Page 18 of Survival Game

A frisson of fear crept down his spine, and for a moment he was frozen on the spot. He cleared his throat, hand on the doorknob, ready to smash it closed should this guy be a threat of any kind.

“Can I help you?” Kyle enquired, trying to keep his voice even.

The stairs to the office were marked as “Private/No entry” but there was nothing stopping anyone coming up to see him. It happened all the time.

“I dunno, mate. Can you? Where is she?” the man slurred, taking a step forward. Kyle instinctively stepped back.

“Where is who?”

Man Mountain stepped forward. “My girlfriend, you tosser. She went out to use the bathroom and I haven’t seen ’er since. Someone said she came up here.”

“She’s not here, mate. I haven’t seen any ladies up here.” He held up a hand, and pointed behind him. “Why don’t we go downstairs, see if we can find her? Perhaps she’s got lost or stepped out for a smoke.”

“Nancy doesn’t smoke, you twat.” The man’s eyes were red, his mouth a snarl, and Kyle tried to stave off the panic rising in his chest.

“Then perhaps she’s in the bathroom.” He swallowed as the man took another step toward him. There wasn’t much saliva in his dry mouth.

Please God, don’t let me find her lost in Deep Purple. I don’t think Ryan could afford the trauma payments when she sues the club.

“I knew this was a mistake coming here. Gay clubs aren’t for ladies like my Nance,” the man spat. “Guys can tell a bird they’re gay but be straight and get them to do all sorts, like show their tits off. I’ve seen it.” He glared balefully at Kyle. “Have you seen ’em then? Nance’s tits?”

“Sir, I can assure you no one has been up here and I most certainly haven’t seen anyone’s tits.” He was finding it hard to breathe as the man pressed closer. The familiar tingle of fear spread from his insides to his extremities. “And I can assure you I have no desire to do so. I’m a real gay, not a pseudo one. Now can we go downstairs to try and find her?”

The man raised his fist menacingly and pushed Kyle back with his other meaty hand. “Not before I check this room, make sure she’s not ’ere. Move over.”

Kyle stood to one side as Man Mountain brushed roughly past him. He took a few deep breaths and willed his heart to slow down.

This isn’t Mario. This is nothing like Mario. One, two, three….

He hoped someone had seen the man come upstairs and had followed to investigate. He wasn’t the right size to fight a guy like this, and it wasn’t as if he had any ninja skills or anything.

“Nancy, darlin’, are you here? Come out, sweetie. I won’t be angry, I promise,” Man Mountain cooed as he searched the office. It didn’t take long. The office wasn’t big and apart from the small en-suite bathroom, there were no doors other than the one leading to the stairs.

Man Mountain’s face grew darker as his search turned up nothing. He pivoted swiftly and punched the wall next to Kyle. His head swam as he ducked down, instinctively raising his arms in front of his face. His gut churned and he wanted to vomit. Plaster exploded in fragments, covering him with fine dust and shards.

Not the dark touch, please. Not again.

Kyle’s vision swam and for one sickening moment Mario’s voice echoed in his head.

You asked for it, you slut. It’s your fault I’m like this. You’ve infected me with your body and those cow eyes. Bend over and get ready for a beating. God lets me punish sinners like you.

“I wasn’t going to hit you, mate. No need to look so scared.” Man Mountain’s voice toned softened. When Kyle looked up he could see the guy was puzzled, as if he couldn’t believe his behaviour could cause such a reaction.

Kyle wasn’t taking chances. He scrabbled up, moving toward the door, and in his haste, his backside hit the desk, the corner sinking deep into the back of his buttock. The pain radiated down his leg and he gasped. “Shit, that hurts.”

The guy’s expression turned to concern and he shuffled towards him. “You okay, mate?”

Kyle managed to speak. Just. His buttock throbbed and he was coated with fear. “Yes. Go. Away. Your girlfriend isn’t here. You can see that.” He motioned desperately around him, hating that he felt so helpless. Useless. “Go downstairs and look for her. I’m sure if you look hard enough you’ll find her.”

Maybe she ran away from your sorry, bullying arse. I wouldn’t blame her. That’s what I did.

The guy looked confused for a second then his face cleared. “Yeah, she isn’t here, is she? Whoever said she’d come up here must have been mistaken.”

Give the gorilla a banana, Kyle thought viciously. Hell, give him a fucking bunch.

“No, she isn’t. Now piss off.”

The guy ambled to the door, looking shamefaced. “Sorry, mate,” he said apologetically. “I wasn’t goin’ to hurt ya. Sometimes my temper gets the better of me.”