Crestwood was the kind of town where the forest felt closer than the people. It pressed in from all sides, the trees so dense and tangled that it was hard to tell where the town ended and the woods began. Some families even lived deep in the forest, their houses swallowed by shadows and stories. The high school sat right at the edge, so close that the back fence was practically a suggestion—students slipped through the gaps all the time, cutting across the woods to get in or out without being noticed.
By the time dusk fell, the forest seemed alive. The trees stretched long shadows across the cracked pavement as Lucas made his way to the abandoned gym. Kane and his crew were already there, lingering in that half-casual way that said they were trying not to look nervous. The place reeked of old sweat and mildew, but no one cared. The plan had been hashed out in the cafeteria yesterday, and now they were here to see it through.
Lucas leaned against the crumbling wall, hands shoved in his pockets, watching them all. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut, but Lucas could barely keep himself from laughing. There was something about their seriousness, their barely-contained nerves, that made it all feel like a joke only he was in on.
Yesterday, during a quiet moment in the empty art room, Kane had outlined the plan with theatrical precision. He leaned against a paint-streaked table, his voice low but commanding, drawing the attention of everyone around him. Though the room smelled faintly of turpentine and dust, all Lucas could focus on was the way Kane's gaze rarely strayed from him, as if the entire plan hinged on his reaction. The chaos of the school felt distant here, muted by the heavy silence of the room, making Kane's words land with an almost chilling weight.
"Alright, everyone," Kane said, his voice low and sharp as he leaned against the edge of the table. The dim light of the art room made the shadows under his eyes look darker, his intensity casting a strange kind of spell over the group. "Tonight's the night. Lucas's initiation."
The words hit like a dropped pin, the room suddenly feeling too small. The others exchanged confused glances. Initiation? They hadn't gone through anything like that, and the surprise flickered openly on their faces. Kane either didn't notice or didn't care. His focus was locked entirely on Lucas, his grin slow and razor-sharp, like he'd been waiting for this moment.
Lucas caught the confusion out of the corner of his eye and let it simmer there. He met Kane's gaze and smiled back, as if to say, Go on, I'm listening. "What's the plan?" he asked, his voice smooth, laced with just enough curiosity to keep Kane talking.
Kane's excitement sparked immediately. He straightened, his energy practically vibrating off him, and began to pace. "We're going to make an impact—something no one will ever forget," he said, his words quickening as his enthusiasm grew. He ignored the others completely now, as if their presence didn't matter. It was just him and Lucas, the plan stretching out in vivid detail in Kane's head, and Lucas couldn't help but find it amusing. Whatever game Kane thought he was playing, Lucas was more than ready to play along.
Kane's smirk widened as he leaned back casually, his tone shifting into something disturbingly conversational, as if they were talking about weekend plans. "This town loves its charity events, doesn't it? Tomorrow's for the animals—so noble, so wholesome. But you know what we're gonna do? We're going to bring them a dose of reality. Before sunrise, we sneak into the stadium, and we paint the place red. Blood. Entrails. Let's see how much compassion they have when it's staring them in the face."
The words rolled off his tongue so smoothly it almost sounded like a joke, but Kane wasn't laughing. He was watching Lucas, waiting for a reaction. Around the room, the air shifted, thick with unease. Leo and Rick barely batted an eye, their faces blank, as though Kane's words were just another Tuesday night plan. The others weren't as composed. One of the girls pressed her lips together, her expression flickering with barely concealed disgust, while another guy glanced down at his hands as if the tabletop suddenly needed closer inspection.
Lucas caught it all, every microexpression, every quick glance. He felt his chest tighten—not with fear, but with something closer to a dark amusement. He wanted to laugh, to let out a sharp, cutting chuckle at how ridiculous this was. The disgusted faces, the fake nods of interest when Kane turned his attention back to the group, the sheer absurdity of it all. But he didn't. He bit back the urge and instead let his smirk grow, just a little. They're pretending, he thought. They have to be. No way anyone normal sees nothing wrong with this.
