by A W Wang
Unsatisfied with the damage, I jump and land over his body, shoving aside a table. I slam my pouch of blue liquid into his mouth. “Fantasize about this!”
As I revel in the violence, people grab my arms and drag me backward.
In an instant, he pops up, but Cat jumps between us, holding up her hands to prevent any more trouble.
After wiping glops of blue from his face, Jinn says with calm, “However jealous you are, the goddess only blessed me with her divine love.”
I shake loose from the restraining grips and jab my finger at him. “We get by here with hard work. Not some mystical nonsense. If you don’t like it, leave.”
With a horrified expression, Cat grabs my arm and whispers in my ear, “Vic, stop. Do you really want him to break up the team?”
After taking a deep breath, I silently repeat my mantra, visualizing the history Cat and I have created, “The new man has loving parents. The new man has a new romance. The new romance is filled with love. The love makes the new man happy.”
A calmness settles over me, and rational thought suppresses the dark emotions. No matter how much I detest the man, I can’t have him breaking up the team. We’ve come too far together.
“Vic, apologize,” Cat whispers, her fingers tightening on my bicep.
Bringing my stare to the overconfident, superior expression on Jinn’s face, I say, “I don’t understand why I did that. I’m sorry.”
The perfectly chiseled man returns a shallow, nondescript nod.
Still bewildered by the outburst, I say to the crowd, “I have no idea of what got into me.”
Besides awkward stares, nobody volunteers any information.
I study the smooth skin of my forearm.
Cheri’s voice echoes, “Never forget.”
Never forget what?
“Meat,” Block says, still seated. A gap-toothed smile appears as he raises his pouch in a toast. “Meat!”
“Come on, Vic. Let’s get out of here before anything else happens,” Cat says, tugging my arm.
As we walk past, Jet smiles coyly and sends a knowing wink.
While Cat drags me from the cafeteria, my puzzled gaze lingers as I wonder what dark things are churning behind those beautiful green eyes.
Thirty-Seven
Under the lonely cones of ceiling lights, I sit in the empty courtyard of the museum, both daylight and visitors having long since vanished.
There should be something here.
The classical decor of old red bricks and glossy wood surfaces should hold an attraction, while the artwork should calm the bubbling anger simmering beneath my rational being.
I draw a deep breath and focus on the stormy clouds of the nearby landscape painting.
My thoughts turn to the cafeteria. There are many reasons to dislike Jinn, starting with the long glances Cat and Jet throw at him as well as his cocksure attitude. However, my dislike for the perfect male specimen doesn’t come from any of those reasons.
Why did I attack the man?
I dip my head, pinching the bridge of my nose, and look into the place which held my memories.
No clues emerge from the emptiness.
However, I’m positive the violent attitude arose from Jinn’s mention of the goddess with the red mane. Somehow, his mythical being is significant to me.
I should cut a reminder into my forearm.
A quiet snicker leaves my mouth. In order to fit “The Goddess with the Red Mane” into the space, I’d need a scalpel.
But regardless of any forgotten history, these boiling feelings need to be contained. I have to do something different, and something beyond the stories Cat and I have created to feel better about ourselves.
She wants more from me.
I shake my head. Despite the acclimation process, I know I’m not here for that.
A sense of sorrow leaks into my being because I do care for her. The feelings might stem from the fake life we’ve crafted or the sheer length of time we’ve been together, but something beyond the temporary nature of the Ten Sigma Program hangs between us.
She wants more than I can give…
I sigh and raise my eyes to the shadowy clouds of the painting.
Punching Jinn in the cafeteria was bad. Unless I figure out what’s driving the dark desires, the next time, I could do something worse.
Then Jinn might break up the team, which would be much worse. Besides losing Cat, the more practical aspect is I can’t be separated from fighters like Block and Jet either. Not if I’m to survive and not if—
Faint padding disturbs the stillness.
I rise and survey the many dark spaces lingering beyond the courtyard.
The notion of Jinn coming to seek revenge flashes through my mind, and I ready for a confrontation.
Nothing moves, but a familiar, musky scent drifts past.
“Hello, Jet.”
Sweet laughter spills from the shadows. “You’ve gotten better. Sneaking up on you is getting harder.”
Missing are the heavy thumps of her ever-present companion. “Where’s Block?”
Jet steps from behind a brick support column and into a cone of light. “Sleeping. It’s just the two of us.”
The last time Jet and I were alone was in the scenario with the broken brownstones when we strolled down a dusty avenue.
“If this is about me joining up with you and Block, I’m still not interested.”
She enters the courtyard, her hips swaying with each deliberate step. “Vic, you’re already one of us. Part of you is like me.”
Heat seeps into my face, and I roll my shoulder.
She stops uncomfortably close and rests her fingers on my chest.
“That’s why you find me so attractive.”
“I’m not—”
“Don’t lie. You know I can always tell.”
I take a deep breath, hating that her people skills are better than mine. “Fine, I think you’re really hot.” I loop my finger in a giant circle, saying, “Like half the people in this place.”
