“Ruddy, please,” Xeke said. “Can you stop pacing around for one minute?”

  Xeke couldn’t blame Ruddy for being restless. This was the first time they’d been out of their tiny cells. But the constant fidgeting was driving him crazy.

  “How long do they expect us to wait here?” Ruddy said. “We’ve been here at least an hour.”

  Xeke took a breath, then exhaled. “It hasn’t been an hour. It’s been twenty minutes at the most.”

  Xeke was never alone anymore. Ruddy and all his emotions were always there in his head. The link Teri had given them didn’t go away without her. If anything it was stronger. It wouldn’t be so bad if Ruddy didn’t think random, useless thoughts at him every waking moment.

  Someone’s coming, Terry said. Ruddy’s skin went silver as they both turned to face the door.

  Thanks, Xeke said. He still didn’t trust Terry, but it was clear that if they got out of this, it would be because of her. He could worry about her motives later.

  The door opened and a man stepped in, all bluster and bravado.

  “Listen up, assholes. My name’s Gary, and I’m your new boss. I’m a busy man and I don’t have time to fuck around so I’ll get right to the point.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  He turned to Xeke. “You may have the whole country shitting themselves over the Bethel Massacre, but I’m not afraid of you. We’ve got your little girlfriend and unless you do what we tell you to, we’re going to kill her. Any questions?”

  Ruddy tensed.

  Easy, brother, Xeke said. Let’s be calm until we have the upper hand. They’re afraid of us. Look at him. He’s acting tough, but he’s about to piss himself.

  Gary smirked at Ruddy. “Go ahead and try something, sasquatch,” he said. “You may be big, but Amelia can take you down faster than you can spit.”

  Rage pulsed out of Ruddy in waves.

  Stay cool, Xeke said. Or we’ll get Teri hurt.

  “We get it,” Xeke said to Gary. “But don’t push your luck. If you keep pissing Ruddy off, we’re all going to regret it.”

  Gary studied him for a moment then cleared his throat. “Well, as long as you understand who’s in charge, we’ll get along just fine.”

  “We understand,” Xeke said. “You’re in charge.” For now. “What do you want?”

  They listened to Gary’s instructions with growing horror.

  Are we really going to do this? Ruddy said.

  I don’t know, Xeke said. I don’t want to, but if it’s him or Teri ... I don’t see how we have a choice.

  But we can’t!

  Hopefully we won’t have to, if only we can wake Teri up, Xeke said.

  I need more time, Terry said. She sounded exhausted.

  All right. We’ll stall as long as we can. But ...

  Ruddy's mind went still. I can’t murder someone in cold blood. I just can’t.

  If it comes to that, I’ll do it, Xeke said. I’m already a killer.