His Bloody Smile | ✓

24 - kill

"don't blame me, love made me crazy"

•••

"You have ten seconds, or you can kiss her goodbye."

Everyone was observing Andrew, waiting for his decision eagerly. Would he shoot Oliver?

I was going to die happy, and all because of the thief standing in front of me. He should do it, get our vengeance, even if it meant my death. I could feel his need to go through with it.

He met my gaze when I turned to look at him too, and I suddenly felt the tears streaming down my face.

Damn it.

I detested crying, especially in front of Andrew. He was expressionless as he watched me sob in silence. Christopher rested his finger on the trigger, and Andrew snapped his head towards him.

"Alright, alright," he stopped him, "Don't shoot her." He lowered his guns and slipped them into his holster again, "There, I put them away."

"On your knees," Christopher muttered, staring at him.

"Damn," Andrew smirked, "I didn't know you were interested in me." He chuckled, "You could have just been honest about it, you know?"

Suppressing the urge to laugh, I attempted to dry my face with my bare shoulder. I moved my hands again as they focused on Andrew, the piece of rope loosening even more around my wrists.

"I'm holding the key that separates this woman from Hell," he rolled his eyes, "Put the guns on the floor and kneel, or she is joining her mother."

"Jesus Christ, nobody can take a joke, huh?" Andrew slowly crouched, leaving both weapons on the ground.

"Put your hands behind your head and keep them there at all times." After what seemed like forever, Christopher finally removed his gun from me, and I let out the breath I was holding in relief.

"What about her mother?" Andrew suddenly asked. I widened my eyes in shock as Oliver turned to him, smiling.

"Oh," he said, "So she didn't tell you?"

"I-" I commenced.

"Don't; I want him to answer."

"No," Andrew replied, "She only mentioned she learned what she knows now from her mother."

"Out of curiosity," Oliver looked at him, "Do you think you know her?"

"I would like to say I do," he paused, "But by the tone of your voice, I probably don't."

"You are right, my friend," he laughed, "You don't know her at all."

Oliver grabbed a nearby chair and sat down, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at Andrew, examining him for a long moment.

I bet he was loving this, having the Handless Thief beneath his thumb, absolutely under control.

"You remember the time when you began to gain fame, don't you?" Oliver asked, "You started using your code name and hired a crew for the first time."

His scars and freckles moved whenever he spoke, and it was difficult to decide whether he looked menacing or pristine.

"Of course I do; what about it?"

"That was when you had just started," he continued, ignoring his question, "We were both doing so well; until we separated."

"When you betrayed me, and?" Oliver looked at me, a smile creeping up his lips.