Yuanfen (AlanxJeff) VI

28

The echo of the gunshot was fading, but time seemed to stand still. In an instant that felt like an eternity, everyone held their breath, waiting to see the outcome of that final act of desperation.

Alan 

The plan was unfolding perfectly. Charlie's illusions were more than perfect; they were palpable, almost tangible. The goal was clear: to provoke Tony's men to leave the mansion to defend it, giving us free rein inside. Once inside, the advance was simple alongside Pete's loyalists; the few guards we encountered were no obstacle. Our priority was to locate Jeff; after that, we would deal with Tony.

"Where's the boy?" Pete interrogated one of the men, but he, reluctant, refused to speak.

"What's happening?" I asked, anxious and worried.

"He escaped," Pete said, reading his mind. And I could see how the man's eyes widened, perplexed. "Way helped him escape. Tony is on the rooftop with a helicopter, waiting to take him away, to flee."

I thought I could breathe a sigh of relief until that moment. I imagined Jeff hidden, waiting to be rescued by one of us; but upon reaching the rooftop, my breath froze. Jeff was there, struggling with one of the henchmen who dragged him toward the helicopter. I looked at Pete, and he nodded; the only way to prevent the escape was to shoot down the helicopter. We opened fire until the flames consumed it. Tony, cornered, stopped his escape and turned towards us.

"Surrender, we have evidence of everything you've done. There's no turning back, at least fall with dignity and not as a desperate man," Pete challenged, his weapon pointing firmly.

Tony sketched a sinister smile.

"What does a cornered monster do when it knows it's going to lose? It tries to drag you down with it," was his response.

"Hand him over," he ordered his man. And he, obeying, lowered Jeff. A sharp pain pierced my chest, stealing my breath. In the blink of an eye, Tony was holding Jeff tightly, a gun pointing at his temple.

"Let him go, I promise you, I swear I'll let you escape. Just let him go and start over somewhere else," I begged desperately. This couldn't be happening, please no. Please. I prayed internally, desperate to all the gods.

"Your highness, you seem to have the wrong idea that being royalty will get you everything you want, but it's not like that. Today we both lost something invaluable. You lost the love of your life, and I lost my position and reputation. At the end of this game, we both lost. But I wonder, who lost more?" Tony said with a malicious smile.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. There was no way to shoot him without risking Jeff's life.

His fingers tensed on the trigger, and in an instant that seemed eternal...

Jeff closed his precious eyes...

Bang. The shot rang out, a deafening echo that marked the end of everything.

Tony tightened his grip and then fell. Jeff broke free, and we both ran to meet in a strong embrace. I looked up, still in his arms, to see Pete protecting us and Way, who was crumbling, trembling and on his knees on the ground, his eyes reflecting terror and disbelief.

Way had shot his own uncle.

"Damn traitor!" Tony roared, consumed by rage, now pointing at Way.

Pete didn't allow him to continue.

Bang, bang, the shots rang out once more. I felt Jeff squeeze me tighter.

"And Way?" he asked with a trembling voice, still sheltered in my chest.