Page 16 of Sadistic Retribution (Rise of Phoenyxx #2)

Phoenyxx

I moan loudly as I’m woken from a thankfully dreamless sleep by the sound of my door unlocking. I sit up, glancing around in confusion. Isn't it nighttime? I think so, everyone seems to be quiet.

I walk straight up to the bars. “Well, hello, Cannibal Cocksucker. Why aren’t they letting you out too?”

He grunts, flipping me the bird. I laugh. “So... is it a punishment?”

“Yes,” he grits out.

“Sucks for you. Or, at least, I guess it doesn’t actually suck...”

He looks at me in confusion, then the light bulb in his mind clearly goes off. To my surprise, he throws his head back, and laughs.

I give him a brilliant smile, deciding to play with his head a little more. “So, anyway... why do you eat people?” He just looks at me. Unperturbed, I keep questioning him. “How long have you been a cannibal? What does human taste like?” I actually am curious; I don’t know much about it.

He sighs, shaking his head with a small grin on his face. “I'll bite... or not.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. I don’t seem to be pissing him off, oddly.

He continues, "It makes me stronger—healthier. Human flesh has the best protein you can get. It keeps me from getting sick and helps my sleep. To answer your other questions, since I was a teenager. I was homeless—that's all I will say about that. It tastes like extra-tender chicken, kind of.”

“Well then, whatever you say, Cannibal Cocksucker...” I walk away, hearing him still chuckle. At least I made sure he doesn’t see me as an enemy.

I walk past the common area, all the way to the end. It's an almost pitch-black corner. The light doesn’t reach it. An almost imperceptible movement registers in my peripheral vision. “Hello?” I pause, peering into the dark. “Is someone there?”

At first, I don’t see anything, but then, an obvious form moves backward. I stop at the very last cell. “Is there someone in there?”

A flash of bright gold eyes startles me, and I realize there’s a person under the bed. I crouch down to the floor. “Hey,” I say softly. “I’m 11—Phoenyxx. Don't be scared.”

I hear a pitiful whine. A sudden emotion clogs my throat. For some reason, I feel compelled to help this guy.

“It’s okay,” I attempt to coax him or her out. “I’m a friend. I won’t hurt you.”

I wait, hoping they come out. A shuffle forward reveals the shadow of a skinny, average height man. The only feature I can make out is his dazzling golden eyes.

“Hi,” I croon. “Want to talk?”

His head shakes frantically. I can see how badly he’s shaking.

He's completely naked. My God, what has he been through? It makes me think it must be even more horrifying than all I’ve dealt with.

My heart hurts for this boy. I have a huge wall up, but I am extremely empathetic of anyone who’s been through hell.

“It’s fine. I'll come back and check on you next time they let me out.”

Another whine, and he slides back under his bed.

I stand back up, going to find 6 and 10. I'm not going to say a word. I want to keep him out of harm’s way, as much as I can. I have a hunch they don’t know about the mystery patient.

Bryan

“Get the fuck up, 13! You have a date with the viewing room.”

I barely manage to crack open my eyes, trying to unfurl my stiff body from the cold floor. “What’s the viewing room?”

Jester cackles. “You’ll see.”

My arms are grabbed from behind, the voice of Horns in my ear. “Move!” He shoves me forward, Jester dancing around and laughing the whole way.

They push me into a small room, with a large screen attached to the wall, and a chair placed right in front of it.

“Sit,” Horns orders. I do as he says. He puts headphones over my ears, then goes out of my line of sight. I can hear Jester’s laughter moving away with him.

The headphones sound in my ears. “The rules are easy, Loverboy. You will listen and watch. Your eyes stay open. Understand?”

I give a small nod. What in the hell is happening now?

A chime sounds through the headphones, a sweet, sweet voice filtering through. My Valley... Oh God. I can’t handle this... I just can't.

“Gawd, Nyx—I feel so bad! He is so sweet.” A beat, then “I think I love him. What do I do?” Another beat, then, “Bryan—I’m so so sorry! Please don’t be mad!”

