Page 43 of Sadistic Retribution

“11! Hi, hello, my wife! What are you doing? Missing me?”

I laugh softly. “Need a friend, is all. You want to tell me anything you remember about yourself?”

She makes a sound in her throat. “I don’t know, nope, sure don’t! I'm 6, I guess. I don’t remember anything at all before here—if I wasn’t born here. I don’t knowww!” she wails, clearly distraught.

“I’m sorry, 6, I didn’t mean to upset you. What about any information about this place?”

“Hmmm... you know all I do, honestly. It's just fighting and sleeping, repeat every day. Don't know who the masks are, but they’re really bad!”

“Okay, it’s alright,” I try to soothe her. “I’ll let you get some rest.”

“Okie-dokie! Goodnight, wifey!”

I sit on my bed, waiting for those fuckers to come fuck with me. I need to help 3, somehow. I don’t have anyone left. Although I care for 6 and 3, it’s not the same wave of emotion I feel for the guys and Valley. I’m so damn alone.

A tear slips down my cheek as my thoughts wander to Valley, and the guys—and Hunter. Val was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She was pure light, and radiated love. I thought I’d found true love with my guys, but I was so wrong. I choke on a sob, the pain still cutting so deep, it steals my breath.

No one ever tells you what your soul being ripped from your body feels like. The pain is unlike anything I’ve ever known. It's a physical ache—a sharp stab in the chest. It hurts so bad, you feel like you’re dying. Your stomach flips, and you get physically sick. Then, you get hit with wave after wave of fresh hell. It doesn’t stop. It's impossible to live with. That's probably why people kill themselves.

My musings are interrupted by my door whishing open. I look up to see Demon. He’s alone—odd. They always come in pairs.

“Got your food coming, 11,” he tells me. Weirdly, he just stands there, watching me.

The fuck?

I wait him out, trying to see his angle. He doesn’t move at all—just stares. It's freaking me out, so I say something.

“Okay... well, since I have your attention, I have a question. The patient at the end of the hall, in the dark corner? Can you please give him some clothes?”

He startles. “What? How do you know about him?”

I shrug. “Just saw him when I was walking during free time.”

He tilts his head. “You’re not supposed to know about him.” He lunges forward, grabbing me threateningly by the neck, squeezing. “Tell no one, or what you’ve been through already will feel like a picnic!”

I cough, my eyes watering once he lets go. “I won’t say shit.”

He stares for another few seconds, then nods. “To answer your question… I suppose, if you’re willing to part with a set of your clothes.”

Huh? “I have more clothes?”

He laughs. “Yes, 11, everyone does. You'll be down to three pairs if you give one pair up.”

“Fine, fine, do it.”

I hear footsteps, and Skull walks in, carrying a plate and a bottle of water. He silently hands them to me, and they both walk out.

Hmmm... very interesting. Why wouldn’t I be informed about extra clothes? At least 3 will have some now.

Purge

Synn and Razor burst through my door, giving me a fucking heart attack.

“We have to talk,” Razor rushes out.

“I had to make a deal with Des,” Synn starts. “She told us a lot. She knows about the tunnels. She also confirmed The Morgue is real, and that Pazessca is likely there.”

“And she said they experiment on the patients,” Razor adds, his restless hand fiddling with his blade.