Multi-Stories

Chapter 55: The Accused Pt. 1

Inside of a room with unconscious Atlas Soldiers scattered about, Caleb Sieks ducks a strike from another, hooking his arm around theirs, and slamming his forearm into the back of his head. The Atlas Soldier drops to the floor as Caleb stands above and breathes heavily. 

He then hears the cock of a gun, looking to see Dan and Zillie standing opposite him. Dan is aiming an ethereal gun at him as the blue gem is glowing on the underside of his gauntlet. Zillie is ready with a saber in either hand. 

Caleb glances down at the daggers strapped to either side of his waist, only for Dan to notice. 

Dan: Don't even think about it. You reach for one of those... and I'll have no other choice. 

Caleb lets out a scoff as he stares at them. 

Zillie: Come on, Caleb. If you're not guilty, then just come with us. Explain your side of things. 

Caleb: You think Ironwood would honestly listen? You think that man has any reason in him? 

Caleb glances in between them. 

Caleb: As soon as those people were found dead, what happened? No words. No discussion. No civil conversation. I wasn't even allowed to defend myself. He only wanted to arrest me. 

Zillie glances over at Dan. 

Zillie: That's not a lie. 

Dan: No. But it makes sense. Apprehend and arrest the suspect before anymore possible damage can be done. Ironwood was just doing his duty. 

Caleb lets out another scoff. 

Caleb: I thought you were smarter than that. But I guess you have your head so far up--

Dan: Don't! That's enough time for talk. Now face away from me, get down on your knees, and put your hands on your head. 

Caleb stares at Dan for a few seconds before slowly turning around, dropping down to his knees. Dan slowly comes walking over, keeping his gun aimed at Caleb. Zillie just stays where she is, watching with a torn expression on her face. 

Dan: Slowly put your hands up. 

Dan approaches him as he raises his hands up onto his head. 

Dan: Zillie... grab the handcuffs from my pocket, and put them on him. 

But Zillie doesn't. She stays exactly where she is, staring at Caleb as she grips her sabers tightly.

Dan: Zillie...? 

Caleb rams the back of his head into Dan's stomach, seizing his arm and flipping him over his shoulder. Disarmed, Dan hits the floor hard. 

Dan looks up at Caleb after glancing over at Zillie. 

Caleb: I don't want to hurt either of you. I just want you to listen. 

He removes the clip from the gun, throwing it down to Dan. He then turns around to look at Zillie before walking up to her, handing her the gun. She takes it. 

Caleb: Just think about it. You're not stupid, Zillie. 

He then goes walking out of the room. Dan comes walking up to Zillie, taking his gun from her. 

Dan: What was that? Why didn't you try stopping him? 

Zillie: Because maybe he has a point. Maybe we do have to consider everything. 

Dan lets out a sigh before pushing the clip back into his gun and holstering it. 

Dan: You're the one telling Ironwood about this.