The Taste of Blood

Chapter 3

My eyes slowly opened, the side of my face being the first thing I felt. It stung and ached.

Sage was awake now. And she was staring at me with her big brown eyes.

"What happened?" she whispered.

"The fucker beat me."

The girl named Honey looked up at me.

"Don't call him that!" She screamed. I jumped and stared at her. What was wrong with her? Did she actually like him?

"Sorry," Sage said. "She thinks he likes her."

"No, I know he loves me! And I love him! And one day we will kill all of you bitches!"

I was shocked. What had he done to her? She was brainwashed.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

"He wants a bride."

"Oh hell no!"

"It's that or be killed."

"I'd rather die than be with that sick motherfucker!"

"He isn't sick!" Honey screeched, kicking and thrashing everywhere. I could see the visible lines on her wrist from the rope rubbing on them. So she must have outburst a lot.

I looked down at my lap. I could feel Honey's eyes burning into my skull. I shivered and looked at Sam.

"Sam, how long have you been here?"

"4 years, I think."

"How old are you?"

"I was 20 when I got here. So I'm 24. What about you?"

"I'm 20," I said. Tears were stinging at my eyes. I hadn't even been to a bar yet. And I was probably going to die.

"Hey, it's okay, don't cry," Sam said.

I heard a soft crackle coming somewhere from the ceiling. Then someone cleared their throat. I realized that the source of the sound was coming from a speaker.

"We're going to have a little fun," Parker said. I shivered at the way he said fun. The speaker shut off and footsteps approached the door to the basement.

Parker came running down the stairs, untying Honey. He led her out of the room and then came back.

"Where are you taking us?!" I questioned. Parker ignored me, grabbing Rose next. She followed reluctantly, but without much fight. I realized he was taking the least hostile to the most hostile.

He came back and grabbed Sage. I was shocked. I thought Sam would be second, after Honey. But we were the last people left.

Parker came back again. "Hmm, who should I grab next? You both are pretty aggressive."

"Sam wouldn't hurt a fly."

Parker looked at Sam and chuckled. She stared at him with a mixture of fear and anger.

"Oh, Sam hasn't told you yet, has she?"

"Shut up!" Sam barked.

"You'll find out soon."

Parker untied me but held onto me tightly. I resisted and dropped to my knees so that he would have to drag me. He sighed and grabbed my foot, dragging me. I clawed at the floor and looked at Sam for help. She only gave me a sad smile.

I cried out and grabbed on the first step of the staircase, holding on tightly. Parker growled and tugged on me. I didn't budge. He tugged harder but I remained still. I heard a click and then cold metal was pressed to my temple.

I sighed and got up. "Too close," I whispered.

"What?"

I banged the back of my head into his face. He shot the gun but it hit the wall. I tried to run up the steps but he grabbed my ankles. I tripped and yelped. He picked the gun back up and stood behind me.

"Now stand up, bitch!" He shouted. I sobbed, standing up. I let him guide me to a room. When I walked in, I saw Honey, Sage, and Rose with no restraints. Parker pushed me in and then left to get Sam. Rose was rocking in a corner and crying.

I slowly looked at the walls. They were lined with weapons. Chainsaws, normal saws, knives, guns, drills, screwdrivers, hammers, axes.

I shuddered and looked back at Rose. She was mumbling something. She continued to rock, the tears falling down her face.

Soon the door opened and Sam was pushed in. Parker quickly locked the door. Sam started to scream and bang against the door.

The familiar crackling of the speaker hit my ears.

"Alright, ladies. Two of you already know how to play this fun game. This game is called Kill or be Killed. It is one of my personal favorites. I think that you guys will-"

"Cut the shit, Parker!" I screamed.

Parker chuckled.

"Some people are excited to play. Well, I won't keep you waiting any longer. In this game, one of you has to be dead. Doesn't matter who. And only one. If you kill more than one, you all die. Understand?"

"Fuck off!" Rose screamed. She was shaking violently. Her hair was matted to her face from sweat and tears.

"My, my, Rose. Let's not forget you killed someone."

Rose grabbed fistfuls of her hair and paced the room. I was scared.

Had Sam killed someone before?

"You can use any weapon, now, begin!"

Everyone's eyes darted to Honey. I didn't want to kill her. Could I kill her?

And then Honey charged at me.