Ethereal Madness

Chapter 18- Turmoil

-Marquese perspective-

Tucker crashed through the window and was soon gone from my sight. And that was it. No dramatic tension, screaming, or crying as he fell to his doom. It was just...over.

Is...is that it?

I took a sigh of relief, easing up a bit. Finally, the cause of much of my anguish, my pain, was gone forever. The person who built up my hopes and dreams, only to decimate them; just like that, he was no longer here. I'd never have to deal with him again.

I scanned my eyes around the room, taking note of all the guys and girls that were either heavily injured or passed out.

Can't say I'm too happy about the number he did on the group. Even though this is only half of the gang, over fifty were present in this room and he took down well over half. Was it just those 'special' gloves of his or was he really that strong? I took a deep breath. Why even bother thinking about him? He's gone now. Thing of the past. I should focus on preparing for the takeover later today.

"Hey, Marquese, ya got him good man!" A voice floated through the air and I groaned on the inside. "Smacked dat dude right in the mouf!" The jelly roll ran up to me excitedly, or at least he looked happy until he got close to me, where he froze.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just," he said somewhat nervously, "you just beat the guy that betrayed you years ago, right?"

I cocked my head. "Right, and?" I balled up my fist. What's he beating around the bush for? He knows I hate that.

"Shouldn't you, ya know, be happy about this?"

"I am happy." I replied.

"Right, but, you sure don't look it. You look pissed man."

"Do I?" I asked, my eyes scouring the room.

Several heads nodded, including Rode who brought it to my attention.

"Hm. Ah." Even in death Tucker, you still manage to annoy the crap outta me.

"You sure you good?" He asked.

"I'm fine. Stop worrying."

I don't think there's a day goes by where I don't want to slide Rode. I sometimes want to drop him from the group just cuz he gives me a headache but—I glanced over at the beaten up fridge—I'd be stupid to ignore his strengths; No, his strength. Dude's a monster. He by himself is going to be a nightmare for the police.

"Quese!" A voice called out behind me.

I turned to face three of the most loyal crew members I had: Naia, Nico, and Bang. As far as talents were concerned, there were multiple people in this room that easily outshined them. They weren't the biggest, fastest, or strongest. But they were more loyal than anyone else here and being in the gang taught me that loyalty was more important than anything else. They were ready to take a bullet for me if it came to it; in fact, Bang already has, though whether that was for me or not is up for debate.

"Hm? What's up?" I asked.

"Should we check on your fri—ahem, our target?" Naia asked. "Just to like, make sure he ain't a threat or nothin."

Ive always known Tucker to be a fairly resilient person. He was capable of handling multiple opponents and coping with a lot of pain even when I met him four years ago. It's what made sparring with him a nightmare. He was an unstoppable force. However—I thought about his bruised and beaten body crashing through the window and falling down—This is fourth floor. I don't care how tough he is, that's just death. Even if he survived the impact, the injuries should kill him.