UNMASKED

#32

There was a loud surprised cry of pain before Jack crumpled to the ground, clutching his leg. Somehow, against all odds, Eli hit him in the knee. Eli wanted to cackle.

Instead, he dropped down from the container, not caring about the throb of pain in his legs at the hard landing. He steadied himself and hurried to Matthew's side, gun still in hand.

"I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm very glad you have good aim," Matthew said as Eli took a look at the wound on his side.

"I was aiming for the chest," Eli deadpanned and was answered by a snort. Which quickly turned into a look of panic as Matthew threw himself over Eli and flattened them both to the ground. A sword—the same one Jack used on Matthew and still stained with his blood—flew past them.

"I am going to gut you assholes," Jack growled as he struggled to stand. Eli didn't hesitate to grab at the gun, fingers scrabbling for it, before he raised it and shot Jack once more. It was oddly satisfying. "Fuck!" Jack yelled, clutching his other leg. Sadly, it was not another knee shot.

"What the hell, you absolute dick?! You and your freaking knives have got me fed up!" It was nice to let some of the anger out now that Jack was probably not getting up any time soon.

He still shot them a glare that was so vicious, Eli was surprised they'd not dropped dead. He was also surprised when Jack laughed. It was funny how unsettling a sound it was, but then, anything resembling joy seemed twisted when it came from Jack. Eli watched as Jack gave up on remaining upright, laying on his back as blood sluggishly spread around the bullet wounds on his legs.

"Can't say this is how I meant for things to go. Kind of disappointing," Jack muttered as his laughter faded. His voice was laden with frustration, but there was still something sharp in his smile as it spread across his face. "But, I did plan for something like this."

Eli watched, confused, as Jack reached into one of his pockets, pulling out a small black object. He flipped the top open and looked over at them with a bloodstained grin.

"Always wanted to go out with a bang."

Eli wasn't sure what happened after that.

He thought he saw Jack press on the object in his hand, but Matthew was already moving to cover him. There was a deafening sound from somewhere and a loud creaking sound, like the grinding of metal that tore at his ears. The floor shook and mixed into it all, was the sound of laughter, half mad and half gleeful as everything around them seemed to collapse, and then Matthew was getting up and grabbing Eli to drag him away. When things settled enough for them to stop, the area was a wreck of metal. Jack was nowhere to be seen and in the distance, Eli thought he could hear the sound of people yelling in panic as they hurried out.

Both Matthew and Eli stood, miraculously unharmed. At least, but what had just happened. It was a moment later that Matthew finally sank to the floor.

"Shit, You have to get out of here," Matthew said through a grimace. He clutched at his side and cast a look at Eli that made him realize what Matthew had in mind. Again, Eli wanted to smack him.

"Fine. Come on then, let's go." He stood on shaky legs, feeling off balance, but still reached to grab a hold of Matthew.

"No, you go," Matthew said, trying to pull his arm away from Eli's hold. They stared at each other, neither willing to give in. Of course, Matthew was the first to falter. He let out a sigh, shoulders slumping as he sat there, hand still doing its best to stem the flow of blood. "I don't know how far I can go," he said, looking up at Eli, face pale and bloodstained.