Page 26 of His to Slash

The lights flickered more violently now, plunging me into darkness for heart-stopping seconds before illuminating my path once more. In those brief moments of blackness, I swore I could feel Cain's breath on the back of my neck, his presence an oppressive weight bearing down on me.

I stumbled around another corner, hope flaring in my chest as I saw a doorway ahead. Freedom, at last! But just as I reached out, a metal panel slammed down with a deafening clang, blocking my escape. The sound reverberated through my bones, leaving me trembling and disoriented.

Slowly, I turned around, dreading what I might see. There, at the far end of the corridor, stood Cain. His silhouette was unmistakable, the dim light glinting off the blade in his hand. My breath caught in my throat as panic clawed at my insides.

"No, no, no," I whispered, pressing my back against the cold metal panel. There was nowhere left to run, nowhere to hide. Cain took a step forward, his mask hiding any trace of emotion. Was he savoring this moment, drinking in my fear?

My eyes darted around frantically, searching for anything I could use as a weapon. The corridor was bare, offering no salvation. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. If this was how it ended, I wouldn't go down without a fight.

Cain took another step, then another. Each footfall echoed in the confined space, a countdown to my impending doom. I could feel my heart trying to burst from my chest, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

"Stay back!" I shouted, my voice cracking with fear. Cain paused, tilting his head as if considering my words. But I knew better. Then, without warning, he lunged forward.

I ducked instinctively, feeling the rush of air as his blade sliced through the space where my head had been. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding another swipe of his knife.

The corridor suddenly felt impossibly small, leaving me no room to maneuver. I scrambled to my feet, my back pressed against the wall as Cain advanced. His mask, so similar to Grayson's yet infinitely more terrifying, seemed to leer at me in the flickering light.

"Why are you doing this?" I screamed, desperate for any distraction that might buy me time. Cain didn't respond, his silence more chilling than any words could have been.

As he closed in, I noticed a loose pipe hanging from the ceiling. In a burst of desperate strength, I leaped up and grabbed it, wrenching it free. The metal was cold and heavy in my hands, but it was better than nothing.

Cain paused, seemingly surprised by my sudden show of defiance. I took advantage of his hesitation, swinging the pipe with all my might. It connected with his shoulder, this time the impact sending shockwaves up my arms.

He staggered back a step, and for a brief moment, I dared to hope. But then he straightened, rolling his shoulder as if my attack had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. My heart sank as I realized just how outmatched I truly was.

twenty-four

My breath hitchedas Cain advanced slowly, savoring every step. "Can't… save… you," he murmured, voice rough and lethal. "Mine."

Terror coursed through my veins, freezing me in place. I wanted to run, to scream, to fight back, but my body refused to obey. Cain's presence was overwhelming, a suffocating darkness that threatened to swallow me whole.

Just as he lunged, a deafening crash erupted behind me. The metal grate exploded inward, and Grayson burst through, roaring with unbridled fury. He charged at Cain, fists swinging with brutal force.

The impact sent Cain reeling back, and Grayson pressed his advantage, raining down blow after blow. Their bodies collided in a savage dance, a whirlwind of violence that made my head spin.

I scrambled to my feet, heart hammering against my ribs. My legs shook, threatening to give out as I pressed myself against the wall. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the brutal spectacle before me.

At first, hope flared in my chest. Grayson fought like a man possessed, his strikes powerful enough to shatter bone. But as the fight raged on, a chill crept down my spine. Something was wrong.

Cain absorbed each punch, each kick, as if they were nothing more than gentle taps. And then, I heard it - a sound that made my blood run cold. Cain was giggling.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Cain wasn't fighting back; he was toying with Grayson. Every time Grayson landed a blow, Cain's laughter grew louder, more maniacal.

Grayson's movements became more frantic, more desperate. He slammed Cain against the wall, the impact shaking dust from the ceiling. But Cain just kept laughing, the sound echoing through the corridor like a twisted melody.

"All… you… got?" Cain taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.

Grayson roared in response, redoubling his efforts. But it was like watching someone try to fight a brick wall. Cain moved with inhuman speed and grace, always one step ahead.

I wanted to help, to do something, anything. But what could I do against these two monsters? My fingers curled around the pipe I still clutched, the metal slick with my sweat.

Suddenly, Cain's hand shot out, catching Grayson's fist mid-swing. The laughter stopped, replaced by an eerie silence that made my skin crawl.

"My turn," Cain whispered.

What happened next was almost too fast for my eyes to follow. Cain moved like a blur, his fists connecting with Grayson's body in a brutal barrage. Each impact echoed through the corridor, punctuated by Grayson's grunts of pain.

I watched in horror as Grayson, my tormentor turned protector, was thrown across the hallway like a ragdoll. He slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch, sliding to the floor in a crumpled heap.

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