𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋
{•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.
ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ
-ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-
♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤
★𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 – 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦★
Trevor was lying on his bed, laptop resting on his thighs, the dull blue glow of the screen reflecting off his face. He was half-focused on the movie, half-lost in his thoughts, when a knock came at the door.
“Come in,” he said lazily, not looking away.
The door creaked open, and Morgan stepped in, closing it behind her with a soft click. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, watching him.
“Hey, what’s up,” Trevor said without glancing up, eyes still glued to the screen.
“I feel bored. Your friends are killing each other,” she said, tone flat but teasing.
Trevor raised a brow. “Who and who are killing each other?”
“Gomez just killed Juniper. Haven’t you heard?”
Trevor chuckled under his breath, still not looking away. “That guy’s crazy.” He paused the movie finally and looked at her.
“Anyways, what are you doing here?”
Morgan walked closer and sat at the foot of his bed, her gaze sharp. “You’re having fun with your newly found girl. Hope you know she has a man.”
Trevor blinked. “Are you talking about Bluey?”
“Yeah. What’s your deal with her?”
He leaned back, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Hmm, let me think…” He tapped his chin dramatically. “I like her.”
Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t be serious.”
“Not in the way you’re thinking of,” Trevor said quickly, sitting up a little. “We just… get along. There’s nothing romantic going on between us.”
“She hugged you,” Morgan said, voice lower now, almost accusing.
“Because we won and she was happy,” Trevor replied, laughing lightly. “Don’t start thinking she likes me. She’s probably very much in love with Hades.”
Morgan didn’t smile. “Not her,” she murmured. “What about you?”
That made him pause. He looked at her for a moment, and the teasing faded from his eyes.
“I love you, okay?” he said quietly.
Morgan froze, caught off-guard.
“I still love you,” Trevor continued, his voice softer now, stripped of all the usual sarcasm and charm. “I haven’t moved on. I just… know I can’t do anything about it. So I’m not even trying.”
The silence that followed was heavy, the air thick with everything left unsaid.
Morgan finally looked away, her throat tightening as she forced out, “Trevor…”
He smiled faintly, bitterly. “Don’t. I’m not saying it to make things weird. I just needed to say it out loud once.”
He stood from the bed, stretching slightly before walking toward the bathroom. The sound of his bare feet on the tiled floor echoed softly in the quiet room.
Just as he reached for the door handle, a pair of arms slipped around his waist from behind, holding him tight.
“I feel so lonely without you,” Morgan whispered, her voice muffled against his back.
Trevor froze for a moment, eyes lowering as he took a deep breath. Her touch was familiar — warm, almost too comforting for what it should be.
“You sure we’re siblings?” She murmured, half-joking, half-serious. “Let’s take a DNA test.”
That made him turn around slowly. His eyes met hers, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he exhaled softly.
“You’re n+ghty,” he said, his tone light but his gaze unreadable. “There’s no reason for a DNA test.”
“Whatever,” Morgan muttered, brushing past him as if nothing had happened.
She went back to the bed, flopped down onto it, and pulled his pillow under her head.
Trevor stood for a moment, watching her quietly before he finally turned away, his expression softened as he disappeared into the bathroom.
The sound of running water filled the silence, and Morgan stared at the ceiling, her lips pressing together, as if trying to stop a thought from slipping out.
“Why is it so difficult?”
—–
★ 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫’𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 ★
Maureen had already finished her chores and now found herself lingering in Gael’s room.
Corazon had already left with the supposed divorce papers and was calling the best lawyers she could find. Not that Corazon was broke, but Gael’s fortune had always been the bane of her existence as his wife.
Maureen loved Anthony, yes, but she hadn’t realized just how smart Gael could be—or how costly he could make this situation for her.
Gael stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp and falling slightly over his forehead. He slid into sweatpants and a fitted singlet, the sight making her pulse stutter.
“So,” he said, standing in front of her, “have you thought about it? Going on a date with me?”
She swallowed, feeling a shiver run through her.
“Well… if I agree to this step one…what’s next?” she asked, voice low, tracing a finger along the hard line of his chest.
“Phase two?” he prompted, eyes locking with hers.
She bit her lip, holding his gaze.
“I’ll make you my woman,” Gael said, pulling her close by the waist.
