They made their way into the huge plastics factory. Metal runners and tracks ran throughout the building. Big, square machines existed here and there. Pallets littered the floor. Wires and tubing jutted out from walls. Boxes dotted upon the floor here and there. The musty smell of an industrial workplace filled the air.
Seth stood ahead of them, talking to two men who filmed him on their mobile phones.
“And here they are, let’s go and take a look at them.”
Seth and his buddies made their way to the kids being followed by a gang of men all focusing on their own phones and iPads.
Seth placed an arm around Bucky. “You see these?” he asked, pointing to his two friends.
“Yes?”
“These guys are filming you right now and streaming live across the world. We have over a hundred participants in this online gambling ring I have running and everyone can see every move you make. Throughout the factory we have more camera’s dotted around, all of them watching each and every move you make. Say hello to the people across the dark web.” Bucky looked at him. “I said say hello!”
Seth slapped the back of his head before clenching a fist and hammering down it into his neck. “Are you trying to make me look stupid?” He grabbed Bucky’s cheeks and forced him toward the cameras. “Say it! Say it!”
“Hello,” Bucky croaked.
Seth slapped him across the head with an open palm. “This little bastard strutted in here like he was king shit earlier today. I don’t like him and you all know what happens when I don’t like a contestant running in the game. I have a special surprise in store, which means you all get a house special. This man is the group’s leader, having led them all many miles on foot through a country full of zombies, so that should be considered.” Seth threw Bucky around, pulling at the unbuttoned army jacket he’d been donated before removing it with a hard swipe downward. “You all know what happens with this, right?” Seth asked, lifting the jacket to the cameras.”In light of my dislike for this little turd, I offer odds of ten to one for him surviving until the end. That’s a big leap from the five I would have given without the use of this. That, my friends, is a great special to get the evening under way. Here, go and prep him,” Seth ordered, throwing the jacket to one of his entourage. “Now, let’s move on to our second player. This beautiful little vixen is Lacey, if I’m not mistaken?” Lacey nodded.
“Talk, darling, don’t nod.”
“Yes. Yes, that’s my name,” she sighed.
“Good. Now, Lacey may look like the weak link in this rag-tag bunch of assholes and I’m a sexist bastard at times so I’m going to agree with my politically incorrect line of thinking. I don’t have much hope for her, as pretty as she is. I’ll give you twenty to one but I offer all of you a tip on your gambling. She’s a single woman in a group of men. If she gets into trouble, you know the testosterone filled cavalry will be doing their best to rescue her, they’re boys after all. She could potentially wipe the team out through her incompetence, so be wise when placing your bets.”
“You’re such an asshole,” Lacey quipped. Seth turned from the camera and looked at her. “Yeah, you hear me right, asshole.”
Seth raised both his index fingers to the cameras and turned, walking back toward her.
“She didn’t mean it,” Bucky gasped, worried for her safety.
Seth ignored him and stood above Lacey, peering down on her like a drill instructor to a new recruit.
“The hell I didn’t,” Lacey replied. “Look at him. What? I guess you were a mobster back in the old world? A gangster, am I right? And you had all these dumb ass, unemployable idiots making up your squad. You might think you’re tough, but without them you’re nothing. All you are is an unintelligent, unemployable son of a bitch who couldn’t even get a job flipping burgers. I bet your mum and dad are really proud of you.”
Seth swung a hand and cracked her across the cheek. Lacey turned back to him.
“How dare you embarrass me in front of my clients,” he whispered.
“I’m not embarrassing you, I’m speaking the truth. Someone comes up to you and speaks their mind, a fourteen-year-old girl no less, and the only way you can respond is by slapping her across the face. You’re a coward. A wife beater. You’re the scum of this earth.”
Seth drew his revolver and pushed it against Lacey’s temple.
“No!” Johnny shouted. A heavy pulled him back.
“No one has ever spoken to me like that before,” Seth said, leaning into Lacey.
“That’s because I’m not afraid of you,” she replied. “I know I’m going to die here, somehow. I’ve been through hell reaching this damn place. I’ve been strong, I’ve been weak, but now I have nothing left to fear. Do it.” She pushed her head against the barrel. “Do it, coward!” Seth’s face contorted with anger.
“Lacey, no. Ignore her,” Bucky pleaded.
“Come on, wife beater. Pull the trigger!”
Seth snarled.
Johnny screamed. “No!”
Seth smiled, lowering the gun and placing it back in his belt. “What kind of game would it be without you?”
Lacey hocked and spat a large wad of mucus into his face.
“What the hell are you doing?” Bucky screamed.
“No, no, it’s okay,” Seth replied, holding an open palm to him. He wiped the mucus away with a sleeve. “I’m going to enjoy watching you,” he whispered to Lacey.
“Not as much as I enjoyed embarrassing you to your clients,” she replied.
Seth smiled and tapped her cheek. Bucky rubbed the back of his neck. The strike still throbbed. This guy sure was an asshole.
“Now we move over to my pick of the day,” Seth began, moving along as though nothing had happened.”Tell the people at home what your
