Dawn and Bullets

60 MPH

Dawnden felt like he was flying through the air at 60 miles an hour. He perched to the ledge of the fourth floor window and didn't spend much time outside of the gates of hell. Still though, he couldn't stop himself from glancing at the inferno. Every machine and table was practically melting, a few of them hosted lifeless gamblers clinging onto them. Captain always goes down with the ship. Dawn refused to look at the third floor, he could already hear sounds of mayhem echoing through the blazing floors. Is this what you want, Apollo?

He moved up to the fifth, glanced inside, and then smashed his way through the glass. Thankfully, the fifth floor was properly evacuated, but the flames quickly climbed to occupy the space. Dawnden darted past all of the tables and machines nobody was foolish enough to occupy, nobody except a single old lady. She attended an abandoned table with a view of the window, her body draped in diamonds and jewels. Her eyes were closed, her body rocked back and forth. "Howdy, lady, it's time to get out!" Dawnden ordered.

"Eh. No place like Vost's casino exists on California. If this is its final day, then I shall get to witness an incomparable view," she said so apathetically.

"But, and I don't know if you've seen this, you're gonna die!"

She only scoffed at his concern. "Dawnden, do you fear death? Pathetic. What a sad man."

"Huh? I - no, no, nevermind. You can clearly handle yourself. If you need help, I'll help, but if you wanna stay here, fine. Good luck."

She smiled. "Finally, some peace and quiet." As Dawnden began running for the stairs, she said, "Fear will always keep you back, Dawnden. Fear of death will make you lose the fight. Fear of rejection will kill your relations. Do the things you want to do, boy."

A tick in his brain warned him to keep going, but Dawnden decided to stop and turn back. He again opened his mouth and had a barrage of questions and claims, but took a moment to stare at the woman. She watched the night sky and circling flames. She seemed at peace, she was relaxed. Her body was calmed with no reason to fight or struggle. Dawnden wondered Was I like her when I was apparently... dead...? Will I look like her one day? No, it doesn't matter, there are things left for me to still do. Dawn walked away and didn't learn another piece of information about the woman. He didn't regret turning the other way, but a fraction of him was upset he never found her name.

Regardless, Dawnden bashed his way through a door that once was tightly guarded. None of Vost's men remained to halt Dawnden, his red card was worthless. His feet skipped up the stairs before the fire could catch him. In the staircase hall, Dawnden could lean over the railing and spectate each and every staircase below him. Sure enough, flames and embers already broke into the hall and moved with little regard for the life it swallowed. If I give it ten more minutes, every floor will be blocked!

Dawnden grappled clear to the final floor and urgently entered Vost's hall with his hands on his revolver! He didn't spot anyone behind or in front of him, meaning Apollo really could be anywhere. Dawnden slooowly slipped through the door, tiptoed up the stairs, and then did a fierce turn around the corner. The elevator workers were all absent from their machines. Whether they were consumed by fire was beyond Dawnden's guess, he was almost afraid to find out. Dawnden also noticed the damage the framed newspapers had received. They were all smashed, torn, and left in a pitiful state on the ground. Dawnden would've looked closer, but his attention was stolen by Vost's opened stone door. It was just slightly cracked, yet Dawnden couldn't see who was inside. As he came only a few steps apart, he caught a glimpse at a note by one of the elevator machines.

GOOD LUCK

DAWNDEN!

I guess those guys aren't entirely bad. At least they got the decency to be on my side. Let's hope I don't need it. Dawnden stood exactly outside of the office. His gun was loaded, his hands were ready, and time was pushing against his back. It was time to act. Dawnden lifted his foot and kicked the door open! He scanned the barrel of the gun across the room for anybody to shoot, no hesitation. However, as he looked left and right, the room was empty! In fact, it looked like the place was practically untouched. Nobody occupied or even entered the office since Vost left for the arena.