Of the Same Branch

The hell is this?

 
    After Zack had gotten Rachel out of the hospital, they've been on the run for about three hours straight before taking a break. When it finally looked like the heat had died, they both found a good enough spot to finally rest. Zack had started to pant and cough up a storm while Ray tired her hardest to breath. Time stopped from the endless run and the nightmare they had gonna through. Both in going through those levels that Gray had made, to them both escaping from where they were.

      "God... damnit!" Zack coughed. "You think they would've stopped after us getting away so fast!"

      "N-not likely, seeing how you escaped and," she panted a bit, laying against a tree. "You took me from the hospital. More or less kidnapping me."

      "Don't get smart with me! I know what I did, dumbass! They haven't been this quick about it in the time I've been on the run. Tsk!" he growled to her. "Last thing I need is you explaining shit I already know. Especially after I got your ass out of there."

      "I guess you're right and, again, thank you for coming for me. I really thought I'd never get to see you again," she said, having a slight glow to herself.

      Zack chuckled, "Like hell I was gonna get killed by a couple of cops. I've been through enough to get done in by them of all people. Besides, I'm not one to break promises."

      They shared a moment together before getting themselves prepared. Rachel figured where she was on the tree would be a good spot. She'd just have to lean a bit forward so he could get a clean cut. After everything, her promise would be completed and she could finally rest. However... something about this didn't feel right.

      Zack waited for Ray to get herself comfortable and prepared before he takes his finally swing; toward her if anything. He had so longer to finally get to kill her after waiting for so long. He would admit it, that it was fun getting to go through all those floors. Her doing most of the thinking and him just cutting down the idiots that came for them. Granted, she did pull her own weight when it come to killing as well. Not fully forgiving her for what happened on "her" floor, but was still grateful about getting out of there. Ray's a tough kid. Much tougher than most kids he has come across.

      "Alright," she said softly. "I'm ready for you."

      Zack came out of his train of thought, looking down to her.

      She sat up straight, leaned forward and looked to him. "Thank you... for everything," a bright smile came across her face. Eyes closed as she waited for a clean cut and the world to go black.

      A fast swing came toward her. Rachel sat there, starting to grow confused. She felt the wind from the blade, but nothing else after. No slicing of her skin, warm blood coming from her body or the world fading away as she had thought. Rachel slowly opened her eyes to see Zack with his head down. His arms and hands shaking, his scythe blade striking the trunk of the tree. About an inch or so deep.

      Both just stayed in that one moment. Not saying a word nor even looking toward toward each other. Zack keeping his head  down with his arms shaking. Rachel was about to say something when he suddenly fell to his knees. Not sure of what to do, Ray slowly started to reach a hand over to him.

      "Z... Zack?" she quietly stuttered.

      A soft murmur came from him.

      "What?" she asked before flinching her hand back. Zack quickly getting to his feet, clutching his hood in anger.

      "Damnit damnit damnit! The hell!?" he shouted. "Tsssk! Why am I hesitating!? I want this! YOU want this! We went through all that hell so you can have your damn wish!... But now..!"