I ball up my fists, raising one to bite it. I am trying to hold back the sobs wracking my soul.

The mask’s voice comes again. “Next up... the main feature!” I hear Jester cackle from behind me somewhere.

There's no chime this time. The screen in front of me flares to life, and my beautiful love fills it. Valley’s smiling, twirling around. She’s so bright and full of life!

Next, she’s talking to Phoenyxx. She blushes, looking around. I hear her say, “I feel so bad I didn’t return the favor.” Then, “He just held me in his arms. I don’t deserve him.”

At this point, I can no longer hold it in. I sob loudly; my heart being ripped out once again. I scream and can’t make myself stop. And yet still, the screen shows me one last scene.

It's my girl, with the Six. They’re throwing off their shirts, smirking. Trikk is holding my girl, and he gently places her onto the weight bench. They’re covered in blood—so is Valley. The very last thing I hear is the cruel laughter.

My endless scream breaks me. I retreat all the way inside. I tune out everything around me. Before I succumb to the beckoning blackness, I hear “We did it! He broke!”

Phoenyxx

After saying goodnight to 6 and 10, I fall into my bed. I'm praying for sleep.

A ruckus blares through my cell, and I blearily open my eyes to see what the hell is happening now.

The masks have yanked 6 out of her cell, and plants her right in front of mine. She’s yelling and cursing. “Get the fuck off me, asshats! I'll kill you! My 11 will kill you!” Her face turns beet red with effort.

“Silence!” Demon demands. He looks right at me, and rips her clothes clean from her body.

My rage washes over me. “Hey! Leave her alone!”

Jester giggles and they toss 6 to the floor. Demon grunts as he releases his dick from his pants, the other three doing the same thing.

“Fuckers! Bastards!” 6 spits directly at Demon, which pisses him off. He slaps her hard across the face.

He climbs between 6’s legs, reaching for his dick, lining it up with her exposed pussy. I fucking lose it. I like this girl. Though she’s not Valley, I consider her a friend. I can’t stand to see her hurt.

“Hey! You motherfucking pieces of shit! Cocksuckers! Jackoffs! Look at me! Rape ME fuckers!” I’m screaming so loud, it makes my voice hoarse.

Demon barks a laugh. “You will watch, 11. If we want you, we will take you—whenever we want.”

I just keep screaming. “I will fucking kill you all! Slice your throats and bathe in your blood!”

They ignore me. Skull takes Demon’s place, raping her. too. She's yelling still, threats and curses, but it’s getting weaker. Horns rapes her next, then Jester climbs on top of her. He starts laughing, brandishing a small knife.

“No!” I scream at the top of my lungs. It makes no difference. He cuts her shallowly at her throat as he forces himself on her. I watch the light start to fade from her eyes.

“6,” I call out. “Look at me. I'm right here. You're not alone!”

She holds my gaze for a second, then succumbs to the dark.

Jester finishes, and they grab her and carry her back to her cell.

“I will get you for this, assholes!” I yell one last time. The adrenaline crashes abruptly and I lose control of my legs, slipping to the floor.

I practically drag myself to the bed, pulling myself up, and onto the mattress. As keyed up as I am, I know I’ll be up reliving the brutal rape I just witnessed. Against my best effort, my eyes close, scenes of revenge flitting behind my closed lids.

Unfortunately, I don’t get much sleep before I’m rudely woken up again by fucking Demon and Skull.

“Get up, 11. You have one last fight to watch,” Skull announces with glee. “And then it’ll be your turn!”

Fucking fuck. I am in no way prepared to fight. I’m memorizing the moves I’m seeing, but still... I barely can throw a punch!

I haul myself up, using the small toilet, beyond caring if the fuckers watch. “Are you feeding me?”

“After,” Demon responds.

I sigh, following them out of my cell. An excited squeal bursts my damn ears, 6 throwing herself at me. I barely get my arms around her before she bowls me over.

“My love, 11!” she cheers.

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.