The guard opened all eight bolts on the door to my cell. Was it lunchtime already? I guess so because he carried the foul smelling prison food over to me.
"Good afternoon Commander Bold." He greeted. He showed his teeth, but failed to show a real smile.
"What are you so cheery about?" I asked.
"Don't you know? Today's kind of a holiday for us in Black Death Prison. Look I even gave you a piece of gizka meat to help you celebrate." He pionted to the demented chunk of meat.
"Charming. What's the occasion?"
"It's your imprisonment anniversary." He smiled. This time it was genuine. I frowned at him.
"I hear the warden has a special surprise for you." He said as he held the food closer to my face. It smelled fouls and didn't look any better. I scrunched my nose.
"Ah what's wrong? The little traitor doesn't like the trash?" He sneered. Apparently he felt like playing games today. Had my arms and legs not been restrained, he wouldn't have dared. I was a Commander and he was a major. Even more importantly: I was a Bold and he was not. But since as things were . . . he continued with his game.
"Ahh come on," he held the food closer. "Try it." He tossed it in my face. The bowl and most of its contents fell to the floor. He roared with laughter. All I could do was tighten my fists. I felt my temperature rise with my anger, but I lacked the necessary equipment to spark the heat into flames.
"Hahahah! What a mess! Commander Bold, the traitorous daughter. You were the daughter of the man who is about to be the ruler of the entire galaxy. And he was generous enough to let you have 12 of those plantes." The guard preached.
"Spare me the lecture Major. I think I know my own family's status." I yawned.
"And you threw it all away," he continued, "for what? for friendship?" he questioned.
"You sound jealous Major. What's the matter? Don't you have any friends?" I teased him. " I can't say I blame them. I wouldn't want to be your friend either."
"You're little friend will be lucky if he's dead when your father finds him. And what about your other 'friends'?" he challenged. "You had a whole army devoted to you, but guess they left with your rank."
"Then you guess wrong. My army is loyal to me. Not my rank, not my father,and not to my power."
"What power?" he challenged again. "Thats gone too. You have nothing, you are nothing. You're nothing but a sad friendless, pathetic b . . "
I spat in his face before he could finish. He frowned with disgust as he wiped his face. That same hand slapped me across the face. It stung at first, but I locked my jaw and kept silent. My cheek numbed quickly, my body knew what do with pain.
He stormed towards the door but stopped before exiting.
"Happy Anniversary Commander. I hope you rot in here."
He slapped the door behind him and threw the eight bolts back into place.