A giggle spills from her perfect lips. “A half-truth still counts as a lie.”
“Can you get to the point?”
“Before, I didn’t care a lot because you weren’t very talented. But now with all this training and skill and the way you mashed your fist into Jinn’s face…” She runs her gaze up and down my body. “Delicious things are bubbling inside you. Envy, jealousy, rage. Let me help bring them out.”
With her blonde, purple-tipped hair and cute features, she looks the picture of innocence, but evil lurks behind her radiant green eyes.
“You’re offering me the apple? Like Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden?”
She shifts and her lips rise into a sly smile. “You’ve got the genders reversed, and I’ve got something much better than a silly old apple.”
“Sex?”
“Much better than sex.”
My thoughts run into overdrive, wondering what would be more appealing than her virginal body.
Her unblinking eyes wander over my face. “The keys to enjoying the Ten Sigma Program. The way to reach ten sigmas and leave. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
Although I respond with slow nods, I say, “That’s why Cat’s helping me. And we’re doing perfectly fine by ourselves.”
“What you are now is only a pittance of what you can be.”
“Again, why do you need me when you have Block?”
“On my first team, I had all the men and some of the women wanting to be my protectors. Only Block survived. But I need people who aren’t going to get sent to level zero. And truthfully, this team has prevented that from happening, not just Block.”
“You mean Cat?”
“And yourself.”
“Then why not recruit her?”
“She has her dark places too. But what drives her won’t help anyone. Especially you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She sends a knowing stare. “If you stay
with her, you’ll find out.”
Even though part of me worries she’s right, I don’t ask for clarification. “Get to the point.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to get to the actual world. And take whoever wants to come. So come with me. Be with me, Vic.”
“No, Cat and I will make it out of here.” I blink, breaking the hypnotic staredown, and brush past her.
She catches me and circles her arms around my waist. As she pulls close, her breasts caress my back while her sex rubs against my rear.
While I’m not excited, I don’t struggle either. The situation is similar to when the seven sigma wrapped herself around me, except that instead of cold danger, Jet’s body heat flows like a corrupting force into my bones.
As her wonderful scent settles over me, her hands move below my navel and over the scant sanctuary outfit.
I twitch when her fingers edge under the thin material.
“This is what you want.”
“I’m not excited.”
“You’re flushed. You just heated up a couple of degrees.”
“How can you do that?”
“Everything I do is compartmented, and I am what I need to be. Like now.”
She tugs with gentle motions. “This could be us. Every day. And you haven’t forgotten that I come back a virgin after every scenario. After all that violence, sex is the ultimate release. This is all yours. Just say ‘Yes.’”
“It’s not only about sex.”
“Isn’t it? This program has clouded your mind. Life and death, and sex and violence. That’s the human existence. Why deny yourself the pleasures? Or have you forgotten who you are?”
“What about Block?”
The tight material of my underwear snaps back into place as she pulls away. Then, clutching one of her hands to my chest, she uses the other to guide my fingers under the slim front triangle of her panties. Unsurprisingly, she’s moist.
“What about him?” she asks.
“He seems like the jealous type.”
“Block is only temporary. If you join me, we can get rid of him. If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.”
Surprised, I reply, “He’s really loyal to you. Basically, he’s an extension of yourself.”
“He’s a tool. Everything’s a tool to be used to your advantage.”
“So somehow, I’m special?”
“You’re a tool too. But a much better, more useful one. And together, we’ll get out of this place. And if that’s not working, I’ll tell you, and I’m sure you’ll understand.”
I snort at her honesty. “I’m nowhere near as tough as Block.”
She arches, and her nipples press into my back. “I see the way you will be.”
The image of her writhing during sex punches into my mind, and the spark of arousal rises in my lower half.
“Can Cat or anyone else do this for you?”
“I’m not leaving her.”
Jet yanks my hand away and steps back. When I turn, anger contorts her face. “Do you think you’re in love with her? With those idiotic stories you make up? Do you think they’re going to hide what the two of you truly are?”
Unsure of where this craziness is coming from, I say, “I’m not joining you.”
Jet fires her palms into my chest, shoving me backward.
“What was that for?” I growl.
Her arms flail, and she advances. Vicious slapping sounds come from her hands striking my arms and face.
More than a little shocked by the uncoordinated attacks, I retreat.
She pursues and corners me against a column.
The cold bricks press into my back as I raise my arms to shield myself. “Stop. Stop.”
More blows rain. “You’re a coward, Vic!”
Her fist flies into my crotch, and gasping, I lower my guard.
A right cross blasts into my nose.
Red clouds my vision. I raise my hand and backhand her cheek. Although her eyes gleam, she does nothing as I grab the strip covering her breasts, ready to kill her.
She wipes blood dripping from her split lip and says, “Go ahead, do it.”
I slap her again, harder.
Her arms wrap around my head, and she gives me a bloody kiss, forcing her tongue into my mouth.
I toss her to the floor.
She lifts her head, unperturbed by my fury, and lets out a sweet laugh. “That’s the darkness inside you, Vic.”
