#Chapter 23: Train Like Your Life Depends On It

“Come,” the Pitmaster says. “I’ll show you where you can rest for the night.” She turns and starts walking away from me. I hurry to follow her, eager for sleep. Fear and adrenaline have kept me going since before my escape attempt. While I still feel those things, my body physically cannot handle much more. The Pitmaster leads me to one of the crude bed chambers. Inside, a cot is pressed up against one wall. There’s also a small table with a wash basin on top. The basin is currently empty. “There’s a water pump in the canteen,” the Pitmaster says. “I’ll show you more tomorrow. For now, sleep while you can. In the morning, I expect you to be ready to train.” Stepping into the room, I glance back at her. “I’m going to train?” I thought she might just sent me out into the arena to be slaughtered, like other matches I’ve seen. “I don’t want you to embarrass me by dying too soon,” the Pitmaster says. “At the very least, I will show you how to hold a sword. Hopefully you can do so