Carnation 23

Paris, France: Street 78 (Alley 2)

"Street 78..."

This street was a pretty secluded area because it is near the 4th Street Cemetery. Most people tend not to walk by the souls of the dead, that's why we have no problem burying people there.

A spotlight from a vehicle alerted me before I could hide in one of the posts. The violet painted car moved slowly towards the end of the street. Taking a peek at the side, I noticed a familiar mop of dark hair and a pair of standard glasses.

"Sir Broshe...?"

What was he doing here?

Without forgetting the image of Sir Edward passing by my eyes, I approached the darkness of the second alley and as it enveloped me, my eyes adjusted to the abyss.

The red-tinted brick walls brought memories of the days when I used to drag bodies for my father. They enter either conscious or unconscious, the only way they'll get out of there is when they are—

Dead.

Feeling a strong presence behind me, I stopped and turned around to see Nightmare holding a metal bat, ready to bash me in the head. I surrendered myself while he firmly hands cuffed my hands behind me.

"Take me to him..." I said.

We walked at a steady pace, avoiding the rough walls.

"Aren't you going to put up a fight?" Nightmare asked, his voice was cracking and ragged.

"I only fight people who are as big as me," I replied before looking back at him, smirking. "Besides, I know this is not your plan."

He sent me a death glare, but that's all he could manage because of the damage I did. I saw on his lower lip when he tried to bite it lightly.

"You're only doing this for him, right?" It's my turn to ask.

Nightmare might be a typical womanizer, but the truth is, he'll do anything just to fuck the hell out of Phoenix. Yes! Phoenix. As disgusting as it can get, I saw how he tried to get Phoenix to notice him.

"Shut up, Massacre!" he said with hid cracked voice. "My mouth is sore. Thanks to you... I can't modulate a debate with you."

"You can call me by my name. I'm not part of this gang anymore..." I replied. "Isn't this what you wanted? Now he can focus more on you instead of being my dog."

Feeling a little push and a faster pace, I know for sure that he's affected.

"I'm not gay!" Nightmare said.

"Oh, really..." I blurted out. "That's why I saw you jerking off while he sleeps beside you!"

"Your moaning ring tone is just some scheme to cover up that you love him, isn't it?" I continued assaulting him. "And I bet you never had a girlfriend..."

I can't help but smile in success when he pushed me against the wall and looked me in the eyes with his eyes, full of sadness and anger at the same time.

"Look. He likes someone else..." He finally said it.

"Unfortunate events at their finest..." I smirked.

"Who could that be?" I asked.

I was not ready for the answer...

"Raine."

It was his time to strike me a cocky look.

"You can't be serious..." Nervously, I chuckled, but my eyebrows brought themselves together.

"I thought the way he stares at the both of you just screams hell," he said.

Dumbfounded, I stayed silent for a moment while he laughed at my expression.

"Bullshits!!!" I screamed at him, slowly losing my temper.

He twisted my elbow and whispered in my ear, "Yes... That was just another unfortunate event at its finest."

—then continued to drag me towards the dark alleyway.

"Now, move!"

My back ached as he kicked it with his full force to make me drop on the ground face first before opening the ragged oak door.

Closing my eyes, I felt liquid dribbling down at the side of my face. Nightmare heaved me up and shoved me inside the room, the dust entered my nose the moment my body made collision with the creaking floor.

"Now what...?" asked Nightmare before the sound of the door closing made my ears perk up.

The flying clouds of dust danced around my eyes and it made a vision a great blur. But the sound of their breaths and her glistening tears made me see every scenario. I was greeted by the sight of Phoenix holding Raine on his lap.

Looking up, I gritted my teeth at the thought of Nightmare being right about Phoenix's feelings for the girl— my girl to be precise.

"I'm here... Just like you asked. Now beat the shit out of me," I said as my head gave up from looking up.

All became unclear when I felt the cold metal against the skin on my wrists went away. When I gained my strength, I stood up and adjusted my vision to the dark environment of the room.

"You piece of dog meat. Let go of her!" I muttered after wiping the crimson liquid from my cheek.

He laughed and obviously was not satisfied with my greeting. Raine tried to say something but Phoenix held her shoulders firmly before caressing her face while still looking at me.

"Leave please..." Her voice quivered as she spoke softly.

