Theo still looked terrible, but Jonas' healing ability had at least been able to fix most of the worst damage. His lips had retained their shape, and the crevice-like cuts had healed enough that it didn't hurt him to speak.

“How are you feeling, Theo?” Jonas stopped laughing, so he could ask such an important question.

“Great,” Theo croaked.

“See?” Johnson wore a sarcastic grin. “You were worried about nothing.”

“I can’t believe you’re awake,” said Simon, who examined the blood-stained Theo like he was an interesting object. “I thought you’d be out for a few more hours at least. Jonas, your powers are incredible."

“Could anyone get me something to drink?” Theo felt like his throat was on fire, “Preferably something that will numb the pain if you have it.”

“Grab a few pitchers from the cafeteria,” Jonas said, and both Pete and Ralph nodded their heads and made their way out. “Sorry, Swamp Ale is the best I can do for now.”

“I’d drink Toilet Ale if that’s all we had,” Theo gingerly touched his face and winced from the pain, “I could use some of those sin thingies that help you heal so fast.”

“Sin Scars,” Jonas chuckled, “Stick with us, and you might just get some for yourself,” he looked at the smooth pale flesh on the back of Theo's hands and wondered what Sin he might have.

"What did Simon mean when he said your powers are incredible?" Theo gave Jonas a curious glance.

"You need to keep it a secret," Jonas crossed his arms. "I used my blood to heal your wounds. I know you don't know anything about Sin, but what I did is considered very rare and could land me in a lot of trouble if Howard Hurts found out."

"You healed me? I don't understand why that's a bad thing. Why would Howard Hurts cause you trouble?"

"My ability to heal is what we call an Original Sin. It's something that only the most talented Sinners can do. Howard knows I'm talented at Sinning but thinks that no matter how much time or resources I have, I'll never be able to pass him. However, if he knew that I had a full-fledged Original Sin, he'd know that I'm not just talented; I'm one of the best in all of Sun City, and it's only a matter of time before I surpass him and escape. You understand?" There was a dawning comprehension on Theo's face.

"Yeah, I think I understand now. But regardless, thank you for healing me. It seems I owe you again."

"You don't owe me anything," Jonas stuck out his hand. "This is how we survive in Hell. We look out for each other."

"I hope one day I'll get some Sin Scars," Theo examined the back of his hands. "Once I discover my Cardinal Sin, that's when they'll start to show up, right?" He recalled the small lessons that everyone had shared with him.

"Exactly. I'm not sure which it would be, though."

“He has to be a monk, right?” Johnson asked. “Simon, what do you think?”

“That's possible,” Simon nodded at Theo. “I don’t know you well enough to say for sure, but Monks are anxious people who suffer from laziness. They are neutral people who prefer simplicity and usually avoid emotional extremes.”

“That kind of sounds like me. So, say I like sex," said Theo. “Does that mean my sin is Lust?”

“Not exactly,” Jonas grinned and shook his head. “Lust isn't just about enjoying sex; it is related. It's about intensely longing for something, the desire for a romantic adventure, lots of short-term goals to work towards, and we call them Hunters because they treat everything like it's a hunt.”

“Doesn’t sound like me then,” Theo frowned. “What do you think?”

“Sloth,” said Jonas. “Monks have decent enough personalities. Well, for the most part, they’re trustworthy and amicable, and they’ll show out for other people when the moment demands it. I just don't see any other Sin with your personality type. Would you say that you're a person who experiences emotional extremes?"

"Not really," said Theo. "I do get anxious, though."

"Me too," said Jonas. "I used to have a lot of panic attacks. I'd probably be a Monk if I weren't so competitive and egotistical."

“If you say I’m a Monk, I’m a Monk," Theo looked hopeful.

“Fair enough,” Jonas chuckled. "I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I do know that a person's Cardinal Sin is influenced by how they experience their emotions, thoughts, and desires."

"You look good," Ahmed had been very quiet up until then. "Down here in Hell, everyone heals quickly. You'll be as good as new in no time."

"Uhm, thank you, Sir," Theo found Ahmed very intimidating and hadn't spoken to him much.

“That jerk, Garth, can hit like a truck,” Theo sighed as he closed his swollen eyes and tried to ignore his pounding headache.

“Tell me about it,” Jonas and Johnson said together, and both laughed as they explained how they also had been beaten and humiliated by Garth. He had abused half the slaves and fighters in the gang at some point.

“Now I feel happy I fought him,” said Theo. “If two badasses like you could survive, what does that make me?”

“You’re much more badass,” Jonas laughed. “For Johnson and I, it was completely non-consensual; we didn’t have a choice. You did, and for that, I fucking owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me anything. I already told you,” Theo smiled softly. “I’m just a paperboy who died in a freak car accident. I might never be special, but I’m glad I chose to do the right thing.”

“Is getting your ass kicked the right thing?” Jonas asked.

“I mean, taking on a responsibility that isn't your problem, not because you had to, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

“Not that again,” Jonas felt his cheeks go red. “Don’t take the things I say so seriously. I might accidentally get you killed.”

“Maybe,” Theo said. “I can think of worse ways to die than taking a friend’s advice.”

