Page 43 of Mercy & Malice

He slams into the gate, shouting and tugging on the bars. “Let me out of here. You can’t do this to me. Let me go before I make you regret ever putting hands on me.”

The threats are ignored as Judge tells my father, “Kill him or he kills you. It’s that simple.”

Dad gapes at Micah before he turns a furious scowl on me. “Did you do this? Is this your mother’s silly joke of a plan? Scare me into giving her a divorce and everything I’ve worked my entire life for?”

I wish, but it’s worse than that. “It’s real.”

After he studies Judge and Micah again, Dad rushes toward me as he shouts, “You stupid bitch.”

Micah is in front of me, shoving my father back until his shoulder blades hits the bars. “Don’t get near her.”

“There we go.” Judge takes his seat and flicks his hand in the air. “Get on with it.”

Dad eyes Micah like he’s in disbelief. Join the crowd.

Micah releases him and moves back in front of me. He knows how to fight. But we’ve been here with barely any food or water while freezing and isolated. There’s no way he has his usual strength.

Am I really hoping he wins? Yes. If it comes down to picking one of them, I’m picking Micah.

When Dad bolts at Micah, he shifts, his hands thrusting my father face first into the iron bars.

Micah shuffles on the balls of his feet. His movements are a little sluggish compared to the times I’ve watched him dodge a hit at the Tomb. But I know he’s not trying to fight; he’s on defense.

Judge must know it too. “Tick tock. If he lives, she dies.”

Micah keeps his eyes trained on my father as he states, “If she dies, I’ll burn your entire goddamn world and make sure you fucking die with it.”

Warden cackles, “He’s still got a shitload of grit.”

Judge comments, “No, it’s fear. And it will only get him so far until he breaks. And when he does, it’ll be superb.”

Micah tenses at the words but stays in front of me as Dad moves closer. When Dad swings at him, he dodges it then brings a hand up, clasping my father’s throat and slams him against the steel barrier. Dad struggles against the grip but is unable to get free.

The man has always seemed so strong, so undefeatable to me. But I’ve only seen him show his power by fighting against my mom and me.

Dad grunts out, “I will slaughter you, then I’m going to do the same to her.”

Bringing him a few inches forward, Micah slams him back and yells, “You will never touch her again.”

The defensive position is nonexistent now, and Micah is in full attack mode. His fist swings, connecting with my father’s mouth. Before Dad can steady himself, Micah hits him again and again until Dad is on the floor.

After a brutal blow to Dad’s head, Micah gets to his feet, spitting on my father before his foot sinks into his stomach.

Micah’s torn expression centers on me. “You hate him. But you’ll hate me too after I kill him.”

I shake my head. I won’t hate him because this isn’t a choice either of us want to make. It’s survival. And I need him to survive.

When no one moves, Judge complains, “Well, this isn’t an exciting battle.”

Dad takes a few minutes to get to his feet before he sways then unsteadily charges at Micah who doesn’t move. Dad’s shoulder plunges into Micah’s stomach as they go to the ground. Micah barely shields the hits my father is swinging at him.

“Micah,” I scream, praying he’s not giving up completely.

He watches me for a few seconds before he shifts and struggles until he’s out of Dad’s hold and gets Dad in a headlock, keeping him immobile.

All I see is my father’s hatred pointed at me as he barely grumbles out, “You no-good cunt.”

I’m not the one who has him pinned on the ground, but his anger is on me.