Then again, Leo and Rick's indifference said otherwise. Lucas's gaze flicked between them, taking in their calm, unbothered expressions. They'd been friends with Kane the longest—maybe they were just used to it. Or maybe they liked it. Lucas wasn't sure which was worse. What unsettled him more, though, was himself. He should have felt disgusted like the others, maybe even a little horrified. But he didn't. Instead, there was something else simmering beneath the surface—a flicker of curiosity, a dangerous thread of excitement.
The tension in the room felt like it could snap at any moment. The others shifted uncomfortably, their faces a mixture of doubt and discomfort, but no one dared speak again—except for Jade.
Jade winced, her arms tightening across her chest. "Animal blood? Guts? Don't you think that's... crossing a line?" She glanced around the room, clearly hoping for backup, but no one met her eyes.
Mark shifted uneasily in his seat, his jaw tightening. "Yeah, I mean... what if we get caught? This isn't some graffiti or a harmless prank we're used to, Kane. This is—this is insane."
Sophie sat back, her lips pressed into a thin line. She looked like she wanted to say something but kept quiet, her fingers drumming nervously on the table. It wasn't until Kane turned his sharp gaze to her that she finally spoke. "I don't know. This feels... different. I thought we were just here to stir things up, not—" She stopped, swallowing hard under Kane's icy stare. "Not this."
Rick scoffed, throwing an arm over the back of his chair. "Oh, come on, don't be so soft. It's just blood. What, are we worried about traumatizing some kids who are already coddled to death? They need to grow up."
Leo chuckled quietly, clearly unbothered, and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Rick's got a point. A little reality check never hurt anyone. Besides," he said, his voice low and amused, "it's not like we're gonna use human blood."
The room fell silent for a beat, but Lucas caught the flicker of discomfort in Jade and Sophie's expressions. Mark looked like he might be sick. Lucas smirked to himself, his earlier theory solidifying. Kane definitely had something on them—something heavy enough to keep them from walking away despite the disgust etched on their faces.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, studying the dynamic. Rick and Leo clearly enjoyed this, their enthusiasm almost as dark as Kane's. The others, though? They were faking it, their compliance born of fear, not loyalty. Lucas didn't know what Kane had over them, but whatever it was, it was big.
Kane didn't seem fazed by the pushback. In fact, he seemed to revel in it. His grin widened, and he leaned forward, planting his hands on the table. "You're all thinking too much," he said smoothly, his voice low and commanding. "This isn't about whether it's 'too much' or if we might get caught. This is about proving a point. About doing something real—something that can't just be swept under the rug. If you're too scared, feel free to sit this one out. But don't think for a second that you're not replaceable."
Jade flinched, her face paling, and Mark's jaw clenched even tighter. Sophie's eyes flicked to the floor, her resistance dissolving under Kane's gaze. Rick, meanwhile, let out a low laugh, clearly enjoying the tension.
Lucas glanced around the room, catching the fleeting glances and barely concealed fear on Jade, Mark, and Sophie's faces. And yet, no one stood up. No one walked away. His smirk grew sharper, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. What does he have on them? he wondered, more curious than ever.
Rick broke the silence, his grin widening. "Well, I'm in. This is gonna be fun."
Leo nodded, his voice calm and steady. "Same here. Someone's gotta keep things interesting in this town."
Jade swallowed hard but finally nodded, though her expression was still hesitant. "Fine. I'm in."
Mark sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Guess I don't have a choice, do I?" He shot Kane a sharp look, but Kane just smiled at him like a predator toying with its prey.
Sophie was the last to speak. She hesitated, her fingers twisting in her lap, before finally muttering, "Alright. Whatever."
Kane's grin widened, his victory clear in the way he leaned back, completely satisfied. His gaze slid back to Lucas, his tone almost playful. "And you, Lucas? What do you think?"
Lucas tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "I think you've got everyone exactly where you want them," he said, his voice light and amused. "Let's see if this little stunt of yours is as memorable as you think it'll be."