Maureen’s mind raced. Only a fling, right? That’s all this is supposed to be. But he looks serious… probably actually interested. She wasn’t—but she’d play along. After all, she really had nothing to lose; she was single.
“What if…” she murmured, biting her lips as her hands flew to the buttons of her maid uniform.
“We just skip those phases and get straight to business…” she whispered, pressing against him gently. “I mean, nothing’s holding us back, is there?”
Her push sent him back onto the bed, and the air between them crackled with the tension of desire unrestrained.
Gael landed on the bed with a soft grunt, but his hands were immediately on her waist, holding her close.
The heat between them was palpable, every inch of proximity electric. Maureen leaned down slightly, letting her lips hover near his ear.
“Are you sure about this?” she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.
Gael smirked, his hand sliding up her back, pulling her closer. “I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
She bit her lip, teasing, testing the boundary. Her fingers traced the straps of her uniform, the other hand brushing over him in slow, deliberate strokes.
“Then we don’t waste time,” she murmured, pushing him back slightly again.
Her hands moved with purpose, unbuttoning her uniform piece by piece, revealing her bare chest he hadn’t yet been allowed to touch.
Gael’s smirk turned into a low chuckle, dark and amused.
“Confident… I like that,” he said, his hands roaming her sides, memorizing every curve, every inch he could reach without restraint.
Maureen’s mind raced, this was supposed to be just a fling. She reminded herself of that. But the way he looked at her, the intensity in his touch, made her pulse hammer and her rational thoughts blur.
“F+k…” she teased, her fingers now tugging at his singlet till she pulled it off.
“Has it been long you were touched like this?” Gael mumbled in her ear.
“F+k…yes…”She moaned as his hands grabbed her b👀bs softly.
“I’m going to make this a real good time for you,” He murmured, his lips brushing against hers finally, slow, teasing, tasting, claiming.
The kiss was fire and ice all at once—raw, urgent, teasing, but with a dangerous undertone. Maureen’s hands moved against him, testing the boundaries, pushing, pulling, her own restraint slipping.
Gael shifted beneath her, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush. Every inch of skin against skin sent sparks firing through Maureen.
Her breath hitched, and she felt that familiar thrum of excitement she had promised herself to ignore.
“You’re playing nasty,” he murmured, lips brushing her collarbone, teeth grazing just enough to make her shiver.
She pressed herself harder against him, teasing.
“Nasty?” she whispered, her hands sliding down his chest, tangling in the waistband of his sweatpants. “Maybe I like nasty.”
Gael groaned low in his throat, one hand curling around her back, the other gripping her hip as if he’d never let go.
“You have no idea what you’re doing to me right now.” he said, his voice rough with desire.
Maureen’s lips found his neck, trailing small, deliberate kisses, each one a provocation, a challenge.
Her fingers teased along the edge of his pants, pulling it off, making him shift beneath her, teeth clenched in a low groan.
“You’re making me go crazy.” he said, his hand slipping beneath the hem of her uniform skirt, tracing the curve of her waist, the small swell of her hips as he pulled the skirt off, leaving her bare before him.
“Maureen… I don’t stop once I start.”
She smirked, feeling the thrill of control even as the heat between them rose.
“Then don’t stop,” she whispered, pressing her opening against the tip of his cock, he moved, letting the bed creak beneath them.
Their lips met again, hungry and slow, teasing and claiming in equal measure. Slowly but surely, she sat on him, taking him in,inch by inch until he was all in.
“F+k…me.”He whispered to her and she smirked, slamming up and down, riding him like her life depends on it.
—–
★𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭★𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬★
Joker walked into Miss Dora’s room, rubbing the side of his head as if the pressure alone could dull the throbbing behind his eyes.
The curtains were half drawn, letting in a spill of afternoon light that brushed across the white sheets and the faint scent of lavender.
Miss Dora was already seated by the vanity, brushing through her hair, her expression unreadable when she saw him.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“I’ve got a headache,” Joker muttered, dropping into the armchair by her bedside.
She stood and walked over, feets clicking softly against the marble floor.
“You mean that headache,” she said knowingly, opening the small case on her dresser.
Inside lay a sleek scanning band, thin as wire, glowing faint blue. She took it out and slipped it gently around his head.
The device hummed as it synced, a faint pulse echoing through the band. Miss Dora picked up her tablet and watched as Joker’s neural readings came up on the screen.
