Lazer Lightzest

Chapter 4: I have a Vendetta

Feeling slowly crept into Avery's body as his eyes opened slowly. His body ached. He felt like he had been thrown around a wrestling ring. Suddenly, he recognised the towering figure of the assassin, standing before him as if he were a friend or family member trying to surprise him. Avery scrambled up and tried to summon a kick or a punch, anything that would get the assassin out of his way. But a quick punch to the neck from the black-clad figure sent him stumbling down to the bed. From there, he reached into his belt. For a second, Avery was afraid he was going to be shot, but instead of a gun, a neon toothbrush and a small toothpaste tube were pulled out and presented to him. He grabbed them warily and walked towards the small basin on the other side of the room, the assassin's eyes never leaving him for a moment.

Quickly brushing his teeth, all the while his eyes were on the assassin, Avery walked back and passed the brush and the paste back. The assassin took them, nodding quickly before thrusting them into the bin.

"We can't afford to leave any trace," he explained. "We're already in grave danger."

"Who are you?" Avery asked.

"You can call me Vendetta. Right now, that's all you need to know."

Avery nodded his reply. Every sense in his body was screaming at him not to trust the assassin, but right now he ignored that. He didn't have much of a choice. Vendetta came back, this time carrying a short-sleeved T-shirt and a hoodie.

"The police know what you were wearing," he explained. "This should help keep us off the radar."

Avery quickly changed and followed him outside. He noticed the time on a clock on his way out: 5:12 in the morning. The Sun had barely risen and the entire compound was shrouded in darkness because of a black tarpaulin that hung over it. Vendetta was wearing a black armoured suit complete with a helmet. Not an inch of his skin was visible. From the short 'conversations' that they had had, Avery couldn't make out a distinct accent or nationality.

"Wait," Avery said. Vendetta turned to face him. "I want to see my parents."

Vendetta shook his head. "Too dangerous. They'll be predicting it. The house will be watched. As soon as you arrive, you'll be gunned down."

"Who are 'they'?" The vagueness of the assassin's responses annoyed Avery. "I can handle myself."

"We don't have time for this," Vendetta hissed. "You're either coming with me conscious, or I'll knock you unconscious and carry you with me."

Avery stood his ground. "I am going to see my parents. Stop me if you want. This is my decision to make."

Vendetta produced a gun out of nowhere, pointing a gun right at his chest. "No. You are coming with me."

Blue energy burst out of Avery's hands and hit the assassin, causing him to scramble backwards. Trying to ignore the burning pain in his hands, Avery bolted away from the assassin. He didn't care where he went, he just needed to get away from here. He could hear Vendetta's footsteps, gradually getting louder. He couldn't possibly outrun someone who was trained for this. Avery spun around and held out his fist, hoping to catch Vendetta off guard, but the assassin was expecting it and caught the fist, twisted his arm behind him, forcing him to the ground. Avery splayed his hand and Vendetta flew through the air, Telekinesis, teleportation and energy blasts. Not bad. But the assassin had fast recovered and was hurtling towards him like a train. Avery tried to concentrate and teleport away, but the only thought that was going through his mind was the incoming figure of the assassin. In the end, he did teleport - right in front of Vendetta. The two crashed into each other, but Vendetta's armour shielded most of the blow. Meanwhile, Avery's ears were ringing, and bright spots flashed in his vision. He groaned, trying to stay awake but just moments later the darkness closed in and he fell into unconsciousness.