Before they could execute their plan, Kane had one more test for Lucas. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "Lucas, if you want to be one of us, you've got to prove you can handle the dark side of things."
Lucas's pulse quickened, a mix of excitement and dread swirling in his chest. His eyes flickered over to Kane, feeling the weight of his words, but a twisted excitement began to coil in his stomach, like a predator anticipating the hunt. This was it—his moment.
Kane's smirk widened, and before Lucas could respond, he took a step forward, his presence almost suffocating. Without breaking eye contact, Kane placed a hand on Lucas's shoulder, the weight of it grounding Lucas in the moment. "Tonight, we're going to a pig farm. We need the blood and organs for tomorrow, and you're going to help us get them. Show us exactly how far you're willing to take this."
Lucas's stomach churned at the thought, the edges of his mind screaming at him to hesitate, to pull back. This was wrong. This wasn't normal. But as the feeling of his own pulse pounding in his neck intensified, Lucas pushed the fear aside. His human side trembled, recoiling at the thought of it all, but the darker part of him—the one that had been whispering, coaxing—welcomed it, craving it.
He swallowed hard, the tension tightening in his throat. "Alright, Kane." His voice was steady, even as his insides twisted. "Lead the way."
Kane grinned, the sharp edge of satisfaction in his eyes. As he pulled his hand away from Lucas's shoulder, the warmth from the touch lingered, but Lucas couldn't quite shake the cold thrill spreading through his veins.
_____
Under the cover of night, they drove out of the town and toward the outskirts, where the road grew rough and the darkness seemed to swallow the world around them. The air grew thick with the pungent stench of decay and filth as they approached the rundown pig farm. The wooden fences were warped and broken, the rusted metal gates sagging in their hinges, as if the entire place had been forgotten by time itself.
The farm seemed to have a life of its own—an eerie, unsettling presence. Shadows loomed beneath the sparse, dying trees, and the low, guttural grunts of pigs echoed through the cold air, mixing with the occasional screech of a crow perched on the roof of the dilapidated shack. The ground was slick with mud, and the uneven paths leading to the barn were dotted with old, discarded tools and rotten hay. The heavy scent of animal waste and rot clung to everything, choking the air and settling in Lucas's lungs, making him gag slightly.
Kane, ever calm, seemed unaffected, his eyes scanning the scene with a predatory gleam. "Old Earl's passed out in there," he muttered, jerking his thumb toward the rickety shack in the distance. "Another night of drinking himself stupid. He won't wake until morning."
Lucas looked at the shack, the dim light flickering through the cracks in the walls. His stomach churned, the reality of the situation settling in as the sounds of the night seemed to grow louder around him. The overwhelming smell was suffocating, and yet, despite the revulsion crawling up his throat, he found himself unable to turn away.
He felt a twinge of disbelief, a nagging feeling that he should be scared, that this wasn't right. But, for some inexplicable reason, he trusted Kane. He told himself it was just the plan, the next step in his path. But there was a small, growing seed of doubt—something deep within him, telling him that he was being naïve. That he was trusting Kane too easily.
Still, he stood firm, his voice quieter than he intended as he spoke. "At least that's what you said... I don't know why, but I keep believing you."
He hated how easily the words came out, how easily Kane had pulled him into his world, and yet... he still couldn't back out. Not now. Not when he was already this deep into it.
Kane's lips curled into a knowing smile as he stepped closer to Lucas, the faint glow from the shack casting shadows over his sharp features. He tilted his head slightly, watching Lucas with an intensity that made the air between them feel charged.
"I know because I've been here before, Lucas," Kane said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge. He paused for a moment, then continued, his eyes dark with familiarity. "Earl's got a reputation—infamous around here for his gambling and drinking. He's always in debt to the wrong people, and that's how I found him. Always drunk, always too far gone to fight back."
Kane's hand moved slowly, coming to rest on Lucas's shoulder. The touch was firm, grounding him, but there was something more—a possessiveness, as if marking Lucas as his. The warmth of Kane's hand felt strangely comforting in contrast to the chill of the night air, but it also felt like a warning.
