The Day Earth Died

31. Pyromania

My hand rested on the doorknob, my lower lip between my teeth. I couldn't gather the strength to twist it within myself. The second I'd set a foot out of the room, all of this would be real;

I would have really betrayed Amell's trust for my own benefit;
I would have really drugged him to keep him from risking his life;
I would have really hurt the man I love to protect him;
I would have really been a selfish jerk;
I would have really broken us.

But I wasn't the one to make it real. Against my fingers, the doorknob spun. I flung my now-charged, silenced handgun out of my belt and pointed it towards the door that slowly creaked open. Haile.

"I see pretty boy is sleeping." He smirked, his eyes dangerously darkened.

I dug my gun into his chest and marched forwards, closing the door behind me. How did he get past the guards?

"Don't you touch him."

"I mean, I understand. Rebellions are exhausting."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I will shoot you."

"But then how would you manage to kill dad? I'm the only one who knows where he's hiding." He faked a look of pity.

"Where?"

"The Public Votes room."

"Cool, you're useless now."

I pressed the barrel harder into the spot above his sternum. He put his hands up, feigning capitulation, but kept his smugness as he replied:

"You can't get in without me. It's armoured."

"Without you? What do you have to offer?"

"A way in."

A wide grin refused to leave his lips. I gritted my teeth, and it only fed into his smile.

"You're a killer. I'm not associating with you," I spat.

"I have killed the other governors but not for the reason you think."

"Why would I trust you?"

"You've got nothing to lose."

I hated the way he pretended to know me, but I hated the way he knew how to play with my mind even more. I hated him.

"Actually, I do. Fuck off." I fired my gun.

Haile flew back a bit, his back hitting the wall. He leaned against it for stability. The bullet pierced through his sweatshirt but didn't thrust any further. Slowly, he pushed himself back up, wincing.

"Knew you'd do that. Still hurts like a bitch though." Haile feebly dragged his shirt up to show me the damaged bulletproof vest under it.

"You're telling me I should aim for the head next?" I inched closer and nudged his forehead with the gun.

"The next thing you should aim for is my dad if you kindly will, Mal."

Don't call me that.

"You're his ally," I said.

He faintly laughed.

"He wishes. I want him dead as much as you do. I thought all I had to do was wait until we landed on Atlas and watch him burn. But you're quite ahead of your time, aren't you?"

"It seems I am," I scoffed.

I can't just believe him that easily. This could be a trick. He did take a bullet though; he could've easily brought a gun and shot me right there.