Game Of Bliss

(25)

"Move," Ada demands, pushing her way through Kimbers men.

"What are you two doing?" Tommy asks.

"Stopping you lot from starting something stupid," Ada says.

"You're calling us stupid? Ada you're stood in fucking no man's land," Freddie replies.

"And it wouldn't be starting something, it's ending something," Kimber says, moving his gun to aim at Florence.

"Flo, this isn't going to solve anything," Malachi states, "please."

"If Ada is staying here, so am I," Florence replies, trying to ignore his pleading eyes.

"Ada, move," Freddie says.

"Shut it, and listen," Ada responds.

"Ada, I really hope you say the right words," Florence whispers, staring down the barrel of Kimbers gun.

"Most of you were in France, so you all know what happens next," Ada says, "I've got brothers and a husband here but you've all got somebody waiting for you. I'm wearing black in preparation, I want you to look at me, who'll be wearing black for you? Think about them. And fight if you want to, but that baby ain't moving anywhere and neither are we."

"That's fine by me," Kimber states, smirking at Florence.

"You pull that trigger, Kimber, and I promise you, I will tear you limb from limb," Malachi says, "move that barrel in my direction, just keep it off of her"

"It's different," Mal sighs, "you've seen how Tom has reacted to Ada and Freddie. He fucking put a gun to his head."

"He didn't pull the trigger; and once more you're thinking of other people, why should it matter what anyone else thinks other than you and Florence?" Polly responds, "the question you've got to ask yourself is do you think she would be worth staring down the barrel of a gun for? If the answer is no, then it's better you do stay away. But I think we both know that your answer would never be no."

"Who will be wearing black for you, Kimber? Think about them right now," Ada states, "he's a man of his word, if I were you I'd change your trajectory."

"You're right, it's not her who caused this, it's him," Kimber replies, shifting the gun towards Tommy as Danny rushes forwards in front of him.

It seemed as though everything was in slow motion, Florence turns to look at her brother, who was staring at Danny who had fallen to the floor, she glances back at Kimber whose gun was still aimed at Tommy.

"Get down!" Florence exclaims, pushing her brother down, inhaling sharply as she feels something penetrate the skin just beneath her left shoulder blade.

"Beng," Tommy shouts, rushing towards her, seeing blood deep through the back of her shirt.

Tommy wasnt't watching what ever happened straight after that, but when he heard an array of gasps, he checks his shoulder. Malachi had kept true to his promise.

Kimber was on the floor coughing up blood, as Mal was holding his collar, pummelling the man's face in, "you better hope she lives, else I swear to god, it won't just be you whose dead. Everyone you've ever cared for in the slightest, you'll be seeing them real soon."

Nobody was sure how it happened so quickly. How Malachi had managed to debilitate the man so easily nobody knew. But he was now punching an unconscious Kimber. The hand on the collar moved to the man's neck, tightening his grasp, as his other hand kept hitting the unconscious man.

"Mal," Ada says, flinching when Mal takes Kimbers neck in two hands.

There was silence. A moments silence before a loud crack rang out, and Mal stood up, wiping the blood onto his trousers. He didn't look back at the body, he rushes right to Flo, picking her up in his arms, whilst everyone looks at him in shock.