"You don't need to question me, Lucas," Kane continued, his voice lower now, coaxing. "Everything I've told you, every promise I've made... it's real. Trust me, no one else will have your back the way I do. No one else will show you the way out of your little cage."
Lucas's heart hammered in his chest, caught between the dread that knotted his stomach and the strange pull of Kane's words. The unsettling part of him wanted to pull away, to reject the comfort Kane offered.
"I want to trust you," Lucas murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't know… What if it's all just a trap?"
Kane's grip on his shoulder tightened, drawing him closer. His eyes were cold but held a glimmer of something calculating and reassuring all at once.
"You're already in it, Lucas. This isn't a trap, it's an opportunity. You won't be wrong, not with me," Kane said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "I've got you."
Lucas swallowed hard, the lump in his throat a mix of fear and that urged him to move forward, to take that step into the unknown. Kane's words were starting to feel like a lifeline, no matter how dangerous it might be.
Leo rolled his eyes, the slight edge of frustration creeping into his voice, though he tried to mask it. "Enough, alright? We've got a job to do." His voice lingered in the air, thick and confident, but there was something beneath it—an undertone that betrayed a slight jealousy. He hid it well, but it was there, simmering, as he glanced toward Rick, who was walking quietly, carrying the heavy bag filled with weapons. The butcher knives inside clinked softly with each step, but Rick was as stoic as ever, his face unreadable.
As they neared the pen, the air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and the rustle of leaves underfoot. Distant animal calls echoed through the trees, but it was the harsh squeals of the pig that broke through the stillness, sharp and desperate. The night around them was wrapped in a cloak of deep shadows, the moonlight faintly illuminating the sprawling landscape.
In the farthest corner of the pen, Lucas could see the massive figure of the pig. Its size was nothing short of astounding. It was the largest he had ever seen, nearly twice the size of the others, its immense body pressed against the wire fence, trembling with fear. Its wide, glossy eyes reflected the dim light, and in them, Lucas could see nothing but terror. The pig's pink skin glistened with a layer of sweat, its massive frame heaving with each shallow breath. It snorted nervously, its hooves stamping the ground, but it was trapped—unable to escape the enclosing walls of the pen.
Kane's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the pig, clearly impressed by its sheer size. "Bloody hell," he muttered, a note of admiration in his voice. Without another word, he reached into the bag Rick was carrying and pulled out a set of gleaming butcher knives, the blades reflecting the pale light of the moon.
Kane suddenly looked up at Lucas, his smile broad and dangerous. There was an unsettling gleam in his eyes, something both predatory and expectant. "Rick," Kane said, his voice low and smooth. "Hold down the pig."
Lucas blinked, confused, as Kane circled behind him. The knife appeared in Kane's hand like it was a natural extension of his arm. He placed the blade in Lucas's hand, the cool metal unfamiliar against his skin. Lucas's fingers twitched around the hilt, but his mind was spinning.
Before he could speak, Kane's eyes locked with his, urging him forward with an almost silent command. "This is part of the initiation," Kane said, his tone flat but loaded with unspoken meaning.
Lucas felt a sharp tug in his chest. He didn't want this. His stomach twisted, and a part of him recoiled at the sight of the pig—a helpless creature bound to the floor, its eyes wide with fear. This wasn't the way he wanted to prove anything. He stared at the animal for a moment, the conflicting emotions warring inside him. He had to say something.
He swallowed hard. "You're messed up in the head, Kane."
Kane's jaw tightened at the insult. His eyes flashed dangerously, narrowing as he took a step closer to Lucas. "So are you," he muttered, his voice almost a growl. He didn't give Lucas a chance to respond, moving closer until their bodies almost touched.
Lucas backed away instinctively, but Kane grabbed his wrist, forcing the knife back into his hands. "We're all a little messed up in the head," Kane said softly, his breath hot against Lucas's ear. The words were unsettling in their truth, and Lucas's body tensed.
