Maximus wasn’t scared. Why would he be? He was a strong man. He was surrounded by people training to be their physical best constantly. He himself constantly, relentlessly trained. If anyone or anything chose to mess with this camp, they wouldn't get away unharmed. He was safe.

So why couldn’t he sleep? Why was he staring at the roof, fidgeting with the thin, scratchy blanket?

Because tonight, the other boys had decided to tell horror stories.

That was hours ago. Everyone had fallen asleep by now, needing to be up in a few hours.

Almost everyone.