Page 56 of Ruins
He lets out a broken, shuddering breath. “If I tell you,” he whimpers, “will you bring my body to my family?”
I consider it, letting the silence stretch.
Finally, I agree. “Your family will receive you.” My voice is devoid of warmth. “Now, whosentyou?”
“Gabriel Kaya.” The words tumble from his lips, breathless and desperate.
I flick a glance at Nico. He nods, already typing on his phone.
“And your name?” I ask, voice casual—like we’re old friends catching up.
“Baris…” he wheezes, barely getting the name out. “My name is Baris.”
“Please… just kill me.”
I grip the metal box and yank it off his head. His face is a mess—red, battered, nose broken, one eye already swelling shut. I steal a questioning look at my brother who smirks.
Reaching for the scalpel and clamp from the table beside the butane tank, I motion for Sin to join me.
He doesn’t hesitate.
Baris senses it now—the shift in the air, the finality of it.
Sin grips both sides of his jaw, forcing his mouth open as Baris thrashes wildly. The barbed wire digs in deeper, ripping more flesh, more blood.
I lean in close, my breath hot against his skin.
His body stills.
His eyes widen.
Terror seeps into him as he realizes the truth—
He’s not getting out of this.
I smile, slow and cruel.
“I lied,” I whisper.
Then, with one swift motion, I clamp down on his tongue, yank it forward, and slice clean through with the scalpel.
A wet, gurgling scream rips from his throat.
Blood floods his mouth, choking him, drowning his own cries. His body convulses, the barbed wire shredding him further as his own suffering becomes his executioner.
I watch, savoring the moment.
His tongue, slick and useless now, I place it on the table next to the rest of our tools, a grotesque trophy in a collection of nightmares.
The scent of blood thickens the air. Metallic. Warm.
I inhale deeply.Power.
A rush surges through me, sharp and electric, coiling in my veins like fire.
I snap back to myself as Nico steps into the basement. I never saw him leave, but now he’s back, phone in hand.
“Maksim’s on the way. He thinks we should deliver Baris’s body to Kaya—says the Turks have been pushing into his territory. Sending it back will make a statement. Show solidarity in our alliance.”