Without another word, Kane twisted Lucas around so that his back pressed against Kane's chest, the warmth of the man's body seeping into him. Kane's grip was firm, a reminder of who was in control. Lucas barely had a moment to react before Kane pushed his hand forward, the knife now pointed at the pig's throat.
The animal's terrified eyes locked with Lucas's, and for a fleeting second, he saw something in its gaze that mirrored his own fear. He tightened his grip on the knife. Would he do it?
Kane's voice, barely above a whisper, seemed to echo in the space between them. "Do it. Prove you belong here."
"Don't worry," Kane said, his voice smooth and persuasive, "just do it quickly. It won't feel a thing." He glanced at Lucas, his eyes gleaming in the dim light devilishly .
"You can do this. It's just a moment, and then it's over."
Lucas hesitated, the blade feeling heavy in his hand. Seeing his reluctance, Kane gave him a gentle push forward, his touch firm yet strangely reassuring.
"Go on," Kane urged, his tone like a devil's whisper, both soothing and compelling.
"Animals are slaughtered everyday. One or two pigs won't be missed ,especially by such a neglective farmer. "
Time seemed to stretch, each second heavier than the last, as Lucas slowly succumbed to Kane's urging. His breath came in shallow gasps, his pulse quickening, but beneath it all, there was an unexpected surge of excitement—a feeling that pulled him closer to the moment. He moved forward, eyes locked on the struggling pig, its wide, terrified eyes reflecting the panic in its every movement. Its body twisted and jerked, desperate for escape, but the ropes held it tight, its frantic thrashing sending tremors through the air.
Lucas's heart pounded in his chest, every beat a reminder of what was about to unfold. His fingers tightened around the handle of the blade. A twisted smile curled at the corner of his lips, as if the violence already tasted sweet on his tongue, and he lowered himself to one knee, the pig still writhing beneath him.
Rick struggled to hold the animal down, his strength battling against the pig's thrashing. Despite his muscles straining, the pig's wild movements made it hard to keep a steady grip. Kane, sensing the difficulty, stepped in, his firm hands locking onto the animal's body with a quiet authority. Together, they managed to still it, the pig's final attempts to fight fading away under their combined strength.
"Do it," Kane whispered, his voice calm but edged with a command.
Lucas's hand shook as he brought the blade to the pig's thick, tough skin. The pig's cries filled the air, but Lucas could feel the blade's resistance against the hide as he pushed down, the metal barely cutting into the skin. The pig jerked again, sending a fresh wave of panic through Lucas. He steadied himself, his breath shaky, as he pressed harder, his entire body straining with the effort.
The skin was far thicker than he expected, and Lucas had to work at it, sawing the blade back and forth in slow, deliberate motions, each stroke meeting fierce resistance. The tension in the air was palpable, the pig's body twitching with every attempt to break free, its muscles jerking beneath Lucas's hands. Sweat beaded on Lucas's forehead, and his hands trembled as he struggled to cut deeper into the flesh, each movement more awkward and frantic than the last.
With a grunt of effort, the blade finally slid through the thick hide, the resistance easing slightly, but the pig's skin was still stubborn. The sound of the blade scraping against the flesh, dull and thick, filled his ears, making his stomach turn, yet a strange thrill rushed through him. The blood began to seep out in dark, viscous threads, staining his hands as the first real cut was made. The pig screamed in agony, the sound raw and desperate, a shrill wail that echoed through the still night. The noise seemed to claw at Lucas's insides, but he forced himself to keep cutting, pushing through the sickening sound.
The pig's body writhed beneath him, but with each new cut, the flesh tore easier. Blood poured out in warm, thick bursts, splashing across Lucas's hands and the ground beneath him. The air was thick with the smell of iron, hot and overwhelming, the scent of blood mixing with the stench of fear. His hand, slick with gore, gripped the knife tighter as he sliced deeper, feeling the blade finally glide through more easily as the pig's life began to drain away.
