Humbled || Watch Dogs

Chapter Five

Aiden hated that T-Bone had come. That he had drawn him into this. He watched as T-Bone defended them both, but Aiden knew the situation was bad. The only time there was ever a break in the fire was when T-Bone threw a grenade, but he only had one more. T-Bone had plenty of weapons and ammo, but they were pointless if he couldn't pop his head up without someone blowing a hole straight through it.

When the firefight had started, Aiden had tried to rouse himself, but to no avail. He only managed to hunch over further, making sure that he was fully shielded. Despite how far gone he was, his instincts had taken over. He wasn't going down because some stray bullet hit the top of his head. From that vantage point, he watched as the proceedings progressed in slow motion, T-Bone standing occasionally to fire off a shot.

It was a few minutes later that Aiden realized he had lost consciousness. T-Bone's second grenade had snapped him back to reality. Something had changed. T-Bone looked desperate, as though he were weighing his options. Which Aiden knew were nonexistent.

Aiden had to do something. He couldn't just sit there no matter what condition he was in. He had spent so long risking his life, trying to find the person who hurt his family. Hurt Lena. When he sent his sister and nephew away, he had thought his family was safe. But now he had a new family. Clara and T-Bone were risking their lives with him.

It was too late for Lena, but T-Bone was right there. Aiden had to fight. Fight for someone who could still be saved.

With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Aiden willed himself into a half crouch. T-Bone was too preoccupied to notice Aiden rise.

Aiden gestured to him, projecting his voice over the din of the gunfire. "T-Bone! Gun!"

T-Bone's head snapped around in surprise at Aiden's voice. He paused, not knowing how Aiden had come to be so mobile.

Aiden motioned again. "Gun!"

T-Bone may still have been confused, but he tossed Aiden his rifle, pulling out a pistol for himself. Aiden was glad he had given him the automatic. He wasn't sure he could pull off the accuracy needed to wield a pistol.

Not wanting to waste any energy, Aiden quickly laid out his basic plan.

Pointing behind T-Bone, Aiden shouted, "Go left!"

T-Bone nodded in understanding, bringing his gun up to the ready.

Aiden edged over to a pillar, standing upright with a groan. He looked back at T-Bone. On a silent three-count, Aiden stepped out and shot four before they realized where the shots were coming from. T-Bone followed immediately after, taking advantage of their diverted attention. He felled two.

With their attention divided, the remaining men didn't stand a chance. Aiden flew from column to block to column, all the while picking off Club members. T-Bone matched his advance on the opposite side. They fought forward until only two men were left.

Aiden was gasping for breath by that time. He had been hobbling the best that he could on his injured leg, mostly pushing through the pain to use it normally. His whole body was sore and every time the recoil hit him, he had gritted his teeth as his broken ribs threatened to break through his skin. His resolve was waning, but he pushed his body just a little further. Only two more and they were home-free.

His determination came to naught. As soon as he swiveled out from the pillar, Aiden was thrown backward by a sudden sting in his shoulder. He fell, blood seeping from his wound.

~~~

T-Bone tried to warn Aiden, but the words didn't form fast enough. In a glance over his shoulder, T-Bone saw both men aiming in Aiden's direction. Aiden had chosen that unlucky moment to show himself. The next thing T-Bone knew, Aiden was on the ground, clutching his shoulder. As much as he wanted to make sure Aiden was okay, T-Bone had to eliminate the South Club's presence first and he wasn't about to waste the opportunity he had been handed. With both of them focused on Aiden, it was child's play for T-Bone to pick off the last two men.

The silence following the gunfight was deafening.

Hesitating for a moment, T-Bone made sure they were truly alone before running over to Aiden.

Aiden had dropped his gun, instead grabbing his shoulder in an attempt to stop the bleeding. The red trail across Aiden's hand and jacket was evidence that his attempt wasn't proving effective. T-Bone had to get Aiden out of there. His time was limited.

"Come on, Aiden, we have to go," T-Bone said, helping Aiden to his feet.

Aiden stood shakily, head drooping as T-Bone wrapped Aiden's arm over his shoulders. Since they had come so far forward, they were much closer to T-Bone's car than where T-Bone had found Aiden. The car had a few bullet holes in it, but it still worked.

T-Bone set Aiden in the passenger's seat then hurried to the driver's side and fired up the engine. Throwing the car in reverse, T-Bone ploughed through the SUV blocking his exit. Once clear, he pulled a 180 and sped up the street.

In the seat next to him, T-Bone saw Aiden struggle to say conscious. It was a battle he was clearly losing. Aiden's head would sag then snap back up as he caught himself drifting off. Every time it happened, his head would dip lower and wouldn't recover quite as much.

T-Bone raced to the hospital. He didn't want to take Aiden there. If anyone found out who he was, he was done for. But Aiden needed help. And much more than T-Bone or Clara could provide. Keeping Aiden out of jail wouldn't matter if he was dead.

"Come on, man, stay with me," T-Bone kept repeating to Aiden.

The cars and street lights blurred past. When T-Bone pulled into the hospital lot, Aiden started wheezing, fighting to breathe. He was deteriorating. Fast.

Screaming to a stop in front of the ER, Kenney leapt out of the car and ran through the doors, proclaiming, "My friend needs help! Now!!"