The Coliseum Games

By J.A. Green

Hayleigh Alexandre is a quiet shy teen. When she finds herself in a situation where she must choose between 2 decisions that will change her life forever, she must deal with the troubles from her family’s past in The Coliseum Games, a competition that has had 3 survivors in its over 100 year history. She will learn more about herself and how and why her family has come to be so hurt by one of the most influential families in the state. Join Hayleigh as she enters the Coliseum Games and the unique twists that happen during this intense competition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.A. Green
• Release date: Sep 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370402724

J.A. Green

J. A. Green is an author of fiction writings in the suspense and action genres. The style of J. A. Green's writings are an easy reading often using short chapters for busy readers. He has enjoyed creative writing since his teen years (a long time ago, in a state far away). He hopes you will enjoy all his works as much as he enjoyed bringing them to you. J. A. Green is the author of the: Marcus Markley series, Passages, The Coliseum Games, Deception!, and Battlecry!

Book preview

J.A. Green

LifeMAPS Publishing

Acknowledgement

A special heart felt thank you to my family and friends whose love and support has made this book see the light of day.

Disclaimers

Notice 1

All characters, events, and names are fictitious. Any resemblance, likeness, or similarities are purely coincidental.

Notice 2:

As the author of this book I have read and re-read the content multiple times. Heck, I wrote it. I have reviewed and edited this book into its current form. It is possible though that after so many read-throughs that there might be grammatical, syntax, or spelling errors. If you locate one, I sincerely apologize. I respectfully request that if you deem it worthy of correction that it truly detracts from the book, please send me an email with the error, the correction, and the page number and paragraph where this error is located. It would be much appreciated. Please send corrections to: [e-mail].

Thank you.

Jonathan Green

The Coliseum Games by J.A. Green 2015.©

All right reserved

Chapter 1

25 years ago

He had survived the first 19 Challenges. He had six more to go. He raced through the dense forest like area. He heard the 30-foot snake behind him quickly gaining on him, then suddenly there was silence. He ran for the clearing. He could see it ahead. He hoped for the best knowing it would be for the worst.

Henry, had his machete at the ready, He was about 15 feet from the clearing when the massive Anaconda rose up to strike. Snakes, giant snakes, why did they have to be these massive reptiles. He could handle almost anything except this. The snake struck at him hard and fast. In a split second he jumped and dove inside the snake with a machete over his head. The blades sliced and ripped the first 10 feet of the snake just behind the head. It fell to the ground dead.

He headed for the clearing. He was hot and tired. It was no longer clear as to how many days he’d been in the challenge. He just knew he had to keep going. He stopped and listened. There was silence except for the sound of running water in the distance. A stream. He worked his way towards the sound. There it was, a clear running stream. He ran towards it.

Henry thought about the job he had taken time away from to come and be a part of this competition. The promise of fame and glory had captured his heart and mind before truly considering the risk involved. It had looked so much easier and fake on television. He had watched this competition throughout his childhood.

He did not see the pit that had been covered by loose foliage. As he was about to fall in he grabbed a vine. He hit the side of the pit hard. He began to climb his way out of the pit. A flair fell from his utility belt.it just kept falling, he never heard it hit the bottom. He quickly climbed his way out and back up onto solid ground in the daylight.

He walked carefully to the stream. There he would be able to wash his face and refresh. He pulled his cup from as backpack. He filled the cup. As he began to drink, He thought twice and pulled it from his lips before swallowing any, He poured some on the ground and a little puff of smoke rose from it.

He quickly grabbed the topical solution he created for sunburn that had an acid neutralizer in it. He started a campfire in which he was able to boil the water for 30 minutes to neutralize all the acid. He was then able to let it cool and take a long drink. He made camp for the night.

Throughout the night he slept literally with one eye open as he could hear the creatures roaming around him. So many sounds. They all prevented him from being able to sleep wondering what the next challenge would be. Ironically there was no challenge per se, though his mind was emotionally spent. The next morning early, he broke camp heading for the lagoon.

Henry came across an old settler’s cabin, he saw a man holding a very large and very sharp knife to what looked like his wife and daughter. Kara. He called out. Sarah and the little girl cried Daddy!! The man was enraged, ready to attack the person that would strike out at his family. He quickly stopped.

It was in these situations that it was easiest to fall into the trap. He stopped and looked around very carefully. The pulled his automatic weapon. He poked around with his walking stick. Sure enough, two more steps and long wooden spikes would have gone through both his legs, He triggered the trap.

Hank noticed a bamboo pole that he used as a barrel to steady his shot as he targeted his pistol. He ducked into the brush. Kara screamed for him. He lined up a shot very carefully He aimed and squeezed the trigger Three times in rapid succession. The man dropped, Kara and Sarah disappeared. It had been a hallucination.

