While Leon is still distracted, I start to slowly cut Bruno’s bindings.
“Or what? Are you going to torture me? Oh, wait! You already are,” Bruno says, and shifts his hand to give me more space. That means he notices!
“This is nothing compared with what’s coming your way.”
“You’re not gonna surprise me. I’m the one who taught you everything you know, and I didn’t even show you the big-boy stuff.”
“I believe you will be surprised. This is a case where the apprentice surpassed the master. Besides, think about it. It is one thing to be on the giving end of the pain, but it’s entirely different to be on the receiving end.”
“Hahahahahaha,” Bruno laughs hysterically.
“What is so funny?”
“D’you think I didn’t try every single method on myself first? —”
The laughing suddenly stops.
Leon looks extremely spooked, like someone who just saw a ghost.
“What happened, cat got your tongue? What would your father think if he saw you right now?” Leon remains silent. “He told me you wouldn’t amount to anything. That’s why he begged me to teach you my ways. He begged, like a dog.”
“You betrayed us!” Leon yells. “We trusted you, and you stabbed us in the bloody back!” He’s filled with anger. “My father would be proud of me. I’ve tracked and killed our traitor!”
“I ain’t dead yet, kiddo.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that. But soon I will kill this cow in front of you. After she tortures you for days.” He is so focused on arguing, that he still hasn’t noticed what we’re doing.
“You betrayed yourself when you fooled your mind into thinking you could pull that torturing shit on American soil and get away with it. Not on my watch, you pathetic little shithead.” Leon turns his back to us, takes a deep breath, regains his composure and faces back our way.
“You know what will happen when you pass out from pain?” Bruno says nothing. “I will rape her first. Once I’m satisfied, I’ll let the rest of the guys have a pass. I’m going to rip her to pieces and the screams will wake you up, only to be a helpless witness. How do you like that? Do you think I don’t have the balls to—”
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Another explosion? What’s going on?
The laptop shows a cloud of dust. Carter is lying on the ground and there’s literally a big hole in the wall. Suddenly, a massive shadow appears from outside and steps in. It’s a man. Tall. Long black hair. With extreme ferocity, he kicks the biker in the chest, who falls on the floor; then, he shoots the biker in the head once. He unties Carter, helps him up and on his way out, he walks towards the camera and crushes it with his hand, killing the video feed.
What the fuck?
“So… Professor… That counts as a squirrel. And since Carter decided to bolt, that means she dies now instead,” Leon says, still looking at the laptop.
“Aaaaaarhhhhhhh!” Bruno doesn’t let me finish cutting the rope; he breaks free and stands up in the same motion. Still grunting, he throws himself towards Leon. Leon reacts, but it’s too late— Bruno is already onto him. They both hit the ground and Leon has nothing to defend himself with. Bruno starts to throw punches and they are all connecting with Leon’s face.
“Say-that-shit-again. I-fucking-dare-you,” Bruno says while rhythmically punching Leon.
I’m mesmerized, unable to move. But I can feel what Bruno feels. His hands and mine are one. Every punch he throws feels like mine as if it’s me swinging. I feel Bruno’s power on every blow, I feel my vengeance burning even harder, making my heart pound stronger. I don’t need to kill him myself. I’d rather watch this.
But my happiness fades away the minute Bad Blood returns, jumps in and tries to separate them. The three of them are grunting and panting. I join the fight only to receive an elbow to the face from Bad Blood. Bruno hears me scream in pain, shoves Leon to the wall and clings to Bad Blood. Bad Blood manages to break free from Bruno and pushes him back. Bruno falls down. His body must be feeling worn by the torture.
“Can you walk, boss?” Bad Blood says after picking Leon up. Leon looks like shit.
“Yes, I can.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“No! I have… need to kill this traitor.”
“Everybody’s dead out there, we need to go now!” Leon nods.
