I Should Have Stayed

Chapter 25

"You know, just for that you got a slap. But that's the least amount of pain that I will ever cause you."

"Fuck you." I said, but for some reason my voice could only come as  a whisper.

"What was that?" He asked. A fire lurked in his eyes.

"Fuck. You." I said louder this time. I could tell Ava heard it because she rustled behind me. I felt another slap on my face and I knew that my cheek was bright red by now. I chuckled at him. "Is that all you got?" I asked him, looking him directly in the eye.

"Certainly not. You know, I was going to put Ava in the Fighting Ring first just to make you watch her death, but how about instead I put you in first. That way she can watch you die and I can get Ava all to myself."

At his comment I started writhing in my restraints. I could feel the metal cutting my wrists and my chair almost fell over. I was in complete shock, but my body moved for me. I felt him grab the chair and steady it, holding it in place so I couldn't get away. A deep throated chuckle came from him before he turned around to leave.

"I'll kill you Eli Blankenship. I'll kill you." I said in a low growl. He stopped and looked at me.

"What did you say?"

"Are you deaf, asshole?! I said I'll kill you Eli Blankenship."

"My name is Blank and you most certainly will not kill me." His hazel eyes stared at mine with an intensity so fierce I thought that they might have popped out of his skull.

"Watch me." I said.

He shook his head and turned back around again. "You know, I've already placed my bet on you. I say you'll lose. Good luck in the Fighting Ring, Dakota. You'll need it." And with that, he opened the door and slammed it shut. I didn't know this man. Not anymore. This wasn't Blank.

After a moment I heard Ava speak. "Dakota?" My head was still hanging off to the side.

"Yeah?"

"What's the Fighting Ring?" I shook my head. "Dakota, tell me."

"You fight against another opponent to survive. Fist fight to the death. If you win, you get food. If you don't..." My words trailed off. She got the idea.

"You're going to die aren't you? We're going to die."

"No, we're not. I'm gonna find us a way out after the fight. I can't afford to lose you in a stupid fight. I'll find us a way out. I promise. And I always keep my promises."

"I know you do. That's why I'm counting on you to keep a promise for me."

"What is it?"

"Promise me that you'll get out with or without me."

"I can't-"

"Yes you can. Leave me behind if you have to."

"... I won't make that promise."

"Why not?"

"Because, Ava. I... I love you. Even thought that may seem wrong, it's true. What happened in Las Vegas wasn't an accident."

"I know that now. And, I love you too. But please, Dakota! Make that promise."

"No! I won't! We are both getting out. Both of us. Not just me and not just you. Both of us. I won't..."

The door creaked open and a man stood there. He came in quietly and I knew exactly what was going to happen. Another came in behind me and went straight to Ava while he came to me and untied me. He had a death grip on me as he dragged me out of the room. I could tell Ava was right behind me being dragged as well.

The hallway was lit by hanging lights that sporadically appeared. I felt the atmosphere change as we neared a pair of double doors at the end of the hall. If I listened closely enough I could hear voices behind the door. A small crack at the bottom showed a brightly lit room. The Fighting Ring. It had been so long since I had seen it. A sensation washed over me. A familiar one and I immediately went cold.

"Ava?" I whispered.

Yeah?" She replied back just as quietly.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For what you're about to witness."

"What?" She asked.

"Shut up, maggots!" The man holding me yelled. I never got to answer her question and just as I thought that, the doors swung open, blinding all four of us in the lights of the Fighting Ring. In that instant my body and my mind went numb. A calm expression took over my face.

I was no longer Dakota Greene. I was the monster that she had manifested inside of her. The Murderer.