When he arrived near the lagoon, there was a hot meal, Fresh clothes, several well-dressed individuals, and a large briefcase that likely held his money. Just as he came over the ridge to make his descent, there are several shots fired, He dropped immediately, the shots kept coming. The sound of Kara and Sarah screaming for him was incredible and rung in his ears. He located the first shooter. He was low enough that with a silencer He could shoot and hit them in both ankles. Two quick spits from his pistol and the first shooter dropped. A moment later He spotted the second. He moved into position, rose from behind them putting one in each of their heads, blowing out the back of their skulls.

The third shooter was about 30 yards away on top of the ridge. Hank dropped the weapon immediately evacuated his position, Just in time before the third’s shooter unloaded a barrage of bullets from his automatic rifle. Several minutes later, there was a sickly gagging sound. The third shooter was dead. Hank walked in to the opening of the water’s edge.

Congratulations Henry you have completed the competition came the deep voice from the speakers. Twenty-four people came in, only you are walking out. Now how about we get you into a shower, some fresh clothes, and some food. I’m sure Kara and Sarah would like to see you as would the hundreds of millions that had been following your adventure. You are the second winner in the existence of the competition in 85 years.

20 years ago

March

The man entered the small convenience store in the corporate business center. He walked over to the soda fountain to get a large cherry cola. A couple of men walked in soon afterwards. They walked towards the roller food near the soda fountain. It appeared a few words were exchanged. The next thing anyone saw were the two men that walked in together laying on the floor in a pool of blood. The man walked out with his soda.

When he was later picked up for questioning, He had a large sum of money on him and some bags of white powder in his jacket pocket. He stated the drugs were planted on him. He explained the money as a friend had just paid him back the $35000 he loaned them. The story was corroborated by the friend. The investigators reviewed the tape of the 3 men. It appeared there were words exchanged. Soon there was some money being stashed into his pants or shirt.

At the trial, he admitted to defending himself. The men were pushing an agenda that he could not support. They had pushed him and he defended himself. The case was handed to the jury to determine his freedom. Due to the evidence presented at the trial, he was found guilty with extenuating circumstances.

The judge gave the man a choice. Either life at Vesuvius, the maximum security penitentiary in which the average life expectancy of inmates was six weeks or be placed in The Coliseum. He chose the competition at The Coliseum.

Matthew Frankel age 27 was convicted of first degree murder of two men while robbing them. He was convicted of possession of illegal substances with the intent to sell and distribute. Frankel was admitted into The Coliseum as his punishment at the sentencing hearing.

Frankel entered the facility. The monitors tracked him for the first 24 hours. Frankel was last seen at his camp at the end of day 2. During the night, there was an explosion and a wide ranging fire in that part of the coliseum.

The monitors and systems experienced technical difficulties and a service interruption. When the service went down, Frankel’s vital signs were strong for an individual in a state of rest. After the explosion and systems were restored, Frankel monitors were nonexistent. Due to the intense heat and wide spread devastation, it was presumed Frankel was incinerated in the explosion. There were no remains to be removed. All that was found was a canteen Frankel had taken in. The container was returned to Frankel family.

October

The Department Coordinators knocked on the doors repeatedly. They had been at the front entrance to the estate for 10 minutes already with no response. The Lead Coordinator tried calling the house number and then Henry's cellphone. He received voice mail on both numbers. He decided they would walk around the house looking for any signs of life. The Lead took the right side walking through the small orchard by the detached garage, working his way around to the back.

He found partially filled bushel baskets of different fruit from the trees and the vines. The harvesting had not been completed. The picked fruit appeared to have been picked in the past 24 hours. The Lead Coordinator entered the garage that served as a storage for the orchard equipment as well as the vehicles. The large four-wheel drive vehicle was missing. The other cars were in place. The Lead called the security center at the office. He requested a Scan and Locate of Henry Faustad. He instructed them to utilize the security code to the full size SUV that Faustad drives.

There were a few moments of silence on the other end of the line. He continued to look around the garage. Nothing appeared to be missing based on what he had observed over the past five years of coming to this residence.

A voice came back; okay we have located the vehicle. Hmm, that is funny. The receiver is about 100 feet to your left. The Lead looked around. He found a box of junk on the work bench. Buried about halfway down was the transmitter. I found the transmitter. What about his chip? We are not picking up anything within 100 miles of the house.

He thought about this. Where would Henry have gone? There was no record of a trip being approved. He worked his way to the back of the house. His colleague was already in the back. Captain, his colleague said, we found an open window. He looked out over the yard. Good work. Take a few men and scour the property for any sign of where the family may have traveled to. I will bring Ferguson into the house and we will go through it.

