Part 2The Serpent's Crown

Red? Could it be the same Red who joined the factory four years ago?

Before I could process this, Sarah slashed my face again.

Agony stole my voice. Blood ran into my eyes, turning the world red.

"I know Red! Take me to her, please!"

If Red saw me, she would force Sarah to take me back. She knew the consequences.

Sarah paused, digging the knife deeper.

"So you really weren't loyal to me? You want to hook up with Red now?"

"I'll destroy this face. Let's see you seduce anyone then!"

I screamed until darkness took me.

When I woke up, I was dumped at the factory gates.

Sarah was talking to someone. It was Red!

"Red!"

I croaked her name through a ruined throat.

Red looked surprised and turned to me.

"How does he know my name?"

Sarah’s face paled. She stomped on my mouth hard.

"He probably heard me on the phone in the car. Don't worry, knowing it won't save him now."

Red pulled a cigarette from her pack and lit it.

"Is that so? You wouldn't dare play games. Is this the seventh one?"

Sarah ground her heel into my lips before trotting over to light Red's cigarette.

"Seventh. Don't worry, I know the rules."

"This kid is an orphan, no family. He's the only one on his household registry. And he was a virgin when I got him!"

Red squatted down, blew smoke in my face, and scrutinized me.

A spark of hope ignited in my chest.

She knows me. If she recognizes me, she'll make Sarah take me away.

If my sister finds out her subordinate kidnapped me, they’re all dead.

"Tsk. Why did you mess up his face like that? He's hideous."

Red looked disgusted and stood up.

My heart sank. She didn't recognize me!

Did Sarah disfigure me beyond recognition?

Grief overwhelmed me. I wanted to wail, but my throat felt stuffed with cotton.

"He wouldn't sit still. I was worried he'd use his looks to charm someone into helping him escape. So I ruined it. Doesn't matter anyway, right?"

Sarah crouched by my ear and whispered with a dark chuckle:

"See? Give up on seducing Red. She thinks you're ugly."

I used every ounce of strength to force words through my teeth.

"You... will... die..."

Red's eyebrows shot up. She kicked Sarah aside and squatted in front of me, grinning.

"Did this kid just curse us?"

Looking at her sinister smile, I shook my head in terror.

No! I meant you need to send me away! Or you'll all die!

"Ahhh—!"

Red pinched my jaw open and jammed the lit cigarette into my mouth.

The pain on my tongue was excruciating. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as I screamed.

"Ugly freak. Dying and still trying to threaten us. Pah!"

Red hawked a thick loogie onto my face.

Sarah picked up a wooden stick from the ground and started stabbing into my mouth.

"How dare you offend Red! Scream all you want!"

Blood filled my mouth, mixing with splinters and choking me.

I felt like I was drowning. Tears poured down my face like a waterfall.

Is this it? Am I going to die here?

"Enough. Teach him a lesson, but don't kill him or I don't get paid."

Red stopped her. Sarah dropped the bloody stick immediately.