Wayne Showed back up in time for the second meal of the day.

"Wayne, do you think I have a chance at beating Angel?"

"Define 'a chance.'"

"..."

"I mean, you've done stuff I didn't think you could before."

"So that's a no."

"I just don't see how you could beat someone like that by yourself. It's not just you Angel has an advantage over, it's most people here. Even the ones who can get airborne don't have anything close to his flight capabilities."

So it's not just Red, but everyone. No one thinks I have a chance. If I ask Jason I'll probably get met with the same response. That only leaves me with one option.

"Wayne, remember back when you explained the matches to me."

"Yeah?"

"You said weapons could be used, what kind of weapons are there?"

"I don't know."

"What? None of them? Why?"

"No one uses them. Everyone here has an ability and is on the younger side so they haven't seen the need for learning one, or, haven't had the chance to. In my experience most people with abilities don't rely on anything else, everyone even looks down on them. If you put the idea that they make you weak along with the other reason's it wouldn't be hard to guess no one has ever used one in a match. All I can tell you about them is there are no guns, people have actually asked for those of course. Why?"

"It might give me a chance at beating Angel."

"Oh, do you know a weapon?"

"Well, not exactly. I would have to learn one."

"Ha-ha, I'm not surprised you would say something like that. I am surprised you remember what I said, but you're forgetting one thing though, both parties have to agree to use one."

"I didn't forget, I just don't think that will be an issue. If his ego is as big as Red says then he won't back down just because I want to use a weapon."

"Yeah, you're right about that. Still, he's not your opponent yet, you have to work your way up to him. So, have you decided yet?"

"I decided to leave the decision up to him."

"But he already said he was fine with it."

"I need to make sure, don't want him getting butthurt and messing up my business with Veronica."

Standing up I look over to Jason whose back was facing me. He sat across from Veronica, both silent, however, that doesn't mean they weren't talking. They occupied the end of one of the larger rectangular tables. Coming up behind him Veronica gave me a look of expectance. I stopped at the end of the table, standing in between both of them but looking at Jason.

He was the first to speak, "Is it that time?"

"Are you really going to be okay with us having a match, even after I beat you?"

Jason gave a smile, something I didn't see him do often, "Your thoughts are so obvious. Whatever you and Veronica have worked out won't be affected by me, it's her business."

"Ok, fine then. I'm ready when you are!"

"Are you sure, don't want to recuperate after what happened earlier today?"

"I know my thoughts aren't that obvious. What happened to staying out of my mind?"

"I do, and I would have continued to if not for Carnie. She piqued my interest so I investigated a little."

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She must have come over to Jason and Veronica to brag about her knowing something they don't. Dumbass. Bragging to a literal mind reader, I'm sure if she knew he could read minds even she would feel stupid. Why is she going around bragging about it anyways? Wasn't she supposed to keep it a secret! Bragging to people about having a secret, she really is a little girl.

"Well, looks like you don't know everything. I didn't do anything in the training room that would warrant needing time to rest."

This time Veronica spoke, her voice coming over my shoulder, "He never said anything about the training room."

Looking back I could see her big smile.

I looked back and forth between both of them while the realization of what they were talking about hit me. I was trying to think of any other possibility that it might be but in the end, there was only one.

"Dammit, Carnie!"

"Ha, see, I told you J! I knew it!"

Jason made a gesture to signal her victory.

"I'm confused."

"Well, we didn't know for sure since all we had was Carnie's jumbled, random-ass thoughts to go on. It's almost like she has her own grammar in her head, but you confirmed it."

"But I thought you?" I thought Jason read my thoughts, isn't that what he just said?

Jason responded, "I never said I got anything useful out of them."

"Good for you, and Red, although I am curious how she didn't snap you in half?"

I quickly looked back to Jason, "Don't you fucking-"

He cut me off, "Relax, I'm not in your head, that's your business. I don't want to know anything about that."

"Oh come on J, for me." We both looked at Veronica. "I was only joking!"

I then stood there, not knowing what to say, I didn't want to make it worst than it was.

"Tomorrow." I turned back to Jason as he continued, "We'll have our match tomorrow."

I nodded and started to walk off. "Don't go busting out any more energy now!" I didn't even look back, I'll let Veronica have the satisfaction of getting the last word in. Tomorrow I'll have the satisfaction of finally beating Jason...If Red doesn't kill me first.

I made my way back to Wayne, unable to suppress the feeling of defeat.

"Was it that bad man? I really thought he would be fine with it."

"No, he agreed, our match is tomorrow."

"Oh, that's great, right? Why do you look like that?"

"No reason, I'm going to head back to my cell."

"Already?"

"I won't stay in there long, trust me I'll spend as much time as I can outside of it, but I need to talk to The Bitch In A Box."

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"Bitch, I have a question."

"Do you really believe it is in your best interest to keep addressing me in such a manner?"

Fuck. I didn't even think about that. Dammit, and I've been doing it this whole time without even realizing it! If I'm going to prove Red wrong I need to go all-in, "Oh... Sorry."

"I will admit I didn't expect that, now, what was it you wanted to discuss?"

"The weapons, I want to know what weapons we can use in a match."

"Interesting, however, your question is phrased wrong. It isn't what weapons we allow, it's what weapons we don't allow."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'll allow just about any weapon you can imagine or create, as long as it is not a firearm. If you become an agent you will be trained with those, oh and just to be clear, whatever weapon you ask for we will make a non-lethal version to be used during the matches."

"Anything huh, what about--"

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