To the end

08

The Threat Unveiled

Vegas was slumped against the cold, damp wall when the familiar sound of footsteps echoed in the room. Thargen walked in with his usual smug grin, a dark gleam in his eyes. He held up a small device in his hand.

"I've got something special for you today, Vegas," Thargen said, his voice dripping with mockery.

Vegas glared up at him, silent but seething. He had learned not to give Thargen the satisfaction of a reaction, but something about the way he spoke made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

Thargen clicked the screen on, and there it was-footage from the hospital. Vegas immediately stiffened as the video played.

"Leiah... Venice..." Vegas muttered under his breath, his eyes locked onto the screen. They were walking down a hospital hallway. He could almost feel the calm before the storm.

Then, without warning, Leiah tripped. No-it wasn't a trip. Someone had pushed her, subtly, but it was there. Her small body tumbled down the stairs.

Vegas bolted forward, the chains cutting into his wrists as he yelled, "NO! Leiah!"

Thargen laughed, clearly enjoying every second of Vegas's torment. "Look at that fall. Poor thing... but accidents happen, right?"

Vegas's eyes blazed with fury. "What the hell did you do to her, Thargen?!" His voice cracked as he pulled against the chains, his heart racing in panic and rage.

Thargen leaned in closer, his voice soft, but his words venomous. "Nothing... yet. But she's quite beautiful, isn't she? Fragile. Maybe she'd be better... warming my bed."

That was it. Vegas exploded, his body surging forward with all the strength he could muster. The chains rattled violently, holding him back as his voice ripped through the air.

"YOU BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU!" Vegas roared, his teeth bared in raw, feral anger. His eyes were wild, and his wrists bled from the force of pulling on the chains.

Thargen merely stepped back, amused by Vegas's helpless rage. "Oh, you'll try. But you won't. Not as long as those chains are on you. And if you try anything... well, next time, it won't be just a push."

Vegas growled, his voice broken but filled with rage, "You touch her... I swear... I'll end you!"

Thargen smirked. "Too bad you're not in any position to make threats, Vegas. But don't worry, you'll get to see her again... if you behave."

Thargen turned on his heel and left, leaving Vegas alone in the cold room. The video of Leiah's fall kept replaying in his mind. He slumped back, tears threatening to break through, but he fought them down. He couldn't break. Not now.

"I won't let you win," Vegas whispered to himself, his voice shaking but determined. "I'll protect them... no matter what."

Vegas sat slumped against the wall, his mind spiraling after the video and Thargen's vile words. His body ached, his wrists raw from the chains, but his heart was heavier than any of his physical wounds. Leiah. Venice. They were in danger, and there was nothing he could do.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching-different from the heavy ones of the guards. Lighter, quicker. His head snapped up, tension filling his body.

"Vegas?" A familiar voice called out, disbelief and hurt lacing the tone.

Vegas blinked, struggling to focus as the figure stepped into the dim light of the room. His heart stuttered.

The man stood there, frozen, staring at him in shock. His eyes scanned Vegas's bruised and broken form, his body riddled with scars from the years of torture. The man's breath hitched, and his voice trembled, "Vegas... What happened to you?"