Page 44 of Sadistic Retribution (Rise of Phoenyxx #2)

Trikk

This is the longest walk ever. We finally made it to the road itself, and now we’re trekking towards Jax’s car. I’m holding Valley’s hand, knowing Bambi would appreciate the extra step of protection.

I may not be much on fighting, but even I have my limits. I will not hesitate to kill anyone who gets in our way.

Growing up, I would pester my father to teach me the “cool” stuff—fighting, weapons.

Trikk Age 10

“Father, why can’t I learn what the other boys are? I need to learn those skills too, yeah?”

He looks up from his desk, shooting me a glare. “You know not to interrupt me in here, Son. Now, what are you yammering about?”

“The other guys are learning to fight and hurt people—even to kill! Why aren’t you teaching me that stuff?”

He huffs, shaking his head. “You’re not cut out for that. I have a different purpose for you in mind.”

“What do you mean? I can kick ass too!” I cross my arms, an angry pout on my face.

He just laughs at me. “You are a perfect specimen, my son. You were created with beautiful, perfect features. You will be much more useful in other areas.” I open my mouth to ask what he’s talking about, but he cuts me off. “I’m busy. Go on now. Close the door behind you.”

This is bullshit. I'm tough, dammit!

I see the car up ahead—good. Frost and Harris are still in front of us, waving us forward. We break into a jog, making it to the parked car within seconds. We stand and wait, wanting to make sure this is actually Jax.

The car door opens, and a huge motherfucker steps out. He's tall, and built a bit like Synn. Blonde hair, and a frantic look in his eye. He nods to Harris, then asks, “Frost, Valley, and Trikk, I presume?”

“Bro, you saw us on the video call,” Valley laughs softly.

I chuckle, liking this girl’s moxie. She's a lot like me. I'm glad someone shares my type of humor.

“Just being thorough,” he says. “Get in. This thing has enough space for you all.”

It is a huge SUV, built like a military tank in size. There are tons of seats inside. It's black on black. There's a partition that cuts off the driver’s seat from the rest of the inside, like in a limo. There are even fold-down seats near the back.

I nod in appreciation, climbing in after Valley and Frost. “I’m Jax,” the big guy introduces himself, putting out his hand to shake. He motions to the driver. "This guy here is one of my military guys, Trav.” The other guy gives a small wave. He seems tall too, with messy hair and glasses.

“This vehicle has bulletproofed glass, steel reinforcements, and everything needed to make it a fortress on wheels. You'll be safe in here,” Jax informs us.

“Good,” Frost replies on a soft exhale. “How much time do they have?”

Jax checks his watch. “About twelve more minutes. They just got to the fence when the timer started. Don't worry, we have eyes on them.”

“Twelve minutes?” I gulp oxygen, fighting past panic. “How the hell can they even stand a chance?”

“Remember, they’re getting only Bryan, 3, and 6 out of there. If they hustle, they can make it.” Jax says.

Harris shoots me a sympathetic look. “Have faith. They will all get back here in time. Our girl has enough motivation to get it done by herself.”

I nod in agreement. I just sure as fuck hope so!

Phoenyxx

I break into a sprint when I see the cells ahead. I can hear whimpers. I lurch to a stop when I see Bryan in the original cell we were held in together.

“Thank God! Bryan—it's me, Phoenyxx. I'm with Synn, Ghost, Razor, and Purge. We're getting you the hell out of here.”

He looks up slowly. Shaking his head, he says, “Don’t bother. I have nothing to live for anymore.”

Synn marches right up to the cell door. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Purge approaching the lock, working on getting it open. “Your girl is alive, idiot!”

His head jerks up, eyes widening. “Don’t lie to me, man! I saw her!”

Synn jaw works. “She. Is. Fucking. Alive. Tell him, Pazessca!”

“She is, Bryan,” I say. “I've been with her. She made me promise to bring you back to her.”

He breaks down into tears. “My Valley... my God... thank you, thank you!”

Purge gets the lock open, throwing the cell door open wide. Bryan scoots out, taking a spot next to us. He has clothes on, though he’ll still be cold. I start to shrug off my hoodie, but Razor beats me to the punch.

He hands his over. “Put this on, man. You need to keep warm.”

Wow. Razor just did that... I smile at him, blowing him a kiss. He beams back at me.

“We’re getting two more out, Bry,” I explain. “Just stick to us like glue.”

“Okay,” he says on a shaky breath.

We push forward, and I know I have to find the old cell block. These hallways make no sense, and I also know there are elevators somewhere.

We trudge on through the hall. I check every door I see. I see the elevators up ahead and turn back to tell the guys where I think we’re at.

“We were taken on this to go to the torture rooms. I'm pretty sure the cell block is in a different part of the building, though.” I chew my lip, trying to think. “Let’s just take the elevator to the torture rooms. Maybe I can track from there.”

We all crowd in, and I lean forward to press the “down” button. My stomach lurches, but my spine is steel. I know time isn’t on our side, so I plan to fucking run.

Frost

I'm supposed to be the voice of reason, the calm in the storm. I am anything but right now. I’m shaking my knee, twiddling my fingers on the seat next to me.

“Bro, you good?” Trikk turns to look at me, noticing my anxiety. Yes—anxiety. Me.

“I’m nervous,” I admit. “What if the time runs out, and they’re not out of there? Or if they get caught?”

“You can’t think like that,” Jax counters from the front seat. “Think positive. It will eat you alive otherwise.”

“Yeah, I get that... but this is literally life or death! How the fuck do normal people handle this level of stress?”

