The three of us quickly returned to the arcade and made our way back to the edge. We wasted no time, weaving through the remaining tables towards the mall entrance. As we stepped closer, we all slowed our pace, noticing blood on the floor.
Lavender’s eyes raised to meet my gaze. “You don’t think it’s?—”
“No. It can’t be theirs. The twins had to have found a way out.”
She wiped her tears away. “You’re right.” She sniffled. “It’s probably—probably Crissa’s from earlier.” I nodded, knowing damn well it wasn’t ‘cause this blood was fresh.
Fuck, I hope Token and Ryder okay.
ZETH
“Fuck!” Token continued to cry out as the thick and heavy scent of his blood filled the room, saturating it with his fear. He and his twin, Ryder, had made their way back to one another, and were now hiding behind one of the large, withered clown animatronics in the corner. They hadn’t moved in awhile and just stopped running, leaving me bored, sitting around waiting for them.
The tip of my claw picked at my teeth, digging out fleshy bits of both William and Tawny while the twins made muffled noises and complained. I rolled my eyes, sitting in one of the dining chairs with my legs kicked up on one of the tables, twirling the gun around. “Ugh! This is no fun! No fun at all!”
“Fuck you, Crissa!” The meatier of the two shouted from the other side of the room.
A cackle vomited from my mouth. “You are more than welcome to try, human. Though, I don’t think you can handle my dick buried deep in your ass!” I paused as my smile fell, looking down at my vessel. “Oh, I’d almost forgotten aboutthat.” I laughed again. “Well, I suppose we could still try. But fair warning, meaty arms, all my rendezvous tend to end up a bit dead.” He cursed at me again, but all I could do was laugh at his displeasure. “Easy, big boy. I know you have no attraction to this body of mine.”
Ryder finally spoke up, peeking his head faintly from behind the animatronic. “Crissa…please,” he begged. “Token’s really hurt…and he’s—he’s bleeding everywhere!”
Obviously.
“Please! Whatever we did, we’re—we’re sorry! Please, just let us go!”
A loud sigh fell from my mouth as my head dipped back in disappointment. “I expected more from you, Ryder.” He didn’t answer, souring my mood further. ”Fine.” I sighed. “I’ll make a deal with you. If you can carry your brother out of here by the count of ten, I’ll let you go. Both of you.”
“Did you hear that?” he whispered loudly to his twin. “Come on, if we?—”
“But!” I grinned, knowing this was all about to become much more interesting. “If you fail…” A low chuckle ripped from the back of my throat. “Well, let’s just say, I’ll be having a two for one special.” My head tilted in his direction, blood-stained fringe draping over my eyes. “What do you say? We have a deal?”
Ryder remained hidden, but I could hear his weak little heart pounding in that hollow chest of his. “Deal.”
Wonderful.
“One…”
Ryder quickly tossed Token’s arm over his shoulder and stood, struggling to carry both of their weight. I tried not to laugh at the ridiculous display, knowing this would be too easy.
“Two.”
He used his legs to drag his brother, catching my attention as he struggled to make his way toward the center of the room.
Oh, so this one has thighs for days. How delectable!
“Three…” My body rose as I clasped the gun with a grin. “Ten!” Ryder froze in the center of the old party room as I raised the gun to shoot, but when I pulled the trigger, nothing happened. The boys both sighed in relief while I fumbled with the weapon, clicking the trigger again and again. “Oh, come on,” I growled.
“You—you cheated!” Ryder snapped, glaring at me before he and his brother ducked under another large table, draped with a long tablecloth.
I threw the useless gun across the room in a loud huff, hearing a squeak in the doorway. “Oh?” I spun to greet the little rat. “Hello dear friend. Did you all finish off that old, wrinkly woman?” The vermin nodded its head. “Wonderful.” The rat chittered a bit more, telling me new information. “My oh my,” I purred. “Well, they won’t get far. Keep an eye on them for me, shall you? My game here is almost complete, and once I’m finished, I’ll join you and your friends.” The rat squeaked some more before scurrying away.
I leaned my head back, looking over my shoulder in the direction of the twins. “It seems your friends plan to leave you two behind. Pity really.” I fell to my hands and knees, slowly crawling towards them.
The smell of betrayal seeped from them both, filling the room as it mixed and collided with their fear and pain.
“It truly is fascinating how you humans can turn your backs on one another so easily. Such selfish beings. Ironic though, isn’t it? You two betrayed dear Crissa for that red-haired black widow, and now, she and the others have done the very same to you, in the hopes of self preservation.” I cackled. “And yet, here you are, moments away from your death. It’s all very poetic.” I scurried over to where the two boys were hiding, climbing over the table, lifting the cloth to find them. “Peek-a-boo,” I sang, greeting them with a giant smile as I stared, my head leaning upside down over the edge. The twins were huddled together, Ryder holding his brother close as Token clasped his stomach. His face was pale, the blood draining from the gunshot wound deep in his gut. “Oh, you poor, poor thing. I shot you good, didn’t I?” The corners of my lips turned up in an exaggerated smile. The twins both glared at me, filled with such hatred.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, taking it all in.
