BLOOD AND HEART

80 | SHATTER IT ALL

U  N  K  N  O  W  N

Code black

The words reverberated in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts like a persistent itch. It was something serious, something that had caused a seismic shift in their defenses. I could feel the tension all the way from my vantage point, hidden behind the walls of my own fortress.

I paced the length of my study, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. The remnants of my latest obsession lay scattered about—torn photographs, scribbled notes, and a single, pristine photograph of Nyx in the throes of a panic attack. I had received it only moments ago, and the sight of her vulnerable state filled me with a twisted sense of triumph.

She was breaking, and it was all because of me.

But this 'Code Black' intrigued me. I needed to know more. I needed to understand what it meant so I could exploit it to my advantage. I picked up my phone and dialed the first of several numbers.

"Gather at the usual place," I said tersely. "We have something important to discuss."

I ended the call and continued my pacing, my mind racing with anticipation. One by one, they arrived—my friends, my confidants, each one as twisted and broken as I was. We convened in the basement, a place of dark secrets and whispered plans.

"I've heard of 'Code Black' before," one of them said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "It's the highest level of alert, a state of emergency. It means they’re ready for war. Only one winner at the end, and they plan for it to be them."

A thrill ran through me at his words. War. It was a game, and I was ready to play.

"Then we need to make our move," I said, my voice steady and cold. "We need to strike when they're least expecting it. We'll take Nyx right from under their noses."

Another friend, with a sickeningly eager expression, leaned forward. "Do you have a plan?"

A plan. Of course, I had a plan. Every detail had been meticulously crafted, every possibility considered.

"Yes," I replied. "We'll use their own defenses against them. We'll create a diversion, something big enough to draw their attention away. Then, while they're distracted, we'll take her."

The room buzzed with excitement, my friends feeding off my energy.

"I received this today," I said, holding up the photograph of Nyx. "She's fragile, vulnerable. Perfect for the taking."

They all stared at the image, their eyes glinting with a shared madness.

"When do we strike?" one of them asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.

"Soon," I replied. "Very soon. We'll wait for the perfect moment. When their guard is down, and they think they have everything under control."

The thought of taking Nyx, of having her all to myself, was intoxicating. I could almost feel her in my grasp, her fear palpable, her resistance futile. She would be mine, completely and utterly.

"Remember," I said, my voice cutting through the chatter, "this is not just about taking her. This is about breaking them. Zayn and his precious code, his fortress of lies. We'll shatter it all."

My friends nodded, their expressions dark and determined.

I turned away from them, picking up my phone and dialing a familiar number. My mother.

"Mother," I said, my voice dripping with a sickly sweetness as I cradled the phone against my ear. "Things are progressing beautifully. The Phoenix mansion is in chaos. They've implemented something called 'Code Black,' which means they're on high alert, but it won't be enough to stop me."

I could hear the concern in her voice, but it only fueled my resolve. "Nyx is struggling," I continued, relishing each word. "She had a panic attack today. It was a sight to behold. Her strength is waning, and soon, she'll be completely broken. Just like we planned."

I paced the length of my study, glancing at the photograph of Nyx in the throes of her panic attack. "She's beautiful, Mother. Even in her most vulnerable moments, she's a vision. Her fear makes her even more exquisite. I want to taste that fear, to make her mine in every way possible."

I paused, savoring the mental image of Nyx trembling beneath me, her will crumbling. "I've been watching her closely, infiltrating their ranks as a trusted worker. They have no idea that the enemy is right under their noses. And when the time is right, I'll take her. She'll be mine, and I'll show her what true love is."

The room was filled with my whispers of twisted plans. "Once I have her, I'll take her far away from here. We'll start a new life together, away from all the chaos. She'll learn to love me, to depend on me. She won't have a choice."

I smiled, thinking of the future. "Nyx will be the perfect companion. I'll protect her, cherish her, and punish her when necessary. She'll understand that her place is with me, and only me."

I could hear my mother's breath hitch, but I pressed on. "The Phoenix mansion will fall. Zayn and his men will crumble under the weight of their own arrogance. They think they can protect her, but they're wrong. They're nothing compared to me."

I stopped pacing and looked out the window, my eyes distant. "I've already started planning our escape. The moment I take her, we'll disappear. They won't find us. And even if they try, they'll be too late. Nyx will be mine, body and soul."

I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anticipation. "I've never wanted anything more in my life, Mother. And I'll have her. Soon, she'll realize that I'm the only one who truly understands her, the only one who can give her what she needs."

"Don't worry," I said softly. "Everything is going according to plan. I'll call you again once I have her. And then, you'll see. Nyx will be mine, and no one will ever take her from me.”

As I spoke, I glanced around my study, my eyes lingering on the broken pieces of furniture, the shattered mirrors. It was a reflection of my mind, fractured and twisted, but with a singular purpose. Nyx.

She had been a vision at that wedding, her beauty captivating me from the moment I laid eyes on her. At first, I thought it was lust, a fleeting desire. But then, I heard her voice, saw her smile, and I was lost. She was kind, gentle, everything I craved and everything I wanted to possess.

I had dug into her past, uncovering every detail, every broken piece of her life. And I loved her more for it. She was damaged, like me. She needed someone to understand her, to take care of her. To own her.

"Code Black," I whispered to myself, a smile creeping across my lips. They thought they could protect her, that they could keep her safe. But they were wrong. I would take her, and in doing so, I would destroy them.

The meeting continued, plans solidified, every detail scrutinized. We were ready. The time was coming, and I would have what I wanted.

I hung up the phone, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. Soon, very soon, Nyx would be mine. And Zayn, with his false sense of security and his pathetic attempts at control, would crumble.

The game was on, and I was ready to win.