Theodore's eyes sharpened as soon as those words landed in his ears. "Stop!" he commanded.
The guards immediately stepped back, and the buzzing of the power saw ceased. A heavy silence descended upon the room, punctuated only by Marcus's low groans of pain and fear.
Theodore squatted down, grabbing Marcus by the collar, and pulling him close. "Speak," he hissed, his eyes blazing with intensity.
Marcus gasped, recalling the incident from some months before. He remembered the searing rage he felt after losing yet another game to Theodore. His frequent defeat had caused others to mock and humiliate him.
Marcus had been angry with himself and Theodore. In a desperate bid to escape his frustration, he had drowned his sorrows at a bar, drinking heavily. It was there, in his stupor, that he overheard a conversation about a plan to murder Theodore.
