…The disk from the arena was still intact. Synge placed it into the player and turned on the visual monitor. He started it at when the snake was coming at him. The snake’s dagger landed into Synge’s shoulder. Synge just looked up and screamed, his eyes turning pure red. When he looked down, electricity from the lights started to shoot out everywhere, fire leapt from the heaters, even the ground started to gain a life of its own. Synge looked away and the screaming started. When the screaming stopped, he looked back to see everyone dead. He stopped the disk and ejected it. “Never again” he said…

**********

…Synge woke up starring at a white ceiling. He sat up feeling a pain in his left shoulder. Removing the bandages, he noticed it had healed up nicely. How long have I been here? Getting out of bed, he headed out the door. Now stripped of his battle supplies, he felt naked and vulnerable. When he got to the waiting room, he saw Zet, Raj, and Timber in chairs facing the opposite direction. Zet was tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair while the other two were sleeping. Synge snuck up until he was right behind Zet and tugged on his tail. Zet yelped and jumped out of his chair, waking the other two in the process. “Geeze Synge” said Zet “you scared the shit out of me” while the other two started laughing. “How’s it going Synge?” said Timber trying to pull himself together, but failing. “OK I guess” he said rotating his arm and rubbing his shoulder “although my left shoulder hurts.” “Tis to be expected” said Raj “after getting a bullet lodged into your shoulder blade removed.” Synge laughed “when did you start using the word ‘tis.’ It doesn’t work for you.” Raj chuckled a bit and Timber asked “what happened down in the tunnels? We were having major problems with the raiders when suddenly we heard you on the radio. You screamed and suddenly, a bright flash in the woods appeared. When we went into the tunnels, we found everyone dead except for you and another raider.” Synge instantly snapped to attention and hurriedly asked “what other raider?” “He’s in a holding cell back at camp” Raj said “why?” “I’ll tell you on the way” Synge said “let’s get going…”

**********

...History has a strange way of repeating itself thought Synge as he finished his story, even after Zet’s protests. “You know you don’t have to tell them.” Synge’s response was “they have a right to know.” After Synge was done, nobody said anything until they got to camp. When Zet pulled over, Timber finally gained the courage to talk. “So in the caves…that was just a way to…release your anger?” Zet and Raj both gave him evil glances. “Pretty much I guess” said Synge looking at his feet. They got out of the car and went into camp…

**********

…“I’m not telling you anything” said Blight, smirking at Synge’s frustration. “Come on” said Zet “I could get you out of here if you tell us.” Blight laughed and said “I would rather watch Synge over here suffer.” Synge glared at Blight and snarled “leave Zet.” Zet got up and walked towards the door. “Last chance Blight” said Zet but Blight just laughed. Zet shook his head and left. Synge just sat there, glaring at Blight. “So,” said Blight, “you want to talk about the old days?” Synge stood up and unscrewed the light bulb, leaving only the light from the window to light the room. “Sorry, not afraid of the dark” said Blight in a mocking tone. Synge placed his fingers in the socket and said “you will be…”

**********

…Outside the door, Zet sat waiting. Suddenly, there came scream from the room. Zet looked and said “I told you…”