A red streak flickered across the image of his brain, a small implant fused deep within the frontal cortex.
“There it is,” she murmured. “The signal’s active again.”
Joker frowned.
Miss Dora’s brows furrowed. “She activated it again, didn’t she?”
Joker’s jaw tightened. “Yeah. Guess that’s her way of reminding me who’s in charge.”
“Why would she trigger it this time?”
“Probably because I refused to go on the damn mission to talk to the organ buyers.” He let out a short, bitter laugh and leaned back in the chair. “She should really stop that shit before she fries my brain.”
Miss Dora didn’t respond, only kept her gaze on the screen, the quiet in the room heavy enough to make his pulse louder.
“Tell her if she wants me dead, she can just say it,” Joker said, rubbing his head, his tone low and dangerous.
Miss Dora lowered the tablet slowly, her expression unreadable.
Buried beneath Joker’s skull, a sliver of metal. The chip was fused to his neural tissue, wired into the parts of his brain. Madam Rue controlled the feed.
If he stepped out of line, if he betrayed her, the mechanism would detonate. Miss Dora has the same chip.
“Oh don’t worry, she ain’t gonna kill you. She’s just pissed.” A voice said, walking into the room.
“Mavka? Why are you here?” Miss Dora asked.
“What else, I had to negotiate with the buyers for the organs since you refused to, also, there’s a new victim right? Here to transport her body to the lab. It’s waiting for you once you get back to MIA, joker.” Mavka said, talking about Juniper.
“That woman pisses me off.” Joker muttered.
“I’ll just make sure the body is ready to leave with the guards.” Miss Dora said and walked out.
“You’ve been quite the lover boy lately,” Mavka said, leaning against the doorframe, a smirk playing on her lips. “I heard a lot of news about you.”
Joker, reclining lazily on the chair, didn’t even look up. “What is it now…”
Mavka’s eyes glinted, sharp and calculating. “Who is she? One of the girls you toy with? I heard you’re obsessed with her. What’s her name again… Bluey?”
Hades’ hand tightened slightly on the armrest, but his voice stayed calm, almost lazy.
“So what if I’m obsessed? I’m in love, okay? Give it a rest.”
Mavka chuckled softly. “I’m happy for you, you know I am. But you know the cards. You know how this is going to end.”
Hades leaned back, running a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face.
“I know. I just… f+k. Why can’t we do anything about this? Why do we have to follow that damn woman?”He asked.
Mavka’s voice softened, but it still carried a warning. “I wish there was something we could do. But right now, betray her and we die.”
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing. “And I also heard the Bluey girl is… fragile.”
Hades’ gaze darkened, sharp and protective. “I’m going to protect her. No one touches her.”
Mavka’s lips curved in a faint, almost cruel smile. “In my opinion, don’t get too attached if you’re the one going to butcher her parts someday.”
His jaw tightened, a hint of a dangerous smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Then I’ll make sure she survives. I’ll protect her. I’ll train her. If she’s going to walk out of MIA alive, she’ll owe that to me and me alone. I won’t let her die.”
“Then don’t fuck it up, Joker.”Mavka shrugged.
Joker leaned forward slightly, the mask of Hades slipping back into place. His eyes, sharp and commanding, met hers.
“I never do.”
With that, he stood, his presence filling the room as he strode out, leaving Mavka watching him go.
“Well, maybe next generation of students in MIA can win against that woman.” Mavka said.
****
★ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞★
Sergio moved along the back of the Aces building with the backpack hard against his back. He stopped at a flower pot, slipped off his cap, opened the bag and took out the device.
Hands steady, he activated it and tucked it into the pot. Another went near the back door, hidden against the concrete.
He left the back entrance propped open—an obvious escape route for anyone inside. He’d altered the CCTV feed already. Hyce was in the clinic; the rest were inside: Bluey, Hades, Trevor, Morgan, Hugo, Dawn.
Sergio was stepping away when Desiree appeared, all casual smiles and a plate in her hand.
“Desiree…” Sergio muttered, his pace quickening.
“What are you doing? Dressed like that?” Desiree called after him, tilting her head with a mischievous grin.
“Nothing…” Sergio replied, trying to keep his tone casual, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.
