Life After Champion

Day

   As the van speeds away, I sprint after it. I'm not losing to them again. I will find and help them both. I promise I will.

   I find a foothold on the building closest to me and scale up the wall. My hand slips, but I quickly correct myself. I have to be fast if I stand any chance of following them.

   After what must be a new record, I make it to the top of the building. I frantically look around, hoping to spot the vehicle again. It takes me a moment to find it again, but when I do, I release the breath I was holding.

   I jump from rooftop to rooftop in pursuit. I continue to trail them for long minutes, my adrenaline keeping me going as well as my desire to see June again. Alive.

   I'm panting hard. My breaths are short and ragged. My energy is diminishing and I start to wonder how much longer I can last when the car makes a sharp turn towards an old factory in an abandoned part of the sector.

   My heart is racing as they pull up close to the building. As they come to a screeching halt, I duck down behind a chimney. They back doors burst open and out comes two men forcing a struggling Anden forward. His wrists seems to be tied in front of him and duct tape covers his mouth.

   I can see the terrified look on his face. He knows this isn't how it was supposed to go, and that this whole thing just got much, much worse.

   That is, if I can't get him out.

   And June.

   I have to make my move before they can get inside. I silently make my way around to the side of the roof and climb down. From there, I run in the direction of the van. As I get closer, I can hear Anden's masked yells and the low rumble of the other men's conversation. I peek around the corner, stealing a look at them. There's four people. I sneak my way behind them and cloak myself with the surrounding shadows. They turn around and start heading towards the side entrance of the factory. Towards me.

   They're totally oblivious to the fact that I'm only yards away. They drag Anden along with them, his efforts making no difference. When they reach the back door, I pounce.

   I knock down the nearest person with ease. He falls to the ground with a loud thump. I start on the second one. He's now aware of my presence and reaches for a gun concealed in his waistband. Before he can aim it at me, I swing my fist at his face, hoping to knock him out.

   I thankfully succeed. The gun he was holding goes flying out of his hand as his body falls down.

   Two left. The two holding Anden.

   After a shared glance, they throw Anden to the side, sending him crashing into the wall. I leap for the gun lying a few feet away on the floor as they both advance towards me. Just as I reach it and my hand grasps the handle, one of them tackles me. The gun slips from my grip.

   I squirm underneath him and try to get him off. With a heave, I push him as hard as I can. He falls off me and jumps to his feet. I do the same. I spring forward and land on his ankles, knocking him down. He hits his head on the hard pavement. He's out cold.

   As I turn around to face the remaining man, I'm kicked in the gut, the air knocked out of me. The fourth man is grinning at me evily.

   He's holding his gun.

   “Thought you could save him, did you?" He spits. “We'll that's unfortunate. Especially since you were so close too... Too bad it all ends here." He lifts up his gun and aims it at me.

   A gunshot rings thought the air.