Page 25 of Fanatic

“Bad?”

“You’re lucky the place didn’t blow up,” Harlequin replied.

“Fuck. Do I need to get builders in?”

“No, I fixed the gushing water jet. I swear I watched him like a hawk. Jinx switched on the faucet, and it broke off in his hand. Sailor found the mains and turned them off, while Rascal headed for the DIY store and bought new faucets. No damage was done,” Harlequin said.

“Shit,” I muttered. Would my home still be standing after an hour with Jinx in it?

“Jinx is all yours,” Pyro stated, slapping me on the back and heading inside.

Yeah, but Pyro was the one entering where Jinx was. I was safely outside, as evidenced when Pyro yelled as the front door slammed in his face.

“Fuckin’ Jinx!” he roared, as he batted the door open.

“Jinx is freaky scary, Fanatic,” Rascal said.

“Jinx? Yup. But he’s such a great candidate,” I replied.

“Ain’t that good if he’s always causing mayhem and chaos. You need to let him go before someone gets hurt,” Runner stated.

I lifted an eyebrow and held Runner’s gaze. “Didn’t realise you had your patch. Keep your opinions to yourself.”

“Like what you say counts for anything. The others got their patches, and you were left behind,” Runner retorted in a surly tone.

I leant forward into Runner’s space. “Lucky for me, I don’t give a toss what you think. There’s a reason I didn’t get my patch, and I’m okay with that. But I outrank you, candidate and you remember that. You’ve gained yourself a week of shit duty.”

Runner snarled. “You can’t authorise that.”

“Oh yeah, I can. Argue, and it will be four weeks.”

“Fuck you, Fanatic,” Runner complained.

“Shut your fuckin’ mouth and do as the prospect says. Fanatic’s in charge of you, Runner, and you have now earned that month and a bout in the ring with me,” Pyro shouted.

My back straightened. I hadn’t needed Pyro’s interference, and without meaning to, he’d just weakened my position. There was no respect in Runner’s face when he sneered at me.

“And you’ve now won a fight with me,” I said.

Runner laughed and walked away.

“What the fuck?” Pyro snapped, heading towards me at speed.

“You undermined me interfering like that and made me seem weak. Might have been unintentional, but you did. If I don’t confront Runner, I’ve got no control or respect from any of them,” I replied.

“Chance will ban this shit.”

“No, Prez won’t, because he’ll understand. Just make sure we’ve got a medic on standby because that fuck will try to punch my liver out,” I responded.

“Fanatic’s right,” Harlequin said. “If he didn’t stand his ground, Runner, Farm-boy, Clark, even Vampire, wouldn’t respect him. Me and a couple of the others? We get his health conditions and understand. But those named only admire strength.”

“Easily resolved. Will book Runner for next Saturday, and you can have him a week later. I’ll fuck that cunt up so bad, he’ll easily be beaten,” Pyro murmured as the candidates began emptying the van.

“I’m able to fight, Pyro,” I snapped, feeling useless and defensive.

“Fanatic. I know. But I also remember how it felt watching you and Rooster under that rubble. How helpless we were when you needed a transplant, and we couldn’t do shit. Hellfire will let you live as you want, but we’re going to protect you the same as Rooster. Ain’t no shame in that,” Pyro said.

“Like you’d allow someone to fight your battles for you,” I retorted, still feeling the sting.

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