Retaliation

Chapter 2 Flash

*Warning* Vivid gore. 

I began to violently cough as smoke filled my lungs. I tried to open my eyes but the smoke instantly started to burn them. I could vaguely see the outlines of lifeless bodies lying on the ground. 

Blood, organs, and detached limbs were scattered among rubble. I stood there frozen, I wanted to throw up but nothing was in my stomach. It was only when the smoke was beginning to clear that I was fully able to see the carnage. My mom's lifeless blue eyes were staring back at me from several feet away, many deep cuts surrounding her face. 

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I ran up to her and grabbed her hand, hoping for her to squeeze my hand back but that never happened. I ran my other hand through her blonde hair which was all matted and dyed with her blue blood. I examined the rest of her body, her once yellow pencil dress was now a stained dark shade of green. The discoloration was caused by the large gash in her stomach. Her neck was broken, causing her head to rest unevenly against the concrete. Her limbs were bent in unnatural positions, making her resemble a little kids doll where they rearranged the limbs to face different directions because they thought it was funny.

I slowly stood up, questioning if I should run and hide or if I should try and find my dad. I looked at the other mangled corpses around me. Some were past the point of being recognizable as their heads and torsos were too badly smashed in. Others I recognized as neighbors that I used to be friendly with. The rest were complete strangers I've seen around before but never took an opportunity to get to know. Adults and children, old and young, nobody was spared from the wraith of whatever did this. 

I heard a loud crunch behind me. I whipped around and came face to face with the creature that possessed the glowing white eyes. Its skin was a light shade of green. Its ears were pointed. Its teeth sharp and serrated. Its combat suit black and white. It's right hand was holding a limp body by the neck. Not breaking eye contact, it threw the body to the side with ease. The body landed with a loud thud. It continued to stare at me, the light in its eyes went away to reveal a dark purple color that almost looked navy or black. I glanced over at the body it threw. The face was bashed in and bloody but I still recognized the light blue t-shirt and jeans despite them being severely discolored. 

I looked back to the Skrull who was still staring at me with a stern face. I could only see the immense anger that radiated throughout her entire body. But her anger didn't intimidate me enough to negate my rage. I liked the feeling of fighting back, it wasn't something I was used to. I didn't want to let that feeling go. 

I screamed and ran up to the reptilian. I punched her in the face as hard as I could. I stumbled back holding my now possibly broken hand. The Skrull didn't flinch at all,  her body was hard and sturdy like metal. The spot on her face where I hit her was now glowing a light shade of orange. Her arm quickly shot out and grabbed me by the neck before I could even process her movements. Her grip was incredibly strong. I wrapped my hands around her arm but my strength was pathetic compared to hers. 

"Target acquired." Her voice was deep and monotone, with no emotion whatsoever behind it. 

"What are you!?" I managed to choke out. I instantly regretted that as she tightened her fingers, making it difficult to breathe. 

Suddenly more Skrulls appeared out of nowhere. All of them decked out with guns and black combat suits decorated with the same white skull of a dragon across the chest. The biggest and tallest one in the group slowly walked up to me with the widest and creepiest smile I've ever seen on his face. His eyes were bright ruby and his skin was a dark moss-green color. The exact opposite contrast of this bitch still choking me out. 

"Well done, Bombshell. At ease, soldier." His voice was scratchy and filled with malice. Her grip loosened a little bit upon his words. I wanted to run but knew there was no point. He took a quick scan of me with his eyes and he eventually landed on my hand. "Nice ring, I wonder where the one who bought it is at."  

"Why don't we go check the piles of bodies? Might be a good place to start." I spat. This resulted in me getting my feet kicked out from under me and the next thing I knew my head getting pinned to the ground by Bombshell. Rocks were digging hard into my back and I struggled to stay conscious as she cut off my oxygen again. Right when I was about to pass out she loosened her grip around my neck once again. "Bastard," I whispered. 

"I do apologize about your parents. I was planning on using them as leverage but unfortunately, my lovely dear here got too caught up on the part of killing any witnesses. Same with your husband, though you may be happy being what occurred between you two. My fault for not making things more clear. You have to admit she did an excellent job, so swift, so accurate, such power." 

Ew. 

"What are you going to do to me?" I tried my best to sound intimidating but I was failing miserably. 

Hearing the clear fear in my voice, he let out a laugh and kneeled down beside me. He pulled out a needle and injected it into my neck from in-between Bombshell's fingers. My body instantly went limp. 

"More comfortable than being knocked out by this one, yes?" He smiled. 

"Who-who are you?" I slurred. 

"You'll find out when you wake up, dear."