I was sitting on my bunk, eating the little food they gave us. Not much, just bread and some soup, but I didn’t care. At least it was mine. I was hungry, tired, and not in the mood to talk to anyone.

That’s when I heard their footsteps. Heavy and too close.

Thanos and Player 124.

Great.

“Leave me alone,” I said without looking up. “Just let me eat.”

I should’ve known better. They never listened.

“For a skinny little guy,” Player 124 said with a smirk, “you’re really obsessed with food.”

I looked up just in time to see him grab my tray. Before I could say anything, Thanos grabbed a handful of the food and threw it right at me — soup and all. It hit my shirt, hot and sticky, and dripped down my chest.

Everyone around us gasped. A few people even stood up to see what would happen next.

I didn’t think. I didn’t care.

I launched myself at Thanos, slamming into him with all I had. We both crashed to the floor. He grunted, and I hit him again, my fist connecting with his cheek.

He laughed.

Even while getting punched, he laughed.

That only made me angrier.

We rolled on the ground, fists flying, and the crowd started yelling. Some cheered, others called for the guards. I didn’t care about any of them. All I could see was Thanos’s stupid face and the fire in my chest.

Then I felt something sharp slam into my ribs — Player 124 had jumped in.

He didn’t even hesitate. Kicked me in the side like I was trash. Then again. My breath left my body, but I kept swinging.

Someone yelled, “Guards!”

Hands grabbed me from behind, pulling me off them. I could barely hear anything. My vision was blurry from anger and pain.

One of the guards shoved me against the wall and barked something I didn’t catch.

Thanos stood up slowly, wiping blood from his nose, still grinning like a maniac.

“You should thank us,” he said. “Now everyone’s looking at you.”

Player 124 laughed beside him, wiping his hands on his pants like I was dirt.

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to.

I just stared.

Because now, it wasn’t about food anymore.