“Nothing? You look suspicious… Are you seeing a girl back there? Hyce will get mad,” she teased, stepping closer with mock seriousness.
“No, I’m not,” he snapped, trying to shake off her curiosity, his hands fumbling slightly over the strap of his backpack.
Desiree giggled, sensing the urgency in his movements, and started lightly poking his side.
“Come on, don’t act all serious. Who is it, huh? Don’t tell me it’s a secret crush? Are you bi?”
“I’m in a haste to go see Hyce,” Sergio interrupted, stepping back and brushing past her, trying to hide the rising panic in his chest.
In his rush, the bomb detonator slipped from his pocket and clattered to the ground. Desiree’s eyes went wide.
“What’s that?” she asked, bending down to pick it up.
Sergio’s hand shot out.
“Nothing!” He snatched it up before she could get a good look, the weight of it heavy in his palm. Without another word, he sprinted away down the shadowed path.
Desiree stood there, holding her skewered snack, tilting her head and muttering to herself.
“Weird.” She turned toward the Knights building, curiosity gnawing at her.
Sergio glanced over his shoulder, heart hammering.
“F+k,” he muttered under his breath, knowing just how close he’d come to being caught, but then…..
—–
★𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦★
Hades walked into the room, the dull throb in his head finally easing. Bluey was sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes filled with concern the moment she saw him.
“Hey, are you okay? The headache’s stopped, right?” she asked softly, reaching up to hold his chin, turning his face toward her.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her neck. Her scent, her warmth—it was the only thing that grounded him anymore.
“I love you,” he whispered, voice low and rough. “I swear I’m going to protect you, even if it costs me my life.”
Bluey’s arms tightened around him. “Hey… I love you too. And no one’s life is going to be at stake. We’re going to be together, okay?” she murmured, brushing her fingers through his hair.
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. The world, the missions, the blood—they all blurred into silence.
Why did she have to come to MIA? he thought bitterly. If she’d just stayed an ordinary girl, maybe… maybe I could’ve had a chance to be with her without this weight crushing us.
But here, in this place, her life was already on the line. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng ” And if she didn’t make it to the Cards—if she didn’t survive—then everything he felt, everything he wanted, would end before it could even begin.
He closed his eyes and tightened his grip on her, as if holding her a little longer could change the fate already written.
“I’ll just change,” Hades said to Bluey and stood, glancing toward the door.
“10…9…8…7…” Bluey began counting inwardly, her heart thumping.
“3…2…and 1…”
Explosion. Boom.
The back side of the dorm erupted violently, fire and smoke billowing out as chunks of concrete and debris flew into the air.
“What the fuck was that?!” Hades shouted, spinning to grab Bluey, pulling her close.
As they stumbled out of the room, Hugo and Dawn emerged from their own, coughing and wiping dust from their faces, wide-eyed at the chaos.
The building groaned and shook, cracks snaking across walls, metal supports bending and snapping under the force of the blast. Windows shattered, and the smell of smoke and burning materials filled the air. Dust coated everything, making it hard to see clearly.
“The main exit is still open!” Trevor’s voice rang from the stairs, tense but urgent.
Hades didn’t hesitate. He grabbed Bluey’s hand and started running, dodging falling debris as the structure continued to crumble behind them.
Hugo and Dawn surged ahead, navigating around twisted metal and shattered glass.
Bluey tripped over a fallen beam, sprawling onto the dust-strewn floor.
“Bluey!” Hades yelled, skidding to a halt and pulling her back to her feet.
She blinked up at him, coughing, her face streaked with soot.
“F+k,” he muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on her as the roar of the collapsing building grew louder, chunks of ceiling and walls raining down around them.
He quickly helped her up, just as a large brick from the collapsing wall hurtled toward her.
Without thinking, Hades shielded her, taking the full impact on his head and back. Dust and small debris rained down over him, his body tensing against the pain.
Her eyes widened, tears brimming.
“No… Hades…” Bluey whispered, her voice trembling.
“I’m stronger than that. Come here,” he said, his voice low but steady.
He scooped her up into his arms, holding her close as he limped toward the stairs, every step careful but fast.
The stairs groaned under their weight, fragments of concrete falling around them, but Hades didn’t let go.
They pushed through the chaos, dodging beams and debris, until finally, they burst out of the building.
