Page 7 of Us Dark Few

“You get a shower token twice a week if you perform well in your assignments. Fail to do so, and your stench won’t be the only thing that covers this prison.” His nose wrinkled. “Don’t expect sympathy or pity because you won’t get it. Not from me or anyone else down here. Are we clear?”

The guard’s sharp features twisted in disdain, like she was nothing more than a repugnant bug he would pay front-row tickets to see trampled.

Douglas told her once about the five stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. She understood the first four easily. It was acceptance that forever evaded her. It was futile, like trying to clutch air with bare hands.

The Captain’s thinly veiled insults and cruel glare sunk into her skin like a dull knife. Twisting back and forth. Gnawing through her thin walls of self-control.

“Very clear,” she deadpanned. He could be the last person alive, and she’d rather dig up graves and ask skeletons for sympathy.

His eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, an inch separating them. “If you think I deal with any attitude, you’re severely mistaken. Fail to follow any of these rules, and Iwillmake you suffer.” The threat cameout slow and barely above a whisper.

Shivers raced up the back of her neck, but she slowly nodded, more comfortable with thinly veiled threats than lies of survival. His towering frame stood tense, studying her as his warning lingered in the static air.

“Let’s go.” He turned.

Khalani struggled to keep up with him as the guard’s long legs tore across the walkway, not bothering to see if she was following. Because he knew she had nowhere else to go.

He led her into the elevator, and they slowly glided past the prisoner cells. She stood as far from him as possible, but the Captain’s imposing presence made the elevator seem small. Unlike the other guards, he didn’t carry a rifle on his shoulder. Weapons were undoubtedly hidden beneath his vest, but he carried himself with quiet confidence. As if he didn’t need any.

They walked in silence through the dim tunnels. The only light source came from wires cemented on the ceiling, emitting a white glow. Her legs moved double-time to match his fast pace, but Khalani took the time while they marched through the complex caves to study her enemy.

Despite his immense size, the guard moved with grace, scanning every corner with a calculating gaze. His warm, rich skin was a rarity compared to most who lived underground. But the Captain’s dark features and hooded eyes only added to his serious demeanor. Khalani was of Hispanic descent, but this guard’s roots appeared to be linked to East Asia and on any other man, his sharp nose, angular cheekbones, and pronounced jaw would’ve made him pretty.

This guard wasn’t pretty or even handsome. Those were too feeble terms.

He was a disaster you couldn’t tear your focus away from. He was the unmoving calm while you lean on the precipice of death.

“Is there a reason you’re staring?”

“No.” She snapped her head forward. Crazy peripheral vision, also noted.

“The north-end tunnel is that way.” The guard pointed down the decrepit hall. “Any questions? Now is the only time to ask,” he warned.

“Do you have a name?” Referring to him as ‘scary uptight muscle man’ for the rest of her short life didn’t seem appealing.

“I’m the Captain of Braderhelm.”

“They don’t give captains’ names?”

“That’s all you need to know. You won’t live long enough to put any names to use.” His harsh words lingered in the empty space.

Blood rushed to her face, and emotion quickly overrode logic.

“I guess down here, humans are numbered, and only monsters are named. My mistake.”

She stepped away, but stiff fingers grabbed her arm, right over the sensitive brand. The Captain’s brows got low as he applied biting pressure over the unhealed wound. She noticeably flinched but he didn’t relent. His features twisted into something villainous.

Unstable.

As if each layer beneath his skin was slashed and hewn in violence, and he loosely held the reins of control.

“Say that to me again.” The Captain’s head tilted. He twisted her wrist, and she gasped at the sharp pain.

Khalani’s chin trembled as she stared into his shadowed eyes. The guard’s disquieting energy triggered every flight instinct, screaming for her to run. She kept her mouth shut, breaking into a cold sweat.

“Nothing to say now?” His gaze narrowed, sweeping her small frame. “The only reason I’m not breaking your wrist is because you need it for the next shift, and I don’t have patience for your pathetic screams. Unless you’re prepared for the consequences, keep that smart mouth shut, or I’ll ensure a broken bone will be the least of your problems.”

The Captain released his painful grip. She clutched her hand, grimacing, but he didn’t give her a chance to speak.

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