Unstoppable: Revitalized

-45-

"You ready?"

I brushed my fingers against the cool metal of my new toy, trying to keep my cool as I shut the door, nodding at Callum, noticing how cold the night air had gotten in the short time we'd spent getting here.

He really didn't ease up on the gas. Christ. Maybe he wants this more than I do? No. Impossible. I want this, and I want it bad.

Callum let me take point, passing me a key for the gate. Even in the darkness, it still loomed over me, it's shadow just as menacing as it's frame, but for once I didn't feel the need to linger as I stepped towards it, slotting the key in and sliding past it, the concrete keeping me silent as we crept through the school.

"Any idea of how we get in without a problem?" I whispered, stopping by a side wall to survey the area: It was barren. Not a light, nor a guard, nothing. I heard silence, so turned back, and caught him fussing around with his bullets. He looked up quickly, flinched, and put it back, one of the rounds dropping to the floor. Out of instinct, I went to grab it, but once my hands touched it, they suddenly started scalding, the heat produced by the bullet so strong I couldn't hold it. I dropped it quickly, cursing under my breath and rubbing my hands together as he kicked it away, sweeping past me and walking on.

"He's in The Cooler. He has to be." He called back, heading towards the hidden trapdoors. I followed with no argument, knowing he was a better shot than me.

Hey bud, I might need you in a second, you all good with that?

Silence.

Come on man, not now. Let me know.

Still, nothing came back to me. Radio silence in my mind as I tensed my arms, realising I was mortal once again.

"Callum, I'm not hearing anything from my other side." I spoke, knowing we'd be fine with how quiet things were. He didn't even look back as he parted a few bushes, the doors now in plain sight. A faint but strong light could be seen inside it, practically begging to be released from it's freezing prison.

"We won't need it. He's one guy. Come on, lets just get this done. Grab a side."

We pulled the doors apart, giving us a flashbang as the light sprung towards us, my irises feeling the sting as they slowly adjusted. I could see the same old steps, except each one was lit furiously by a burning bulb hanging from the ceiling, the wires clamped onto them swinging slightly from the gust we'd let in.

"You go first. I'm right behind you." Callum's voice, which had been shaky and unsure, had suddenly rose into a blunt, calm tone. His wavering stopped, and he looked dead set on our mission. I didn't probe it, instead, I simply started to walk down the steps, the silence I found as I did calming. It allowed me to breathe, think, and make peace with what I was about to do.

This one is deserved. The Boss is a horrible, disgusting human. He used you, Adam. He used you for a sick experiment. That's all you are to him, an experiment he let run wild. This is our chance to take it all back. To take back our freedom. To take back our identity. To take back my life. I have to do this. And we're going to. We have no choice. Deep breaths. Steady yourself and your hands. Stay calm. As soon as you see him, shoot. Don't let him talk his way out of this.

The final step ended up making a crisp 'CLACK' as I landed on it, causing me to wince. I looked back at Callum, who still looked as numb as he did above.

He looks the same as the first time I saw him. That same, dead face I've gotten to know.

We both crept towards the door, gently leaning against it as we listened in. I heard nothing, and knew The Boss wouldn't be prepared for me running in and shooting him, and it was the best plan I had. Reaching for the doorknob, and taking a deep breath as I did, I turned it, throwing myself through into the light and piercing cold, gun raised.

And there he stood.

The Boss had a white suit on, a black undershirt showing itself off slightly, with a cross pinned where his heart would be. His hair was pushed to the side, with a very well kept beard adorning his lower half. The same eyes I'd seen a dozen times at this point were just as present and calm as ever as he raised his hands, seeming to invite me to shoot.

It's now or never.

I centered my gun, trying not to notice the slight shake running through my hands as I steadied it, aiming for his heart. I'd finally lined it up, and took one final peek at The Boss' face, wanting to remember it with some form of fear. Some form of regret. Something, anything but the smug, powerful way he'd held his power over me the entire time I'd known him. Instead, I found a smile beginning to emerge, wider than any person should be able to.

"This is where you die." I muttered, my cold breath misting with my malice.

I made peace with myself for the final time, took a deep breath, and squeezed.

Click.

I felt time slow down astronomically as I looked down, doing what I should've done the whole time: I pulled the slide back, knowing Callum had me covered enough to keep me safe. I had to blink twice to make sure what I was seeing was truly real, but it was. There was no mistake, and no error of the weapon, but my own:

The magazine was empty. Every bullet had been taken out of it, leaving me with something practically useless.

What the fuck is Callum playing at?

I went to spin around, but got halfway before I felt an immense amount of pressure suddenly slam me in the back of the head, the shock and hit sending me straight to the floor, my body failing me as I fell. My head went first, crunching itself as it made contact, the pain I felt a heavy reminder of just how screwed I was. I tried moving myself, but it was no use, nothing co-operated with me. I laid facing the dirt, confused, praying that Callum had seen it and began to run as fast as he could.

Just make sure the girls are safe. Please, Callum, for the love of all that's holy, keep them safe.

A leg nestled it's way between myself and the iced floor, flipping me over to face the artificial light, the metallic taste of blood now resting on my lips. My eyes barely functioned, but my ears did. Another three shots hit my chest, with another two planting themselves in my legs. The wounds stung like hell, which I was used to. I knew it would take a while, but I'd wake up, and I'd get through whatever cage, hole, or ground The Boss put me in, and I'd find him.

Then they started to burn.

And through the dancing lights, the burning feeling, and small parts of my sight beginning to blotch and fail, I caught two things I wished I hadn't. Two things that added everything together in the last moments before this as it reached for my shoulders, holding me in place as they put a silver revolver to my face, the barrel the only other thing I could make out:

Blonde hair. And green eyes.