OTHERS: Five elements

CHAPTER 2.9: FIRE

2 July 2031, 08:00 PM

I walked briskly through the streets, trying to find him as quickly as possible. My thoughts swirled like a whirlwind. Is Deniel okay? Has he hurt anyone? Will I be able to find him? Have the soldiers captured him? I hope he’s not injured. So many thoughts raced through my mind. In the corner of my mind, that sinister voice lingered, but this time I managed to silence it. I was more focused on finding Deniel.

From afar, I noticed Mark with his colleague. It seemed they hadn’t found him yet. As I approached them, a woman’s scream pierced the air. The two of them turned into a side street, following the sound. I followed them, hurrying to catch up. They didn’t notice me; their attention was fixed on the scream. When I arrived at the scene, I saw Deniel holding a woman by the neck. She struggled, her muffled voice barely audible as her hands clawed at his grip. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I felt the same fear I had when he once held me by the neck. But I couldn’t let fear take over—not now. Just as I was about to call out his name, the other soldier aimed his gun at him and fired a shot. He missed.

When Deniel heard the shot, he released the woman. Mark rushed to help her up. Deniel’s gaze locked on the other soldier, not noticing me. My heart pounded as I stared at the man I love. But instead of the warmth he once radiated, his face bore a murderous intent. I couldn’t blame him—I felt the same way just moments ago. All that mattered now was finding a way to reach him and help him calm down. After assisting the older woman, Mark raised his gun and aimed it at Deniel.

- "That's right, soldier. Just one more shot, and it’ll all be over," the other soldier said.

- "Didn’t we agree to capture him?" Mark asked.

- "There’s no reason to capture him. He’s a beast. Kill him. There’s no humanity left in him."

Mark hesitated, unable to pull the trigger. But Deniel ignored him. His focus was entirely on the other soldier, who seemed like the greater threat.

- "You’re a soldier. It’s your duty to stop the Others," the soldier pressed.

- "Do we really have to kill him, August?" Mark asked.

- "Just shoot him!" August barked.

Instinctively, without thinking, I rushed toward Mark to stop him. I couldn’t let him hurt or kill Deniel. I pushed him, and his body slammed against a building wall. He immediately lost consciousness. I was surprised by the strength I had.

- "Well, well. Look at that. There are two of you. Today’s my lucky day—I’ll capture both of you Others," August sneered.

He drew his gun, aimed it at me, and fired. The bullet hit my left shoulder. Pain seared through me as it pierced my skin. I thought this was it—that I’d die soon, especially as August prepared to shoot again. But Deniel appeared in front of me, shielding me with his body. He took the bullet. August fired another shot, hitting Deniel in the back. He held me in an embrace, protecting me from harm. August was intent on killing us both, but suddenly, someone appeared. Dressed entirely in white with a white mask and two swords strapped to his back, the figure disarmed August, tossing his gun away.

- "I’ll take it from here. Go and save him," the mysterious figure said, turning to me.

- "And who are you?" August demanded.

- "I’m nobody. Or somebody. Let’s say a new player. I’m gathering Others to join my group. What do you think of the name New Hope? Is it good? Unlike you, I believe the Others can coexist peacefully in this world."

- "Bullshit! You’re just another monster. And you’re in my way."

- "I don’t expect you to understand. Your kind only knows how to destroy. But not today. I suggest you back down."

August scoffed and charged, throwing a series of powerful punches. The mysterious figure dodged and deflected smoothly, almost otherworldly grace. Each blow was met with a swift counter, but it was clear the figure was struggling under the relentless assault. Seeing I was safe, Deniel let go of me and collapsed to the ground.

- "Deniel, are you okay?" I asked, tears streaming down my face.

- "Don’t cry. You’ll ruin such a beautiful face," he said, trying to calm me as he wiped my tears away.

- "Why did you step in front of me?"

- "You’re really asking that? Because I love you. When I saw you take that first bullet, something snapped in me. The voice urging me to kill went silent. All I wanted was to save you. Instinctively, I stepped in front of you and embraced you."

I didn’t know what to say. Tears kept flowing as I watched him lie helplessly, blood seeping from his wounds. I stood to help him, determined to get him to a hospital. I lifted him, supporting his weight, and we started moving down the alley. On the other side, August was still fighting the mysterious man. Night was falling. I walked as fast as I could, but Daniel struggled to move. After a few steps, he collapsed again.

- "I can’t go any further. Save yourself. You’re injured too. I don’t deserve to live—I’m a killer, a monster."

- "No! You’re not!"

- "I hurt you," he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. "Back at the motel… I was going to kill you."

- "But you didn’t," I replied. "I’ll find help. Stay here."

- "Not like I have a choice to go anywhere," he said with a faint smile.

I left him and searched for help. Exiting the alley, I found myself in front of the book store where we first met. I knocked on the doors, hoping someone would answer, but there was no response—the book store had closed. The streets were empty. In the distance, I heard the sound of a police siren and moved toward it, hoping to find assistance. After a few minutes, I saw a police officer.

- "Miss, are you okay? You shouldn’t be here. This entire area has been cordoned off by the World Safety Organization. There’s an Other nearby, and they need to capture him," she said.

Hearing this, I knew she wouldn’t help me. That Other they were hunting was my Deniel.

- "You seem to need medical help," she continued, glancing at my shoulder. "Please come with me to the ambulance."

Just as she took my arm to lead me away, a gunshot rang out from the alley where I had left Deniel.