“Have fun with Block.” I step past and walk away, fighting to ignore the lingering metallic taste from the kiss.
Softness hits the side of my face and lands on my shoulder.
I grab thin strips of material. When I twist my head, I stop.
Propped on her elbows, a smiling Jet lies with legs splayed wide, the pink of her sex in full view. “We belong together.”
Her innocence enhances the inviting display, and my temperature rises another couple of degrees as I imagine myself taking her.
Blood leaks from my nose.
I wipe the sticky fluid away and gaze at my wet fingertip. As appealing as the whole thing is, it’s not where I should be headed. I drop the garment and take determined steps toward the exit.
Her haunting voice trails after me. “Maybe I’ll make it easier for you. I’ll torture every girl with red hair I find.
“You think you love Cat? That little history the two of you have created isn’t real. Maybe she needs to get killed, so you can move on with your destiny.”
I slow, clenching my hands.
“Remember Vic, just let yourself go. Then we’ll be together.”
As my heart pounds, I force my feet to keep moving, even though I desperately want to go back and confront her. Even mash some sense into her craziness.
But if I turn, she’ll see my erection bulging over the sheer material of my outfit. Then I’ll be hers and give her anything she wants.
I cover my ears and hurry through the foyer and out the doorway, trying not to listen to her taunts or glance over my shoulder. I hate myself for the thought, but she’s right.
We are similar.
The next morning, Cat and I sit on a stone bench in the Oriental Garden.
“And that’s all,” I say. “I walked out the door without looking back.”
“So, you got excited?” Cat asks.
My embarrassed gaze flicks to the sunburst where Cheri acted out stories before I nod. “A little.”
Her eyes darken in the low sunlight before she takes a calming breath. “I guess she cornered you, so it’s not your fault.”
“It was definitely unexpected—”
“How could she get you to have that reaction?” Cat blurts, ignoring my answer.
Although I know the physical aspect stems from the anger inside me in addition to the heat that seems to always radiate from Jet, I reply, “I’m not sure.”
Cat studies me for an uncomfortable moment. “I wonder if it was when you hit her that sent you over the edge. Violence or blood could be the trigger…”
“That’s not the point of the story.”
Her eyes roll. “Basically, she wanted you to join her again, and you said no, but the whole escapade got you aroused. Is that the gist of it?”
“Yes.” I shake my head and raise my hands. “No, that’s not what I’m getting at.”
“Then, what is it?”
“She was willing to sacrifice Block.”
“I did mention Jet was bad news. You have this weird attraction for her, although I have to admit, she is hot. But, she’s not that special.”
“Can you get your mind out of the gutter, please?”
“Hey, I didn’t have a giant hard-on for the crazy chick with the purple-tipped blonde hair.”
As she snickers, I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.
“I’m wondering if we should break up the team.”
Cat’s gaiety stops. “Why?”
“Listen to what I’m saying. I’m not sure why I hit Jinn, and I’m not sure how he’l
l react to it in the long term. And now this stuff with Jet. She considers you a threat, and she’s got Block to back her up.”
“Jet won’t do anything in the sanctuary. I can just call Chew.”
“But what about a scenario?”
“She can’t kill me.”
“But what if she doesn’t do something to help you? With so many ways to get killed, a little misstep could happen on purpose.”
Although the sinister taint on my thoughts is surprising, I see from Cat’s furrowed brows and quicker breaths that she’s finally worried.
“That would be tough to pull off. And helping the other team will eventually get you on the wrong side of a scenario.”
I shake my head. “Jet doesn’t think that way. She always believes she’s going to win. And now she’s got the notion that with you out of the way, I’ll join her.”
When she blows out a sigh, I say, “Which is why, between all this stuff, maybe separating everyone is for the best. The program is large enough that we’ll probably never be on opposite sides.”
Cat’s eyes harden. “No, we stick together. You’re getting better, but you need me, and you still need the stories we’re creating.” She smiles. “You won’t get away so easily, Mr. Bright Smile. Jet’s got Block, and I’ve got you.”
Uneasy, I return her smile.
She smacks me on the arm.
“What’s that for?”
“The next scenario will be our anniversary.”
“What?”
A harder smack comes. “It’ll be sixteen for us.”
“Do people celebrate the number sixteen?”
“Sweet sixteen, you know…,” she says, shrugging.
“No, I don’t. Want to tell me?”
As she waxes nostalgic, making up a sweet sixteen story and adding to our fake high school past, my mind wanders back to the immediate problem. Of the million ways to perish in the Ten Sigma Program, getting killed by our own teammates will be the hardest of all to avoid.
While I’m not sure about Cat, I’m sure I’m not up to the challenge.
Thirty-Eight
A hot blast roars while we dash down the alleyway. I shield my eyes from the whipping wind as the stench of burnt metal floods into my nose. The rumble of an explosion sends the worried gazes of the others skyward toward the building tops looming in the gray haze. Instead of doing the same, I keep positioned behind Cat, staying alert for any menacing intentions from Jet or Block.