ColorBlind (Book #2 of S.H.A.D.E.) ✔

Who Casts Judgement?

21.

It pains me beyond all comparison to leave Scarlet's body in that basement, the world having nothing to remember her by.

But it must be done.

I find the stairwell, but I am anticipating that the Demons will catch up to me. After shooting the Demon back in the hall, I had swiped his gun, but what I really want is my axe that they have once again taken from me.

I want to see Gray's face as I swing it at his skull.

Who am I? Certainly not the girl that trembled at the touch of the axe handle, who couldn't imagine making a kill. I am changed now.

How can you just do that? Take a life?

An evil existence in exchange for thousands of good ones? Damn easy.

Scarlet, my friend, I understand now. You died by this principal, you and everyone else. I may die by it too, but as long as I am alive, it's my job to remember all of you, who had your lives taken away, and then lost them fighting for freedom. I will be a walking memorial of your sacrifice.

I feel as though it is they who carry me like a breeze to the top of the stairs, who give me the energy to burst the door open at the top. I don't continue running though, I wait at the top of the staircase, crouched like an awaiting beast. I can hear them, their running steps becoming so close. There are less thanks to Scarlet.

I build up the heat behind my eyes, my head pounding. I feel a trickle of blood run from my nose, but I could care less.

Here they come. In three... two... one.

Gray leads them, but he is quick to notice me, blue eyes widening before he throws one of the three Demons in front of him in my path.

I blink and send a rippling rush of pressure at them. It strikes them all, but the Demon Gray pushed takes the brunt of it. His eyes, nose, mouth, and ears spurt out blood, the spray painting the stone walls scarlet.

Gray backs away, pointing at me and scowling at the remaining two. "Go on! Get her!"

I go to blast them again, but my head is all of a sudden wracked with the sensation of being stabbed with an ice pique. I cry out and fall to my knees, covering my head with my hands. My vision has gone blurry.

I hear them dash up the stairs, two pairs of arms grabbing me tightly on either side.

"Not so tough now, are ya bitch?" One breathes in my ear.

I hear Gray's calm steps coming up the stairs. I smell cigarette smoke before he's even near me. "You know, I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. I always liked you, Ebony. We would have made a great team."

"You're a traitor and a coward," I bite out, still struggling to see. His figure is blurry in front of me.

"A coward and a traitor? Is that what I get for making something of myself? I was never recognized for my work at S.H.A.D.E., I was placed behind that punk, Copper, a kid. I was made nothing, while he got to keep his memories. Why him? Why was he given these privileges above me? He isn't the best, like they say," he pauses, clearing his throat of the hostility that was building, "But it doesn't matter now, I suppose. Now, I have power, I have control over my own destiny, and I will make people remember me. When the Necro Proxy takes over the world, I will be a king amongst the humans, who will serve as Demon fodder. What will Copper be? Nothing!"

He's insane. He is warped by power.

"Copper will always be better than you."

He lets out a laugh that is a little too nonchalant. "I thought you might say that. So sad that there isn't the intellect to go with the fighting skill you have. You could have been my queen."

"I'd rather die. And just how long are you going to monologue for? I'd also rather die than listen to another second of your bullshit."

Gray blows some smoke in my face, stinging my eyes even more and curling like hooks into my nostrils. "Save that fight for when you're remade. The Necro Proxy is gonna want to use you. It looks like you'll also be immortalized, but as a monster."

Goosebumps spread over my arms. "I will kill myself."

"You won't."

"You don't think I can explode my own brain?"

"Oh, I'm sure you could, but the moment you do, your family goes bye-bye."

I feel as though I have been punched in the gut. I fully realize the hopelessness of my situation.

Gray laughs. "It's strange seeing you helpless. That's the thing about love right? It exposes vulnerabilities in a person. To be powerful, you must avoid love."

"Shut up."

He presses his cigarette bud into my cheek, but I hold back my scream as I feel my skin blister beneath it. "I guess the time for talking is done anyway. You'll be brought back to the Necro Proxy, given our new surgery and used against the very organization that gave rise to you. It's poetic, in a way."

Just then, shots are fired from down the hall, one of the Demons shot in the head, his gray matter pelting my face.

Gray yelps and dives into the staircase. The other Demon flies down the hallway to the source, but at the end, a leg shoots out and trips him, and as he falls he is shot in the head.

My vision clearing enough to see detail again, I see Onyx come from around the corner.

I hear Gray retreat into the dungeon, fleeing as fast as he can.

"Cockroach!" I scream after him.

Onyx reaches me, pulling me into a hug. "Man, am I happy to see you. Now, where are they keeping Scarlet? I have five bullets left in my chamber, so--"

The look on my face stops him. His brown eyes fill with realization, and his whole form sags. He looks away from me for a moment. "Wow... just..." He shakes his head, unable to speak.

"She took three down with her. She died the way she lived."

He nods, then takes a deep sigh. "I'm gonna make them pay."

"Me too."

"Then let's go. Indigo is keeping watch outside for reinforcements and has the car. Copper has Jade. She knows we know, and Copper's forcing her to show where the technology is. I don't want to leave him alone for too long."

"Especially since Gray and her are synced!" I go to remove the guns from the dead Demons, wiping at my bloody nose. Now I have three guns in my arsenal.

"You gonna be okay?" he asks, concerned.

"Yes. Quick, let's get to Copper."

I am nervous about Jade. I don't want her to get Copper killed. When I see her... I don't know what I'll do.

Is it for me to make the call on whether she lives or dies? Who is it that should cast judgment? If I consider myself a God, does that make me like Danny and Gray?

We run down the hall, and I ignore my hazy vision.

"Copper?"

"Ebony! I've been trying to contact you!"

My abilities must block whatever connection we have while in use. "I was preoccupied... Copper... Scarlet... she..."

He is silent, and I know he knows. I wait for his reply, Onyx and I moving as fast as we can through the building.

"I hate them, Ebony."

"We will make them pay together. Wait for me."

"I'll always wait for you."

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Hey guys! I never make comment on the art I choose for the chapters, but in this one I want you to note that this Goddess image contains an owl. I'll let you decide what that means about Ebony :)
Thank you for always reading, I cannot say it enough!