Because that had been the night Franklin died.
This bastard is the reason he’s dead.
If it hadn’t been for him, everyone would’ve ignored Franklin.
My vision hazes over red, and I throw another punch. This one is less controlled but no less determined, and he sidesteps it.
“The attack on Kappa Alpha,” I snarl in between blows. “Or did you forget already?”
Reaper raises his arms to block my punches. “Oh. Yeah, I guess you were there.” He lets out a dark laugh. “Did you fuckers really think I would let what you did to my sister go unpunished?”
We’ll keep going until the entire world is blind.
That was what Pandora had said at the party.
I should concede the point, but it only inflames me even more. I’m not going to let this bastard beat me.
“Pandora stabbed the bastard who did it,” I counter. “How many times are you going to come at us for it?”
“All of you are responsible,” Reaper growls. “All of you fucking Chaos bastards.” He strikes me hard in the chest, sending me flying back against the cage once more.
I groan against the pain. I have to cling to the cage metal to get myself up.
“River!” a voice cries out, standing out from all the other shouts.
I turn my head.
Pandora. She’s standing on top of the registration table. Somebody is trying to pull her down, but Blaze and Asch are there to shield her.
“Fucking kick his ass, River!” Pandora shouts.
Oh, so she cares now.
I guess this is the sort of thing she lives for: no holds barred, no rules, blow for blow. No wonder she’s into it.
I grit my teeth, turning my attention back to the fight. My renewed vigor makes it easier for me to land blows on Reaper, who seems taken aback by my focus.
“Ri-ver! Ri-ver!” Pandora chants, and a good chunk of the crowd joins her.
Reaper is distracted enough that I get another blow in.
“Fuck.” He glances in Pandora’s direction. “Why’s she here?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before getting up and launching a kick at me again.
I grab his foot and shove him back, sending him off balance again.
I don’t care why Pandora’s here.
I’m just glad she is.
The adrenaline surges through me, and I get two more blows in.
But adrenaline can only do so much, and even if it was tame and toothless, I’ve already fought today.
My body flags at the wrong moment. Reaper punches me in the solar plexus, and I gasp at the pain. I fall to my knees, struggling to keep the bile down.
“Tap out,” Reaper growls as he grips my hair. “Show your brothers how much of a pathetic loser you are.”
I fight to get up, but he has the advantage.
