Everyone for Themselves

Chapter 29

February 22nd, 1991 

Chapter 29- 

Even though it was clear that Serenity was winning, Paul didn't seem to believe so. Instead of collapsing to the ground or fainting from blood loss, it was clear he thought he was going to win this either way. He wasn't stopping any time soon.  

But as the battle progressed, it seemed he finally was growing weaker.  Both him and Serenity were breathing heavily, obviously because they were both bleeding and still going at it, but Paul was suffering the most from that.  

Blood continued to flow from his wounds as his breaths became heavier and heavier.  Soon he was heaving and gasping, and it was clear now that Paul was struggling to finish the battle.  But Serenity couldn't understand it.

Why doesn't he just give up?! she thought desperately as he weakly back flipped over her blow. I don't get it!  

But instead of giving up, Paul kept going. His dodges were getting stronger instead of weaker, and so were his blows.  

Horror filled Serenity as she realized this. How was he getting STRONGER? Blood still flowed from the wounds he possessed, and he was getting more small cuts constantly. How was he not dead?  Anger began to bubble up inside her as she thought of that. Then she gasped.

If I can get really angry, she thought. Maybe I can get extra power and kill Paul!  

So she tried. She thought of how this battle was going nowhere. She thought of how Violet tried to kill her as she killed everyone else. She thought of Quint, and why she had attacked her. To be even more angry at Violet, she also thought of the friends she had, but lost.   But the main thing, the source of her anger, was when she thought about Trent. 

Trent, who had sent them all here in the first place. 

Trent, who made two, once innocent teenagers murderer more than 10 people.

Trent, who caused the battle she was in right now. 

So it was when she thought of Trent that she became furious.  It was also when she thought of Trent that Paul's eyes became wide, because he realized she had a new surge of power, a power that could not be stopped. 

"Serenity... Wait..." Paul gasped, backing away from her. "W- We can work this out..." 

But she was much too angry now to work anything out. Gripping the knife in one hand so hard that her knuckles turned white, she stepped towards him, her teeth gritted and her eyes wild.  Paul continued to back away until he slammed into the control panels. He couldn't back up any more. The entrance was blocked by Serenity. He was completely trapped.  

"Please... Serenity... Let's talk about this... I-" 

Lashing out wildly, Serenity didn't give him time to finish his sentence before she struck. 

The fatal blow.  Well, almost fatal. 

Collapsing to the ground, blood pouring out in a pool around him, Paul was struggling to breathe.  Serenity's anger faded away as she realized she had done. Her plan had worked. 

"Serenity..." That was all Paul could get out. But (because the hideout was built on grass, and there was no other flooring) he slowly, very slowly, reached over to the corner and plucked a small rose from it. Laying it at Serenity's feet, he looked up at her, beginning to feel the tangy taste of blood in his mouth as well. 

Tears filled Serenity's eyes as she stared at the rose for more than a couple seconds. Finally, she pushed it away gently with her foot.

"I'm sorry." she whispered before she ran out of the hideout, leaving Paul to live his last moments without her. 

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Trent's Comments: And we have a winner.