Guardian Angel

FASTEST BOW IN THE WEST

"Where did they go?" Mercury prepped her crossbow at her side.

"Through the main street. That's what I'd do."

The main street was the busiest street of our settlement, many cars and survivors moving through the shops and stations.

If someone were to hide from their hunters, it would be here.

Today was a busy day because of the soccer game the Argentine superstar was featured in. 

Everyone was together watching the game in the comfort of bars, restaurants, or cafes.

There were people everywhere, though, like a small concert going down main street with no surrender. Looking for Mercury's attackers was an eyesore, but I had to if we wanted a lead on these relentless kidnappers... those arsonists.

Those were some slippery terrorists, too, with no trace left behind. I didn't understand what made her such a huge target, she was just a girl with a dream. She likely stole a thing or two, and definitely got that bow from elsewhere, but going to this length to catch a thief was irregular.

In consolation, I told myself that her attackers were just some desperate, coked-out bums willing to screw with anyone for fun. I didn't want to give her any false information, so I kept my mouth shut.

"Keep that crossbow hidden, Mercury. If any Hawaii guards see it you'll be smoked."

"You're right."

She strung the bow up, hid the arrow, and folded up the arms to hang it over her shoulder. Hopefully people would take it for a walking stick of sorts.

I felt something hang onto my arm. I thought I bumped into some folks, but Mercury had actually hooked her arm around me, bringing her head to my shoulder blade, snuggling warmly.

We were walking like newly weds here, in the middle of a little soccer festival. She wouldn't do this normally, we had a mission to do...

It did feel lovely though, having my first love in a long time hold onto me for her safety. I had a secret admirer willing to fight and rob for me.

"Lynx... Honestly, I love y-"

I stopped listening to Mercury for a moment as a red jersey with a "7" was on one of the guy's backs, just like one of the guys we saw at the bar, so I pulled out of Mercury's grip and marched past a bunch of soccer fans to make him pay.

"Lynx, wait!"

I grabbed the guy and tried to strangle him, but regretted it immediately as he pulled a Glock pistol out of his pocket and put it to my chest. I raised my hands, and my heart sank as this man didn't have a bandage on his neck or either of his hands. I just grabbed a random soccer fan trying to enjoy the game.

"The hell are you trying to do, man?!"

I snapped back without lowering my hands. "You shouldn't have a gun, fuckwad!"

"Don't tell me that when you just tried to choke me, cunt," he barked, as he pressed the gun to my chest. I saw that the real offenders were walking away from the crowd, as another red jersey with a "7" disappeared from my sight.

I grew impatient and didn't mean to grab this defensive man, so I whipped my hands onto the slide of the Glock and prevented it from firing. I put my boot to his abdomen, and kicked him away as he went down, but the gun went off in the process. I didn't feel a shot strike me, but hearing screaming of the crowd as the man continued to try to shoot me, I dived away from the crowd and scolded myself for the outburst.