Page 56 of Sadistic Retribution

“Think before answering,” Skull includes. “We would equip you handsomely for any vengeance you may be seeking.”

I raise a brow. “So, if I say yes, I will go back? And be allowed to seek my revenge?”

“Yes,” Demon responds. “You will not be allowed to kill any of The Six, and every order must be followed and completed, to the letter.”

I nod briskly. “Well then… I accept.”

At my word, they surround me in some sort of weird group hug. Grossed out, I step back.

I wait as they grab a whole array of weapons from a table behind them and belt-looking things, and set them all on the table.

“These are sheathes to hold the weapons to your body. This one goes on your thigh, this one around your waist,” Demon explains, holding up each example.

“I understand.”

I watch silently as they attach the sheathes, then load me up with an assortment of knives. They tell me what each one is as they add them to the belt around my waist.

“A switchblade. This one is a hunting knife. This is a dagger. And this is another kind of hunting knife.”

They move to the thigh strap. “Another couple of sharp knives.”

“So is there a certain way to use these?” I ask.

Demon laughs. “Point, slice, or stab. Easy.”

I nod again. Demon stands, grinning at me. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, beyond ready,” I answer, with a slow, evil smirk crossing my face.

Ghost

I’m pacing the courtyard, close to the tree line. It's the middle of the night, and it’s getting colder. I’m shivering a bit in just my hoodie, but don’t care.

Out of the corner of my eye, I sense movement close to the trees. I hear the rustling of branches, then someone steps out, pausing. I look up.

Oh my God!

My Malishka is standing there, scanning the area. She doesn’t see me yet. She's clothed in sweats and a sweatshirt, sneakers on her feet. She looks skinny, but I see muscle there too, though her clothes are baggy. She walks forward, heading my direction.

I step out, shaking like a leaf. She finally sees me, narrowing her eyes. I run to her and throw myself at her feet. I grab onto her ankles and start to sob, my chest heaving.

“Malishka, I’m so sorry! So fucking sorry!” I wail miserably.

She puts her hand in my hair, and I still. Without warning, she yanks my head up to see her face. It's blank. No emotion whatsoever in it.

She leans down closer to me—and spits in my face. “Fuck you,” is all she says, shaking me off her. Then she turns on her heel, and walks away.

I stare after her in shock. What is wrong with her? She's so... cold.

I shake it off, grabbing my phone, dialing as I full-on run back to the apartment.

Synn picks up on the first ring. “Ghost?”

“She's back, she’s here,” I babble. “I just saw her. She spat in my face and told me to fuck off. She's... different. She's cold as ice.”

“What?” he screeches. “Purge, Frost, Razor, Trikk!” he bellows as I rush into the dorm, almost tripping on my way back up. I burst through the door, tears all over my face. I collapse onto the floor.

Frost comes over, calmly tilting my face up. “Where did she go?”