Zyron's POV
I took aim at the target in front of me and squeezed the trigger.
Bang!
"Mr. Z, your request is ready," a voice called out from behind me.
I turned to see who it was. A woman stood there—long black hair, sharply dressed in a sleek black suit. She was one of the organization's members.
And yes, I'm part of this organization too. Not by choice, mind you, but because of my bloodline. My mother, Maxine Rain Rodriguez Ortega, is the First Elder, and my father, Gino Ortega, holds a high-ranking position. So, my rank is just a notch above the regular members.
"Alright," I replied, setting the gun down on the table. I started making my way toward the punishment room.
Yes, we have a punishment room here at headquarters. It's where we deal with those who break the organization's rules... or where we give lessons to those who really need one.
I approached the elevator, pressed the button, and waited for the doors to slide open. Once inside, I hit the button for the ground floor.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out. My footsteps echoed down the hall until I came to a stop in front of a heavy metal door. The punishment room.
I turned the knob and entered.
A single light illuminated the center of the room, focused on a man sitting in a chair. His arms were bound in chains. A handkerchief covered both his mouth and his eyes.
"You're here, Mr. Z," said someone else inside.
It was Blood—one of the members. That was her codename, not her real name.
"Here's your request," she said, nodding toward the bound man.
I signaled for them to remove the cloth from his mouth so he could speak. One of the members immediately complied.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" the man asked, panic lacing his voice.
Blood smirked.
"You've committed a sin," she said.
"A sin? I haven't done anything wrong to anyone!" he insisted, breathing hard.
Liar.
"Really? You haven't done anything to anyone?" I asked coldly.
"N-no," he stammered.
"Oh, maybe you've just forgotten... now that you've already gotten what you wanted," I replied, voice sharp.
"Wa-wait, who even are you?!" he asked, frantic now.
I motioned for them to remove the blindfold. As the cloth came off and the light fell on my face, his eyes widened in recognition.
"Zy-Zyron?"
"So now you remember the best friend you hurt?"
"Tr-trixy," he said, barely able to say her name.
"Correct. Trixy," I confirmed.
I turned toward one of the members and they handed me a leather whip.
"You used my best friend just to get your ex-girlfriend back. There's only one girl on campus who fits that profile—Scarlett. The so-called queen bee."
I began walking in slow circles around him.
"What kind of man are you if you had to manipulate an innocent girl just to get what you wanted?"
"I-I was desperate... I love Scarlett," he admitted, head hanging low.
I lost it.
Crack!
The whip lashed across his back, and he screamed in pain.
"You used my best friend!" I shouted.
"B-but she agreed to it!" he tried to defend himself.
Trixy agreed?
"Don't you dare lie to me, Valdoza!" I snarled.
"I'm telling the truth!"
Another crack.
"Liar!" I spat. "Even if what you said is true... You still used her! You dragged her into your mess!"
"Yes, I admit it. I used her... I used Trixy. But I only did it because I didn't have a choice."
"No choice?" I echoed. "What if I took away yours?"
His eyes darted toward me, confused and afraid.
"What do you mean?"
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. With a few taps, I opened a folder labeled 'X Files' and held the screen up to his face. Photos—clear ones—of him using drugs. Every detail exposed.
"What if I send these to the university? Or worse... to your father?"
"N-no... don't do that. Please. I'm begging you."
I leaned closer.
"Then listen carefully. I won't spread these pictures, I won't tell your dad—under two conditions."
"W-what are they?"
"First, you will personally apologize to Trixy for all the pain you caused her. And second... You will transfer out of Austen University."
He hesitated. Silence.
"Hmm... So you don't want to cooperate," I said as I turned away. "In that case, don't give him food until he changes his mind."
"Wait!" he cried out. "I'll do it. I'll agree."
I smirked and turned back to face him.
"You're more reasonable than I thought."
I nodded to Blood. "Escort Mr. Valdoza out."
As I walked toward the exit, I shot one last warning glance over my shoulder.
"Make sure you keep your word. If you don't… what you experienced today will be nothing compared to what's coming."