Page 21 of Sadistic Retribution

“Over here,” 6 says. “We get ringside seats!”

I reluctantly follow 6. I really don’t want to watch anyone get beat up.

As I’m taking my seat, the loudspeaker in the corner comes on. “Everybody ready for today’s match?”

Cheers go up around the arena. I see a girl approaching the ring. She's about my age with brown hair and brown eyes. Smaller in stature, but she’s packed with muscle.

She strides in, smiling right at me. “I’m going to fuck you up next!” she announces.

“Keep dreaming!” I holler back. She just smiles wider.

Good job, Phoenyxx. Poke that bear. I groan inwardly, not able to help the snark that always gets me into trouble.

A second girl approaches the ring. She's really tall—she has to be at least five-foot-ten, with shorn dark hair in almost a buzzcut. She's muscular as well. Both girls are wearing the same sports bra and leggings, both in black.

They go to opposite corners, and a loud speaker kicks on from somewhere in the arena.

“Alright, ladies! Give us a great show! A lot of anxious watchers today—Ding-ding!”

The first girl—the short one—rushes the buzzcut, nailing her in the jaw with a vicious blow. Short Girl dances back, moving forward again. Buzzcut side-steps her, sweeping out her leg to connect with Short Girl’s knee.

Short Girl hits the mat hard. “You fucking bitch!” she roars, jumping up and stalking back to Buzzcut.

Buzzcut dives down sharply, tackling Short Girl around the middle. She drives her back to the ropes and attempts to take her all the way down. Short Girl manages to stand upright, grabbing Buzzcut by the throat. Then, Short Girl tosses her across the ring. Buzzcut swings out and... misses.

Short Girl yells in triumph, yanking Buzzcut forward. She takes her to the mat, straddling her. She starts punching Buzzcut in the face—left, right, left, right. Buzzcut’s eyes swell and blood drips down her face.

Short Girl laughs, punching Buzzcut so hard, she knocks her out.

The speaker sounds again, “Winner—8!”

Short Girl—8—raises her arm into the air. She then promptly jumps out of the ring, going back to the changing room. She winks at me as she walks by.

The fuck?

Chapter 8

Synn

I'm stalkingthrough the halls of the admin building, glaring and sneering at anyone who dares to look at me. My mind won’t stop replaying what we did to Pazessca. And to Valley. That annoying little girl was so important to her—we destroyed her world.

Wrecked it so completely, I don’t know if I’ll ever even see Pazessca again. I'm not used to feeling guilt. It's a useless emotion. Nevertheless, here I am—being crushed by it, the weight like solid lead in my chest.

But I will not stop until we have her back. Even if she hates me and won’t ever speak to me again. I know she’s in the fucking Morgue, but I can’t get to her. There's no way to—Dammit, why isn’t Harris here?

My thoughts are interrupted by a female hand trailing down my back. I smell flowers and musk—not my Pazessca. I whirl around, snarling at Destiny.

“Synn, poor baby. You need to be cared for,” she purrs, running her hand lower.

I smack it away. “I don’t need or want shit from you.”

“But you’re alone. You need me. I can take care of all your needs,” she insists, licking her lips.

“You disgust me,” I spit, curling my lip. “I hate you, stupid bitch.”

“You can take out your anger on me. I'll do anything you want me to.”

“Oh, really?” I step closer to her, hovering near her face. I raise my hand as if to touch her, but shove her back—hard.