I pulled my legs closer to my chest and began to cry again. A clock high on the wall gave a beep and announced the time in a creepy voice. 3:30 am. Of course, I couldn’t expect any mercy from my father. The man wouldn’t know kindness or love if it ran him over.
A noise from a nearby room. I tried to shut it out. My room was located right next to the torture chamber. They were hitting a woman by the sound of it. I was forced to hear every shriek… every cry for help. As a sob escaped me, the last of my hope made its way out. There are no happy endings. Not now, not ever.

When my door was opened, I didn’t even raise my eyes. “Do you like our accommodations, ‘Pink’?” he twisted the word like it was something sour in his mouth. Hearing him say what used to be my name made me sorry that I ever attempted freedom. “My name is Shirley.” I said, barely whispering. This time, I looked up a little. There were two people at my door. “I see you have a new toy.”

In a flash, someone kicked me so hard my hand cracked. “How dare you talk to him that way, you filth.” Kobra’s voice. I made no attempt to get up as he continued kicking me against the wall. Korse only watched. “The guards showed me the video.” he said, coolly and calmly as Kobra beat me to a pulp “You should know better than expect mercy from me.” I was allowed a second to nod before the beating continued. Damn those boots were hard. “Mercy is for the weak.” He said, cocking his head to the side. “It’s hard to believe Poison could ever love a common dog like you. Michael.” Kobra stopped kicking me and automatically went to Korse’s side. The same way I used to.

“We can use her sir. To get Poison to do as you wish.” I wiped the blood off my mouth and tried to sit up. My left hand was broken. I gave up halfway, deciding that the floor was much more comfortable. “We can break him the old fashioned way… All right. Bring her.”

I felt woozy as Michael (since he obviously wasn’t Kobra anymore) lifted me and followed after Korse. “Prove yourself useful” he whispered to me “and you can keep your dirty, pathetic life. For now.”

I don’t actually know what they did to me back there. Everything was blurry. In one second there was pain, then cold, then something flat against my back and then… complete happiness. Laughter bubbled up my throat as I told them how I escaped and shared all the things that Party had told me. Slowly, the room came into focus. It was white, just like the rest of the base. Michael was next to me, smiling like a madman. “What else, Shirley?” another bit of pain. This one numbed my tongue and made it feel lighter. I was grateful for the happiness, even if it was artificial. Even if it was just for now. I told them about my time with Dr. Death and Pony. Then, about how I knew there was something wrong with Kobra. I babbled on and on and on.

Finally, I ran dry. As soon as I did, I felt all the happiness drain away. “NO!” I tried to grab at it, but ended up with a handful of air. “You’re useless now, Shirley” Michael said coldly “Kind of makes you wish you knew more, huh?” “Michael. Take her back.” “No! please!” I gripped Michael’s neck for dear life. “I don’t want to go back there.” I was too weak to put up much of a fight, so I was carried through the halls against my will.

---

Jet Star

“One hundred eighty seven Mississippi… one hundred eighty eight Mississippi…” A small vent opened and a tray of mush slid through. “Um… thanks?” I snatched it up and gave it a sniff. Seemed edible. While I ate, I noticed that in a particular corner, the outside world could be heard. I stuck my ear on the wall just in time to hear Pink let loose all she knew. Wait… DAD?! What was going on? Who in their right mind would have a child with Korse? I looked up at the camera and slowly reached for a pick I kept hidden in my eye patch. Being ignored did have its advantages every now and then. Slowly but surely, I began to work on the lock.

---

Party Poison

My identity… it’s gone. I took my hands off my face and shook my head. There was no time to feel sorry for myself. I had my killjoys to think about. I stood up and looked through the glass. As expected, the hallway was crawling with guards. Fun Ghoul, Jet Star, Kobra Kid… what had Korse done to them? Pink… I shook my head again. I couldn’t let my emotions cloud my judgment.
Kobra?! I rubbed my eyes as I saw him walk across the hall with something… or somebody in his arms. He neared the door. I gasped. It WAS Kobra. And the person in his arms was… Pink. She was pale and sickly looking. My eyes locked on Kobra’s and he smiled. No, this wasn’t Kobra. This was a monster.

He placed Pink on the floor and picked up the phone. “How do you like your new cell, Poison?” His voice boomed inside the four walls. “Kobra… what did they do to you?!” “Why does everyone ask that? Did it ever occur to you that I’m happy this way, Party?” I got closer to the door. “Surely, you can’t mean that.” I said in a hushed voice. His cold eyes didn’t warm. “You only think or yourself” he said, shaking his head “You ought to be happy for me.” “They’ll hurt you, Kobra! They’ll use you, then toss you aside when they’re done.” “I’m different. Korse said so.” “Shut up.” “Kobra, listen to me.” “SHUT UP! You’re no hero, Party. You can’t SAVE anybody anymore.” Kobra gave a dark chuckle “And to think that Shirley went out calling your name. Like you could ever save her...Go ahead! Save everybody! Can’t you… big brother?”

He dropped the phone and picked her up. I could see the needle mark on her arms. I did this. She believed in me and I let her down. As he turned to leave my heart sank. “Mikey!! Wait!”


Pain wrecked through my body. “I’m gonna die here. We’re all gonna die.” My mind pushed me down into the all familiar abyss of depression. The one I had been in thousands of times before. The one I thought I would never go back to. Should I give into Korse and accept death? Could I? Should I?

---

Kobra… Michael… you get it

“Did you do it?” “Yes sir.” “And Poison?” “I broke him.” Korse looked down at the screen where Party was sinking his nails into his arm. “Slowly and painfully, we’ll have him begging us to kill him.” I nodded and looked down at Shirley’s screen. Even in the dim light I could see her paleness. I was a monster… and I loved it. I could still hear her begging me to give her one last bit of happiness. I looked at Fun Ghoul’s screen. He was leaning against the wall with him eyes closed. I snorted and looked to Jet Star’s room. He was just lying on the ground… and it was disgusting. “Can’t we just exterminate them already?” I asked, but Korse was already gone.

I looked back to Party Poison’s room. He looked relaxed. Had I pushed enough? He had been going nuts a few minutes ago…

Notes