Sinful Obsession

35. 35 – Kaua

35 – Kaua

T he cafeteria erupts in chaos around me, and it’s glorious. The air is thick with tension, shouts blending into an animalistic chorus as patients shove, scream, and lash out at each other. The tables are overturned, trays clattering to the floor, food smeared across every surface like a battlefield smeared in blood.

I stand still for a moment, letting it wash over me, drinking in the destruction like the purest drug. The energy is intoxicating and it feels like home. The first punch lands somewhere to my right, and I turn my head just in time to see a scrawny kid come barreling toward me, fists flying. His movements are uncoordinated, desperate, but his intent is clear.

I grin. “Oh, you want to play?”

The kid’s fist connects with my shoulder, but it feels like nothing more than a tap. Before he can land another hit, I grab him by the collar and slam him into the nearest table with enough force to send trays skittering across the floor. The sound is beautiful and I let out a roar that echoes through the chaos.

Others are watching now, their faces flickering with a mix of fear and exhilaration. Some of them back away, but others are drawn in, their own aggression stoked by the fire I’ve unleashed. Their anger feeds my own, building into something monstrous.

Someone else lunges at me—a bigger guy this time, his face twisted in fury. I sidestep his swing and drive my elbow into his ribs, the satisfying crunch of bone beneath my weight ringing in my ears. He stumbles, gasping for breath before I shove him aside, my eyes scanning the room for the next target.

It’s not enough. The energy inside me is growing, clawing at my insides, demanding more. I need to keep moving, to keep fighting, to let it all out before it consumes me.

An orderly steps into my path, his face a mask of authority and anger. He holds up his hands, trying to calm the chaos with words that are drowned out by the noise. I don’t wait for him to finish. With a feral growl, I charge at him, my shoulder slamming into his chest like a battering ram. He goes down hard, his head hitting the floor with a sickening thud.

The sight of blood sends a fresh wave of energy through me. My vision sharpens, the world narrowing to a red haze as I lose myself in the violence. My fists connect with flesh, my shoes crunch against ribs, and every impact feels like a release, like I’m feeding the beast inside me.

This is War.

I don’t know how long it lasts. Time becomes meaningless, the chaos around me blending into a single, animalistic blur. But then, suddenly, there’s a hand on my shoulder, and I whip around, ready to strike again.

It’s Nevan.

He doesn’t flinch at the sight of me as his hands come up, cupping my face, and before I can process what’s happening, his lips are on mine. The kiss is sudden, hitting me like a bucket of ice water.

For a moment, the world stops spinning. The haze lifts and the fire inside me dims just enough for me to breathe again. When Nevan pulls back, his eyes search mine, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Welcome back, War.”

I blink, my breath coming in short pants as I take in the scene around me. The cafeteria is a mess of overturned tables, shattered plates, and writhing bodies. Blood stains the floor and my hands are slick with it, the copper scent filling my nose.

“Fuck…” I trail off, my voice rough.

Nevan interrupts my train of thought, his smirk widening. “It was spectacular.”

Vito appears beside us, his arms crossed and his expression somewhere between amused and exasperated. “You always take it too far,” he says, shaking his head. “But damn if it’s not effective.”

I should feel something—guilt, maybe, or regret—but there’s nothing. Only a strange, hollow satisfaction. “Did Ewan get her?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

Nevan nods. “He’s on his way. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

They lead me out of the cafeteria, the chaos still raging behind us. The other patients barely notice us leave, too caught up in their own frenzy to care. Back in the room, Nevan pushes me toward the sink, his hands already reaching for a towel. “You’re a mess,” he mumbles, though there’s no real judgment in his tone.

Vito leans against the wall, watching with an amused glint in his eyes. “When the world ends, you won’t need anyone to bring you back to reality. You’ll incite war until the entire planet tears itself apart.”

I snort, running a hand through my hair as Nevan dabs at the blood on my knuckles on my other. “Not the worst way to go out.”

Nevan shakes his head, but there’s a faint smile on his lips. “Just try not to kill everyone before we get there, yeah? Gotta leave some fun for the rest of us.”

The three of us share a rare moment of laughter, the tension easing slightly. But in the back of my mind, the chaos still lingers, a reminder of what I am—and what we’re heading toward. Vienna, Lilith, whatever name she goes by now… she’s the reason for all of this. She’s the center of our destruction, and somehow, she’s become the one thing we all want to protect.

I just hope Ewan makes it to her in time.