Devil’s Reach had no form of barrier or a wall, as I proned my way into its perimeter. The perimeter was nothing but a shredded fence, one I stalked my way through quite easily.

The area I found myself in seemed to be an old car park with rusted, shredded cars that were melded into the ground through decay.

On my left, was a crumbled building, with the half exterior on the ground, showing the interior which was made up of metal beams that tilted aside. To my right, was a broken road or pathway. I couldn’t decipher what it was, but it curved around the parking area like a snake.

I scampered up to one of the cars, eyeing my surroundings, hoping no guards were around and were satisfied that no one was within my immediate proximity. Then, I manoeuvred from car to car, until I reached a half-trudged building.

The interior design of the building was similar to those that could be found within Bridge City. A reception area, with melded chairs and a desk, split right down the middle. I passed it, walking into a corridor littered with flaking wood on the ground, with pieces of concrete flaking each step.

A foul scent trickled into my nose, making me squint. The further I went down the corridor, the stronger it was. I passed a room on my right, my head turned to the right and I saw the feces piling up within the room, which turned my stomach.

Is this where they dump their shit? I mused looking at the large pile, feeling the urge to leave. The pile of shit was at least a few feet tall, and fresh, which meant one thing.

Rikor has a lot of men…infiltrating this place might be as easy as I would’ve hoped…fuck, I thought bitterly.

As much as I wanted to dwell on a new plan, I pushed the thoughts of having to deal with hundreds of men.

I made a right around the corner, leaving the shit pile and foul stench finally dissipated. Thank god I said to myself. Maybe I should stick to outside. Not because of the smell of course, but because this is part of their path, and I don’t need anyone to see me.

A broken window, next to a shattered staircase was to my left. I climbed through the window, making sure to remove it first, then landed on some rubble.

I looked to my left and right, then hopped out of another window inside the room and headed for the outskirts of the stadium.

Devil’s Reach was far too quiet for my liking and despite that, each thump my heartbeat made me feel uneasy. Each step I took through it sent tingles up my spine, which made me feel as though it’s been too long since I last did something like this.

I brandished my pistol and kept to the shadows, hoping that would ease my concern, but it did little to nothing.

“I’m telling you Rikor’s up to something Jez!” Someone said from above me. I pushed myself up against the wall, ensuring, but hoping I wasn’t seen or heard. “Don’t say that Frad! He’s taken care of us well…hasn’t he?” Jez said.

“I’m not talking about Jez…I’m talking about the people that keep disappearing!”

“…stop bringing that up, do you want his people to hear you?”

“…for me to disappear as well?”

“Stop saying that! I told you, no one’s disappearing…they’re leaving. Look at…Hulok, Staphn and Yeok all spoke about leaving!”

“…but they left their personal items Frad!”

“You don’t need personal items in the Waste.”

“Really…you think Staphn would’ve left that watch he always thumbed?”

“…Staphn didn’t want to protest either.”

“…and look where the fuck that got us! In the fucking WASTE!”

“Keep your voice down Jez we’re supposed to be taking a shit, not screaming at each other!”

“I don’t give a fuck Frad…I’ve been here for months. MONTHS Frad! I WANT TO GO HOME!”

Holy shit…the rioters are here? I thought this ain’t making sense! What in the IMBIBE IS GOING ON!?

A loud thud echoed above me, startling me but I didn’t budge. I couldn’t afford to, I needed to know more. The man’s whimpering cries went on for a minute, then someone finally spoke up again. “I know it’s hard Jez,” Frad said. “But we’ve made it this far…Elhisia came back earlier. We’re literally there! Once the negotiation ends. We’ll be back home before you know it. Trust the process. We all have!”

“I miss them Frad.” Jez cried.

“I miss my family too brother, but if we don’t stare the course…nothing’ll change. Colvolt will rip credits from us and then everyone else will follow suit. Without sacrifice, you can’t attain anything!”

“I don’t want to hear that FRAD! For fucksakes our friends are dead!” Jez snapped, clearly flustered

“…and so are you.” A strange voice said.

“Wait!”

The sound of two leaves crushing groaned out, then two loud thuds, as if two bodies dropped to the ground. A sharp scraping sound followed, then a huge whiff of wind as if someone was relieved.

The scent of nicotine floundered down making me wrinkle my nose. Someone’s taking a smoke break, I thought. A few more puffs floundered and I kept myself from inhaling, cause frankly coughing right now would be stupid.

The smoker didn’t move. Hell, I heard a thud as if he gun hit the wall as if he’d propped himself up against the wall then stood there for fifteen minutes by my count, which meant he went through two cigarettes. “Rikor, I don’t what the hell you’re doing,” The man finally said, “but I hope the fucking creds bleed from the sky. This job has been complete shit! UGH.”

The bastard went through the city, dragging the bodies behind him. Every once in a while he’d take them through a few buildings as if covering his tracks. I know I should’ve been on a mission, but I needed to know what the hell was going on and other than him, who would’ve answered my questions?

I peaked around a corner, noting that the bastard was walking to an open area. So I made my left, entering another building. I stalked my way up the stairs, which happened to be on my right, and quickly hunted for a window.

The window was located on the eastern side of the building. The wind howled at this height and I peeked through the window, hoping not to lose the rat bastard.

Holy shit I thought, realising the open area was not as simple as I would’ve expected, but a giant crater about sixty meters wide nestled on the far right side of the stadium.

I zoomed in to take a closer look at the crater. From where I stood, it seemed like cars were melded together at the bottom of the crater, but if this bastard was walking these bodies to a pit it could only mean one thing.

Holy shit, I thought in horror Those aren’t melded cars down there…those are fucking bodies and they’re all burnt to a crisp!

A huge gust of wind washed over the entire pit and rummaged right into my direction. It didn’t hit me at first, but a feint alcoholic scent burrowed into my nose, which left a tangy taste on my tongue, leaving my taste buds to work overtime to dissipate it. “Perhumo,” I said softly. “These bastards used it to hide the scent of the smoke.

The bastard who just shot two industrial workers then shouldered Jez and Frad, one by one and tossed them into the crater. Each body made a loud thud, then crumpled together as their mangled bodies descended into the abyss.

Rikor’s man pulled another cigarette from his left breast pocket. He was about to light the cig but tapped the back of his ear. “Rikor, it's Derd, problems dealt with...Yes. Yes. I dumped them in the usual spot.”