Chapter 8

• DAMON
• "You have never heard of us?" The middle of his forehead quickly wore a frown before he sharply pulled his hands off the chair and stood upright. I scrunched my nose as his perfume disturbed my system some more.
• After making a clicking noise with his mouth, he folded his arms, gazed right into my eyes, and asked, "How could you have never heard of The Pretties? We made quite an entry this year."
• "What do you guys do? Put on dresses and try out new lipsticks? Are you a fashion company of some sort?"
• My voice was so calm and I became worried for myself.
• Excusing the flamboyant appearance of the man in front of me, it was clear that they were one of the gangs that bothered the streets of the country.
• But, no, I have never heard about them.
• The name 'The Pretties' didn't sound familiar.
• But then, I don't exactly pay so much attention to the affairs of the nation. I have enough problems to deal with.
• My ears caught the stuffed chuckles from one of the men at the entrance. Mr. Pretty was quick to throw a glare in his direction.
• "Listen, boy," he faced me, a cold look now in his eyes which wore purple shade contact lenses, "you are here for a reason and if you try shit, I will be more than willing to have your penis roasted for my dinner."
• The last sentence almost made me puke my intestines out as my mind quickly pictured that scene. I swallowed hard as I imagined myself without my manhood.
• No...
• If my hands were free, I would have reached for my groin area. The image in my head was starting to mess with my mind and I began to feel the urge to check if I was indeed fine down there.
• I shook my head without realizing it. My eyes must have displayed the fear within me as well because the man wore a grand smile. It seemed my face finally communicated what he wanted to see.
• "Now that I have your attention-"
• Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass interrupted the man.
• "What was that?" he asked after silence followed that instant occurrence.
• "I don't know sir." The voice that replied sounded sarcastic as though he were asking, ‘how would I know, am I there?’
• And that low key reminded me of my mom and her sarcastic responses to my many questions.
• Oh, mother. My sweet, sweet mother.
• "Well, go check!" Mr. Pretty shrieked, his chest heaving heavily as he turned to face me. He managed to send a toothy grin in my direction. I was about to roll my eyes at him when I recalled my penis could pay the price.
• "Sir, we are-"
• The man who was speaking was silenced by a gunshot.
• His body dropped to the floor loudly, and so did the man beside him.
• Before I could take in the sight of the dying men, the man in front of me collapsed onto the floor as well.
• Instantly looking haggard, the man pressed his hands into his side which was now oozing blood. Pain in his eyes, he gritted his teeth as he tried to control his bleeding.
• My entire being was now confused and more scared as I watched the room become a blood scene. I was about to close my eyes to say a little prayer when someone rushed into the room and began to slash the ropes holding me.
• I didn't get the chance to take a good look at the heavily-built person who wore a mask because one of my now free hands was yanked suddenly.
• The pull was enough to drag me out of the room. I was dragged so fast as the person's long strides advanced to my disadvantage.
• After dashing through rooms and piles of either dead or barely alive bodies, we finally stopped by a black jeep that had the passenger door wide open.
• With certain anger in their action, the person took a step back and pushed me into the car.
• Swallowing hard as I could not help but feel that things were about to get worse for me, my sight darted to the side.
• The person took off the mask to reveal a stern-looking face. A pair of light-blue eyes glared at me as the woman reached for her long hair and re-packed it into a bun.
• I eyed her impressive physique which shamed all the little, irregular exercises I did to keep fit. I felt little jealousy as my mind found time to wonder how awesome it was that everyone on Earth didn't have the same features.
• "You'll take off that useless thing you are wearing when we get to our destination." Her voice was so blank and threatening.
• Gulping hard, I took a quick look at the mascot suit which now had a few blood stains on it. As I sat back, I quickly admonished myself to keep away the many questions I had.
• If the woman beside me should head-butt me, I am certain I won't wake up for three days.
• So, I stayed quiet as the silent driver kicked the car's engine to life and set motion.
• After a couple of minutes, the car finally stopped.
• About four ladies rushed towards me.
• I had barely placed my feet on the cemented floor when their hands that held small knives
• started to rip the bear suit. They tossed the remains onto the floor.
• They led me inside the fairly big building in front of us which had a dull colour coating its surface.
• As soon as we entered, a very rare smell of nature entered my nose and the corridors gave a dark feeling.
• We soon approached a lighted room, two women in front of me, two behind.
• The room we walked into had blood splattered on the walls in different patterns. It looked like art for a second, but it wasn't.
• There was a fresh-looking splatter and I felt bad for the owner of the blood. Right there on the wall, was a part of his soul.
• The women led me past that room and we walked into another room.
• This room was divided into two by a short- heightened glass partition. While the path I walked was empty, the other side displayed a guy hanging from the ceiling, his body designed with huge trails of blood in his half-naked state.
• I felt an ache in my chest as we walked past that scene.
• Now that I don't know how things will turn out from now on, I am more than scared for myself.
• A few more steps and a voice greeted me.
• "Hello, Damon." It was certainly Miss Selena's voice.
• I felt my jaws tense as I soon halted my steps before I could contact one of the couches in the well-furnished room which seemed allergic to natural light.
• I watched as she left the comfort of her seat and walked towards me, her black and white floral knee-length gown dancing lightly.
• When she reached my side, she dismissed the women that brought me in.
• "Damon..." Her voice did that thing where it sounds soothing.
• "Why did you bring me here?" I asked as I managed to return her stare. "Are you planning to kill me? Have me hanged to death? Do you wish to paint your house with my blood?" One of my brows quirked. "Tell me."
• She gave a short smile. "Your questions hurt me, Damon Jones. Darling, I just want to help you. Why do you think I rescued you?"
• Good question.
• I felt sweat build upon my palms. Slowly, I wiped my hands on my trousers as I asked, "Why did you rescue me?"
• She sighed and began to take calculated strides towards her seat. "Your brother is the reason you were captured by The Pretties."
• "My brother?" I frowned.
• "They want to kill you as they did to your brother."
• "What?" I felt my knees go weak. But I stood still regardless. I ignored my racing heart and maintained a demanding look in my eyes.
• She finally faced me as she settled on one of the couches. As she crossed her legs, she said, "Your brother did not have an accident, Damon. He was murdered by The Pretties."
• "Wh- why?" I found her response full of ridiculous talk but I was curious regardless.
• "Because of your father."