With Fear or Without

54- Run

The second thing Cleo noticed was the stern face just outside the door.

The third was the fist that swung forwards and crashed into her jaw, her face exploding with pain.

Her head whipped to the side and she lost her balance, stumbling into Charlie and then the wall. Every breath sent spikes of pain shooting through her face like electric shocks.

Faintly, as if through layers and layers of bubble wrap, Cleo heard the sounds of grunting and feet scraping the floor. She stumbled away from Charlie, who flew into action while Cleo stood helplessly against the wall.

Andy and Charlie worked together seamlessly, dodging and barely avoiding the short sword the guard in the doorway held. The man was stuck in the doorway, a severe disadvantage and possibly the very reason his opposers were winning. Andy landed a kick straight to his stomach that sent him lurching back out of view, an impressive sight considering the dress she was wearing.

Leaving Cleo by herself, Charlie and Andy rushed out into the hall. Taking short and shaky breaths, Cleo squeezed her eyes closed to try and clear out the fuzzy pounding that clouded her brain and blurred her vision. She shook her head as if that could shake the daze, and opened her eyes.

The briefcase lay on its side, cast away by Andy in the haste of their ambush. Cleo pushed herself off the wall and snatched the case, gripping the handle like it was her life force. She pressed one hand against the door frame and looked out, dreading what she was going to see.

She was pleasantly surprised not to see her friends being overpowered by the guards. Instead she saw something that made her wonder if that punch had made her see things.

Two more unconscious bodies joined the first, but one petit female guard was still fighting.

Fighting Cassian, of all people. What in the world he was doing here, Cleo had no idea. Even though he was pretty much saving their lives, she couldn't help but be worried. First Remie, now Cassian? What was so important that they would risk being recognized?

As she watched, Cassian swung the butt of a long spear, the dull end smacking the guard over the head and knocking her out in an impressively timed blow.

No one made a sound. Only the sounds of heavy breathing filled the air.

Cleo found her voice first. "Cassian, what are you-"

"There's no time," he said urgently.

Of course there isn't, Cleo thought to herself.

He backed up, looking to his right down the next corridor. "More are coming. You have to get out." That was when he noticed the black case in Cleo's hand. He readjusted his grip on the upside down spear he held. "You got it, then?"

Cleo swallowed. "Yeah."

Cassian looked like he was deciding whether or not to speak. He just nodded. He was sweating and panting heavily, his hair a disheveled mess. He was sporting some new bruises and scrapes across his legs and chest. His eyes searched each of them with the same exigency as he did when they were first introduced to him. He looked scared, Cleo thought, no matter how hard he tried to hide it beneath a brave face.

"You have to get out of here," he said again. "We'll hold them off."

"You can't possibly-" Andy started, but he cut her off, too.

"Don't worry about me. Think of it as a thank you for saving my life first," he said with a strained grin. It faded quickly.

"Go that way." He pointed to the right hall, opposite to the one he was readying himself to run down. "Turn right, there's a door that'll get you back. Hurry!"