Page 5 of Sadistic Retribution

I'm at ZYGOS headquarters, which is actually more of a compound. It's enormous. The outside of it looks like a rundown warehouse, very easy to look right past as it appears deserted. Inside, there are several computer rooms, a gym, a shooting range, and apartments scattered throughout the main level. Italso has a large kitchen, and hallways I haven’t been down yet—containing offices most likely, and who knows what else.

The inside is completely modernized, with chrome everything and central heat and A/C that pumps steadily through the vents, keeping us nice and warm this time of year. The compound is where I’m staying for the moment.

The ZYGOS mercenaries all decided it would be more convenient for me to stay here, instead of a safe house. I couldn’t agree more.

“Drat!” the guy next to me complains.

“Who the fuck says drat, Thor?” the guy to my right questions. Thor is a thin, lanky guy with glasses and shaggy blonde hair. Clark Kent without the muscles.

“I’m a Marvel fan... and?” Thor fires back.

“That’s dumb as shit,” the other guy responds. He’s trim with short, brown hair, and a constant constipated look on his face.

“Yeah, okay, Bill.”

I burst out laughing. “What kind of code name is Bill?”

“Fuck off, Harris. Kill Bill—ring a bell?”

I shake my head, the lighthearted banter helping ease the pressure in my chest. The hackers here are currently teaching me better hacking skills. I need to be able to access a whole lot more than I currently can.

My thoughts drift to Pretty Girl. I hope those boys are taking good care of her.

“Harris!” a loud voice barks from the doorway, making me jerk in my seat. I turn to look at Jax, the guy in charge around here. He is extremely tall, around six-foot-four inches. He’s packed with muscle and his square jaw is seemingly always rigid with irritation. His light brown, neat hair is always in place and his green eyes can change color with emotion.

“Yeah?” I answer, spinning in my chair to give him my undivided attention.

“I have news,” he sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face a couple of times. He's usually more in control, but he’s obviously agitated. “The girl, Phoenyxx. She’s... missing.”

“What?” I scream, standing upright so fast, I knock my chair over.

He raises a hand up to stop my questions. “My intel relayed to me that the six boys killed her friend, Valley, and she came across the scene afterward. They were covered in blood. The one called Ghost had his... dick... in Valley’s mouth. She lost it bad. She blacked out after screaming for them to kill her. Valley's boyfriend Bryan stumbled on the scene. He also broke down. They were both whisked away by medical staff.”

My jaw is on the floor in shock. “What the fuck? They would never hurt Pretty Girl like that! There must be another explanation! It makes no sense!” Spittle flies from my mouth as I rage. “And what fucking medical staff? The only ones I know are Dr. Bancroft, that nurse dispensing the medications, and myself!”

“We don’t know yet. We're working on finding out.”

I frown in thought. “How was your intel able to get such detailed information? Do you have someone else on the inside?”

Jax glares lasers at me. “No, but there are cameras all over the property we can access. This is an important mission.”

“Well, tell me you’re trying to find her! What can I do?”

“Stay here, help us hack into every computer on the grounds.”

“Fuck!” I shout in frustration. “I need to go back in!”

“Not yet,” Jax commands. “We need you here, learning. And staying safe.”

I groan long and loud. I know I need to rein it in, but my Pretty Girl is in danger. I'll be here twenty-four-seven until we find her. Fuck sleep. Fuck everything. The only thing that matters is HER!

Chapter 3

Bryan

Guilt consumesme as I lay here on the cold, concrete floor. I can’t believe I had to have sex with Phoenyxx. Valley would be devastated... My God. My Valley. She can’t be...

“Bryan,” Phoenyxx whispers from next to me. “Please don’t feel bad. She would understand.” She chokes on tears, as distraught as I am. Valley was the only light I ever had in my life. Before her, it was nothing but loneliness, except for my teacher.