Red sat to my left and Wayne to my right. Across from me were the other three, Carnie, Veronica, and Jason. At first, Carnie had been next to Red but she promptly jumped across the table when the other two sat down. She still kept her distance from Jason but Veronica was another story. However, Veronica didn't seem to mind too much, she had the air of an older sibling ignoring their younger.

"Say V, what do you think would happen if I had some of your healing solutions? Do you think I would be able to heal from anything? Maybe even come back from the dead?" Jason shot Carnie a stern eye at her proposal, "Calm down big guy, I'm just curious, it's not like I actually want it. Although I don't mind the idea of V spitting in my mouth, OH, actually... is it just your spit, or does it work with all your fluids?" Carnie had leaned in close to Veronica, practically whispering it in her ear.

"I'll leave that to your little imagination. Now, do you mind backing up a bit, I would rather not have to look at your... smaller features."

Carnie sat back with her eyes wide, she seemed to be completely shocked at what Veronica had said. I can't believe that's all it took to shut her up, just one boob joke. If only I had known before... no I better not try this strategy. There's a real chance I could end up dead after it.

Veronica reached her hand out and patted the still stunned Carnie on the head, "Don't worry, you'll get'em one day."

Carnie came to her senses and smacked Veronica's hand away before looking at Jason, "You've done a pretty good job building him up."

Wait, is she changing the subject?

"I didn't do much, I only gave him a few pointers. He just needed a foundation to start on."

"I see, were you able to get that instinct out of him?"

"No. No matter what you do he will always go for a lethal blow as soon as things don't go his way."

Why the fuck are they talking about me like I'm not here?

"Well it will come in handy in other situations I guess. Tom, you must know you'll never make it up the ranks in here, right?"

What the fuck is she talking about? I was able to go up against her, Red, and I can go toe to toe with Jason now. I've improved a lot and so why the hell wouldn't I be able to move up the ranks? Unless the people at this table right now are the weakest in here I think I'll be able to handle my own.

"Wow, that face is a dead giveaway. I hate to break it to you sweet cheeks, but you're not going to be able to move up much no matter who you face."

"What the hell makes you say that?"

"That killer instinct in you, it's going to ruin you every time. I saw your fight with Red, even when you first got here and without knowing much about her you went for lethal and permanent damage blows. If these were deathmatches you might do good, but they're not. You'll do nothing but get yourself disqualified."

"Your wrong, I can hold back. The only reason I didn't with you is because I knew you would be able to heal. Come on Jason, we've fought countless times now. You know I can avoid lethal blows."

"Just because you haven't landed any lethal hits on me doesn't mean you didn't throw any. It gets worse the more exhausted you get but even in the beginning, you're far too eager to kill. If you really haven't noticed, it only means it's so ingrained in you that it's subconscious."

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

How the fuck are they going to tell me, about me! I know what I'm doing and I can control myself. They must have a skewed view of me since I've gone all out with both of them.

"Don't get your balls in a twist over it, it's perfect for what I want."

"And what exactly is that Carnie?"

"Like I'd tell a secret to you, Jason."

Little did she know, with his ability he probably already knows about her planned escape attempt. I'm focusing on the wrong thing here, do they really think I have so little control over myself that I wouldn't be able to stop before killing someone? I can't rule it out after what I have done but I think there might be something else to this. She might be trying to make me think my only option is her plan. If that's so then why would Jason go along with it? Why else would he want to help her, he probably wants to break out of this fucking prison. No matter what they say I'll pursue both paths so I have the best chance of getting what I want.

"I'm still going to fight."

Carnie looked at me with a short sigh, "Fine, whatever man. As long as you don't go getting weaker on me I'll allow it."

The fuck does she mean she'll 'allow it', bitch, no one controls me.

"So who's your first pick then? Don't give me that look J, I can be curious, the matches are one of the few sources of entertainment after all."

"That's a good question V, so Tommy-boy, whos the next contender?"

Well, that went the other way fast. I have no fucking idea who I should fight, all I have thought about is training and killing. I might know someone who has an idea though...

"Why are you looking at me?"

"Wayne here is my matchmaker so he's the one you want to ask!" I wrap my arm around him, nudging him to come up with something.

"Well, I, um, we'll start with the fifth-ranked to see how Tom fairs."

"Oh, I see, your gonna have tight-ass go for the top five straight away! This is going to be fun!"

"Are you trying the say I'm next?"

"What, no, I didn't mean it like that Jason I swear!"

Jason's question was actually something I had been thinking about during training, "I haven't decided yet." I can't say I'm not curious about who would win in a fight now. All our recent fights have been without using abilities, and he's clearly got me beat there. However, with our abilities, it's an entirely different story. My ability seems to cancel his out if I ramp my perception up enough, he just isn't capable of keeping up with my thoughts. So that's where the question lies, is my ability enough to overcome his physical advantage? I've beaten people bigger than me before, but never someone bigger and more skilled than me. I would like to think It's me who would come out on top, but I can't say for sure.

Jason gave a casual response while Wayne was starting to freak out more and more, "I see. Let me know when you do."

We had all finished eating so everyone stood up to get ready to throw away our trays. That was when Carnie took the opportunity to speak.

"I guess you and Red better get to training then."

"I agree. We won't be training anymore."

"What, why Jason?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Though I had asked Jason, Veronica was the one to respond, "If you plan on fighting him in the future he doesn't want you to learn all his tricks." She then sat her tray on his and coiled around his right arm as they walked away.

"Alright love birds, I'ma go take a nap. Don't forget to use protection!"

It was now just Wayne, Red, and me.

"Oh, um, I don't really feel like training so I'll go... bye!"

Ok, it was now just Red and me.

We had sat next to each other the whole time but she hadn't said a word to me, she always gave off the 'strong but silent' vibe.

"So Red, I've got my hour of free time back, do you want to head to the training room?"

"Sure, I did say I would help you train."

"Huh, no but then I asked you to leave Wayne alone instead?"

"Yes, well..." Red then turned and proceeded to walk away. I assumed she was heading to the training room so I followed after her.