“Good,” Carter screamed with a voice full of manic excitement and a crazed sort of glee. He was laughing too and as he did, globules of blood flew out and splattered against Russel’s face and upper body. “That’s what I like to see! Let him take control. Give in.”

Russel kept up his attacks, ignoring his father’s blood that splattered all over him. Ignoring his own pain even. Every few moments he stayed alive were moments he could use to win this fight. Or that was the ...