Outside, the night was filled with smoke, flames licking the sky where the dorm had been.
Students and staff from the surrounding buildings stood frozen, their faces a mix of shock and fear at the massive fire consuming the side of the dorm.
But almost immediately, fire trucks arrived, their sirens blaring as firefighters began battling the blaze, spraying powerful streams of water at the inferno.
Hades set Bluey down gently onto the pavement.
“Is your ankle okay?” he asked, worry etched across his face, scanning her for injuries.
She was already crying, her body shaking as she tried to catch her breath.
“Your shirt… it’s got a bloodstain,” Bluey whispered, her hands instinctively touching him. “And… and there’s blood… oozing from your head too…”
Hades glanced down, grimacing at the crimson streaks soaking through his shirt, the impact of the falling brick cutting across his shoulder and neck.
He forced himself to stay calm for her sake, though every nerve screamed in pain.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” he said, gritting his teeth. “You’re safe… that’s what matters.”
Bluey’s tears fell freely, clinging to his side as he held her hand.
Miss Dora’s eyes narrowed, scanning the group with a sharp intensity.
“Now, how on earth did this fire start?” she barked, clearly pissed.
“Mam,” one of the firemen stepped forward, holding a small metal device carefully.
“We found this at the back of the building. It’s a bomb. Judging from it, this one didn’t go off.”
Miss Dora froze for a second.
💬 A bomb?
💬 Did someone plan to kill the Aces?
💬 Does that mean there’s a spy here?
💬 Who would want to blow up the place?
Her gaze shifted sharply to Hades, then Hugo, and finally Trevor.
“What do you guys think?” she asked, her tone cutting.
Hades crossed his arms, his jaw tight. “It’s obviously a setup. No one is on this resort besides us. Someone planted the bomb.”
Miss Dora rubbed her temple. “So… any ideas what to do?”
Hugo stepped forward, eyes scanning the crowd. “Search the other dorm rooms. One of either the Knights, Jacks, or Pawns is behind this.”
“I almost got killed in the shower,” Dawn said, clutching her towel, still shaken.
“But… can there really be a spy in MIA? Does that person have a death wish or something?” Morgan added, incredulous.
Trevor straightened, voice firm. “Anything’s possible. I’ll go with the guards myself and make sure every dorm is checked.”
Miss Dora gave a curt nod, her mind already racing through possibilities.
——
A few minutes later, Trevor emerged from the building, holding a bag tightly in his hands.
“It’s deliberate… a bag of explosives was in Room 45, Knights Building. I also found this student ID card,” Trevor said, holding it up.
Miss Dora’s lips curved into a sharp smirk.
“Who owns this bag? Found in Room 45 upstairs?” she asked, eyes narrowing.
Dawn’s eyes widened in shock. That’s Desiree’s bag.
All at once, Desiree bolted out of the building, panic flashing across her face. Every eye in the area immediately turned toward her.
“What is… happening?” Desiree stammered, freezing as the guards quickly closed in and grabbed her.
Miss Dora’s gaze landed on the ID card, and she clenched her fists. The moment Desiree stood before her, a sharp punch connected squarely to her face, sending her sprawling.
“Miss Dora!” Desiree gasped, clutching her jaw.
Miss Dora yanked her up by the collar, her voice ice-cold.
“Player 008, you’ve been expelled from MIA for being a spy and planting the bomb that went off at the Aces Building.”
“Bomb? Me? I didn’t—” Desiree tried to protest, her words cutting through the tension.
“The explosives were found in your bag, in your room, and your ID was in it, Desiree!! Quit lying!” Miss Dora yelled, delivering another solid punch to drive her point home.
Dawn was literally shaking, her hands clenching at her sides as Hugo held her tightly, trying to keep her from collapsing under the shock of the revelation.
Desiree froze in utter shock. The explosion earlier had rattled her, yes—but why was she being blamed? Her mind raced, piecing together fragments of the chaos.
Wait… Sergio… Did he frame me? Why is all this happening? Her chest tightened, panic rising. So this is it? This is how it ends for me?
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, only stared blankly as the guards gripped her arms, dragging her toward the van. Her thoughts were a storm, desperate for answers.
Then, her eyes caught sight of him—Sergio—standing at the entrance of the main building. His expression was unreadable, but his lips moved, forming a single word.
