Page 117 of Little Psycho

A loud thump reverberates from somewhere beyond the door, the sound of a body slamming against the wall, and I tense, adrenaline kicking back in.

“You really have no fucking idea what’s coming, do you?”I mutter under my breath, eyes darting to the window, searching for any sign of movement or hope.

My father scoffs in response, standing tall and imposing like a storm cloud ready to unleash its torture.“You’re goddamn naïve if you think any of this will end well.You’ve all made fucking enemies for life.”

"Shit, and you three haven't?"Kill scoffs, finally butting in.

Suddenly, the door bursts open again.The air shifts, buzzing with the promise of another battle as a figure cloaked in all black steps across the threshold, hastily pulling back the hood of their sweatshirt to reveal their face, covered by an all too familiar mask with glowing red X’s over the eyes—one that I've seen so many times.

Cali.

Panic surges through me, but before I can react, vigilance brightens her dark eyes, even amidst the turmoil.

"Who the hell are you?"My father asks, concern growing heavy in his eyes, matching the look in Dom’s and Killian's fathers to a tee.

She says nothing, but we know it's her.But they don’t.Relief washes over me, and for a second, I can breathe, knowing that she's safe...for now.We lock eyes, and I watch hers lower, following the quick look she gives away.

Clutched in her hand, half hidden behind her back, is a flash bang, her way of getting us out of here.While our fathers are staring at her, trying to figure out what's happening, I grab the guys' attention, motioning toward the object in her hands.

Within seconds, she throws the can right at our fathers' feet, giving the three of us just enough time to cover our faces and shield ourselves from the blast as best we can.

Our fathers aren't so lucky.

Me, Dom, and Killian scramble in response to the piercing sound and thickening smoke, our focus shifting to the open door, trying to make it out.We rush through the narrow space, evading our fathers grappling hands and desperate shouts, not bothering to look back.

We barrel through, diving into the hallway just as another violent crash resounds behind us.My breath comes out in ragged gasps as I push open the back door of the building, a burst of frigid air hitting me like a slap to the face.

We’re out...and with Cali alongside us.

“Which way?”she hollers, scanning the alleyway, lurking shadows dancing in the night.

“Left!”Dominic shouts, urgency commanding his voice.“The garage!We can take the car!”

We sprint forward, our hearts pounding, mismatched footsteps pounding against the concrete.

Just a little further.

The garage door looms in front of us, taunting; it feels like a saving grace in this world full of corruption and violence.But even if we get out alive, what then?This world is filled with our enemies, and they won’t stop hunting us down.Still, for now, I refuse to let my mind run wild, determined not to let fear overtake me.

“Open it!”Kill urges as our feet pound the ground beneath us, turning towards the garage door, finding it slightly ajar.

I pull on the handle, forcing the door open wide, the four of us tumbling inside the packed space

“Get to the car!”I shout, adrenaline kicking back in, as Dom and Killian jump into his Mustang parked haphazardly at the far side.

I keep my eyes peeled for any sign of our fathers as Cali and I slip into the backseat just as the engine roars to life, and we jolt forward, tearing out of the garage and into the night.

Freedom will find us somewhere down the road; we just have to be faster, smarter, and willing to fight for every last thread of hope.

"Where am I going?"Dom asks breathlessly, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

Knowing we need a distraction and to get as far away as we can, I grin, remembering Five's message."Charlestown; there's a sprint going down tonight."

As I hold onto Cali tightly, sliding around the backseat as Dom drives wildly into the night, I can’t help but believe we’ll prevail in this nightmare—we'll make it out alive, but at what cost?

Because this shit, this is just the fucking beginning.

FORTY-TWO

---