

I whispered. He did one massive blink. Before I could say more a guard barked at me.

“Elf back away.”

I had no choice but to do so. The rules would be upheld here. Any hesitation would be met with punishment. I didn’t want another beating. Once I was away the guards pounced on me. Even though I was obeying there order I had still done something wrong. Blows reigned down on me kicks and punches. Then an electric shock ran through me. I was flopping around like a fish out of water.

There was what felt to me a huge gust of wind and the weight of the guards was off me. Terrence had swiped his tail at them knocking the guards flying. Like a child flicking a pile of cornflakes. They soon jumped up. Instead of going for the dragon they dragged me away back to my cell. I was dazed and barely conscious.  

“Don’t speak to the dragon.”

That was there parting message. They knew he would be a huge problem for them if he was to get lose. If only they knew what I had in store for them. I thank my lucky stars they don't and hopefully won't until it is too late for them.