The pig's thrashing slowed, its body jerking only weakly before it finally went still, its breath coming in strained, shallow gasps before fading into silence. Lucas stared at the animal's lifeless form, his hands covered in the warmth of its blood. For a moment, there was nothing but the ringing silence, broken only by his own ragged breathing.
Lucas stood frozen, the blood dripping from his fingers, his heart still pounding in his chest, the adrenaline surging through his veins. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, as he stared at the mess he had just created. The heat of the blood, the sensation of it coating his hands, was unsettling—unfamiliar, but not unwelcome.
"Hurry the fuck up, Lucas!" Leo's voice called out from the back.
But Kane was quicker, his cold gaze flicking over to Leo, his expression hardening into something lethal. "Shut the fuck up," Kane growled, the threat clear in his voice. Leo faltered, silenced by the sheer weight of Kane's glare.
Lucas glanced down at his blood-soaked hands, his breath shaky as he whispered, "Holy shit… I did it."
The thrill coursing through him was undeniable. It wasn't just the blood or the power—it was the act itself. He had taken a life. And in that moment, Lucas knew something had shifted inside of him. It wasn't fear that gripped him, but a dark hunger, a hunger he couldn't ignore. This was just the beginning.
And the worst part? He was already addicted.
Kane nodded approvingly, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Good boy. I knew I was right about you," he said, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. "Now, let's get what we need."
The pig's body lay lifeless on the ground, its eyes dull and empty, and Lucas couldn't shake the image from his mind—the sight of the animal's life draining away, the blood soaking into the earth. His hands were slick with warmth, and there was a strange pride in the feeling, a darkness creeping through him, growing with every drop of blood. He had done it. He had taken a life. And the satisfaction that followed was more intoxicating than anything he'd ever felt before.
Kane slapped Lucas on the back, his touch lingering a moment too long, a sharp glint of approval in his eyes. "You did well," Kane murmured, his voice low, savoring the words as though they were a treat. "This is just the beginning."
Lucas didn't respond. He could hardly form words, his pulse thudding in his ears, his mind racing. The world felt sharper now, more vivid, more... alive. He could almost taste the blood on his hands. A shiver ran through him, and he looked down at the dark, sticky fluid coating his fingers. It was strange, unsettling, yet... thrilling.
Kane led the way as they began the grim task of harvesting the pig's blood and organs. His movements were precise, controlled, each action calculated with a disturbing calmness. Lucas stood at his side, captivated, his gaze never leaving Kane's hands as they worked. He saw the way Kane expertly sliced into the pig's side, the clean cut that revealed the organs beneath. The blood gushed out in a steady stream, dark and thick, as they carefully filled containers with the warm liquid.
Lucas was still covered in blood, but he didn't mind. The mess on his hands, the sticky warmth, felt... right. Kane demonstrated how to separate the organs, how to preserve them, and Lucas watched with a morbid fascination, taking in every detail—the way the liver slid out with ease, how the intestines were carefully unwound and laid out, how the blood clung to everything like a second skin. His heart pounded in his chest, the thrill growing with each new movement. There was a strange satisfaction in the meticulousness of it all, in the calm control that came with this work.
By the time the task was finished, the first pig had been completely processed. The others were still alive, waiting their turn. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie, silvery glow over the scene, turning the blood into a gleaming, almost beautiful liquid as it pooled around them. It was a twisted, grotesque kind of beauty, and Lucas couldn't tear his eyes away from it.
Rick and Leo, who had been waiting in the shadows, stepped forward, their faces illuminated by the moonlight. They were calm, almost eager, their eyes gleaming with a dark excitement as they looked at the pigs. They wasted no time in getting to work, their movements practiced and efficient. The air was thick with the smell of blood and Lucas felt a pull in his chest as he watched the others.
Kane stepped aside for a moment, his hands now slick with blood, and he gave Lucas a sharp look. "You're gonna watch this time," he said, his voice steady. "Learn. Understand."
