The Phoenix Society

Chapter 32

I never thought I would be back here.

Then again, I never thought I would be risking my life for someone other than my brother either. My heart was racing as the Phoenix's led us through the tunnels. Like I had expected, they knew we were coming. They met us at Sector 4, each wearing a variation of the same smug expression. They had us. They knew they did. They knew we had no plays left, not with Marley's life on the line.

It's funny, I had spent all this time running from Monroe and my past. And now here I was, going right to him. I was walking right into the palm of his hand, right where he wanted me.

As we traveled down the through Sector 4 my surroundings became familiar. I recognized the large tunnel we moved through that lead around the now empty arena. It looked ominous, sending chills down my spine as we traveled around it. The arena, which was once filled to the brim with people excited for the fights, was completely empty. It was as though an indication of the deaths that had occurred there were wiped away. There was not a spec of blood anywhere. Though now, I understand that Elias was the one who helped them get rid of the evidence. Even the dirt in the arena had been wiped clean. There weren't even any footprints on it.

Thomas met us in front the familiar metal doors leading to the cell block. He wore his usual tank top and black pants that displayed stains of sweat and grease. I was pleased to see he had gotten rid of the bun, as his long-matted hair was slicked back, but not with gel. Instead, it looked unwashed and was being held back by its own griminess. His lips pulled into a smile, showing his crocked teeth.

"I always knew I would see you again." His gruff voice said as he stepped toward me. "I didn't believe her at first, when she said you would come." Thomas continued. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Banks tense at the mention of Marley. "I thought 'there would be no way, Kya would be that stupid." He paused, his eyes flicking to Banks, then back to me. "Turns out I was wrong."

"If you hurt her..." I grunted, my nostrils flaring. I pulled against the Phoenix's holding my cuffed arms, only causing their grip on me to tighten.

"What?" Thomas laughed. It was a loud laugh that was made even louder by the empty tunnel. "What are you going to do, Kya."

Thomas nodded to the Phoenix's restraining us as he opened the door. As my body was being pulled into the cell block, I paused in front of Thomas. I pushed my body tall, forcing myself to meet his eyes.

"I'm coming for you Thomas." I gritted out through clenched teeth. Thomas has not only hurt my family once, but twice now and I was not going to let him get away with it. He can mess with me all he wants but as soon as he puts his hand on anyone I care about, all bets are off.

"Oh, I'm counting on it."

The Phoenix's pulled Banks and I into the cell block. A musty smell filled my nose sending an uneasy feeling through my stomach. I had a bad feeling about this. Unlike before, nearly all the cells were empty, with the exception of one. I felt the color drain from my face as I peered into the cell, it reminded me of when I found Laken in here.

"Mar?" Banks called as the Phoenix's pulled him past her cell. I couldn't pull my eyes away as I searched for any sign of life. If she was dead, this would have all been for nothing. I stared at her chest, hoping to see any indication of breathing, even if it was small. Nothing.

"Marley!" Banks called again, more urgent this time. I could hear the fear and desperation in his voice He frantically tried to tear away from the hand restraining him. His body heaved against their gruff arms as he cried out for Marley. One of the Phoenix's holding Banks, swing her arm colliding with the side of Banks' face. He grunted at the contact. But that didn't stop him. He threw his shoulder into the Phoenix in a desperate attempt to free himself. It only earned him a hit to the gut as they threw him into the open cell in front of us.