Page 15 of Us Dark Few

Two female prisoners were fighting, blood splattered everywhere. One of the pale girls had her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders and her dark hair pulled tight into a side braid. The other prisoner had chopped red hair, and the deadly glint in her eyes intensified as she swung a punch.

Khalani flinched as the dark-haired girl dodged the hit and drove a closed fist into the other prisoner’s jaw, knocking her flat. Blood dripped down the girl’s face, nearly the same color as her hair. Khalani thought the fight was over when the dark-haired girl leaned down for the knockout punch. But she came crashing down as the other girl side-swiped her leg.

The redhead took advantage and climbed on top, pummeling her in the face. Three punches. Four. Five. The dark-haired girl on the ground no longer moved, and the redhead stood with her arms raised in victory.

Prisoners whistled and clapped, exchanging flimsy passes labeled Shower Token, seemingly the only thing to bet with in Braderhelm. Even a few guards stood outside the ring, grinning at the raw spectacle.

The girl on the ground slowly sat up, flinching with each movement. Sweat and blood glistened on her skin, and her black hair stuck to her forehead. She crawled to the edge of the pit, light highlighting her bloodied lips and swollen eyes. But as she tried to ascend the mound, her leg gave out, sending her crashing back to the bottom.

Khalani glanced around, waiting for someone to help the poor girl, but no one made a move. Everyone focused on two male prisoners who dropped into the pit, squaring off to fight.

Her eyes shifted back to the defeated girl. Khalani preferred to blend in with the background and maintain a low profile, but she couldn’t stand there in feigned ignorance.

She left Serene’s side and barely heard her say, “Khalani, wait.”

Khalani ignored her, making her way closer to the edge of the ring. Once she found an opening to the front, she spotted the broken girl still trying to crawl away.

“Here, let me help you.” Khalani bent down and reached her hand.

She vaguely noticed the cheers halting and whispers picking up steam. She felt multiple eyes on her but ignored them. The defeated girl peered up with deep hatred pulsing from her expression, angry tears forming in the one eye that wasn’t swollen shut.

“I don’t need your fucking help.”

Khalani recoiled. The girl pushed to her hands and slowly rose to her feet, wincing in obvious pain. She hobbled shakily on one leg and lifted herself out of the pit. Taking a deep breath, she grimaced, unable to stand fully upright. After giving Khalani another irate glare, she disappeared into the crowd.

Khalani stood frozen at the top of the crater, holding her hand out like an idiot.

What just happened?

Her eyes swept around, and a couple of prisoners gave Khalani a look of sympathy…or was it pity? Most prisoners who witnessed the embarrassing act shook their heads like she’d committed a social faux pas.

An older prisoner who stood a foot taller than Khalani, her head half-shaven with several piercings through her nose and eyebrows, slowly clapped.

“Nice going, new girl. Try to help any losers out of the pit, and you’ll find yourself taking their place. Doubt you would last ten seconds.” She smirked as the warning cut through.

“She can come with me, and I’ll fill her pit up in less than ten seconds.” A burly guy with missing teeth sneered, and everyone laughed around her.

Khalani’s fists tightened, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She quickly pushed toward the back of the ring, making her way out of there as quickly as possible. If she could have any superpower at that moment, it would be invisibility.

“Khalani!” Serene’s voice pierced through her thoughts. She finally broke through the throng of people and spotted Serene’s blue hair following behind her.

“I’m sorry. Just had to get out of there,” the words rushed from her mouth when Serene approached.

“I should’ve told you. You can’t intervene with fights in the pit or help the losers. It’s taboo,” Serene explained.

Khalani shook her head, internally cursing at herself. She should’ve known better. In Braderhelm, compassion was a tumor that needed to be carved out.

“Don’t take it too hard,” Serene implored when she noticed her expression. “Just make sure not to interfere next time, okay?”

Silence filled the air between them, but Khalani pursed her lips and nodded. The notion didn’t sit well with her, but she couldn’t afford a target on her back, not in prison. Having principles was easy, but sticking to one’s principles when it required sacrifice…that was another matter entirely.

“I’m gonna walk around a little,” she said. “Need some space.” The fighting pit appeared to be the primary source of entertainment in Braderhelm, and Khalani lost her appetite for watching the bloody sport any further.

Serene frowned as if she were tempted to argue, but ultimately nodded. Khalani was grateful she didn’t have to explain herself. She was better off in solitude.

She walked through the pit, taking in her surroundings, when she spotted Takeshi Steele in the far corner. His muscular arms were folded against his chest as he leaned against the wall. His demeanor was calm, but his face radiated controlled aggression. Those watchful eyes cast around the room like a viper waiting to strike.

Suddenly, his gaze landed on her. She felt caught in a trap as his shadowed eyes held her own, narrowing, as if daring her to move.

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