Lucas nodded wordlessly, his eyes glued to the work being done in front of him. Rick and Leo handled the next pig with grim precision, cutting open the hide with swift, brutal movements. Their hands were covered in blood, their faces emotionless as they carried out the task, extracting organs and filling bags with the viscous, dark blood.
Lucas watched it all, his breath steady now, no longer shaky with fear or excitement, but focused, intent on absorbing every detail. He couldn't look away. There was something almost hypnotic about the process, the way the body was laid bare, the blood flowing freely, the organs neatly arranged and bagged. Every movement felt like it had been rehearsed a thousand times, a dark rhythm that spoke of a kind of mastery.
When the final pig was processed, the blood and organs collected, they turned to the old pickup truck. Rick and Leo worked together, hauling the bags and containers with ease, loading them into the back of the truck with practiced motions. The truck's bed was filled with the grim bounty, the bags heavy with blood, the air thick with the metallic scent of death.
Lucas stood back, his hands still covered in blood, as he watched the others work. The darkness inside him felt more real now, more solid, as if it had finally found its place. His heart was calm, steady, as he took in the scene around him—everything felt right in a way he couldn't quite explain. He wasn't sure what this all meant, but he knew one thing for certain: this was only the beginning.
As the truck was packed and ready, Kane clapped him on the shoulder again, his grin darker than before. "You did good," he said, voice low and satisfied. "This is just the first step, Lucas. There's more to come."
And Lucas, his bloodied hands still trembling slightly, could only smile. He was hooked.
The night before the event, the group gathered behind the abandoned gym, their plan in motion. This time, Jade, Leo, and Sophia were there, chatting merrily as though what they were about to do was little more than a game. The air was thick with anticipation, heavy with the scent of impending chaos. Kane stood apart from them, his presence commanding as always. He addressed them one last time, his voice low but carrying the weight of authority.
"Remember," he said, his gaze sharp and intense, "this isn't just about causing a scene. It's about sending a message. We're going to show them that their world can be turned upside down in an instant. We're going to make them question everything they think they know."
The words hung in the air like a dark promise. There was no turning back now.
Under the cover of darkness, they moved with practiced ease, slipping through the shadows as if the night itself belonged to them. They bypassed the school's security measures with eerie familiarity, knowing exactly where to go, how to move. Kane led the way, his footsteps measured, barely making a sound as he navigated the path. Every motion was deliberate, as if he had done this countless times before, and Lucas, trailing at the back, took it all in, his senses heightened. The cool night air felt sharp against his skin, his heart beating steadily as he absorbed the details of their surroundings.
When they reached the stadium, Kane paused, his sharp eyes scanning the gate. With a swift, practiced motion, he picked the lock, and the gate creaked open, revealing the pristine field within, bathed in the eerie glow of the moon.
This was it.
Without hesitation, they moved forward. The night began just as they had planned—silent, methodical, and charged with a twisted excitement. The air was electric, humming with tension as the boys donned their plastic coveralls and gloves, their movements synchronized with unnerving precision. Kane handed Lucas his gear, his voice a low murmur in the stillness of the night.
"We're artists tonight," Kane whispered, his words hanging in the air like a secret, "Remember that."
The stadium was unnaturally quiet, the stands looming in the distance, empty and cold. The field stretched out before them, bathed in pale, ghostly moonlight. The boys worked quickly, slipping into their roles with ease. The sound of their footsteps was drowned out by the rustling of plastic against skin, a rhythm that felt almost too perfect.
Leo broke the silence. He couldn't resist, even in this strange, dark moment. His voice was a low whisper, tinged with mischief. "Think they'll call in a crime scene team or just faint on the spot?" His laughter, though soft, was infectious, spreading through the group like a spark. Even in the midst of the tension, it brought a slight easing, a brief crack in the wall of anticipation that had built up around them.
Mark and Rick took the lead, spreading pig blood across the bleachers and grass. The crimson liquid shimmered under the moonlight, pooling in sickening, vivid streaks, transforming the pristine stadium into something grotesque. Kane motioned for Lucas to follow, guiding him to the center of the field with a firm, almost tender hand on his shoulder.
