Ethereal Madness

Chapter 36- Reach Out

-Quese Perspective-

"I think he went that way." One of them yelled.

"Hurry up. Having all these dang cops in my crib. I wanna see him squirm. Be sure to bring him alive...but just barely."

"Right." They snickered.

I hid in the shadows behind the stack of boxes and watched as the thugs ran by. Most had weapons, several carrying guns.

I took a silent breath of the cool midnight air. My eyes got heavier and I forced them open.

Don't you dare. Close your eyes now and you'll be sleeping forever.

I waited until the last one passed. Then waited. Once I hit thirty seconds, it was time to go, I snuck in the opposite direction. I thought I'd be safe. However, one idiot lagged behind the rest. I could see it in his eyes. He was as shocked as I was. I wasn't going to be the last to react though. I rushed him. He reached for his pistol but I knocked it out of his hand. He opened his mouth and I punched him in the throat. All that escaped his lips was the sound of a dying machine. I punched him in the chest and he fell down. Then, I stomped his Adam's apple in. I stomped a few more times for good measure. I glanced at him as I picked up his pistol off the ground. For some reason, he was still conscious.

I sighed. Should've just went to sleep.

He made the foolish decision to try and get up and I stepped on his hand, gun pointed at him while I dragged his hand with the back of my heel. I pointed the gun at his head, aiming right between the eyes.

He shook his head slowly, eyes screaming, pleading me to spare him.

Had things gone differently, I doubt you would've been as merciful. 

The gun went off and I ran forward.

Keep running. That's the only way you're gonna get through this. At least...they don't have to suffer for my sins.

...

"So, what now?" Nico asked.

I got up off my butt. "Leavin'."

"Where we going?"

"I'm going away." I emphasized. Nico and Naia looked confused, but Bang seemed indifferent.

"What? You leaving us?" Nico snapped.

"Yeah."

"What! But—"

"Leave that retard be. Let him do what he wants to do," Bang told them.

"...Are you really leaving us Quese?" Her eyes were wide, like an expectant little sister.

"...Yeah."

Her eyes drifted to the floor.

"Don't worry Princess. He's our leader ain't he?"

"Yeah?" She answered hesitantly.

"Then trust your leader knows what he's doing."

"Bang." I called. I tried to muster up the confidence, but I couldn't get her name out of my mouth. Why was this so hard?

He smirked. "Don't worry man. I'll check up on Reba for you."

"Appreciate it." I walked away, not breathing until I was a good enough distance away. The air left my lungs and a weight dropped off me. "Thank you Bang."

...

I couldn't stop panting. Despite being outside, it was like I couldn't get enough air. My lungs burned and If I didn't punch my chest every so often, I doubt my eyes would still be open. But I kept running. I had to. Otherwise, it would've been the end.