I was forced up to my cuffed feet and led into the empty dining room where I saw Sellers, Valenzia, Dr. St. Pierre, and the Guerro twins all bound in metal chairs. "Holy shit, Harding, are you okay?" Victor asked me as I took a seat right in the middle of the circle.

"Language," the male dean admonished. "But for real, are you okay, Wendell?"

"Peachy," I said flatly. "I saw Corey and-"

"We know," Sellers said bitterly. "I thought that bastard bit the dust after the heartbreak of being ousted by his family and arrested. Add the loss of that hoe Alicia and I was hoping that he'd turn tail and face down his fate."

"Well, he's clearly alive and we're going to be set up by their hands of death," Valenzia commented, her eyes full of fear. "This is some messed-up plot from a bad B-Movie."

"Girl, looks like we all got the chop," I couldn't help but comment. "Here we all are, looking like we're dressed to impress and work the runway- silk, satin, highest hair, highest heels, rhinestones, opulent jewels- the works, and yet we get kidnapped by two goons who are looking like they escaped Bedlam and tried to pass off as male models."

We all laughed despite the current situation. I mean, when you're being faced with the threat of death and destruction by an unruly teen and a vindictive ex-crush while you're looking like you're getting ready to be crowned the next Drag Superstar by RuPaul herself, it's best to make the most of it while you can.

We all heard footsteps, Corey and Braeden coming in with guns in their hands as their band of hired goons come in from behind them with knives at the ready. "How much do I love this moment, let me count the ways," Braeden purred, his smirk on full display. "I have weapons while you all don't. We have guards to keep you in place and kill you if you try to escape your fate. And I'm still the fly one out of all of you."

"Damn right," Corey said, kissing the teenager on the lips. "And Wendell, how does it feel to be losing out on me all over again?"

"Oh, please," I said, rolling my eyes. "As I said earlier, Logan's more of a man than you will ever be. If anything, you're the one who's stuck with a booby-prize and a psychotic one at that. Satillo's really a negative-ten while I'll a five-star brother who can give it to you in every way that I please. So to be real, I'm glad that I dodged a bullet with you. Good looking out."

"Excuse me?!" Braeden scoffed, his fury rising.

"You heard him," Sellers spat.

BANG!

Braeden fired a shot in the ceiling. "That's strike one and strike two," he said angrily. "One more sassy comment and I'll start offing all of you. But right now, it's my time to talk. Tell me this, Wendell. Do you feel like you're about to lose everything, like all that you hoped for was suddenly blown up in your face?"

"All the time," I muttered.

"What was that?" Corey said, slapping the back of my head. "Speak up, you fucking shit."

"Yes," I said more clearly.

Corey sneered. "Well, that's the same thing I felt after I lost the love of my life as well as her family," he went on. "It's because of you I lost the respect of my fucking parents- not that it matters since I knew that they hated me from the start- as well as the people who loved me for being ambitious and ready to join them in making your life a living hell. It's more embarrassing when you sold all of their assets off and cleared the bank accounts. I was ready to live the high life after I killed you for pulling that stunt. Now, I saw the reason why Braeden hates you. You're too damn stubborn and ego-centric to see that your family failed you in making you into a real man."

"Well said," Braeden said, nodding at the older man. "And Wendell, this is what happens if you never listen to the people who know what's best for you. Your family wanted you to play by their rules, but end up losing the game entirely by being dead. Your schoolmates wanted you to fit in but also accept the fact that you're going to be their slave for life. We have every right to make you feel like you're fucking worthless to the world and yet you ruined it all by unleashing our secrets. This is the ultimate payback for that eulogy and stealing my boyfriend.

He smiled widely, his eyes trained on mine. "I'm so going to enjoy killing you slowly and painfully," he crooned. "I bet that when I'm finished, Logan will be begging me to join you in death. And if I know any better, he will ask to do that- beg to join you and all your spawns from Satan to end you for life. At least I can say that Corey and I share lots in common- we love causing misery and we will end up on top. As long as we continue to lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get what we want, we will always be the talk of Seattle."

Corey came up to join Braeden, wrapping his arms around the teen's waist as I suppressed the urge to vomit. "Of course, we can be very generous," he said. "All you need to do is just say that you're willing to let Logan go and end your life in the same way that you intended- a gunshot to the head with vodka and antidepressants being your last meal. You do that, we'll let the others go back to their families and friends. Of course, we'll just throw your body in a shallow grave without last rites or a proper burial, but at least you can burn in hell knowing that you saved their lives."

