Free Four (Their Dead Lives,1) by Zack Scott Page A

Manly. Maybe his shredded clothes and cuts were what did it for her. Either way, she felt a pulsating attraction to him, which she knew was a stupid feeling to have, given something very serious was likely going on.  
    “How’s it going over there?” Jeff asked her.
    “Boys being boys.”
    “I’m hoping they don’t fight.”
    Before Sadie could say anything, Howard jumped into the conversation. “So, um, Jeff,” he started, his bony body shifting nervously in his seat. “What exactly happened to you?”  
    Jeff kept his eyes on Scot and Kale. “Not sure I follow.”
    “Not sure if you follow? You come in here all torn up, rambling about the Vaults. What happened?”  
    The Vaults? Sadie had almost forgotten about them, maybe because she didn’t know anyone who’d won a spot in the sanctuary, maybe because the news just stopped reporting about them. Out of sight, out of mind.
    Jeff refused to make eye contact with Howard. “It’s all a misunderstanding.” He stood and walked over to Alec and the others before Howard could speak to him again. Thanks for scaring him off.
    “How was that a misunderstanding?” Howard asked Angela.  
    Angela shrugged. “Any idea what your boyfriend is saying to my boyfriend over there?”  
    Howard chuckled in embarrassment. “Kale isn’t my boyfriend.”  
    “Oh. Oops.”
    She’s not bright. No wonder she’s with Scot. Sadie smiled politely at them before joining Nicole, hoping Jeff didn’t think she was following him. He seemed to have bigger things on his mind anyway. What happened to him?
    They all gathered around the lounge in the corner of the bar. Nicole next to Alec, Kelsey on the edge, with Jeff standing over her.  
    “So tell me, Jeff, why do you have the nickname Homer?” Nicole beseeched him.  
    Alec smiled, his head swayed. Wasted. “She has been hounding me all night.”
    “Your nickname is Homer?” Sadie asked him.
    “Yeah, well it was in high school.”
    “I remember now.”  
    “Oh, we still call you Homer, Homer .” Alec waved a hand as his chin dropped groggily to his chest.  
    “So spill it, Jeff,” said Sadie. “Or rather, Homer.”
    Jeff huffed and put out his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, all right, it’s because—”
    “You son of a bitch!” The shout rang across the room and everyone turned to the bar. Kale launched over the counter, smashing into Scot, sending them both to the floor. With Scot pinned underneath him, Kale arched his clenched fist back. Scot stared at him in shocked anticipation. Kale swung.Scot’s face blasted to one side. There was a sickening crunch.
    Get him.  
    Scot cursed, flailing and kicking. He launched Kale off, but Kale landed upright. Standing on his feet, Kale heaved, leaning forward like a bull ready to charge.  
    Scot gave one of his famous smirks. Always hated those.  
    “I’m gonna punch that stupid smirk off your face!” Kale rushed forward, head low, slamming his shoulder into Scot’s stomach. They both flew back. Scot smashed against a wall and must have felt a sharp burst of pain because when he raised his face, his mouth was wide in agony. Lovely, lovely.  
    Kale pinned Scot to the wall using one hand. He cocked his other fist back, letting it linger just a few inches from his target’s face.  
    Blood dripped from Scot’s nose. “Come on, you piece of shit.” His voice was breathy, lacking air. “Hit me again.”  
    Kale hesitated.  
    “Hit me!”  
    Kale pulled Scot, yanking on his white t-shirt. “How could you sleep with Brit? How could you do that to me?”  
    Scot, even with blood oozing down his face, smirked. “How? By carefully sticking my penis right in her—”  
    Screaming inarticulately in fury, Kale shoved Scot harder into the wall. He slammed his fist down—again, once more, a fourth time.  
    Blood flew from Scot’s lips. He was drunk, beaten, and helpless; Sadie almost felt bad for him. Almost.  
    Scot rolled his face back to eye