Fractured Minds (Rebels of Sandland 3)

?

?You give a fuck, of course you do, otherwise you wouldn’t be jumping every time we tell you to.” Adam snapped right back to business. “How is Alice, by the way? Still avoiding Brinton? That’s a shame really. We were looking forward to getting to know her.”

Hearing him say Alice’s name instantly made my back go up.

“Stay away from my sister.” I clenched my fists and braced myself. If they’d come in here for a fight, I’d give them one. I might not have Brandon’s strength, but he’d taught me a few moves that’d help. I wouldn’t make it easy for them.

“Guess we’ll have to settle for that little brunette you’ve been pawing over all night. Can’t say I blame you. Tight little ass and pert tits. I’ll look forward to meeting her soon myself.”

Anger meet uncontrollable fucking fury.

“Stay the fuck away from her! You can do all the fucked up shit you want to me, but I swear to God, if you go anywhere near her, I will kill you.” I’d die for her. Nobody was getting near her. Not again.

“Those are big threats for a little man. I think you should stay in your lane, Knowles. You can’t run with the big boys. You’re not in our league. Now Mathers, that’s a different story. Nice touch getting him to announce the fight on his socials by the way. But you know…” Adam took a step forward to try and intimidate me, and the two stood beside him followed suit. “I’m starting to think something isn’t right.” He tilted his head as he spoke, making him look more demonic and psychotic than he usually did. “I’ve got a good feeling for things like that you see, it’s like a sixth sense. So, I figured it was time I paid you a visit. Reminded you what’s at stake here. You see… if you try and pull a fast one, get Mathers to back out at the eleventh hour, you and Alice won’t be the only ones with a tale to tell about old Uncle Tony. I wander what would happen if we left that little brunette you’re with tonight in a room alone with him? He might have no fingers and busted up knees, but his dick is still intact.”

Forget red rags to a bull, he was throwing gasoline onto the fire that was my rage.

“You’re fucking sick, mate. Sick in the head,” I said, hitting my temple with my finger.

“Yep.” He shrugged matter-of-fact. “To be fair, it’d be a waste sending her to him. Might keep her for ourselves. Do you reckon she can take five men at once? She might prefer it, after bouncing up and down on your needle dick and getting nothing in return.”

Hearing his sick remark, I charged forward, but Devon and Colton grabbed me, each one holding me by the arms to keep me in place.

“No need to get all defensive.” Adam stood square in front of me, pushing his face right into mine so our noses were almost touching. And then he did that insane twist of his head again, tilting it to the side like his brain was as imbalanced as his morals. “Because it’s not going to happen, is it? You’re going to be a good boy and do as you’re told. That way, everyone gets what they want. Except Uncle Tony that is. He gets fucked up, but does anyone really care?” He patted my cheek, smiling, and took a step back. “You can let him go now. I think he’s got the message.”

Devon and Colton loosened their grip and I shrugged them away roughly then rubbed over my biceps where they’d squeezed too tightly and probably left a mark.

“Check your inbox, Knowles… And you’re welcome. We’ll be in touch with the next task.” He turned to walk out and then spun back round to face me. “You’re so close to the end, I can almost taste it,” he teased and stuck his tongue out like the freak he was. And then they were gone, and I was left standing there, wondering when I’d become such a pushover.

Time to start fighting back, Knowles.

That war you wanted to win might’ve changed course and it might involve a whole new strategy, but you’ve lost focus.

That stops now.

You can still play their games and come out the winner. All you’ve got to do is keep your eyes on the prize. After everything you’ve been through, you’ve proven time and time again that you are unbreakable.

He might’ve stolen your past, but he sure as hell won’t rob you of your future.

I leant against the wall and let my head fall back. Then, when I was done putting it off, I pulled my phone out and opened up their video. This time there was a soldier stood behind Tony as he sat slumped forward, moaning and bleeding. I was pretty sure it was Colton, I recognised the tattoos on his hand as he held up a knife. He had his hood up and a black bandana over his face, but in his eyes I could see pure excitement. He loved the thrill of it all.

He grabbed a fistful of Tony’s hair and pulled his head up, then I felt my stomach roll over as I watched him take the blade to Tony’s face and slice again and again. Tony’s muffled screams pierced the air as he tensed with every cut. Eventually, all I could see was blood soaking through where his face had been. Chunks of flesh falling away and Colton laughing.

Then a voice closer to the camera said, “You’re as ugly on the outside as you are on the inside, aren’t you? Dirty, filthy, paedo scum. We should let you choke on your own blood, but we haven’t finished with you yet.”

Colton nodded and lifted Tony’s head back up, then held the knife under his chin, ready to make that fatal cut. And then darkness. The video cut off.

I couldn’t stop shaking. I went over to the sink to splash cold water on my face and then stared at myself in the mirror.

“You’re so close to the end, I can almost taste it.”

That’s what they’d said, and I believed them. They were going to slit his throat, but they needed one more favour from me. One more task and this would all be over.

The door behind me opened and a guy walked in and asked, “Are you Finn?”

I eyed him suspiciously.

“Yeah, why?”