“We are friends,” Jonas looked at him. “Regardless of anything, I’m going to make sure you get out of here. You have my word.”

“I believe it,” said Theo. “Thank you.”

“Thanks for what?”

“For not stopping the fight,” Theo said. “Even when I thought I was dying, even when I couldn’t breathe and wanted to go back to the safety of my cage, I kept hoping you'd believe in me because if you didn't, I’m not sure who would.”

“You’re welcome,” Jonas laughed, “Seriously though, I was seconds away from ending it early, and I’m not sure if I'd be too happy with myself had I gone through with it.”

“You’re a bad man,” Jaden interrupted. “I don't think I could do what you did. I value my life way too much.”

Just as they started to laugh, Ralph and Pete had returned from the cafeteria, carrying pitchers of musty, diarrhea-colored ale.

“Theo gets the first cup,” Pete said while he poured a glass and gently pushed it into Theo's outstretched hands. The young paperboy brought it to his mouth and began chugging it back. After he finished, he held his glass out and asked for another.

“Get him another!” Jonas nodded approvingly. “He chugs a beer almost as well as he takes an ass whooping.”

“Hear, hear,” Simon clicked cups with Jonas, and the companions laughed raucously as the entire mood of the room became upbeat and fun. It almost lasted a half hour when the infirmary doors opened, and a disheveled-looking Brow came pelting through the door.

“No fucking slaves in the infirmary!” he barked. “How hard of a rule is that?”

“What are you talking about?” Jonas looked at him indignantly. “Nobody here is fucking Theo?”

“I can confirm that,” said Theo. “Nobody here has fucked me.”

“Oh, great,” Brow rolled his eyes. “Another smart mouth. Get out of here before I have Howard crawling up my ass.”

“Oh, you can have things up your ass, but Theo can’t?” Jonas mock rolled his eyes as he stood up from his chair. “It’s hard being a gay man in Hell, isn’t it, Theo?”

“That's true,” said Theo. “Being gay in Hell is quite hard.”

“Get the fuck out!” Brow lost his temper, and Jonas had to bite his gums to prevent himself from laughing.

“Alright, fuckers,” said Jonas. “Let’s get out of here. Someone needs to help Theo out of bed."

Johnson and Simon helped Theo off the infirmary bed, and each lent him a shoulder as they led the group through the doors.

“Mother fuckers,” Brow hissed as he watched them leave.

“Thanks, babe,” Jonas whispered, and then he winked at Brow, who had to close his eyes and blink away the anger. Only when the group of slaves had left his vision did he calm down and walk back to his room.

Jonas made sure Theo got back into his cage safely, and after waving goodbye to his friends, he found his way to Yuki’s room for the after-party. Much later, Jonas had his head on her naked chest and a smile on his face while Yuki stroked his hair.

“You’re such a baby when you want to be,” she gently pinched his cheek. “My face is up here, you know.”

“I like the sound of your heartbeat,” he yawned. “Almost as much as I like the sound of your voice when you tease me.”

“I’m happy your friend was okay,” Yuki said gently. “I know that must’ve upset you to see him get beat so badly by Garth.”

“I was pissed,” Jonas agreed. “But I think it was best for everyone if I didn’t pick a fight with Garth. I could have fucked up the entire plan.”

“It could have made things difficult, yes,” Yuki nodded her head. “I wouldn’t say the entire plan would be fucked up, though.”

“Part of me thought about killing Garth."

“Oh, Garth is going to die,” Yuki smiled at him. “I promise that even if you don’t kill him, I won’t forgive him for what he did to you.”

“You didn’t even know me at the time. Why would you kill for that?”

“Because I know you now,” she lowered her face and kissed his head, and Jonas couldn’t help but go red. If his boys could see him now, he would never hear the end of it.

“Thank you. Even if Garth doesn’t die, it still makes me happy to know that you would do that for me.”

“Of course,” she said. “I would have probably killed Garth just for being such a psychopath. God knows how many prostitutes he’s killed now. The Hurts gang has to practically kidnap them because they won’t take their business anymore.”

“I think the world is better off without guys like Garth,” Jonas said quietly. “Though, that’s a bit naïve considering this is Hell.”

“No, I agree,” Yuki said. “Ever since I got here, I couldn’t help but think how unfair it is that guys like Garth can game the system because the Demons don’t care what you do when you're on the first floor, only what you did to get there.”

“Very true," Jonas mumbled in thought. "Yuki, answer me one thing?”

“Of course,” she said. “Name it?”

“I forgot which room belongs to Xiao Lin?” This unexpected question made Yuki laugh.

“Why? Was sleeping with me not good enough?”

“I wanna talk to him, you know. Feel him out a bit.”

“His room is up the stairs and down the hall. Make a left, and it’s the first door on the right side. Once you smell the incense, you’ll know you're near the right room.”

“Thanks, babe,” Jonas leaped off the bed as he began to get dressed.

“You’re leaving now?” She looked disappointed.

“I’ll be right back. This room has way too many temptations for me to leave for long,” Jonas eyed a platter of tarts before kissing Yuki on the lips and closing the door behind him.