Chapter Thirty Eight: The Final Showdown*

Naz's grand mansion was a sight to behold, filled to the brim with the powerful and corrupt elite of the town. Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Laughter and conversation buzzed through the lavish halls as champagne flutes clinked together and money exchanged hands in final bets.

The true spectacle, however, was about to begin. She had gone all out for this final performance. A circular ring, crudely assembled in the middle of an ornate ballroom, was surrounded by eager onlookers, their faces flushed with anticipation. The sheriff, who sat in the front row, grinned ear to ear as he leaned back in his chair, enjoying every moment.

Marie stood in the corner of the ring, her wrists were free now, her mind still reeling from the events leading up to this moment. The adrenaline was coursing through her veins amplified by the effects of the steroid Naz had injected into her, making her heart race uncontrollably and her breathing shallow. She could feel the drug working its way through her system, heightening her senses but also clouding her focus with anger. She fought to stay calm, to control herself.

Across from her, the door opened, and the crowd roared as the next fighter stepped into the ring. He was a giant, easily twice Marie's size, muscles rippling as he cracked his knuckles and smirked at the crowd. He was brought in for one reason: to crush her in front of all these lecherous men who had bet their fortunes on this final, bloody showdown.

Marie's knees trembled as she tried to steady herself. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to run, but there was nowhere to go. The ring was her prison now, and Naz's game had already begun.

Naz stood off to the side, watching with cold amusement. Her eyes glittered with the promise of easy money and power as the crowd erupted in cheers. She held herself with calm authority, as though everything was going according to plan.

Marie barely had time to register the crowd's chanting before the bell rang, and the giant lunged at her. His fists were like hammers, swinging with the kind of brute force that could shatter bones. Marie dodged, just barely avoiding the first swing, but the drug in her system was making her sloppy. She wasn't used to the added adrenaline.

A punch landed against her ribs, and she gasped, stumbling back. The crowd roared louder as Marie struggled to regain her footing. She could see the sheriff's smug face in the front row, enjoying every second of her struggle. Naz, too, watched with an unsettling calm, as if she knew the outcome was inevitable.

"Come on, girl," the sheriff taunted, his voice carrying above the crowd. "Let's see if you can handle a real fight."

The giant came at her again, his fists swinging wide. A crushing blow to her jaw sent her crashing to the mat as the man came at her again. Blood filled her mouth, and she felt the room spinning around her. The drug coursing through her veins was making it hard to think, hard to breathe.

"Get up," Naz's voice rang out, cold and sharp. "I want a show."

The crowd screamed for blood. But as Marie lay there, dazed, something deep within her snapped. She wasn't just fighting this man, or the drugs, or even Naz's sick game. She was fighting for her life, and for everyone who had suffered at the hands of this corruption.

She forced herself to her feet, her vision swimming, and braced herself as the giant came at her again. Knowing she had to survive, Marie let go of her control, using the enhanced adrenaline to fuel her instincts. She avoided his blow and got in several of her own before jumping back. Her breath was ragged and her movements jittery. She dodged his next punch and, with all her strength, drove her elbow into his gut. It barely slowed him down, but it gave her a sliver of hope.

But the drugs were taking their toll. Her breaths were coming in ragged gasps, her body overheating as the steroids amped up her heart rate. She knew she didn't have long before she collapsed from sheer exhaustion, even though she was light on her feet and dodging blows expertly for now.

The giant swung again, and this time Marie was too slow. His fist connected with her shoulder, sending her reeling into the ropes. Her body felt like it was on fire, every muscle screaming as she was lifted up by the giant. He held her high over head, yelling and goading the crowd.

Suddenly, chaos erupted.

The doors to the ballroom burst open, and black-clad FBI agents swarmed into the room, weapons drawn. The crowd scattered in every direction, chairs and glasses flying as the agents shouted orders. The once-chaotic cheers turned into panicked screams as everyone tried to flee the scene.

Marie could barely process what was happening. The giant turned in confusion, still holding her up. Before he could act, Jameson entered the ring, a gun trained on the giant. "Set her down easy, and step away."

Naz stood frozen for a moment, her calm mask slipping as the room descended into chaos. She tried to move toward the back exit, but it was too late—agents surrounded her.

"Hands where we can see them, Naz!" one agent yelled, his weapon trained on her.

Marie collapsed onto her knees as the giant lowered her, gasping for breath, her body aching from the beating and the drugs. But she was alive, and the nightmare was finally ending.

The sheriff, too, was caught in the chaos. Two agents tackled him before he could make his escape. His smug grin had long since vanished, replaced by a look of sheer panic as he was cuffed and dragged from his seat.

Marie's vision blurred, but through the haze, she saw Edd burst through the crowd, his face pale with worry. He was by her side in seconds, his hands gently cradling her face as he knelt beside her.

"You're okay," he whispered, his voice shaking. "It's over."

Marie wanted to respond, to tell him she was fine, but her body gave in to exhaustion. Her eyes fluttered closed, and the last thing she heard was Edd calling her name as the chaos swirled around her.

The reign of terror was finally over.