Endless Cycles

[Chapter 8]

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Ant had been sticking close to Brandon, but Brandon didn't mind. He actually preferred if Ant stayed out of trouble. Luckily he and Tom had stayed away from each other for the most part, but Ant still got angry when he was in the same room as him.

Brandon and Ant sat at a table, eating lunch together. Tom came in the dining hall, and he was with Jordan. Ant froze and stared at both of them. Tom glared at Ant and brought Jordan over to a table, where they both sat down and began talking. Ant's face went red and he stood up. Brandon grabbed his arm.

"Ant... He's trying to anger you." He sighed.

"Well it's fucking working! Let go of me now Brandon." Ant pulled his arm out of Brandon's grip and stormed off. Brandon sighed and shook his head. Hopefully Ant would blow some steam off, and he'd be calmer. Until then, Brandon decided to go play some pool.

He made his way to the games room. When he arrived he saw Bodil and Zek playing some arcade games, and Ethan and Sub playing pool. Brandon decided to join to pass some time.

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After playing some games for an hour or so, Brandon decided to check on Ant. He made his way up the stairs he saw Ian leaning against the wall in front of Ant's room. Ian saw Brandon and his eyes widened as he came closer.

"Ian? What are you doing outside of Ant's roo--" Brandon was cut off by the sound of a vase breaking. He heard a bang and Ian began pulling a knife out of his pocket.

"Ian, what are you doing?" Brandon said calmly.

"Just leave Brandon... You have no business here." He replied, holding the knife up shakily, fear was in his eyes. He was scared. Brandon grabbed the doorknob, and Ian took a swing at Brandon. The blade grazed his arm, leaving a cut in his suit. Brandon gasped in pain, and gripped his bleeding arm. Ian took another swing, but Brandon dodged it. He grabbed Ian's wrist and pinned him against the wall, making it so that Ian was unable to stab him.

Ian struggled in his grip, and managed to get his hand free. He punched Brandon in the gut, sending him back in pain, and charged at him. Ian swung at Brandon a few times, but missed. Brandon kicked Ian in the leg, but Ian quickly retaliated and cut Brandon across the face. Brandon screamed in pain and fell back on the floor. He held his hands up to his face and flinched as Ian kicked him. Brandon was shaking by the time Ian was finished with him. He didn't know whether or not Ant was still alive, but he had to try and help him in some way. Brandon got up shakily and ran passed Ian, slamming himself against the door. The hinges came off and Brandon fell on top of the now broken door. He looked up in pain, and saw Ant on the ground.

"A-Ant..." He whispered. Ant let out a whimper, and Brandon saw him. Seto. He was wiping a knife with a handkerchief and looked down at Brandon.

"S-Seto?" Seto smiled.

"Oh Brandon, you couldn't possibly believe that I was innocent. Come on now, no one's ever innocent in a game like this." He smirked and stood over Brandon. He lifted his hand and suddenly Brandon was in the air. A purple mist surrounded him.

"Hmm how shall I kill you? Oh maybe I could try that torture room you found? Surely there is something fun in there that I could use on you." He pouted. "Oh I have an idea! I'll starve you to death! Haha perfect--" Seto was cut off by Ant tackling him. The mist that surrounded Brandon was now gone, and he fell to his knees. He watched as Ant tried choking Seto, but Ian had come in as well.

There was no way Ant could take them both down in his state. Hell, Brandon couldn't even stand. Ian pulled Ant off of Seto, who panted quietly.

"Still not dead eh?" He snarled at Ant, who was on the floor in a pool of his own blood. He began raising his hand, but was cut off by a loud bang. His eyes widened and he looked over his shoulder. Tom stood there, a gun in his hands. Seto looked at his chest, that was now blooming red, and fell to the ground. As he fell, Ian looked sick.

"W-What?! H-How did I g-get here?" He said, terrified. Tom aimed at Ian, but Brandon stood up shakily.

"S-Stop! He was controlled by Seto." Brandon panted. Tom put the gun down and sighed. Jordan came in after him, saw Ant on the ground and ran to him. He picked Ant up bridal style.

"He's still breathing." Brandon said quietly. "Get him to the hospital." Jordan nodded and ran out the door. Tom looked down at Seto and sighed.

"Why did you do that?" Brandon asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You saved Ant's life. Don't you hate him?"

Tom looked at Jordan and stuck the gun in his pocket. "No one deserves to die, besides, he threatened to kill you too. Now come on, let's get you to the hospital as well." He motioned for Ian to help and the two supported Brandon so that he would stand.

"T-Thank you..." Brandon whispered. Tom sighed.

"As much as I hate to admit it, you're our leader, and we have to protect you." He said. Brandon nodded. Ian looked down at the ground, shame in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry..." Ian said.

"It's okay, he was controlling you, it wasn't your fault..."

"But I literally beat you! And I cut your face!" Ian said, clearly upset. Brandon actually couldn't feel his face, but he could feel everything else. Pain shot through his body and he winced.

"You okay?" Tom asked. Brandon nodded, and the three continued making their way to the hospital.