Trikk barks out a laugh. “Welcome to the club, Brother.”

I keep glancing at my phone, the seconds ticking away. Please hurry, Killer. Get that sexy ass back here!

Phoenyxx

I blow out a long breath as we’re waiting for the elevator doors to open. I turn to Purge, a crooked grin on my face. “You ready to Rage Out?”

“Oh, hell yes, Iskra. If you were underneath me right now, that would be perfection!”

I roll my eyes, my huge grin giving me away.

The doors start to open, revealing yet another hallway. I step out first, seeing an already open door. It's the water barrel room.

“This is the torture area,” I confirm. “We don’t have time to look, so just keep going.” I run to the end of the hallway, frantically looking for stairs, or another elevator. I’m moving so fast, I stumble. Out of nowhere, Synn rushes over to me, catching me.

Sweeping me up, he says “Don’t worry, Pazessca. I'm never going to let you fall again.”

I beat back the emotion filling my throat, concentrating on the task at hand. I try all the doors, and nothing. “Fuck!” I turn and run all the way to the other end. I don’t see an elevator, but I do yank open a door with stairs beyond.

Up or down? Fuck it.

“Go up!” I holler back to the others. We stampede up the stairs, going to what I hope is the right cell block. It seems to take forever for us to find a floor with a door, but I finally spot one on the floor we’re coming up on.

I open the door, looking out into the hallway, and frown when I don’t recognize it. I decide to go out there anyway and see a curve up ahead in the usually straight hallways. I break into a jog, careening around the corner, the others huffing to keep up with me.

My eyes widen as I see the arena door. “Fuck yes! Guys—this is the block I was on!”

Saying nothing, we form a battle lineup. Me in the lead, with the guys flanking me on all sides.

I get to 6’s cell, calling out. “6! It's me—11!”

I hear a squeal, and she rushes to the bars.

“My wifey! How are you here?” She looks past me, seeing all the guys. “Who are they? What's happening?”

“It’s a rescue mission, girl!”

“Wow... wow... I knew you were totes awesome!”

I nod to Purge. “Work your magic; we’ve got to open all these doors!” I look to the others. “Anyone else know how to pick locks? We're running low on time!”

“I do,” Ghost responds.

“So do I,” Razor adds.

“Good! Fan out and unlock all the cell doors.”

“All?” Razor asks.

“Yes, ALL. I can’t stomach the thought of leaving anyone stuck in these cells.”

“Roger that!” Razor salutes me, and him and Ghost run off to open doors.

By the time I tell those two what to do, Purge has 6’s door open. She throws herself dramatically into my arms. “We’re really leaving this place? I've never been anywhere else! At least, I don’t think I have...”

I hug her hard. “Stay behind me, okay?”

She does as I ask, and I run to the next door. It's 10, the muscular woman with the buzzcut.

“Want out?” I ask.

“Of course! Thank you, 11.”

“One of the guys will be getting to you in a minute, okay?”

“It’s fine, thank you so much.”

I nod, eyes carrying to the far end of the hall. I dead-run to 3’s cell.

“3! It’s me, love. 11—Phoenyxx! I'm here with some friends to get you out!”

I hear a whine and a cry, and his trembling form scoots out from under the bed. His eyes look like saucers. He whimpers, standing up and making his way to the bars. His hand comes up, seeking my touch. I wind my fingers with his as we wait.

“Hey, is this guy getting out?” Razor hollers back.

I look to where he’s standing. Oh shit. I look at 3. “I will be right back!”

I dart over to Razor, glaring in at 9. “This guy is a cannibal cocksucker,” I tell Razor. “IF I let you out, you promise not to eat me, or my friends?” I deadpan to 9 through the bars.

He grunts, making eye contact with me. “I will only eat the bad guys.”

I shrug, telling Razor, “Go ahead. If he tries to bite you, take him out.”

Razor laughs like a hyena. “I’ve got this, Fiasca!”

I see Ghost working on 10’s door, and the moment he gets it open, she slides out. Good. That's almost everyone.

I rush back to 3. Purge runs next to me, thank fuck. I stop in front of his cell. “This is the mute guy I told you about. Please be soft and gentle with him.”

He starts to question me, then stops himself from speaking when he sees 3, standing on shaky legs.

“This is my friend, Purge,” I whisper. “He’s going to get this door open, okay?”

3 whines again, pointing to me, then pointing to Purge, and the rest of the guys.

He very pointedly draws his finger across his throat.

I know what he’s saying. “3, it’s okay. I was wrong.

My best friend, Valley… she's alive! It was a... trick. They were forced to play it on me. Please don’t be scared of them, okay? They want to help.”

He looks me in the eyes, coming to a decision that flits across his face. He nods once, firmly. He trusts me; that makes my heart beat just a little bit faster.

Purge works quickly to get the door open. As soon as it swings open, 3 throws himself at me, cries coming from deep in his throat.

“It’s okay, I've got you,” I soothe.

Purge glances at me. “Poor fucking guy,” he empathizes. I so appreciate him being sweet right now.

The others run to us to catch up. 3 almost loses it, but I hold him firmly to my side. “These are the rest of my friends. Synn, Razor, and Ghost.”

“Hey, man,” Synn tries awkwardly.

“We don’t have time, we have to get back to the exit,” I say quickly, heart pounding.

All nine of us turn and run past the curve to get to the stairs. Before we can sprint out the exit door, a noise alerts me to the presence of someone else.

Fuck. No, no, no! It's the masks—all four of them!