Page 59 of Us Dark Few

“You better start praying now, or you’ll be waiting a long time for that to happen.” She lifted her chin, ignoring every flight instinct telling her not to piss him off.

Because screw him. That’s why.

“Do you pray often, Kanes?”

She reeled back from the bizarre question. “No.”

A slight but dangerous smirk appeared on his face. “Keep pushing me, and you’ll need to. If I want something,” he lowered his head, an inch separating them, “only God will prevent it.”

Khalani let out a deep exhale as he turned toward the exit.

It was becoming harder and harder to breathe around Takeshi, like her very air was his to claim.

She lifted her gaze to the ceiling, but none of the angels stared back.

As if they were telling her, “Good luck with that.”

16

Leave the chips and cracks in my sculpture. Capture my failures in all their misshapen beauty.

The next few weeks fell into a torturous routine that made Khalani question her sanity. Multiple times. Takeshi refused to further train her in fighting mechanics until her muscles grew from their infinitesimal size.

Those were his exact words.

So, he pushed her. He worked her to the point where walking was synonymous with pain, and breathing was no longer a quiet affair but a desperate gasp for relief.

Her muscles hurt in places she didn’t even know she had muscles.

Takeshi was never satisfied until she dropped to the floor like a wet rag. Only then would he show mercy and say she was done for the day.

He didn’t show it, but deep down, Khalani knew he enjoyed tormenting her. The bastard. And she must be crazy, because she kept returning.

Today was one of those days where her arms felt like they would fall off if someone pulled on them too hard. She failed to lift a medium-sized rock into the wheelbarrow and let out a pained groan, massaging her triceps.

C’mon, squiggly arms. Work with me here.

“Nothing screams single and lonely more than having to massage yourself.” Derek grabbed the rock from her.

She rolled her eyes and wiped the sweat off her forehead. “We’re in prison, Derek. Like you don’t do the same?”

“Oh. I do.” Derek shrugged with the tiniest grin. “In private.”

Khalani’s face twisted. “Gross.” She grabbed lighter rocks, continuing to work. If she stopped moving, the guards would notice. She didn’t need further pain.

Takeshi was the star employee in that department.

Derek cocked his head. “Captain Steele still has you on tunnel duty?”

Khalani explained her absence to Serene, Derek, and Adan by telling them Takeshi discovered her trying to steal pain meds from the medical ward. Her punishment was extra tunnel duty and lashings every day during pit break. It was the only story that sounded believable.

She nodded, but a feeble voice sounded behind her. “Prisoner 317?”

Khalani turned, and a new guard stared down at her. He was quite young with a baby face, bald head, and eyes so light, they almost appeared yellow.

“Yes?” Her brows drew together.

The young guard straightened further. “I need you to come with me.”

---