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Ollie unlocked a heavy h

The roohts, dirty corners, and leaking overhead pipes In the center, someone had painted a wide red circle Several rusty splotches stained the inside of the circle

My heart jumped in my throat I didn’t want to be here

“Watch hi to me “And stay out of it”

Eraser clenched his jaw but nodded

“If things get out of control, find a corner and sit with your back to the wall When the guards get here, lay down on your belly, hands on your head,” Griff instructed “Got it?”

If he thought I was going to sit and watch while these anied up on him, he was out of his o into the fight with a clear head

A guard I recognized from one of the other units walked in with three of his inuards and kids canized off-duty guards in their street clothes a bets So ery that I started to wonder if I was the crazy one

“All two-faced pieces of shit,” Eraser whispered toin my brain

No one uards huddled together Soot called into the ring The bloodshed began No time to waste

Griff had stripped down to his shorts by the ti Most of the kids did Easier to fight without worrying about being strangled by your sweatshirt

He jumped in place to pump himself up and scanned the crowd I lifted my hand quickly and he nodded

Egghead really did have a head shaped like an egg He was aout at the other kids At least I wouldn’t feel bad when Griff kicked his ass

“Go!” one of the guards shouted

A hush fell over the roohead was strong—I’d watched hiht bench into the wall one afternoon and flip over a cafeteria table another ti and quick on his feet In another life, he’d probably be training to be an MMA fighter or so

Egghead rushed Griff, diving for his ht into his knee Blood gushed frohead’s nose and Griff shoved him away

“Ooo!” The crowd erupted

Lurching to his feet, Egghead caain This time Griff threo punches to the kid’s face, turned, and threw an elbow to his jaw

Egghead hit the ground and didn’t get back up

“Too short!” a guard yelled

There was a co Ollie took Griff aside At first Griff shook his head, then he nodded

“What’s going on?”

“Probably going to have hio another round”