Page 39 of Sadistic Retribution

A chuckle comes from Demon, and I shoot him a dirty look. “Are you okay, 6?”

She just grins, pointing to the bandage slapped to her neck. “Fine and dandy-landy! Happy, happy!”

I just give her a hug, hoping she feels how much I care for her.

“Let’s go, go, go!” She grabs my hand, pulling me through the changing room, and into the arena. Unlike before, the place is packed. I can see every damn seat filled with spectators. I look up, seeing the boxes are also full.

“What’s in store for today?” I ask 6 as we sit ringside again.

“The men fight today!” She grins, putting her head on my shoulder.

The loudspeaker announces the match. “We have a full house today! Our champion, 9, is going up against our newest, 13! Grab your popcorn, folks!”

My face pales and nausea churns in my gut. Bryan? Against the cannibal? He’s going to get killed!

6 doesn’t notice my reaction, and I hesitantly keep my mouth shut. I want to run in and snatch Bryan away, but I have zero chance of pulling that off. A door crashes open, and 9 struts to the ring, roaring. Once he’s in his corner, the other two masks—Horns and Jester—carry an unresponsive Bryan into the ring, dumping him inside.

Oh, my fucking God. He's freaking catatonic! I badly want to save him, but I can’t. They'd kill me the minute I stood up.

I swallow hard, wincing when the loudspeaker announces the “ding-ding”. 9 crosses the ring in two giant steps, yanking Bryan out of the chair.

“This isn't an opponent!” he yells, shaking him like a ragdoll.

9 shakes his head, dropping him on the floor. Bryan is still out of it. 9 punches him twice in the face, breaking his nose. Bryan doesn’t move, eyes open and unseeing.

“Wake up and fight!” 9 screams in Bryan’s face, spit flying everywhere. When Bryan doesn’t stir, 9 just covers his body, putting his arm around his neck, choking him. When Bryan’s eyes close, 9 lets him go. Before 9 stands to claim the win, he bites Bryan’s neck—hard. Blood runs down his face.

9 stands, yelling “Yeah!” Vomit threatens to rush up my throat, but I swallow it back.

Horns and Jester rush in, scooping Bryan off the floor and taking him away. Demon tases the shit out of 9, forcing him to stumble along with them. My throat is dry, and my stomach is roiling. I'm torn. On one hand, I need Bryan to survive this. He's my friend. On the other… maybe death will give him the peace he needs.

It's not like I can do anything to help him, anyway. I can just pray that he ends up in peace, somehow.

“Come on,” 6 says, grabbing my hand again. “Free time is coming up!”

I let her lead me out.

Chapter 15

Razor

I've gotmy brother’s six as he stalks after that cunt Destiny. Synn is determined to get some answers, as am I. We didn’t tell the others we were doing this. We need information—now.

I’m nervously twirling my razor in my pocket. Fiasca is tearing my mind apart. Fuck, I didn’t even realize how much I actually cared until she was gone. I was raised to slice and dice instead of feeling my emotions. I guess the band Cinderella had it right: You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.

Razor Age 17

Father is finally home. I've been avoiding my psycho mother for days.

I’m shaking in anger after hearing about Synn's latest punishment. Every beating he endures unfurls my rage. My Brother doesn’t deserve this.I want nothing more than tosqueeze his father’s neck until he drops dead. He deserves to die after all he’s put Synn through.

We're hanging out in Synn’s yard, just trying to de-stress somehow.

“Son! Get over here!” Synn’s father yells across the yard. Fucking asshole.

Synn cuts me a look, and heads over to his father. As soon as Synn gets to him, a vicious slap sounds.

I seethe, and before I can think about what I’m doing, I walk right up to them. I grit my teeth and punch the motherfucker in the face.