"And Logan will be taken good care of," Braden added. "Hell, if I decide to let him live, he can be my bitch and my own toy to abuse and do away with when I don't see him as fit to live anymore. And if he wants to die, I'll let you two be buried together. All you got to do is let Logan go, if you really love him enough, and die by your own hand. And if not, then their blood will be on your conscience as you await to be taken to hell. So, what's it going to be? Make me happy...or die?"

I took a deep breath, finally feeling the vibes from my inner saboteur return while I blew bubbles. Missed me, bitch? he asked inside my head.

Right now, I'm glad to see you, I replied.

I'm only here for one more round of roasting these two before I let you go for good, he told me. These two are borderline nuts.

"Well," Corey said impatiently. "What's your decision?"

It was now the time to unleash the fury of Hurricane Wendell. "Well, well. I can tell that you two are that hungry for my blood," I began calmly. "It's no wonder that the two of you suit each other. Now, before I give y'all my decision, I will give you my last words."

The two of them looked at each other. "All right," Corey said. "Since you're dying either way, I'll bite."

"Wendell, what are you doing?" Pablo hissed worriedly.

I gave him a comforting smile before turning my attention back to the two in front of me. "First off, I want to congratulate Corey on finally finding someone to replace my late sister- may she rot in hell," I began. "It's no wonder that he decided to kick me to the curb to cover his own masculinity- when he was really waiting to settle down with someone who's as obsessively compulsive and impulsive as himself. It's too bad that he's picking the wrong choice- a bastard child who's not a Satillo by name."

"What?!" the redhead in question screeched as my crew fought to hold their laughter.

"You heard me. And not only that- and Corey, I need to warn you this right here," I said. "Braeden Satillo was actually born from a crack whore who wanted to redeem herself by getting into rehab and getting her life right. But when she learned that her actual son was heading down the wrong path, she and her husband- his father, a former stripper- turned their backs on him. It's not a surprise, more so since they learned that Braeden's carrying more STDs than a two-dollar hoe from Thailand."

"How dare you," Braeden hissed, Corey's loving support sliding away as the older man looked at him with disgust.

"My bad, my bad. The two-dollar hoe from Thailand is more responsible than you will be," I deadpanned. "Anyway, Corey, I also know that Braeden can kill anyone for money, but also kill for drugs. Knowing you two, y'all would not only be carrying herpes and syphilis, but you two would also fight for possession for your rightful stashes. I just hope you two won't be adopting any kids since the state frowns on drug dealers or drug addicts for parents."

Everyone laughed, the noise emanating in the living room.

I turned my attention to the now-despondent Corey. "How does it feel to finally see the light? How does it feel to lose out on me?" I asked. "There was a time that I almost wanted you to save me from my hell, but you just had to show your ass at my birthday- the same one that I shared with Alicia- and betrayed my trust. I'm so glad that Logan was the one to be a real man, Bellevue. Lord knows that it would take another place, time, world, and life for us to be together. And as for you wanting me to end my life to make you happy? You can fucking forget about it. I got too much love to give and life to live to give up being miserable for your sake or anyone else's."

I faced the now-humiliated Braeden Satillo, his eyes filled with tears. "There's your answer, by the way," I said nonchalantly. "If you want me to die, then feel free to kill me. Add that to your conscience. I dare you."

He growled as police sirens wailed from outside. "With pleasure," he spat.

The police lights gave me a look at his hardened face, his eyes now full of unfiltered hatred and fury. And as I sat there, I felt a semblance of peace that came from the same recognition that gave me hope of knowing that I was going to be fine.

Be well, Wendell, I heard my inner saboteur tell me. No matter what happens, you are strong.

Thank you, I replied.

"Fuck you, Wendell Harding," Braeden screeched, cocking his gun. "Fuck you and everyone else!"

The front door burst open as policemen began to make their way inside. "Freeze!" one of them yelled.

"Wendell!" I heard the voice of my savior from outside.

"Logan!" I yelled.

"Fuck!" Braeden hissed.

BANG! BANG!

Oh. Shit.

I guess you'll have to wait until the epilogue to see who lives...and who dies. And lucky for you, that's coming up next! See how it all ends before the final song!

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