TOO DAMN LATE
951 Words
Rival’s POV
You ever get your name screamed like a war chant and feel like you just made it to the damn Olympics? Yeah man...That was me last night.
“RIVAL! RIVAL! RIVAL!”
Still gives me chills.
And not the bad kind, The kinda chills that make you puff your chest a bit when no one’s looking.
But then morning came like a slap to the face.
I blinked up at the ceiling of the cage they call a “room,” arms sprawled, one leg over the edge of the thin-ass mattress that felt like it was stuffed with broken bricks.
Shadow was already up, Guy doesn’t sleep, I swear. Just crouched by the window, hood over his face like a gothic gargoyle. He tilted his head a bit and muttered, “You're awake.”
“No s**t,” I groaned, dragging myself up. My ribs still ached from last night’s ass-whooping, but I was alive. That counted for something here.
“No fights today,” Shadow said like he read my mind. “Use it well.”
“Use it how?”
“To survive longer.”
I stared. “Damn, you always gotta sound like some horror movie narrator?”
He actually grinned at that. First time I’d seen the dude smile. Creepy, but at least he wasn’t a damn robot.
Since we had a ‘free’ day not that anything here ever felt free I decided to do what I do best.
Observe.
I wasn’t the strongest neither was I the tallest or the most feared.
But I was smart, And when you’re in hell surrounded by devils with bigger biceps than brains, smart wins.
So I found myself a quiet spot on the upper level of the common area. Metal railing, peeling paint, and a decent view of the entire Base. Perfect.
From that perch, I saw everything.
There was a guy pacing like he had voices in his head. Shadow later whispered that was Kross—batshit crazy but deadly in a fight.
Another dude sat alone, polishing a knife he wasn’t supposed to have. No one stopped him. No one dared. Shadow told me his name was Cain, and I should never make eye contact with him unless I had a death wish and a signed will.
Then there were the groups the ones that ran in packs like wolves, They laughed too loud and Hit too hard but also Moved in unison.
Shadow leaned next to me at some point and pointed them out one by one.
“Those are the Hounds,” he muttered. “They backstab for fun.”... I just nodded then my gaze moved to ... I don't know the dude looks short.
“And that little dude?”
“Don’t be fooled,” Shadow said. “He once ripped a guy’s ear off with his teeth. He’s sixteen.”
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I miss school.”
Shadow actually chuckled. “This is school.”
Yeah exactly, School from hell.
But I paid attention to every single stare and Every handshake and also Every subtle nod, They definitely meant something.
I noticed how food was passed a certain way though it wasn't lunch time yet damn, How some recruits never walked alone. How a few of them always circled around the mess hall twice before entering.
Paranoia? Maybe, But definitely maybe they knew something I didn’t.
There was a system here, and I was gonna c***k it.
By noon, my stomach started doing its usual opera. That loud, embarrassing growl that made Shadow raise a brow.
“I swear if I don't eat something soon, I’m gonna start chewing my own damn fingers,” I grumbled.
He tossed a protein bar at me from his stash, I caught it mid air and stared at him like he’d just handed me a winning lottery ticket.
“Thanks, roomie,” I muttered, already biting into it.
“Told you. Stick with me. You might just survive,” he replied, walking off like some badass cryptic sensei.
Rest of the day was a blur of shadows, hushed whispers, and me being the nosy bastard I am.
I saw two dudes trading pills behind the infirmary.
Another guy paid in cigarettes to get someone beat up.
Then someone...some moron got dragged out of his room in cuffs and to my surprise no one said a word, We just… watched in Silent.
It hit me then.
This place wasn’t just about brute strength.
It was about power, Connections and also Secrets.
People who knew how to move in silence owned this place.
And I wasn’t gonna be anyone’s punching bag here, I wasn’t gonna survive by accident.
I was gonna win this sick game.
So I watched more of it and Memorized faces. Learned names I wasn’t supposed to know just in case.
Shadow joined me again later that night.
“You’re making a list?” he asked.
“Of people to avoid? Hell yeah.” I said.
He smiled again. “Good. But don’t forget to make another list.”
“Of what?”
“People you might need someday.”
I stared at him. “Why the hell would I need any of these psychos?”
Shadow stood, glancing down at the cafeteria below. “Because the ones you avoid today might be the ones you fight beside tomorrow.”
He said it like he’d lived it. Like he’d bled for it.
I sighed, rubbing my face. “Man, I really should’ve just gotten thrown into foster care.”
He smirked. “Too late for regrets now, Rival.”
Yeah.
Too damn late.
- Writer
