Page 144 of Desecrated Saints
He spins us around so we’re facing the other way. My lack of submission is beginning to grind his gears; I can see the flames of fury in his eyes. Bancroft still hasn’t made an appearance, and I’m beginning to feel antsy.
“You know, impulsivity is your greatest weakness. Not many people would accept an invitation to their own demise, Patient Eight. Things would’ve been a lot less complicated if we did this a month ago.”
I curl my lip at him. “I’m here for Bancroft, not your sleazy fucking ass.”
Leroy grunts as he slaps me across the face, hard enough for my head to snap to the side. Licking a bead of blood from my lip, I stare back at him with defiance.
“That all you got, old man?”
“Oh, I have plenty more. I’m on strict orders to be a good boy, though.”
“The big, powerful Leroy Knight is on a leash?” I cackle. “How mighty of you.”
He merely shrugs. “Like with all good plans, preparation is key. Are you ready for your prize? We can’t have a treasure hunt without one.”
Leroy roughly turns me around. I’m relieved to see the guys are where I left them, though Seven is still missing. Where the fuck is he? I can’t see Enzo, Hunter or Theo either. My heartbeat roars in my ears as Leroy grabs my wrist again, towing me out of the marquee.
Nobody blinks an eye as we’re escorted at gunpoint. They all watch with morbid satisfaction. It’s like they’re trapped in a parallel reality, ignoring the real world slapping them in the face. Many people here will be making millions from Incendia’s shady dealings, including the Z Wing program and its valuable recruits.
Humans with no humanity.
We’re truly on our own in this theatre of death.
Taken away from the party, darkness invades our surroundings. There are no lights on inside the classrooms. Spooky, seemingly vacant buildings block us on all sides. I realise where we’re headed as Leroy’s nails dig into my skin. Oakridge dorms await at the end of a cobbled path.
This is where it all began.
It’s fitting this should be our end.
Floodlights slam on, momentarily blinding me. As my vision clears, the awaiting scene is a terrifying sight. In front of the carved stone steps that my hallucinations once chased me up, a giant wooden stage has been erected. Great beams stretch upwards, running parallel to the platform raised several feet in the air.
Hanging from the beam, I count five nooses.
Perfectly tied and awaiting a sacrificial neck.
Standing next to his macabre construction, Bancroft watches our arrival with visible joy. He’s dressed to the nines in a navy-blue suit and matching velvet bow tie. In the harsh light, I can see Augustus in his features. Sharp and cruel, his entire persona drips with intelligence and authority.
“Good job, Leroy. You might want to make a hasty exit. I have no doubt their reinforcements will be arriving soon. I intend to finish this quickly.”
“Indeed,” Leroy agrees with a chuckle. “I’ll be seeing you soon, old friend. We have another election to win.”
Bancroft smiles widely. “Who wouldn’t vote for the man that brought these convicts to their doom?”
Leroy’s grip on me loosens as his hot, sticky breath meets my ear. “Have fun in hell, darling. He’s going to tear you apart. It’s been a pleasure.”
“Run away,” I smart. “Like the coward you are.”
Delivering his parting blow, Leroy’s eyes narrow as he shoves me hard. I stumble and hit the ground right in front of Bancroft. By the time I crawl onto my knees, Kade’s father has scuttled away like the pathetic worm he is, and fascinated investors are crowding around to watch the drama play out.
“Brooklyn West,” Bancroft greets. “Or should I say, Patient Eight? We do live in extraordinary times when one body can hold two people. Quite fascinating.”
The butt of a gun meets my head, forcing me to cower at his almighty altar of undeserved power. Instead of looking at Bancroft, I watch my guys get escorted up the stairs to the wooden platform. None of them betray any fear in the face of death.
“What is this?” I growl.
“Presumably, you accepted my invitation with some vague notion of ending my life. Can’t kill a man at the end of the phone, right? I understand. Vengeance is a powerful motivator.”
Forever the fearless leader, Kade takes the first noose. The guard loops it around his neck and tightens the thick rope until he’s trapped. My horror increases as each noose is filled with its victim. I never underestimated the risk of coming here, but Bancroft’s insanity is far greater than I’d predicted.
