Joel Miller x Reader

Thirty-Six

With tense shoulders and the riffle in your hand, you sneak through the long tunnel.

Joel was right behind you. His eyes jumped into every direction, alerted by the smallest movement in the shadows. Whenever a soft noise sounded, or even a drop of water fell on the stones, he turned in that direction as if an army would appear at any moment.

The water drew small waves around your shoes wherever you stepped.

Green algae had settled on the floor and slowly crawled up the walls. It smelled like the sea, salty and a little foul.
In the distance, voices sounded. Light fell into the tunnel, warm and not natural.

So they have electricity, you mumbled and threw a glance over your shoulder to check on Joel. Or at least enough energy to power a light source.

He checked it himself.

Jackson has electricity too, it's not a huge deal, he noted and pressed his back against the wall.

You did the same, trying to press yourself as deep into the shadows as possible.

It could become a disadvantage to us. If they have electricity, they have alarm systems, illuminated places. Hiding could become a challenge.

And we would have to be careful twice as much, he added.

Pulling a face, you nodded and watched as shadows crossed the entrance of the tunnel. Their steps echoed inside your ears, heavy and uneven. Silently, you counted the seconds before they returned.

"Thirty-nine.", you said.

He hummed, immediately knowing what you were talking about.

"Slim time frame.", he said and exchanged a gaze with you. "Taking them out would be easier."

"I fear you're right. But... they are more than us."

"I'll lure them into the tunnel. Can you take them out?"

Checking again, you shrugged.

"Let's find out.", you said and gave him a few stones. "Throw these. I'll wait there."

With a sly grin, you slid into the shadows and disappeared to the right, into a smaller tunnel. The shadows there were so dark, that they wrapped around you like a cloak, making it almost impossible for the bare eye to spot you in those dark close of yours.

Like a sniper, you positioned yourself on the floor.

Wet and dirty water seeped onto your clothes, but in that moment it did not matter at all. You checked the ammunition. Your heart was beating like crazy.

You had to hit every single shot. If one missed, it would only be a matter of minutes before this place was filled with fighters. And neither you nor Joel would be able to make it out in that case.

One last glance at the riffle. Then you gave Joel a sign.

Taking a deep breath in, Joel pressed his back against the wall, trying to stay hidden as long as possible. The stones danced between his fingers. With one swift movement, he threw the first stone through the metal gate.

With a gentle click it hit the ground, rolled a few steps and hit the wall on the other side.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then, the steps stopped. They hesitated.

Exchanging a gaze with you, he threw another stone. And another right after that one.

The steps turned. Now, they were slow, careful.

The shadows came closer, revealing three boys. They couldn't have been older than teenagers, sixteen at best. The fear was written on their faces, they couldn't even hold the riffle properly.

Quickly, you exchanged a gaze with Joel and both agreed that killing them couldn't be the only option. With your teeth pressed together you put away the riffle and got ready to choke them until they got unconscious.

It wasn't the perfect solution and the boys could still take some damage from it, but it would be better than putting bullets inside their heads.

In front of the gate, the boys argued who was supposed to check the tunnel. None of them were thrilled, but eventually, the tallest of them, a boy with dark hair and a hint of a beard shadows, dared to open the gate and set foot into the dirty water.

He stopped after a few steps, threw a glance back at his friends.

Carefully, you threw a stone.

Struck by surprise, he flinched.

"Come on, Fynn!", the redhead rolled his eyes. "Make it quick."

The boy named Fynn pulled a face. But he walked into the shadows, his revolver raised for protection. His breath filled the air. It sounded like he was about to loose his mind and run.

His eyes did not spot you moving behind him. Slowly, you got up, making sure that not a single drop of water gave away that you were there.

With your hands stretched out, you crawled up to him and pressed a hand onto his mouth.

A suppressed scream of surprise escaped him.

Your other arm wrapped around his neck and squeezed tightly.

He resisted, making it hard for you to keep him in place. You squeezed tighter. But after a few minutes passed his movements got slower, weaker. Like a wet sack of sand he sunk into your arm.

You checked if he was still breathing, then gave Joel a sign.

He nodded and walked closer to the gate.

The remaining two boys threw a glance into the tunnel.

"Fynn?", they asked. "Are you alright?"

The redhead pulled a face. His eyes were filled with horror.

"We- we should go and talk to the others...", he mumbled and turned away.

But his friend grabbed him by the arm.

"Don't be a pussy, Tom!", he hissed. "We can do this. Come on. Protect my back."

He pushed the gate open.

With an unsure expression on his face Tom followed, but it seemed like he was about to run for his life.

Joel silently told you that he would take out the one in the back.

You nodded, dragging Fynn into the open so he could serve as a distraction.

As the boys spotted him, their guard dropped.

It was a stupid rookie mistake, but what else was to be expected from boys this young?

With one swift moment, you jumped out of the shadows and wrapped your arm around the boys neck while your other hand suppressed the screams.

Struck by surprise, Tom raised his pistol and wanted to fire a shot.

But Joel reacted quickly, grabbed the barrel and ripped it from his hands. One hit on the head and the boy was out.

"Good. Now let's be quick.", you pushed through the gate.