The Cowboy's Darlin'

Side Piece: Extermination Day

(A/n: Happy New year yall! Sorry for the late post!)

Striker POV

Come on Darlin', please don't be late today of all days. I should have never agreed to the job she went on had I known it was going to be so close to Extermination day.

All the other rings were safe, only the fuckers who lived in Pride were at risk of being killed by the other fuckers from Heaven. Don't leave me alone Darlin', you know this is my worst nightmare.

I was always so calm and collected, but today I was twitchy. My tail rattled more, and I kept looking at the elevator leading to Pride, praying to every Lord in Hell. Bring my Darlin' home to me.

~

My POV

My heart stopped as I heard the loud chimes and I cursed looking down at my phone. It was about to start any minute and I was out in the open and a long way from the Ring station.

"Crap." I hissed and looked up at the sky seeing the lights falling down to the city. I whipped Nightmare with my tail and hissed. I prayed that none would venture out this far from the city since most Earthborn Sinners knew to hide because they couldn't run very far. Most Hellborn who lived in the cities were accustomed to hiding but I was the outside from Wrath. And should have been home days ago.

Even miles from town, I could hear the screams and cries from the city and I could feel a shiver run down my back as I had Nightmare run faster. I blinked back tears that I didn't even know were falling as I gripped my gun holster with one hand my heart racing. I'm coming home, my love.

My heart raced to see the Ring station just a mile up the road and I sighed in relief until I saw a bright light heading this way. Shit! Nightmare knew the situation and we ran as fast as we could while I aimed my gun behind me firing rounds in a panic.

I saw a few Imps and other Hellborn citizens in the corner of my eye holding the doors open and cheering me on. The Exterminator was getting closer and my heart pounded heavily, a ringing in my ears as I tried to focus on Striker. I had to get home to him.

I screamed as I felt a burning sensation seeing the Exterminator grinning as his weapon sliced my arm. Using the few minutes of peace from the Chaos as he went to grab his weapon, I threw myself off Nightmare and kissed her as I bolted for the door, the doors closing just as the weapon hit against the unbreakable glass and I shakingly fell to my knees as a few citizens made sure I was ok.

Thank Satan it didn't go after Nightmare, heading back into the City. Once the coast was clear, I grabbed Nightmare and brought her in hugging her tightly as I walked to the Wrath Elevators, and waited for extermination day to be over so we could all go home.

~

The fireworks symbolized another year had come and gone and it was safe. I stepped into the elevator and leaned against the walls as the doors closed and the descent began. Another year I was alive and grateful. I loved my life, and job, and had the best husband in all of the nine circles. Hearing the ding as the doors opened I shook myself from my thoughts about Striker as I stepped out and looked around the Ring station.

Striker sat on a nearby bench, his tail rattling loudly as his leg bounced in stress and I chuckled softly walking over to him.

"I'm home honey." His head shot up and pulled me in a tight embrace as he sighed at peace knowing I was once again safe in his arms.