“Forgive me.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief, heart hammering.
“You bastard!!!” she yelled, fury and betrayal cracking her voice as the guards shoved her into the van.
“I’m innocent…” she cried, trying to speak again, but a sharp blow from one of the guards knocked her out cold.
Beside the Aces, Strix rose to her feet. The moment her gaze landed on Sergio, a fire ignited inside her. Anger and rage boiled through every vein, threatening to consume her.
—–
Strix stormed toward Sergio, her boots slamming against the cold concrete like thunder.
Without a word, her hand shot out and landed a vicious slap across his cheek. The sound echoed sharply through the empty corridor.
“Why’d you frame her? She’s your friend!” Strix’s voice cut like a blade.
Sergio flinched but quickly squared his shoulders. “I know! I’m guilty, okay? But she saw me. She knew I was behind it, and she was going to expose me. We needed a decoy, Strix!”
“I told you I was going I’d figure out another way—another way to divert their attention without hurting anyone!” Strix’s fists clenched at her sides, trembling with barely contained rage.
“Without hurting anyone? Can you even hear yourself?” Sergio snapped. “It’s bound to happen, and there’s nothing we can do about it!”
“Then why her?” Strix’s voice dropped, icy, deadly. “Don’t you feel any remorse? She is your friend. She trusted you.”
“She found out about my plan!” Sergio barked. “It’s either she takes the fall, or the plan goes down the drain! I don’t trust her to keep our secret!”
“Stop yelling at me!” Sergio spat, trying to regain control. “I saved your—”
“Shut up!” Strix lunged, her hands shooting forward, wrapping around his collar, dragging him close.
She slammed him against the wooden wall so hard it rattled the lights above.
“Stop saying you did this for me! I told you to hold on, not frame anyone. I was thinking, Sergio, I was thinking!”
Sergio attempted to shove her off, but Strix’s grip was iron. Before he could react, she twisted and drove a punch straight into his stomach, folding him like paper. He doubled over, gasping, but she didn’t relent.
Her strikes were a blur—fast, precise, brutal. Each blow carried the weight of her fury, each one calculated to inflict maximum pain without hesitation.
Sergio swung blindly, but Strix moved like a shadow, ducking and weaving with impossible speed.
One moment she was in front of him; the next she was behind, her knee smashing into his side.
“You think you can tell me what to do?” she hissed, her eyes black as midnight.
Her next punch cracked against his jaw, sending him sprawling across the door, out till he fell on the dand outside.
Dust and debris kicked up around them, but she stood over him.
Sergio scrambled to his feet, chest heaving, fury and fear warring in his eyes. “You’re… insane!”
Strix’s laugh was low, terrifying, like a predator savoring its hunt.
“Insane?”
Finally, she grabbed his collar once more, yanking him close so their faces were inches apart. Her gaze pierced him, cold and unrelenting.
“Next time you decide to go against what I say you should do…,” she whispered, deadly calm.
“….make sure you’re ready to pay the price. Because I will make you regret it. And I don’t miss.”
She was now breathing hard. He spat out blood, the crimson staining the floor between them.
“So what would you rather have happened? Can you stand getting caught? Is that it? Would you rather I have sacrificed ourselves?!” Sergio barked.
Strix stayed silent.
“Answer me, Bluey!!”
“That’s not the point…” Bluey said quietly, voice steady despite the tension.
“It doesn’t matter! Sacrifices have to be made. We need to do what we can to save them all and the future generations from entering this hell,” Sergio pressed, standing up and stepping closer.
“Now stop acting so soft, Bluey. You have no damn heart. You’re ice cold and worse than the devil himself.”
She met his gaze without flinching, eyes sharp and unyielding, expression carved from steel.
“Now stop acting like a damn weakling and get your priorities straight. The sooner we finish this mission, the earlier we leave.” Sergio tossed her a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, bumping her shoulder as he walked out.
Bluey’s fists clenched. Her face remained cold, icy. She flicked a cigarette from the pack, lit it, and inhaled deeply, smoke curling around her like a veil.
“F+k this,” she muttered, voice low and hard, eyes following him until he disappeared.
“He’s right. I should really get my priorities straight.” Bluey’s voice dropped dangerously low.
She tossed the cigarette, walking back to the main building.
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𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐎𝐧𝐞 ✰ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠……
