Swear to God, He’s a Fucking Psycho

"What the hell is going on," I muttered, scanning the line of people who'd stepped forward with me. One… two… ten… fifteen… twenty…

I turned to count. Twenty-eight. Maybe twenty-nine if you included the guy in the back who kept hesitating.

That was it.

Less than thirty of us stood in front, out of ninety-five.

No, no, no. This can't be right. My stomach twisted.

We needed fifty. Fifty to leave. That was the deal.

I looked at Carter. He was already turning to the rest of them, pleading. "Guys…" he called out. "We agreed. We all agreed. We said we'd stand together. Please….what's happening?"

No one said anything.

He took a few steps forward. "Have you all forgotten how they murdered those people in front of us? Huh? Do you want to be next?". "Is money really worth your life?!"

A few more people, just a handful stepped forward. But that was it.

"You have ten minutes to make your decision," the voice echoed coldly from the speakers. "Once the alarm goes off, that's it."

That was when Theo's voice snapped.

He stepped out of the crowd, folding his arms like he owned the place. "Oh, come on, Carter, or Mr. Military or whatever the hell you wanna call yourself. Why are you trying to guilt-trip us?" He laughed bitterly. "Did anyone force you to enter this game? No. So don't start acting like you're some hero now."

A few murmurs of agreement rose from behind him. People shifting, nodding slightly, like cowards afraid to speak too loud.

This was bullshit. That was it for me.

I walked over to Theo and grabbed him by the collar of his jumpsuit, pulling him close. "Theo. Don't piss me off," I growled.

He laughed. Actually laughed like a psychopath.

"Heyyy, look, it's pretty boy," he said loud enough for everyone to hear, knocking my hands off his collar. "It's obvious you're not even here for the money. You entered this game, saw a few pretty faces and decided to chase women instead like a lost puppy," He smirked, glancing toward Zaara and Nomi.

The crowd started laughing. A few claps. One guy even whistled like it was a comedy show.

I stood there, fists clenched, trying not to punch his teeth in.

Because this was a fucking joke to them now?

People had died. Piper's face still haunted me every time I closed my eyes. And they were laughing? Laughing like it was some goddamn reality show.

I looked back at Carter, who looked completely defeated. I could see it in his face. The kind of look you give when the people you thought you could count on leave you standing in the fire alone.

Zaara stepped beside me, "Vincent," she whispered. "Don't let him pull you down to his level. He's not worth it."

I looked around, breathing hard. Zaara. Nomi. Luca. Asha. Carter. We were still standing here. But the others, they weren't just undecided. They were turning away.

And that hurt more than I expected.

"They're cowards," Carter whispered next to me. "They think they can win this. They're blind and stupid."

I didn't say anything.

But I swear, if Theo opened his damn mouth again, I'd shut him up myself.

But of course, he laughed again, cocky and loud like this was all some kind of fun game to him. "Why exactly are you transferring all that anger to me? huhh?" he said. "I didn't kill anyone. Did I? I didn't force you in here either."

"You don't get to open your mouth and spit trash. Are you this cheap? Trying to endanger your life cos of money." I said stepping closer.

Theo smirked and shook his head like I didn't get it. "You want out. Carter wants out. I get it. He's got a daughter or whatever. And maybe some of you still got your cozy little lives waiting outside. Good for you."

I stared Theo down. "Shut your bitch ass up," I warned him.

He looked at the rest of the crowd. "But me? I got nothing. No mom, no dad. No one even knows my name out there. Out there's way more dangerous than in here for someone like me. I've been to prison more times than I can count and for stuff I didn't even do half the time. Out there? That's hell. In here?" He gestured around. "I've got a bed, food, and a shot at money. You think I'm walking away like some coward?"

He hissed his teeth and backed off. "Nah. Ain't going nowhere."

Another guy, tall and skinny with sunken eyes and a scar on his cheek, stepped up beside him. "To be very honest, Theo's right," he said,. "I'm from Sector D. When I was five, my family was taken from me, sold off as slaves for people in Sector A. My whole life, I've been in debt and dirt. Nobody gives a damn about us out there. People like me, we've got nothing to go back to. So, I'd rather risk it here."

Theo looked straight at Carter. "You think going back to that life is better? You're wrong. This place might be hell… but at least I've got a chance."

Then someone else piped up. "I got arrested for drug possession. They gave me a choice: enter the Recall Trials or rot in jail. So yeah….I'm good in here. I'm staying. Free food, no prison bars."

I could feel the hope draining out of Carter. His shoulders sagged, but he still tried. Still fought as he limped forward slowly. "Theo," he said patting Vincent on his shoulder, "please… I understand. I do. Life's been cruel to you. But don't let it chain you here. Don't let pain make your decision for you. Please. Don't let it define the rest of your life. There's still a way out….."

Then Theo scoffed. "Watch your back, old man," he snapped, and then shoved Carter.

"Yo...what the hell!" Zaara stepped forward, with fury in her voice. "Why'd you push him like that?!"

And just like that, Theo smirked and reached for her. "You're fiery, huh?" he said and that's when he grabbed her waist and spanked her.

Everything in me snapped.

My vision went red.

I lost it.

I didn't even think. I lunged, grabbed him by the collar, and punched him across the jaw. He hit back, and we went at it. We were throwing punches like animals. Chaos exploded in the room….yells, gasps, shouts and then the red lights started flashing fast like alarms in a war zone.

The masked guards stormed in, grabbing us, pulling us apart like two mad dogs. My chest was heaving. Blood on my lip. Knuckles raw. Theo still grinning like an idiot with blood coming out from his nose.

Then, the voice came through the speaker. "A strike for contestant 001. A strike for contestant 093. One more, and there will be consequences. Control yourselves."

Zaara rushed to me, grabbing my arm. "Vincent, it's okay, I'm fine ," she whispered. I didn't say anything. I was still shaking, rage still boiling in my veins.

I turned to Nomi across the room. She stood with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes like I was being dramatic. But the look she gave me... she was pissed. Maybe disappointed. I didn't care.

The voice spoke again:

"The decision has been made. The game continues. Return to your quarters. Enjoy your free day."

That was it.

Just like that… over.

The black-suited guards moved in again, escorting us back like we were animals in a cage. Nobody said a word. Not even Carter. We all just walked.

Back to the room.

Back to this nightmare.

And as I sat on my bed, fists still tight, jaw aching, still tasting blood….I knew it. Today was going to be a long fucking day.

I stared at Theo from across the room.

If that asshole ever lays another hand on Zaara… I swear to God, strike or no strike… I'd end him.