Ethereal Madness

Chapter 21- Uprising

I took in a deep breath, and already I noticed a difference between home and where I was now. The cool, sweet air that kissed my lungs, the bright, warm sun, the tall healthy trees behind us. Even the pavement we were standing on was clean and lacked cracks or holes.

It's night and day. Everything here is so peaceful. It feels...so foreign. The atmosphere isn't close to the same. We don't belong here; I don't belong here.

I took another breath.

This should be ours—this is going to be ours—no, this is ours. We just have to make the city recognize that.

I stared at the fence keeping us from our prize. Then at the person sitting comfortably in the toll booth some feet away from us to the right. I couldn't see their face from here because of the tinted windows, but that didn't stop my mind from imagining a sadistic freak that was laughing and mocking me.

Why are you being such an idiot? Just keep a cool head. It's probably a regular loser. Doubt it's even a cop.

"You ready, Boss?" Bang's voice woke me up from my thoughts.

"Yeah." I stared at my hand, only now realizing I was squeezing the walkie with the intent to crush it.

"Everyone ready?" I said into the Walkie.

"Yes I'm ready! Hurry up!" The wannabe Vixen Queen spouted.

"I'm chillin," the light skin said.

"Oh yes, we're ready," Fatso did not try to hide his excitement.

"Bout that time, isn't it?" Blonde boy asked.

"Destruction..."

Everyone's voice died.

Whatever the case may be, I hope this maniac listens.

I glanced behind me. Nico was talking up a storm to some others in the group, while Naia was putting on her game face. And then there was Bang, who was neither excited nor bored; just Bang.

Bang placed a hand on my shoulder. "Jus' want you to know Boss, if you get me killed, I'm killing you when I see you in Hell."

"Hell? Are you religious now?"

"Sorta always was. Or at least, my family was."

"Hm."

"They're a buncha chumps though. It's why they're dead and I'm alive."

I thought about my parents. Despite how much society hated them, I loved them. They were good to me and took care of me. Didn't stop the cops from taking them away from me though. So in return, I'll take away their city.

"How do you know you're going to Hell?" I asked.

"Hah. You see the stuff we do? Stealing and killing? We're textbook lowlives. Lower than low. We're all going to Hell." He chuckled. "Jus' a matter of how long it takes us to get there."

"What do you think it's like?"

"Always imagined it as like a system of confusing mazes that get you wound up with demons n stuff. It's why I'm going to get there first, to guide everyone to the end."

"And what's at the end?"

"Safety."

I cocked my head and he continued.

"Don't get me wrong, it ain't no paradise or nothin', but it's a lot better than the mazes full of monsters."

"Never struck you as someone with a big imagination," I said.

"Most don't. That's why they suck."

I frowned and he laughed.

"You good?" Nico snuck behind me. "Not getting cold feet on me, are you, o precious leader?"