Just a Movie

In for the Fight

We pull out our guns and make our way to the center of town, keeping our bodies hidden behind the cover of buildings.  We hunker down, peeking around the corner. 

"Alright, here's what I want you guys to do," Chris instructs.  "Violet, Travis, I want you to go right.  Watch out for them in the windows.  They get crafty."

They nod and split ways.  

"Roy, Martha, cover my left.  I'm going down the street to grab his attention.  I'll signal you when to shoot."

"Of course Chris," he replies, loading his gun.  "Wouldn't want you to get shot, now would we?"

"Of course not," he smirks. 

 He almost walks away before I grab him. 

"Wait!" I say.  "What's the signal?"

He smiles. 

"My surrender."

He then makes his way down the middle of the street, and I carefully watch everything around him.  So far, there's only women and children fleeing the streets as men gather to watch the fight.  Tenner's men are probably doing what we are-hiding and observing.  It's only a matter of time before they come out.  I hear a door open, and I turn. 

"Roy, what are you doing?" I inquire as he steps inside the bar through the back door. 

"I can't see from here.  I'm going up to get a better view," he explains. 

He almost walks in, but I call his name.

"Roy."

He turns to me, sighing.  

"Yes?"

"Don't die."

He gives me a small smile. 

"I won't."

He then disappears, and I'm left alone, waiting.  We all keep a careful eye on Chris as he walks down the street.  There's no telling what can happen, especially since the movie changes things whenever it pleases with no warning at all.  Anything can go wrong.  But I guess anything could go right too.  I hope.  I shake my head, reeling back my focus to what's at hand.  There can be no distractions.  

"I'm here!" Chris shouts.  "So stop acting like a coward and come out."

"Oh come on now," Tenner says, a slight echo floating in the air.  "You and I both know it's the cowards who hide, and neither of us fit that description."  He steps out from behind a corner, dressed head to toe in black, guns at the ready.  He's smiling, confident he'll win, but I know how this ends.  At least, I think I do.  "You know you won't win this one."

"I know," Chris replies.  "That's why I'm surrendering."

Just then, shots fire, and they both duck for cover as they try to shoot one another.  Gun shots blaze the street, but I don't see anyone, even though I can hear everything.  Suddenly, someone aims from a second-story window, and I fire.  I hit him, and he falls.  I spot Violet and Travis pinned in a corner, and I look.  Two men fire continuously at them, and keeping my head down, I move.  I stand behind a post, my heart pounding.  Taking a quick, deep breath, I turn.  I shoot at them, killing one but missing the other.  He ran.  It was enough though, Travis and Violet now able to get out.  Doesn't matter how many guys they send, we keep sending them back as we continue to move.  The pressure is on.  Things start to quiet down as fewer shots are fired, except for Chris and Tenner, who're still in the fight.  Fire, cover.  Fire, cover.  It continues until both are out of ammo, and knives are pulled from their belts.  Tenner goes for the chest, but he jumps back.  Chris jabs for the throat.  Tenner swipes it away and cuts his arm.  Both are wounded, but they're still on their feet.  Suddenly, Tenner trips him and pins him to the ground!  The only thing between his blade and Chris is his arm.  I quickly aim, pull the trigger. 

CLICK!

Dang it!  I'm empty.  I loop up. 

"Do something!" I yell. 

"I can't get a clean shot!" Roy shouts. 

I turn back, heart racing, the taste of penny in my mouth.  Come on Chris!  He kicks him, shoves him off and turns him over.  He presses him down, doing his best to get the knife through.  Tenner pushes back, gritting his teeth.  Finally, Chris hits the hilt, and it penetrates his core.  He stands, breathing as Tenner fights to stay alive, until he slumps.  I take a deep breath, my shoulders rolling over in relief.  That was too close, but it's done.  Tenner's dead, and now we're free of him.  Everyone runs to see him, Violet leaping into his arms.  They're all smiling, embracing, patting each other on the backs, except me.  I know it's coming.  The question is when.  There's no way the movie would change a major plot like this.  I look everywhere, my head on a swivel as my heart practically beats in my throat.  Where is he?  As everyone disperses, Roy takes a final glance at Tenner before walking away, and that's when I noticed it.  A gun.  I sprint, screaming his name, and I leap.  A bullet goes through, and I fall, hard.  Dust flies into my eyes, blood staining my shirt.  I can barely see Roy unholster his pistol, can barely catch the sound of gun shots,  and I find myself in his arms.  He holds my head up as he caresses my face, calling my name. 

"Martha!" he cries.  "It'll be alright.  Just stay with me."  

He turns, screaming for someone to get a doctor before turning his full attention back to me.  My chest burns, my mouth dry.  I can hardly breathe, but I smile anyway, and I wipe the tear from his eye. 

"Roy," I rasp.  "Back in the cave, when you said you had feelings for me, I was wrong."  I take a breath as he looks at me with wonder, waiting for me to finish.  "I shouldn't have said you called me by my name.  I should've said I love you."

A bit of joy fills his eyes, and he smiles as he holds me closer. 

"I need you to stay," he whispers.  "I love you."

"I'll stay," I breathe, but my body feels like it's drifting away. 

I hold my eyes open for as long as I can, until I can't hold them anymore, and they shut.