"Spread the organs here," Kane instructed in a low whisper, his voice smooth and deliberate. "Make it look like a ritual. Artistic. Got it?"
Lucas nodded quickly, a nervous but twisted grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, yeah, I got it." His voice was thick with anticipation, as if the blood and gore had already started to seep into his veins.
He moved eagerly, pulling organs from the bag with a gleam in his eyes. As he worked, his mind wandered, a strange excitement bubbling within him. It was like a game, a sick little game he was eager to play.
"Let's see…" he muttered, almost to himself, as he began to place the pig's eyes in a neat little line along the field's edge. "Eyes first. Gotta give them something to look at, right?" He chuckled to himself, the sound of his own humor strange in the night's eerie silence.
His hands trembled slightly as he worked, but it wasn't fear. No, this wasn't fear. This was something else entirely. His fingers felt oddly at home as he picked up the heart, the liver, the intestines, and began to arrange them with a flourish. He made a twisted spiral with the smaller organs, the larger ones forming a stark, horrifying focal point in the middle. His heart was racing, but it felt good. It felt... thrilling.
"I'm thinking… a little chaos in the middle, maybe," he said aloud, his voice light and casual. "A bit of a macabre mosaic, yeah? If we're going to do this, let's make it an art show."
Kane watched him with a sly smile, the kind of smile that said he approved, but that there was a much darker satisfaction hidden beneath it. "Nice. You've got a good eye. Looks good, Lucas."
Lucas laughed softly, not realizing how disturbing it sounded. "Thanks. I think it's coming together pretty well, don't you?" His eyes lit up, caught in the madness of his own creation. He poured a little more blood around the central organ arrangement, watching it pool and splash with a sick thrill. The dark liquid gleamed under the moonlight, taking on an unnatural sheen.
As he tossed a few more organs around—almost carelessly, as though it was all part of the design—he felt something inside him snap into place. "Yeah, this is perfect. We need some chaos, right? Chaos makes the masterpiece, Kane."
Behind him, Jade and Mark were gagging, the sounds of their disgust cutting through the night air. But Lucas didn't flinch, didn't even pause. If anything, it spurred him on. His eyes widened, the excitement turning into something darker, something almost manic. The sound of their vomiting—retching in the background—only seemed to fuel the fire inside him, pushing him to keep going.
"Yeah, just like that," Lucas whispered to himself, his voice taking on a dreamlike quality as he continued to arrange the pieces, the blood, the organs. He didn't see the grotesque, only the thrill of it, the beauty in the chaos.
As the night dragged on, the boys worked tirelessly, transforming the stadium into a scene of utter horror. Blood continued to drip from the bleachers, pooling in dark, twisted patches across the grass, while organs lay scattered in grotesque patterns, a twisted mosaic of carnage. The scent of blood, thick and metallic, hung in the air, mingling with the cool night breeze.
Finally, they stepped back to survey their work. The stadium had become something unrecognizable—a horrific testament to their dark mission. The electric energy from earlier had given way to a chilling silence, the kind that only came after something irreversible had been done. They stood there, bathed in the eerie moonlight, their faces a mixture of dark pride and something far more unsettling.
Kane's eyes were locked onto Lucas, his expression unreadable for a moment, then his lips curled into a sly, almost pleased grin. He clapped Lucas on the shoulder with a firm, approving grip. "We did it. They'll be talking about this for years."
Lucas smiled, almost sweetly, as if this was all part of a twisted game he was enjoying far too much. His eyes gleamed with something darker than mere excitement—something far more dangerous, far more thrilling.
The others stood back, their eyes lingering on Lucas as he continued to bask in the moment, his smile never faltering. Mark and Rick exchanged looks, the thrill of the night still evident in their expressions, but they could barely tear their gazes away from the scene Lucas had helped create. Kane, however, couldn't take his eyes off Lucas, as if the boy was the centerpiece of this grotesque masterpiece.
With the gruesome work complete, they left the stadium quietly, moving through the night with practiced ease.