Page 107 of Fatality

I slide into the driver's seat and buckle myself in.

I barely have time to close the door before she drives her fist straight into the implant on my cheekbone.

My head snaps sideways, a bolt of pain tears through my skull.

The dampeners soften the impact, but the hit still ripples through every modification in my body.

The world tilts, for a second, I'm dizzy.

The implant acts as the anchor point for every permanent surgical mod I have.

It's how the docs monitor everything from one place and keep the whole system synchronized.

Getting hit there by Riven isn't particularly dangerous.

Painful as fuck? Yes. Dangerous? No.

If a man with enough strength had landed that punch, that would've been a different story.

My systems could've started shutting down one by one. I'd feel every hit instead of having it filtered through the dampeners.

My reflex enhancers would drop back to normal. The adrenaline regulator would stop compensating for injuries—I'd be vulnerable.

My enemy would have the upper hand and I fucking hate losing.

“That's for breaking into my loft!” she screams. “My home! My sleep! So, I destroyed your precious little car, you son of a bitch!”

I hear her voice but it feels distant like I'm standing in some nightclub in District 4.

The sound reaches me but it just doesn't feel real.

The dizziness lasts about ten seconds.

When it finally fades, I grab her wrist before she can pull it away.

My hazel eyes burn like a fucking furnace. My hair hangs messily over my forehead from the impact.

“You have a fucking death wish.” I snarl. “You're done.” I tighten my grip. “Hit me there one more fucking time...”

I lean closer.

“And I'll snap your neck right there, Riven.”

I shove her wrist away, forcing her back into the seat.

Then I slam the door shut.

I start the engine, throw the car into gear, and launch forward.

The tires scream across the pavement as I throw the Camaro into a drift before firing down the street.

I don't look at her.

My eyes stay locked on the road ahead.

She's dead.

People scream and dive out of the way as I tear through the streets.