Chapter 27: The Breaking Point

The stone basement reeked of blood and loss. Blossom's skin was slick with sweat, her breath ragged, cheek pressed to the cold floor. She could hear the Lost Boys above—Marko's laughter, Paul's mocking drawl, the low rumble of Dwayne's voice, and David's chilling calm that always seemed to cut through the chaos.

They thought she was finished. They thought she'd submit.

She listened, memorizing their steps, their patterns. Every time Marko taunted her, she bit back with sharper words. Every time Paul got close, she dug her nails into his skin, drawing blood and curses. Even when her limbs trembled and her vision blurred, she didn't give them silence. That was hers—her last weapon.

One night, Marko crouched before her, grinning, blood on his teeth. "Still fighting, Blossom? You really are a glutton for punishment."

She spat in his face. "You're nothing but a sick, twisted leech."

Marko's grin faltered, and for a second, she saw something like respect—then he backhanded her, splitting her lip. "You've got a mouth on you, girl. Better watch it."

Paul hovered in the background, possessive and angry, his eyes never leaving Blossom. Marko noticed, and in a fit of jealousy, shoved him aside.

"Back off, Marko," Paul snarled. "She's mine tonight."

Blossom saw her chance. She feigned weakness, slumping forward. Paul, always the sucker for a damsel act, knelt down, brushing her hair from her face. "Hey, hey, don't you pass out on me, princess..."

With all the force she had left, Blossom jabbed her knee up, catching him off guard. He doubled over. Marko lunged at her, but she twisted, grabbing a broken bottle from the floor. She slashed wildly, the jagged glass catching Marko across the cheek—blood welled instantly, real and red, and Marko shrieked in shock and fury.

"You little BITCH!" he roared, clutching his face as blood dripped onto his shirt.

Blossom scrambled for the stairs, ignoring the howls behind her. She made it halfway up before Dwayne caught her by the ankle, wrenching her back down. She kicked him in the chest, but he barely flinched.

David appeared, eyes cold, mouth set. "Enough. Put her in the cage."

The world spun. She fought all the way, biting, screaming, never letting them see fear. But when the cage door slammed, Blossom curled in on herself, bruised and shaking, her mind racing. Marko's blood had been real. They could be hurt.

She just had to survive long enough to try again.