𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 • ✔️

LOOK AWAY - VI

Precisely 30 minutes later, she heard a bang, bang, bang, and then all hell began to break loose.

Chris' squad rolled into the mansion, the sound of windows breaking and people shouting filling her ears. She ran down the stairs, screaming for Chris.

The commotion was deafening. She could barely hear anything through it. The gunfire and screams echoed throughout the house.

"Chris!!? Chris, where the fuck are you?!" She screamed into the chaos.

She finally found him, stationed up at the main house's living room, searching through cabinets. She grabbed his arm, "Chris!"

"Bravo, thank God. Come to the helicopter while we sweep this place for Lucas." He nudged her with his gun, and it was hard for her to snap out of her starry-eyed staring at him.

She ran for the door but a familiar grasp grabbed her around the elbows, held a knife to her neck— "Not so fast, Christopher." Lucas taunted, pulling her back to face Chris.

Chris stood still for a moment, looking at them.

"We can finish this here, or you can watch her choke on her blood. It's your choice." Lucas threatened, his voice echoing loudly into the hall.

"Let her go, Lucas, we both know she's not the one you want!"  Chris demanded, pointing the gun at his head.

Lucas scoffed, "Maybe she is, soldier boy. Who knows?"

"You don't want it to end like this." Chris growled. His grip tightened around the trigger.

"It's gonna end bloody no matter what I do. Yer just collateral damage."  Lucas smirked, pulling her closer to him.

She got the urge to do something she never thought she'd do. She dug through her pocket and picked out her butterfly knife.

It plunged into Lucas' abdomen, stunning him off her.

He dropped her immediately, clutching his wound as she took the knife out, dropping it to the ground. The knife landed with a loud thud.

After a few seconds, he recovered quickly though, reaching for her, "You fuckin' bitch, liar!"

Chris extended his arm back out and fired. He landed two bullets to Lucas' gut. Lucas staggered backwards, falling against the wall.

Blood seeped from his gaping wound, "Yer gonna fuckin' regret this! You lyin' bitch!" Lucas spat at her, reaching for her desperately.

She turned sharply and bolted for the front door, ignoring his pleas and screams for her.

She slammed the door shut once Chris passed through and ran to the helicopter.

Her head hung heavily, trying to steady herself. Her legs were shaking violently and sweat had begun to pour from her forehead.

Lucas called out, "I'm gonna kill the both of ya!"

She slowed down, leaning against Chris for support.

She turned to see Lucas limping over to her, Chris aiming his rifle right at his head. She shook her head and muttered to Chris quietly, "Chris, don't kill him."

"What?" Chris asked. His eyebrow cocked and his eyes coldly locked onto Lucas.

"Just take the chopper back. Please?" She begged Chris softly.

Her nose was stained red from the stress and crying, her eyes glassed over from tears.

Chris frowned, "I'm not taking you anywhere until we get him dead."

She closed her eyes, fighting back the wave of tears threatening to fall again. Her hands clenched into fists by her side.

Is this her punishment for playing both sides? Surely. Surely she made this mess herself.

Lucas would die and Chris would take her home. Maybe this is a happy ending to some. Not to her, though.

The gunshots rang out. She couldn't bear to look back at what happened or even think about it as she climbed onto the chopper.
The ride back to base was silent except for the sounds coming from the radio, and her occasional sniffling as she clutched onto her arms, praying she wouldn't throw up on the chopper.

Chris sat next to her, silent. She took a few moments to stare at him. She felt bad now for everything she's done. But what can she do anymore? It was either him or her.

And then suddenly, Chris reached for her hand, which she gave, weakly.

His eyes met hers and he spoke up after a couple minutes of quiet, "You're strong, soldier. Stronger than you think you are."

She snorted, "I can't believe you're saying that, Captain. I fumbled it." She paused and sighed, her shoulders slumping forward, "I feel bad. I feel really bad."

"Hey, it wasn't anyone's fault. That bastard is responsible for what happened. Remember, soldier, no mission is guaranteed to go smoothly." He patted her lightly on the knee, glancing at her before returning his gaze to the windshield again,

"If it makes any difference, I feel pretty guilty too. I shouldn't have taken your word when you were trapped there." He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"Capta— Chris. It's on me, really. Don't blame yourself. I shouldn't have walked into that trap." She smiled up at him, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

She pulled back her seatbelt, preparing to exit the helicopter, "Thank you for everything, Chris." She hugged him tightly, squeezing her eyes shut. She tried to block everything else out and only focus on Chris' strong arms wrapping around her in return.
She didn't want this moment to ever end.

When they pulled apart, Chris smiled sadly down at her, "You've got a promotion, soldier."