I Want to Die, But I Am Immortal

Adam looked at him a mocking smile on his face. "And you're going to get your revenge with their help?" he asked gesturing towards James and Philips. Philips flinched his face a mixture of regret and fear.

James stepped forward. "There are some things Anderson doesn't know," he said. "I've clarified a few things for him. And I'm sure you've realized a few things as well these past few days."

"So now I understand why my father is so afraid of you," Anderson said circling Adam like a predator. "The entire underworld is after you isn't it?"

Adam remained silent his mind racing. He did not understand their motive.

"At first I thought I could live a good life if I just killed you and took the bounty," James said a small smile on his face. He looked at Philips. Adam was completely lost.

"But our friend here is much smarter than that," Anderson said clapping Philips on the shoulder.

"If you don't clarify what you're talking about I'll break every bone in your bodies," Adam said his voice a low dangerous growl.

James held up his hands in a mock surrender. "I'm so scared Adam," he said.

Adam started to move towards them. James and Anderson both flinched. They had seen his power firsthand.

"Before you attack us," James said his voice trembling slightly "you should know that if you do we'll release your bounty not just to the underworld but to the entire internet. We'll post your location Sophia's location. And the best idea which came from our dear Philips here is that the one-billion-dollar bounty won't just be on your head. It'll be on Sophia's as well."

Adam froze. What? he thought his mind reeling.

James and Anderson saw his reaction and smiled a triumphant smile. Adam's mind was working at a furious pace. He did not care about the bounty on his own head.

But a bounty on Sophia's head that changed everything. He was trapped. They had found his one weakness and they were exploiting it to its fullest.

He clenched his fists his knuckles turning white.

"And that's not all," Anderson said his voice a cruel sneer.

"Sophia must have told you how we used to bully her. But there are some things she doesn't know. Some things we were planning on doing to her on that hill before you interrupted us. We have things pictures videos that if we were to release them to the public Sophia's life would be ruined forever. No matter how much you try to protect her you won't be able to save her from that."

Adam's rage dissipated replaced by a cold empty shock. His fists unclenched.

Anderson was enjoying his reaction. He knew he could not beat Adam in a physical fight. But he could break him psychologically. He could attack him in ways he could not defend against.

Adam's mind was in turmoil. What could he do? He could kill them all right here right now. But he did not know if they had already released the information.

And then an idea sparked in his mind. A new plan a new strategy. He would play along with them. He would let them do whatever they wanted to him. And then he would trigger another loop. He knew their end goal was to kill him. And that was fine with him. That was what he wanted.

He smiled a slow cruel smile. He took a deep breath. "What do you want?" he asked.

James's smile widened. "That's more like it," Anderson said. "Now come with us quietly. And if you try to resist you know what we're capable of."

"I'm willing to agree to your conditions," Adam said his voice a calm steady monotone. "But first you have to agree to mine."

Anderson and James were stunned. They could not believe his audacity. He was in no position to be making demands. He was their prisoner their pawn.

Anderson was about to say something to that effect but James stopped him with a raised hand. "What are your conditions?" he asked his curiosity piqued by Adam's unexpected move.

"Do whatever you want with me," Adam said his eyes locking with James's. "But you have to leave Sophia alone. And you have to give me all the evidence you have against her. Everything."

Anderson started to protest his face a mask of angry disbelief. But James cut him off. "We agree to your conditions," he said his voice a firm and final decision.

Anderson was shocked. This whole plan had been Lily's idea. She was the one who had brought James into their group. And James was the one who had given them the extra information they needed to formulate their plan. He did not understand why James was giving in to Adam's demands so easily.

James looked at Adam a small triumphant smile on his face. "Then come with us," he said.

Adam walked with them. He knew they would not keep their promise. He was not that naive. He was just playing along until he could find the evidence they had against Sophia. And then he would decide how much of a threat they really were to him and to her.

They took him to Philips's house. It was a large impressive home a testament to his family's wealth. Next to it was a small storeroom a separate building that was larger than most people's apartments.

They went inside. Lily and Anderson's other friends were already there waiting for them

Anderson pointed to a sturdy wooden chair in the center of the room.

"Sit down," he said.

Adam knew what was coming. He had expected this. He threw his school bag to the side and sat down in the chair his expression a mask of calm indifference.

There was no fear in his eyes no hesitation. And that infuriated Anderson. He wanted to see him cry. He wanted to see him beg for mercy just like his powerful father had. He wanted to break him.