Chasing Shadows: An Alice In Borderlands Fanfic (Completed)

Chapter 15: The Showdown

I sat in the darkness of the supply closet, listening to Niragi communicate with the other militants. Muffled gunfire was my constant companion.

I felt helpless, but what could I do? He'd told me to stay here. To stay safe. But if no one solved the witch hunt, I'd die here...alone.

The solution to the game came to me out of the blue. It was almost too simple, yet no one had even thought of it. And I had no question I was right.

"Niragi," I called him over the walkie.

"Kitten, hang on. I'm busy."

So I waited.

He spoke, but his words weren't for me. "Lead 'em all there. Yeah, that's it. I'll take 'em out one by one...What are you doing here?" Then the radio cut out.

What was who doing there?

I waited for him to say something else, but he didn't. I called his name over the air, but he didn't reply. Dread iced my veins. With the game solution forgotten, I flung open the closet door and rushed toward the stairs that would take me to the roof.

I took the steps two at a time. I know who had interrupted him.

Chishiya was up there.

And Chishiya was armed with something deadly. My heart pounded in my chest and my head throbbed, but I carried on. At the top of the stairs, I slammed the door open, just in time to see Chishiya make his move.

He stepped toward Niragi, who had his rifle trained on the smaller man. Chishiya flung his arm into the air. Cards rained down on Niragi, who lost his focus to stare at the cards, confusion on his face.

"Chishiya, no!" I cried out, but he ignored me, advancing on my lover. He swung the gasoline-filled watergun toward Niragi.

Without a thought, I leapt forward, running at the two men. I grabbed Niragi and pulled him with me, even as my vision heated up with fire. My whole left side burned.  My sight filled with flames. But I continued on, forcing Niragi toward the edge of the building. Flames followed us, engulfed us.

"Jump!" I cried, and we toppled over the edge toward the pool below.

I hit the water and blacked out, only to come to, gasping and choking with Niragi hovering over me as I lay beside the pool.

How had I gotten here?

Everything hurt. My left side crackled and burned despite the flames being extinguished. I rolled onto my right side, spewing water onto the poolside deck. Taking in a breath, I blinked and stared at Niragi. There was something I needed to tell him. Something important. What was it?

"It's okay," Niragi said. "I'm here."

Somewhere, I heard phones informing us there was thirty minutes left.

The game.

I grabbed Niragi's arms. "The Witch Hunt," I choked. "I know the solution."

"Eh? What is it?" Niragi leaned in close.

"It was her. Momoka, herself. Throw her body in the fire and we win."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Hurry! Before anyone else dies needlessly."

He stood but made no further move.

"Niragi, go! I'll be fine." I gave him a brave smile.

With a quick nod, he grabbed his rifle off a beach chair where it must have landed and dashed toward the hotel, which was now on fire.