Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 50: Bright Jade

Elizabeth and Annabelle stood side by side. The red glow of the mushroom cloud gave their skin a pink sheen.

"What happened, Anne?" Elizabeth said after what felt like an eternity. "Please, just talk to me."

Annabelle's lip trembled. "So many lives in our hands and we keep losing them, no matter what we do. I...."

Elizabeth clutched Annabelle's arm. "I told you they're not your fault. Stop blamin' yourself."

"Then why does it feel like they are?"

Elizabeth went quiet again. The random breeze felt colder than usual.

A moment later, Alexandre arrived with his donkey.
"Yo, next time you pop off a nuke, let Dean know first!"

Elizabeth looked at him. "You fuckin' named him already?"

"Why you gotta be so rude? Fine, Dean likes Elizabet better anyway!" Alexandre led Dean to the Russkie, like a mushroom cloud wasn't looming in the distance. "Ayo, Elizabet! You think Dean's a good name for my donkey?"

"Cyka bylat, I'm glad we didn't go to war back home," Elizabet muttered as she gazed at the cloud.

"Elizabet!" Alexandre said.

Elizabet turned around. "What's that you say?"

"My donkey! You like the name Dean?"

"Donkey's fake," Elizabet said plainly.

"Whatchu say??"

"First off, where did you find donkey?"

"Right next to the office building!"

"Just standing there," Elizabet said, glaring at Dean accusingly. "A donkey in the middle of city. And how come he hasn't made noise a single time?"

Alexandre stood in silence for a while, then he faced Dean. "Ayo—"

Dean exploded into a pulsating mass of tumors and tentacles. He grabbed a couple soldiers and whipped them around like ragdolls.

Annabelle turned and fired a bolt of lightning that incinerated him in one hit. Little bits of flesh with coursing electricity rained from the sky.

"Damn, Sharif!" Alexandre said solemnly as he watched the gore fall to the ground. "What the fuck happened, man?"

"I thought donkey's name was Dean!" Elizabet said.

"I just decided Sharif was better."

At that moment, Yamaguchi rose from behind cover and confronted Elizabeth and Annabelle. "No more nukes! Do you understand?!"

Elizabeth was surprised at Yamaguchi's boldness after watching Annabelle unleash Armageddon from her hand. "Understood, sir."

"I told you once before, now this is your last warning! You keep her"—he pointed to Annabelle, who shrunk under his gaze—"in check! If I have to tell you one more time, I'm calling Mr. Shrimp!"

Annabelle raised an eyebrow. "Who's—"

A small scissor lift elevated a shrimp with a bandana to eye level. A hyōshigi clacked as he ominously peered at the councilwomen with his tiny, jet-black eyes.

"How long has he been here?" Elizabeth asked.

"That doesn't matter," Yamaguchi said. "Sakura says there's no lingering radiation from the blast and they're going to scout ahead. I want you to go with them and see what you find."

"Alright," Elizabeth said.

"I'll catch up with you." Annabelle watched Elizabeth disappear into the distance, her cloak flapping in the wind. She turned to Yamaguchi, eyes heavy with guilt.