"It's raining... Why did you go out? I don't want you catching a cold..." I smiled at her. "Let's cuddle and keep each other warm when we get home..."

Nightmare let go of me and I stood up.

Her eyes widened as her blood obviously went up her face to form a blush. In this situation, I can't help but admire her pretty face. I walked towards them but Phoenix pointed a gun at me. A bullet didn't stop me, I continued walking slowly to reclaim Raine.

As soon as he said that, the light went on.

"I can just shoot you right now, but I'll give you one more chance..."

He made Raine stand up and that's when I realized that her clothes were so revealing and inviting. She was wearing a tube that barely covered her chest and a very short skirt with fishnet stockings.

It's not like her...

"We found your kitten roaming around the cemetery, soaking wet. You don't mind that we changed her fur, right?" the bastard claimed.

"Raine?" I called.

Her face was flushed red as she looked away, not wanting to witness my enraged eyes. Phoenix let her sit down on the chair after he stood up.

"I'm sorry— I- I just"

My heart raced a beat when Phoenix slapped her hard across the face. I was held down once again with my arms behind me so I kicked my legs but it was futile.

"Did I order you to talk?" Phoenix kissed away her tears but it continuously drenches her face as a visible handprint was plastered across her face.

"Bastard! I'm going to kill you!"

Phoenix kneeled to my level to look me in the eyes before giving me a devilish smirk, "If you'll agree to come back to our group then I might consider letting her go—"

"Untouched..." he added before looking at Raine with perverseness.

I answered right away, leaving no reason for them to hurt Raine, "Sure if that's what you offer, Phoenix"

Nightmare let go of me, finally freeing my blood deprived wrist. I stood up slowly only to be forced into a metallic chair again. Grunting as the pain on the wrist added when they slammed the metal cuffs around it, the flesh on the side of the right wrist was smashed between the lock.

Rained screamed but they covered her mouth with a muzzle.

"I agreed! Get your hands off her!"

Phoenix came back with a whip in his hands. I looked at Raine and gave her a reassuring smile. She shook his head vigorously and tried her best to escape the chair she was in.

"You're a new member, right?"

My eyes widened when I realized that this is part of our group's initiation. Phoenix sliced through the clothes covering me like it was navigating through butter. My pants were pulled down to secure that every part of me was covered with marks.

It was already covered...

"STOP!!!"

They'll just be going to add a new batch to the expired ones...

Shoulders...

Thighs...

Back...

Abdomen...

Neck...

"I'm the one who should be hurt!" she screamed. "Stop it! Please Phoenix!"

Arms...

Knees...

Raine's pleas fell into the inconsiderate ears of Phoenix as he continuously let the burning leather make contact with my skin. The blood oozes from my newly opened wounds, I looked up and met the looming image of my Father above me.

Legs...

Chest again...

I smiled, "Just like the old days, old fucker..."

Collar...

Shoulders again...

I licked the blood off my lips. He slashed it 11 times and I can feel my blood soaking my clothes like how the rain-soaked the ground.

"I didn't just plan on using her as a bait"

My energy was fading but I still had the strength to talk. The blonde boy in front of me pulled my hair so that my face was exposed to the heat radiating from the only light above me.

"I want her to witness you suffer, my liege... Just like what you did to me during my initiation"

The memory came to me as the flashback began playing in my head.

It was all very clear...

xXx

5 years ago...

Phoenix was a year younger than me. A tall blonde male with a serious-looking aura excels in his study with his high IQ. Father was interested in him the moment he saw him. He reached out to me and wanted me to include him in the gang.

"Please stop it... Son, make them stop!"

I don't care how much her mother screams. This bastard wants to join the group then he needs to undergo this initiation. I chuckled as I heard him wail in agony as I pressed the hot metal on his skin.

"AHHHH!!!"

The rain covered his severed cries. If he'll make this out alive then I might just make him my right hand.

I hated him not because my father is always in favor of him. I hated him because I know something he doesn't know, I have no intention of telling him. I want him to live his whole life, wondering why I hated him.

"Take that!!!"

I hit again...

Again...

And again...

25 times...

He survived. He was able to bear getting tortured while his Mom watched his agony.

This is what it takes to be in my Army.

"You're part of this group now, Phoenix"

He smiled and it showed his bloody mouth.

"Thank you, my liege!"

He survived the initiation.

But unfortunately...

His Mother didn't...

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