Lyfers: Amnesia

Chapter 18 - Fireball

 – Phew, I can't believe the rest of the day passed in such a blink! Even if mathematics still sucked.

– What are you talking about? The lesson was super easy.

– Yeah, for you that slept the whole hour, it sure seemed super easy!

They shared a laugh as they headed outside of the campus, walking side by side. While Dove was staring at the sky, appreciate its cloudless, yellow colors, Sphinx stared at her, a smile on his lips.

– Are you busy again, tonight? He asked her.

– M'yeah, she replied in a sigh, if I miss another day of work, my boss is gonna fire me, and I can't afford it.

– You still didn't tell me what kinda job it was.

She looked at him with a chuckle; they chatted a lot during school hours, but this had been something she rarely told to anyone. However, after all the times he went out of his way to defend her, it was the least she could do.

– I sing at a cafe, but don't go tell that to the others.

– Why not?

– That's like, a shitty part-time job. I have my pride.

– I find it cool, though.

He showed her a bright smile, and at the look in his eyes, she couldn't doubt of his sincerity. She giggled and nodded; maybe it wasn't as shitty as she originally thought, if he told her so. They stopped their walk when they arrived at the corner where their roads would usually separate. She lived in the cheapest part of the free zone, while he was residing into a chic part of Amnesia's district. But tonight, he had something else in mind, and rather than letting go after a wave, he grabbed her hand, keeping her on place.

– Can I come with you? He questioned her, in a hopeful tone. I promise I won't be a bother.

At the idea of him hearing her sing, her cheeks reddened. What would he think of her voice, of her songs, of the mediocre place where she performed? He wasn't the kind that would make fun of her, but it still worried her. After a hesitation, she finally acquiesced.

– Alright, but don't make fun of me, I'm no idol!

– I promise!

They both laughed, and this time, instead of going back home immediately, he followed her through the free zone. The sun was getting low into the sky, and the orange hues its light projected on Dufferdale gave it a serene glow.

When Dove pushed the wooden door of the small cafe, the raspy voice of her boss was the first thing to resonate, and she would have gladly rolled her eyes if he wasn't right at the entrance, glaring at her with an irritated look.

– Didn't ya see the hour? he shouted. Ya didn't come yesterday and yer five minutes late today!

– I'm sorry, boss, I-...

– Yeah, I hope ye are! Move yer ass on the stage, I've got clients waitin'!

She refrained a sigh as well as she could, and Sphinx did his best not to retort something to the old man. They progressed further into it, and she turned towards him with an embarrassed expression.

– Are you sure you want to stay?

– Certain. Give me your bag, I'll keep it for you.

With a nod, she handed it to him and went up on the ancient, wooden stage in the middle of the bar. The mint-haired boy took a seat right in front of it, leaning his elbows on the table and resting his head on his hand. As she approached from the microphone, he observed her with a smile, which only widened when the music began.

__________

– Phase, on your right!

Blaze's scream alerted him, and he swung around just in time to fire at the man who was about to jump on him, a knife in the hand. He shot a second one that came running from the same hiding spot, and gave a quick look at the redhead.

– Sis, they're swarmin' from over there!

– Cover me, I'll take care of them.

– Alright, go for it!

She left the pillar onto which she was previously leaning on for protection and rejoined him behind the car, head kept low as she rushed to the corner of the building. The old, dilapidated hanger had been Morphine's new chemistry laboratory since a few months, but tonight, it were all reduced to broken glass containers, chemicals puddles, blood splatters, bullets impacts and dead bodies. The four Amnesia's members did a carnage, with only one objective in mind: ruining this place as much as they could, to make it unusable. Their rivals had knew the terms of their ceasefire; Amnesia would be the only gang to produce and sell drugs to the others. But since Morphine hadn't respected it, they would destroy the most things they could.

When she finally reached the spot where other enemies were staying, Blaze scarcely dodged a bullet, crouching down in a gasp. It was close; she knew it, and she had to move. But when she noticed the reflect of another shiny, metallic gun muzzle, her heart leaped into her chest, and at another detonation, she closed her eyes in a shiver. However, a familiar voice reassured her.

– Got your back, Buttercup!

She opened her eyes and got on her feet, while Rune and Venom approached them running. The little group rejoined behind another car, all catching back their breathing after such a rush.

– Should've been the latest ones, exhaled Venom.

– We rampaged through the two floors, added Phase, we're good to go now.

– Ya sure we killed them all? Questioned Rune.

– Well, considering the amount of corpses, I'm pretty sure we did.

Blaze's nod got acquiesced by everyone, and they motioned to exit the building, still keeping their guns in the hand nonetheless. After all, they were still in another gang's territory, and no matter their success, they had to stay careful.

But their triumph turned short: a new gunfire resonated. They instantly got down, nervously looking at their surroundings for the person who fired. When they noticed that one of the men they shot was still alive, aiming at the Amnesia's member being the closest to him and about to press the trigger, they all hollered. But at the exact instant the bullet should have pierced through Blaze's body, Rune shoved her aside, taking it instead of her, under the desperate cry of her friend.

– Rune, no!