Page 35 of Sadistic Obsession (Rise of Phoenyxx #1)

S ynn

I am skulking my way over to the activities building when my phone rings. A-fucking-gain. I frown as I see my father’s name come up, and end the call, as I’ve done all damn day. He's called at least ten times by now.

Right before I open the main door, my shoulder is grabbed, and I’m yanked back and around. My jaw drops in shock to see the man himself standing there, fire in his eyes. He steels his jaw and lashes out to slap me across the face. “How DARE you ignore my calls?”

I say nothing, just glare back at him. “Well? Do you want me to keep you in here forever, SON?”

I shrug, looking right in his eyes when I reply, “I don’t care, Father. I have nothing for you, anyway.”

“What nonsense are you spewing, boy? You have standing orders, and you’ve failed to carry them out!”

“Nothing to tell; you’re better off asking the others.”

“Oh, I’ve heard PLENTY from the others! Their phone call was extremely informative. THEY seem to be following the orders. They’ve accomplished what you haven’t. The girl is emotionally involved with them all.”

My head draws back in shock. I recoil as if someone punched me in the face. “What...?”

“NO! I need an answer, and now!” He clenches his fist, then drives it straight into my gut.

I hunch at the waist, gasping for breath. “I took her in the worst possible way,” I spit out. “It DID break her, though the others pulled her out of it.”

“You are supposed to make her fall for you, you insipid idiot! I am finished with your excuses! You are hereby cut off from the Family fortune—which includes funding, protection, and power. That will be permanent unless you complete the job. Since the others have fulfilled their orders, it’s time to set her up for the fall.

And, Son, it must be an epic one. Rip her apart on the inside, so she’ll be lost, even from herself. ”

“How am I supposed to do that? I’m not on speaking terms...”

“Fix it, you imbecile!” He reaches out and lifts my chin, holding eye contact. “You are no son of mine if you can’t do what it takes to be my heir. I don’t love you, Boy. You’re my only option. But make no mistake, I WILL end you personally if you don’t get in line.”

My heart stops cold in my chest. His words shatter the last remnant of humanity in me. He's never said he didn’t love me before. It must be true. No one could ever care about me. I force back the pain on my face and just nod in response. “Yes, Father. I won’t let you down again.”

“Good. This is your last chance. I will reinstate all of your resources when you finish the job to my satisfaction.” He spins on his heel and walks away.

I am shivering as I let myself inside the building. My brain is screaming, and my chest hurts. The chaos in my mind is at a fever-pitch. I can’t do this anymore.

I push through the doors to the pool, finding a dark corner in the back of the building, behind the pool and the last hot tub. I manage to squeeze myself through it, confident I won’t be found wedged into this small space.

I sit on my ass, pulling out my knife, the hunting, serrated blade I always have with me. It's razor-sharp. I heave out a shaky breath as the voices in my head become deafening. You are unlovable. Everyone hates you. You are worthless. You are nothing. Might as well be dead.

Yeah...might as well be...I hold out my arm, flipping it up.

I hiss as I drag the blade across my wrist. Blood pools out, mesmerizing me, as always.

I stare at it, deciding it’s not enough.

I feel no pain this time as I drag the blade deeper.

The blood pours, trailing down my arm, onto the cold floor.

My arm goes weak, and it drops uselessly by my side.

I lean my head back, closing my eyes. I welcome the darkness when it comes. I hope I sleep forever...

Phoenyxx

I wake with a groan and one hell of a headache. I see Purge watching me. Dammit...I need...Fuck, I don’t know what I need.

“Hey there! How are you feeling?”

“Like dog shit,” I growl. “I need a shower.”

“Of course,” he says, with a smile. “How about you go take care of yourself, and I'll get you something to eat.”

“Okay.”

My mind is reeling with everything that has happened. I feel like I'm being smothered, and I can’t stand it anymore. Knowing Purge’s room is out of sight from the kitchen—I decide to make a split-second decision. I need to get away, to think.

I enter the bathroom first, cranking the shower on.

Hopefully, it will mask any sound I make.

Luckily, I slept in a T-shirt and sweats courtesy of Ghost, so I just need shoes.

Tiptoeing out of the bathroom, I glance towards the front door.

Lady Luck must be shining on me, as I spy my boots sitting next to it.

My phone is on the small table next to the door, also.

I dart towards it, stuffing my feet into my boots and pocketing the phone.

I look behind me; no sign of Purge. My heart pounds when I turn the handle, peering out to see an empty corridor.

I slip out, quietly closing the door behind me.

I exhale as I scurry out the door. I have no idea where to go to think. I spy the PE building looming and get an idea. I walk over to it, trying the door. To my luck again, it’s open. I go left, letting my nose lead me to the pool area. Sitting in a hot tub sounds heavenly right now.

It's empty, thank fuck. I aim for the last hot tub, in the back, out of sight from the door.

