PUCK & PUNISHMENT

What happens when you work in the military and hear that your twin brother got bullied to the point of losing his leg and being unable to walk properly? Exactly, you pretend to be him, attend the school for vengeance, starting with the leader of the bullies.

Ghost mask covering my face and feet silent from wearing only socks, I stand by the foot of Asher's wide bed, watching his chest rise and fall like he didn't subscribe to trouble six weeks ago.

His hockey jersey is draped over a golden mannequin like trophy. I reach for it, set it on fire and watch smoke curl up. Scent of burnt sugar in plastic fills the wide room so I drop it on the floor and jump out through his bedroom window. Asher rubs his nose as the edge of his blanket catch fire.

I smile when he doesn't wake... Then he jolt upright, moving back when he catches sight of the fire.

"Butler Chen!" he roars, his voice deep and smooth, swatting at the flames with a pillow that also catches fire.

Stupid.

Hands in my pockets, ghost mask still in place, I watch him finally grab a water bottle from his dresser and douse the fire.

Butler Chen and his sister finally enters.

"WHO THE FUCK SET MY JERSEY ON FIRE?!" Asher roars, gripping the old man's shoulder.

"I.. No one young master" The man stutters and Asher pushes him away, running his hands through his hair, gripping it tight, then he turns... Directly towards the window. Our eyes lock through his floor length glass he calls window and he cocks his head, mouth opening to scream. I race away before the sound could drop.

"Get me that fucking lunatic!" His roar follows me as I scale the fence and disappear into the woods. My heart races, not from running, but in knowing more hell waits for him in few hours and all the days that follow.

°°°°°

It is THREE P.M and the day has been peacefully dull without Asher showing his face. If I hadn't seen him put out the fire myself, I’d think he died in it. Not that I’d mind.

"THE VENOMS ARE ON RINK!" A student screams and others rush out.

'Took them fucking forever.' I follow the crowd to the indoor rink and a large banner greets.

WELCOME BACK, WOLVES - CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON STARTS NOW

It's a cathedral of ice, sweat, screams and life changing opportunities. The stands are thoroughly packed with students and of course, scouters

Asher’s uniform stands out immediately. Where the Venoms are red and black. Asher's is Gold and red. And the remaining players are pure red

On the rink are the four men I’ve spent six weeks studying:

ASHER ALEXANDER MICHIGAN: 6'2. Center. The President’s son and captain. Leader of the venom group,Sociopath and my enemy. Recruited by NHL already

CADEN MILLS ROBERT: 6'0. Left Wing. Son of the Roberts- Popular celebrity couples. Fastest hands on deck, with a sister on drug

VLADIMIR ORLOVISTA: 6'0. Right Wing. Son of richest man in Russia (Druglord). My brother's main bully.

ELLIOTT CROSS: 6'3. Goalie. Son of the President’s Secretary. IQ 146 with psychopath tendencies. Least interested in bullies but does to hide himself.

They're called gods of ice and move like it: Effortless, Synchronized and Fast.

Asher ducks a puck and the screaming intensifies

"STING VENOM STING!" The cheerleaders roar

"VENOM" and the people back it up like a failing karaoke team. My brother's position on the rink is taken but I came for Venom.

I move out of the stands and head to the rink. The ref blows whistle calling me back while crowds ripple out gasps and questions.

"Isn't that Remington?"

"Did he lose his mind?" I ignore, focused on Vladimir 07. The one who traumatized and shattered my brother's knee caps for simply bearing same name as him. He takes note of me and I race towards him, until, a body slam into me from the side.

I grab his waist as we tumble down. My hand instinctively resting on back of his head so he won't crack it as I fall right on his chest. Our groins press together and I feel his chest hammering over my palm.

I hear my own heartbeats echo, heat flooding through me, I freeze.

He takes off his mask with a loud scream...

"Do you have a death fucking wish?!" Of course, it’s my enemy. Asher blinks up at me. His hair is short and slicked back with sweat, smelling like expensive poison.

Midnight stalkings didn't prepare me for this: Up close, the guy is incredibly hot.

FOCUS, TORREN.

"Get the fuck off me!" Asher thunders, shoving me down onto the ice as he stands, the Venoms and players stare at us with helmets off. I catch the coach from my peripheral pacifying the scouters.

"Shouldn't you be in a wheelchair?" Asher questions and I pick myself up.

"Shouldn't you be in prison?" Gasps erupt from the sidelines. Asher's muscles are thick beneath his sleek jersey. I finally see why my twin is so afraid. He looks intimidating. He grabs my neck and his friends draw nearer to me.

"You're fucking talking back to me?!" He questions with shaky voice. I pull a cigarette from my pocket, light it and blow the smoke direct at him.

His jaw grinds, veins popping in his neck, looking like I just performed magic. I get lost in the dark green of his gaze for a second until Elliot's stick hit my knee, bringing me down to the ice. Asher walks closer, while Caden and Vladimir hold me down by the shoulders.

"I see you've healed ," he notes, looking at my legs.

"Break them again." Hell Fucking no. Before they can move, I duck and shake off their grip. On my feet, I grab both Caden and Vlad by their shirts, and slam their heads together, they fall.

"Oh my God!" the crowd screams. Vlad staggers up first, his nose bloody, yet he lunges for my eyes. I grab his hand mid-air, and twist it behind his back, making him writhe in pain. And for my brother’s sake, I twist until I hear a crack.

"Suka, blyad!" He screams, knees falling down the ice and others move back. I push him off, approach Asher and grab his neck.

"I believe you need a new Right Wing"I say

"Suck my cock," he grit aloud. I lean closer enough to feel his breath

"Ask nicely and I might" His mouth falls open at my words, face flush from the audacity. Well, fuck. I let him go and skate out the rink.

Bring your best shots Venoms, because I'll go beyond stinging