Fshback

  ***

  Lay dragged Vorden out of the room, then turned to him with an offer that immediately set off arm bells in his head.

  "Let's make a deal."

  Vorden folded his arms. "A deal? You? This already sounds like daylight robbery."

  She ignored him. "I don't want to come across as a bully, selfish, or someone who steps on others just to get ahead—"

  Vorden raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because if someone asked me to describe you, I'd say 'a selfish, self-centered, conniving daughter of a—'"

  THUD!!

  A sharp pain shot up his leg.

  "Who gave you permission to talk?" Lay asked coldly, lowering her foot.

  Vorden bent over, clutching his shin. "Sorry, ma'am. I will respectfully keep my mouth shut from now on." His voice wobbled in pain.

  Lay cleared her throat. "As I was saying, I'm giving you the chance to earn your freedom. All you have to do is pay… 75 billion."

  Vorden's face twisted in horror. "Seventy-five what?!"

  "Billion."

  He scoffed. "Woman, is it because I've been nice to you? That is still too much. Do you know what they call me back home? Karate Kid! You better be careful before I start showing off my moves."

  Lay smirked. "Karate Kid? Well, I'm Mr. Miyagi, and you're the fly I just caught with my chopsticks."

  Vorden blinked. "How… how do you even know that reference?"

  Lay shrugged. "Other users have been here before. We learn things."

  She continued. "Anyway, for compensation—"

  Vorden groaned. "For what now?"

  "Sexual assault."

  His face twitched. "You're still on that? If I had King Kong's number, I'd have hooked you two up."

  THUD!!

  Another kick. Another wave of pain.

  "How many times do I have to tell you—SHUT UP!" Lay snapped. "Say another dumb thing, and I'll raise it to a trillion."

  Vorden sucked in a breath, resisting the urge to mouth off again. "Understood. My lips are sealed."

  Lay sighed dramatically. "Now, as I was saying before a certain farm animal interrupted—"

  Vorden's eye twitched and thought sarcastically . 'Ugh! That hurt.'

  "For your crimes—"

  Vorden mentally ranted. 'The only crime here is whoever let you be born without a leash. God must have been on his lunch break when he made you.'

  BOOM!!

  A loud thundercp rumbled in the distance.

  Vorden stiffened. 'God, that was a joke! Please don't smite me!'

  Lay narrowed her eyes. "You weren't listening, were you?"

  Vorden snapped to attention. "Of course I was! I was deeply, spiritually, emotionally engaged in every sylble you uttered. "

  Sweat dripped down his face.

  Lay smirked. "Oh really? Then what did I just say?"

  Vorden hesitated. "Uh… who am I to repeat your words? You, being the incredibly wise and all-knowing Lay, probably know what you said best. That reminds of my time in Legro… "

  Lay rolled her eyes. "You know what? I'll just repeat myself."

  She took a step forward, her eyes glinting with something sinister.

  "For your repeated offenses, I will have BOGO kick your most precious member. One kick per assault. So far, that's two. But if you really annoy me, I might just cut it off."

  A slow, wicked smile spread across her face.

  Vorden's stomach dropped. "K-k-k-kick… cu-cu-cut it?" His voice came out in a whisper. "You… you wouldn't dare."

  He clutched his head. 'Was I a war criminal in my past life? Did I invent taxes or something?! Why is life punishing me like this?!'

  Lay smirked. "Oh, and by the way? The price is now a trillion."

  Vorden nearly choked. "WHY?! WHAT DID I DO?!"

  Lay stared at him. "You existed."

  Vorden clenched his fists. "I just wanted to buy video games and py them in peace! Why am I suffering like this?!"

  Lay ignored him. "I know that look on your face. You're probably cursing me in your head."

  Vorden forced a smile. "Me? Never. I was just admiring your… uh… strategic thinking skills."

  Lay grinned. "Nice try. BOGO, get on with it."

  BOGO cracked his knuckles. "Yes, midy."

  Vorden turned to him—and nearly colpsed. He swore he saw a murderous glint in BOGO's eyes.

  "No, no! Don't do this! PLEASE! I HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR—"

  CRACK!

  "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

  CRACK!

  "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

  GOGO sighed. "Why are you doing this again?"

  Lay twirled her hair. "I got a new toy. Am I not allowed to py with it?"

  She fshed a smile. "Besides, with our technology, we could fix him up if things get… broken."

  Her pink hair swayed behind her as she walked away, humming to herself.

  ***

  A shiver went down Vorden spine as he remembered what happened. The fshback was gut wrenching.

  Vorden twitched, still recovering from the horror.

  "****! That witch is crazy!"