Page 131 of Silent Damage

I slump with defeat. “I did.”

“You saw the finish and forgot the mission. Don’t let that happen on Friday,” he says.

My gut clenches.

Friday…

“Alright. Let’s head home. We’ll meet back here tomorrow, and the three of you need to make it to the end. We’ll do it as many times as it takes until all three of you survive.”

Tobias looks at me. I spent the whole day chasing one thing: that tiny nod of approval. Losing it at the finish line feels worse than the paintball.

He rests a hand on my shoulder and says, “No one makes it through the first time. That’s why we train.”

The subtle words of encouragement are enough to keep the fire in my belly alive.

I’ll make it tomorrow. I will.

Chapter 31

Gabe

Torren decided to close the shop early today—things were slow, and Felix had the day off.

On my way home, I pass the alleyway that leads to the Kitty Cat Club, and Jason pops into my mind. The urge to see if he’s there is strong, but I keep moving, strolling down the broken sidewalk.

He’s at the sugar factory, I’m sure.

Kids rush past me, all of them hurrying somewhere, when I suddenly hear a sound from my youth.

Is that creepy carnival music?

I walk a couple more blocks and—

It is!

A hand lands on my shoulder, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

“Is that creepy carnival?”

I turn, and there’s Jason. “Holy shit! Where did you come from?” I ask.

“Just left the Kitty Cat Club. That’s where we trained for part of the day. Is that creepy carnival?”

“It is,” I say. “You remember it?”

“Fuck yeah!”

Every summer when we were kids, Jason and I would go to the creepy carnival. It’s not intentionally creepy; it’s actually called Dreamy Carnival, and it tries really hard to be nostalgic but fails miserably. Everything is run-down, the music sounds like a kid’s piano in need of a tuning, and the employees look like they might rob you.

It’s perfect for the Patch.

“Dude! Let’s go,” Jason says, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the carnival.

“What? We’re too old for that,” I protest.

“Like hell we are. You’re never too old for creepy carnival! Let’s go, bitch.”

Jason wraps his arm around my shoulder as we walk.