Page 125 of Silent Damage

“No,” I reply.

Now, for the thimble.

This one is going to be hard.

“Time!”

Fuck!

The recruits and I make our way to Tobias, who stands there with a scowl. “None of you found anything?” he asks.

I look around and see the other recruits with downcast eyes, looking ashamed.

So, I clear my throat and reveal the three things I did find.

Tobias looks at my hands before meeting my eyes and smiling widely. “Most people celebrate when they find something,” he says.

“Most people are stupid,” I reply.

He huffs a laugh and nods. “Unfortunately, nobody has ever found all four items, but—”

I should be listening to Tobias, but I notice one of his men flexing his fist. I’ve kept my eyes on them throughout the day, studying their body language.

I do that on instinct, always on the lookout for an attack—like a surprise slap to the face. This guy has been like stone the entire time, but now his fist is flexing.

I point to him and say, “He has it. It’s in his hand.”

He looks at me, stunned, and Tobias rushes over. “What did you say?” he asks.

“Your man—he’s holding something. My money’s on the thimble.”

Tobias and his men look at each other, then, slowly, the man opens his hand to reveal the thimble.

“That’s not fair,” one of the idiots next to me whines. “You said the shit was in the factory.”

Tobias strides toward him and yells, “Is he not in the factory, you pathetic fucking worm?”

The man’s breath hitches and his body shakes ever so slightly. “Get the fuck out of my face. I’d rather fuck myself with broken glass than let a piece of shit like you join my gang.”

A cold chill trickles down my back, knowing that’s the price you pay for disobedience.

As the recruit exits, Tobias turns to his man and nods. He leaves immediately to follow the exiled recruit.

There’s a gunshot a few seconds later.

Tobias’s voice shakes me out of my shock. “The moment you accepted training, you became a liability. The only way out is through.”

We all just stand there, collectively shitting our pants.

Tobias’s face snaps into a look of detached amusement, and he says, “Training’s done today. Report back tomorrow at 7 AM.”

Tobias’s men open the doors to reveal the killed recruit's body being dragged to a nearby ditch.

“Jason,” Tobias calls out. “Stay for a moment.

The other recruits leave, but I stand where I am, trying desperately not to look terrified as Tobias approaches.

“You’re pretty observant. Who taught you that?” Tobias asks me.