EXCHANGE OF HEARTS [BL]

CHAPTER 13

"We gave you an easy job, but you can't do it properly! You both messed up! It was so easy! The target was already outside, and you still didn't manage to kill him?!"

Atlas's mother's voice echoed. She was furious because they didn't complete their mission properly.

But Atlas can't focus. His mind always drifts to Race; he is damn worried. Not a minute goes by without thinking of Race; he can't breathe properly because he is worried about Race.

He kept blaming himself for what happened. He doesn't know Race's condition because he wasn't given a chance to visit him. It's too dangerous for Race, and Atlas won't let himself endanger Race because of his stupidity.

His mind didn't function properly after what happened; if Sebastian hadn't stopped him, he would have rushed to Race's side.

"You both are irresponsible! You can't even handle a simple mission! I can't believe this! We failed and ruined our plan because of you!"

In his peripheral vision, he saw his father nodding at his personal guard.

"I won't let this pass; you need to learn. You should learn from your mistakes so that next time this happens, you know what you'll face," his father's voice echoed. His father approached him and tightly grabbed his jaw.

Atlas jerked his head, but his father pulled it back harshly. Atlas frowned.

"You disappointed me, Atlas. I thought you were good enough, I thought you could do more, but you disappointed me."

Atlas narrowed his eyes on his father. He doesn't care about his opinion. "I already know th—fuck!—" Atlas screamed, screamed and screamed to death.

His father buried the kitchen knife into his shoulder.

Fuck!

"I never allowed you to speak, Atlas. Don't try to speak until I tell you so."

He squeezed his eyes tight, feeling the burning in his flesh.

It hurts badly.

His father approached Sebastian, and then Atlas heard his friend scream.

Atlas tightly shut his eyes and repeatedly shook his head. He can't hear this, he can't stomach this. It makes his body numb; he doesn't want to hear his friend scream in pain.

"Remember, Sebastian, that the next time you fail, this is not all you'll get." His father smiled sweetly at them, making Atlas cringe.

His father addressed everyone in the room where they were being punished.

"They are the reminder that anyone who fails the mission will be punished. I'll do more than this. Watch closely, everyone, watch what will happen to you if you fail your mission," his father continued. He faced them and nodded to the man beside him. "Whip them."

Two men immediately moved into position behind them. Atlas tried to move and fight, but the chains on his hands and feet tightened. He can't move, can't fight.

"500 lashes for each of them!" His father commanded, and the man behind them took action.

The lashes on his back came one after another. He wasn't wearing any clothes, so the whip dug deep into his skin.

Atlas bit back the screams. He won't scream.

He won't scream.

He won't scream.

He won't shout.

I am stronger. I am stronger. I won't scre—

The room filled with screams, they screamed the pain they felt every time the men whipped them.