The Lead entered the house and let a small team in to search for anything that might indicate where the family was and why they left. Captain, I think we found something. The Lead entered the family room. On top of the television was an envelope. He looked at it. The envelope had printing on it. It read:

To whoever cares:

I have had enough. I have chosen to reclaim my life and the life of my family. I have left them; they will never see me again. Please let them be.

-me

The Lead took the envelope and opened it. He unfolded the single sheet of paper and read. Immediately he called the security center. Put out a bulletin for Henry Faustad and his family. It looks like he is making a run to escape.

Chapter 2

Today

The lunch room was busy as usual for the late morning lunch crowd. The noise was barely quieter than standing near a 747 warming up. Hayleigh found a seat in the far corner like usual to eat quietly and be nonexistent. She quietly read her book, not talking to anybody.

The book was knocked to the ground. It was Abigail and her little posse. Abigail Dunwieler sounded like she should have been a rich matron in the 1800 instead she was a 300-pound behemoth that terrorized anywhere she was. It was sad that her brain was smaller than a rat, Hayleigh thought.

Unfortunately, she was very strong though not very bright. There were those that liked her security which she provided for a fee. One did her homework and reports; one gave her money. One bought her gifts. As such, some opened their mouth before they thought. Abigail had repeated a few grades a few times. As such she was significantly older at 17 still being in ninth grade.

Abigail who like to be called Tank, literally looked like one. Rumor had it that a few years ago, someone mouthed off to her and she knocked the kid unconscious where the individual was hospitalized for several days, thus she now had a probation officer. Nevertheless, Tank decided to come visit thinking she was funny that Hayleigh had dropped her book.

Tank took Hayleigh’s peanut butter. Very funny Tank, said Hayleigh. Dipweed, Abigail’s name for anybody, Hayleigh guessed this made it easier to remember people’s name for someone of her limited capacity, you were looking at me funny in math class. Hayleigh paused. Tank we do not have Math together. You callin’ me a liar, Dipweed? No, just pointing out we have different schedules. Tank grabbed Hayleigh by the sweatshirt. If I say we have class together, we have class together. If you say so, said Hayleigh. Tank put her down.

Tank slurped down the gelatin through her nose. It was almost comical, though Hayleigh knew better than to laugh. It seemed as though Tank was seeking any reason to fight. Hayleigh was not giving her any reason.

The teachers were over at their tables not paying attention to much of anything at all. The Assistant Principal was off in a conversation with a few of the Student Council. Hayleigh did not like where this was headed.

Abigail saw the bracelet on Hayleigh's arm. What is that asked Tank, pointing at the bracelet? Oh man thought Hayleigh. Hayleigh stated it was a gift from my grandfather before he died. Give it to me, stated Tank. Tank, I just told you it was a gift from my grandfather just before he died. It is very special to me. It may not have much value but the sentiment to me is a lot. Tank looked at her unconcerned. Dipweed, do I look like I care about your sad life. Give me the bracelet. Tank looked at her and smiled. I think you did not hear me. Give me the bracelet or I will take it.

Hayleigh stated I cannot do that. Tank grinned again. I am going to enjoy this. Tank grabbed for Hayleigh's arm. Hayleigh was too quick. She knew if Abigail got her it could go bad quick. She would have to out maneuver her. Tank reached for Hayleigh's sweatshirt. Hayleigh made it away and stood before Tank could get her. Abigail threw herself at her. Hayleigh dodged just in the nick of time and Abigail went down hard on the tile floor of the cafeteria. Unfortunately, Tank's posse surrounded Hayleigh as Tank was standing up.

Hayleigh looked and the teacher's and Assistant Principal still were looking elsewhere unconcerned. Some kids were watching now. Abigail swung hard at Hayleigh. Hayleigh turned to miss the blow only to turn into Maya, one of Tank's posse that pushed her towards Tank. Tank grabbed her around the neck with her arm and squeezed. Tank tried to choke Hayleigh. As she squeezed tighter, Hayleigh dropped and swept Tank’s leg, kicking her ankle hard. Abigail went down hard and screamed. Hayleigh broke free. A few teachers looked over at the girls. They stopped talking.

Abigail was now crying in pain. Her posse had disappeared into the crowd. It was just Hayleigh standing over Tank as she cried. The Assistant Principal came over to the girls. Hayleigh and Abigail let's go to my office. Tank wailed that she cannot stand or walk, she needed the nurse. The Assistant Principal radioed for the nurse to come to the cafeteria. Hayleigh was told to sit in a chair a distance from Tank where she laid.

Tank began telling the story of