From Bullets To Billions

Chapter 25 - 25: What's My Name?

Max sat firmly on top of Joe. They were about the same size, but with the damage Max had already dealt, Joe was struggling. No matter how much he squirmed, Max shifted his weight just right, keeping him pinned with brutal efficiency.

"Answer the question!" Max snapped, placing his hand over Joe's index finger.

"What do you mean?! Why are we targeting you?!" Joe shouted in desperation. "It's because it's you! You're weak—you never fight back! You're an easy target! As for why it started... I don't know! I just followed Ko's lead, that's all!"

'Just as I thought,' Max mused. 'A follower. A sheep. Not even on Max's list. Probably bullied him just like the others… but never had the guts to think for himself.'

"Alright, then answer this," Max said, leaning in closer. "What's my name?"

"Your name?" Joe's voice cracked. His entire body tensed, confused. It seemed like such a simple question. "It's… Max Smith. You're Max Smith."

Max's grip around Joe's finger tightened—and without a second's hesitation, he yanked.

CRACK.

A sickening crunch filled the air. Joe let out a piercing scream.

"ARGHH!" Joe screamed, his voice echoing off the storage room walls. He wasn't even sure what hurt more—the sharp pain or the shock of it all. Feeling the unnatural bend in his finger, there was no doubt. It was broken.

Before he could recover, he felt Max's grip shift, his other hand now holding onto a different finger.

"Why… why?!" Joe sobbed. "I told you the truth! Your name is Max Smith! Max Smith!"

"I know," Max said calmly. "But here's the thing—I needed you to understand that my threats aren't empty. That I'm serious."

His tone was cold, measured, far too composed for someone in the middle of torturing a classmate.

"Now you'll think twice about lying. Because every time you do, you'll remember this pain. And wonder if I'll take another finger."

Joe was trembling. His mind raced with a single thought: This guy is nuts. Completely unhinged. Did all the bullying finally push him over the edge? Has he been secretly training, waiting for the right moment to explode?

Max leaned in, eyes narrowed. "Since you're so good at following orders, then answer this—why is Ko targeting me? Did he ever tell you? Ever hint at a reason?"

Joe gulped, his voice barely a whisper.

"I… I…" Joe stammered, fear overtaking every inch of his body. He couldn't say he didn't know—he wouldn't. Not after what had just happened. If he gave another empty answer, another finger might go.

So he

Joe was tense, he could feel his heart thumping so hard it was like it wanted to leap out of his throat.

"Oh, that… yeah, a teacher showed up in the middle of it," Joe lied smoothly. "We had to cut things short. They sent us back to class, so… I didn't get to do much."

Remembering the earlier interruption, he figured it was a believable enough excuse to sell.

"I knew it," Ko muttered, clenching his fist. "Damn teacher got in the way, huh?"

His eyes drifted across the room, locking onto Sam, who sat stiffly in the corner, clearly trying to make himself invisible.

"Then that means…" Ko growled. "That damn pig opened his mouth and told someone."

His eyes narrowed with venom. "He's going to pay for that."