Privacy—exactly what I need. I grab the hem of my shirt, starting to pull it over my head, when I hear an odd sound.

I cock my head, trying to figure out what it is.

It sounds like a badly dripping faucet, or something.

I walk towards it, looking around. I detect an almost imperceptible movement, and I go to check it out.

My eyes widen, a shocked gasp leaving my lips when I see a figure huddled in a small, dark corner. “Hey, are you okay?”

No response. Fuck. I put on a brave face as I move closer, calling again, “Hey...I’m here to help.

” I get within a couple of inches of the person before I see a familiar face.

Realization dawns, and I take a couple of steps back.

“Um...Synn? Is that you?” I swallow hard, fear shouting at me to retreat.

I contemplate what to do when I hear that steady dripping again.

I frown, looking down. All the color drains from my face as I realize it’s blood dripping down from Synn’s arm.

I just stand there for a beat, contemplating letting the sick fucker bleed out. He deserves to die.

After a couple of minutes, my empathy kicks in.

I rush forward without thinking. I lean down and grab his arm.

My stomach roils when I see the cut and flayed skin.

“Oh My God! Synn, it’s Phoenyxx. I'm going to help you.” I whip my shirt over my head, leaving me in a sports bra.

Moving quickly, I wrap it as tight as I can around his wrist, tying it tightly.

I raise his arm up, holding it up. “HELP! Someone...help!”

I beat back my panic, knowing I need to act fast. I gently drop his arm to dig my phone out of my pocket. Thank FUCK I grabbed it before leaving the room! I scroll, hitting Frost’s name. “Hey, Killer! What's up?”

“Frost! HELP! It's Synn. He's...hurt bad. There's blood everywhere, and he won’t wake up!” I babble.

“Whoa, slow down, Killer. Synn’s hurt? Where are you? Why aren’t you with Purge?”

“I...had to...think, so I slipped out. I'm by the pool, in the corner by the last hot tub. Please hurry! He looks really bad!”

“On my way! I'll alert the others. Hang tight!”

“Okay...” A shaky breath leaves me. “He can’t die, Frost. He just...”

“He won’t! We’re coming!”

I end the call, shoving the phone back into my pocket. I slap his cheeks to rouse him, but he doesn’t move. I lift his arm again, putting firm pressure on his wrist with my hands. “Synn...you have to fight, please! I can’t...THEY can’t...lose you! Fight dammit!”

Tears stream down my face as my panic attack threatens to take me down. I don’t question why I’m fighting so hard for him; it’s just not an option for him to die. No matter what he’s done to me.

“Killer!” I hear Frost yell. “Where are you?”

“Oh, Thank God! Back here, hurry!”

He comes careening into the corner we’re in, Purge, Trikk, Razor, and Ghost right behind him. “Bro!” Trikk screams as his face pales.

“NO!” Razor bellows, beelining for us. He shoves me aside and gathers Synn up in his arms. “No, no... don’t leave me, man!” The agony in his voice has me choking on another sob.

“Watch them!” Frost orders, turning to me. “I’m calling for help. You did good, Killer.”

I shake my head faster and faster. “No, no...” I whimper, falling to the ground, watching helplessly as Razor rocks an unconscious Synn in his arms.

Someone comes up behind me, lowering to the ground with me. “Malishka, I’m here,” Ghost says softly. My whole body turns into mush as I slump into his comforting hold. I can’t speak; I’m crying too hard. My entire body shakes with my sobs.

More arms encircle me, and I hear Trikk’s voice. “I’m here, too. We all are.”

I lay there limp in their arms, until an array of voices come into the pool area.

“Where is the hurt student?”

Frost pops out, shouting, “Here!” Four adults I’ve never seen before round the corner, rushing towards Synn. “Son, let us in,” they bark at Razor. He just roars; it takes all four of them to pry him away from Synn.

One man grabs his unhurt arm, checking for a pulse. “We have a pulse, but it’s weak,” he announces. “There seems to be pretty significant blood loss. He likely needs a transfusion, stat.”

My face pales further. Two of them go out of my line of sight, coming back with a stretcher. Two grab his arms, the other two his feet, and they carefully transfer him to the stretcher. “What’s his name? Does anyone know his blood type?”

“Synn,” a destroyed Razor answers.

“Joseph Franco,” Frost adds.

“He’s AB negative,” Razor adds.

“Where are you taking him?” Frost demands.

“The inpatient medical building,” one woman replies. A mutter of curses follows that, which has my heart doing triple-time. They turn and hustle off, pushing the stretcher.

“Will he be safe?”

“Truthfully, we don’t know,” Purge rasps out.

I take in a couple of grounding breaths, standing up straight.

With determination, I start racing after the staff who have Synn.

Loud footsteps sound out behind me, all of them following.

As we haul ass across the clearing from the PE building to the medical building, one strong thought keeps chanting in my head: “ Anything to help Synn. Anything.”