Page 110 of Us Dark Few

“Get back, Death-Zoner!” the guards yelled at Brock, brandishing their weapons toward him. The putrid scent of death rippled through the air, and prisoners cried and shook. Some puked bile, but no one dared move another inch.

The Warden cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable, but faced the surviving prisoners. “Unfortunately, this had to happen, but we serve the will of Governor Huxley and the city of Apollo. Afternoon shifts are canceled. Return to your cells immediately. Any hints of rebellion, and I promise you will suffer the same fate as these prisoners.”

His words bounced around the walls like a distant drum but felt meaningless. Nightmares had coiled and woven their way into reality.

Her vision narrowed as Khalani’s gaze fixated on one of the dead prisoners. The girl was hunched over on top of the pile, blood dripping from her mouth. Her head was half-shaved, her face slightly turned to the light, and Khalani recognized the piercings.

It was Dana.

Shallow breaths came in tiny gasps, as if her lungs were pierced with a bullet themselves. Tears billowed from her eyes and she swayed in her spot, vision blackening as prisoners around her slowly began to move, heartbreaking sobs echoing around the cold room.

Dana’s eyes were partially opened. Khalani felt like her stare was carving right through her skin, as if to scream, “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Khalani shut her eyes, cupping her hands to her face in a vain attempt to cut off her sight forever, but it was useless. Nothing would ever erase that image.

The sheer brutality and blatant disregard for human life terrified her far more than if a gun was held to her forehead.

Why was Khalani spared while Dana—one of the strongest female prisoners in Braderhelm—was picked for death? Why was she on the list…

She suddenly froze, and her gaze snapped to Takeshi.

A vein in his neck throbbed, and his fists were clenched at his sides as his murderous stare drilled into the Warden.

But he made no move forward.

No protest. No argument against the Warden’s actions.

Takeshi handed the Warden the list of names, sparing her life and executing the others.

He knew what would happen.

The horror, guilt, and betrayal were like metal shards that landed on her chest and nearly brought Khalani to her knees, crushing every last sentiment of hope.

She thought he was different, but in actuality, Takeshi was molded by the same violence the rest of the guards thrived on. In her stupid infatuation with him, she forgot who he really was.

Her heart splintered and fractured like broken glass.

Lifeless eyes bore into her soul, compounding her shame and sins. Hundreds of voices screamed in her mind that it was her fault, the loudest being her own.

She should’ve killed the Governor when she had a chance.

She should’ve protected her heart more.

It should’ve been her lying on that stage.

“You heard the Warden.” One of the guards pushed her shoulder with the butt of his gun. “Back to your cell!”

“I’ll take this one from here.” Takeshi’s deep voice cut through the haze. He towered over the guard, the underlying threat apparent in his menacing gaze.

“Y-yes, Captain,” the guard stammered and hastily retreated.

Khalani’s chest tightened further, but she refused to look at him. Refused to break down in front of him. He didn’t deserve her pain. Her anger. Her tears. He rescinded his right to those the minute he sentenced all those people to their death like animals.

She walked straight for the exit, ignoring him completely. Hard steps followed behind, and she felt Takeshi’s rough gaze burrowing a hole in her back.

Fury and despair were separate entities inside her.

For every prisoner who died, she wanted to bury a dagger in those responsible. She wanted it tohurt. She wanted the bastards to look into her eyes as she took their lives, knowing that hell was waiting for them on the other side.

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