Page 32 of Mercy & Malice

She goes over and grabs the bottles of water then passes me one as she downs some the other then keeps glancing at the crackers. “I don’t know what to do. We don’t know how long we’ll be here.”

It’s probably nearly a day before the door opens again. And while I’m scared to see what is next, I’m glad they’re back. I can’t figure out how to get out if I don’t know what their true desires are.

18

BROOKE

The three of them enter the room one by one. It’s still unnerving seeing the cloaks that my mind relates with the horrendous game.

“How’d you lovebirds sleep?” Judge asks, and when we don’t respond, his shoulders bounce as he laughs. “That well, huh?”

The voice is still disguised, but it’s the same person. It has to be. And I hate him more than anyone I’ve ever hated in my life, which says a lot, because there are no words for how much I hate my father. A thought crosses my mind—could it be my father? He doesn’t know about Mercy, but he is this sadistic and demented. And maybe he found out somehow.

“Let’s get the next round underway.” He motions at his sidekick, the Collector, who disappears out the door. “Mark if you dare. And let it be a constant reminder of the pain and misery you cause.”

The backup psycho returns, his gloved hand clutching the handle of a metal pail. The handles of two rods are sticking up out of hot coals. Collector grabs one and lifts it up, showing us a glowing X at the end.

“You will each brand the other, leaving a mark on the rib cage that will represent your defects.”

Micah states, “No.”

I move beside him, my fingers gripping his arm as he jerks away from me.

Judge positions closer to the cage, raising his hand as he aims a pistol at Micah. “Refusing will have fatal consequences.”

“Do it,” Micah seethes.

Before I can talk some sense into him, the weapon points at me as Judge asks, “How long do you think it’d take for her to bleed out? Even if you staunch the bleeding, how long before infection sets in from your less-than-hospitable environment? Are you willing to gamble with her life?”

“It’s fine. Just do what they say.” I don’t want to do this either. But a bullet hole sounds much worse than a brand.

Judge reaches down, grabbing an iron from the pail then tosses it on the floor inside the cage. “Get it done before it loses too much heat.”

I pick up the brand, the metal rod shaking as I clutch it. Micah remains in a stare down with the psychopath before he turns to me. He barely nods his head, giving me permission to mark him.

Holding my breath, I extend the iron and press the hot metal to his rib cage, a faint sizzle of his skin makes me sick to my stomach. I pull it away quickly. “I’m so sorry.”

“Return it,” Judge states.

I do as he asks unable to stop the tears from falling as I toss it out of the enclosure.

Collector replaces it in the pail then grabs the other and flings it in with us. I snatch it off the floor and hold it out to Micah. “I promise. It’s okay.”

His fingers clasp over mine before he takes it from me. “None of this is okay.”

Closing my eyes, I grip the T-shirt and lift it to expose my rib cage. When I don’t feel anything, I peek out and find Micah motionless. I give him the same, quick nod he gave me to let him know I’m ready.

He finally concedes and presses the hot metal to my skin. The searing causes me to stiffen, afraid that if I move the burning will intensify, and it’s already horrible. It was barely there for one brutal second, but the smell of burning flesh has my stomach churning.

Judge announces, “Since you hesitated and didn’t get a good mark, do it again.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Come after me, not her,” Micah shouts.

“That’s precisely what I’m doing.” Judge grabs a rod from the pail, stirring it around the hot coals. “This one needs to be on her inner thigh. Make it good. Because you really won’t like the next placement.”

Micah’s arms hang at his sides, his chest heaving. “You motherfucker.”

Suddenly, the iron is flying through the air. Judge shifts quickly, taking the brunt of the hit on his shoulder before he points the gun at Micah.