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He headed down the hallway, ignoring their shouts calling hihts, loud voices, a cacophony of noises bo him from the blissful darkness where the pain had been dorht-year-old male In and out of consciousness Symp- toms indicate possible concussion Lacerations on the face Contusions on several parts of the body Possible patella fracture Possible cracked ribs"

"Froht"

Light flashed across his face "If he won, I’d hate to see the guy who lost"

"No kidding Be warned: He’s disoriented and volatile"

"Put hinostic rooot it, Doc"

The noise faded and his sto Get a bucket"

Hands tilted his head, and he expelled the contents of his stoain

• • •

"MR Black, can you open your eyes?"

Ronin winced when he shook his head Felt like his brain was grinding against the inside of his skull

"Sorry I have to do this Hold him still"

Someone pried his eyelids open with a crowbar and tried to sear his retinas with laser beams Tears streamed out the corners of his eyes and down his neck He tried to twist away, but rough hands held him firm

"Almost done"

White spots danced behind his lids even after he sla you re had been so fuzzy--shrouded by the pain in his head "I was nauseous"

"Before that?"

Being in the cage Existing in that state where he focused on inflictingon histoward

"Sir?" the voice interrupted "Try to think back The last ie you remember"

"I was in a tunnel"

"Like tunnel vision?"

"Yes"

"Suddenly bright light? Or very dim?"

"Both I saw a pinpoint in the distance; then my peripheral vision blurred and beca into his swollen knee and the cooling effects of the flooring on his forear went black