Rebel: A Monstercat Fanfic

023 - Hysteria

Song of the Chapter:  Valkyrie - Varien ft Laura Brehm (Drumstep)
Hysteria - Mr FijiWiji & Direct (Breaks)
Yes, there's two.

I'm sorry, it only gets worse from here.

(Tristam's POV)

Braken and I only get about five feet before something cracks into the side of my head. I fall as my vision goes black for just a moment, and then immediately try to get back up, but I'm dazed and can only lay there helplessly, blinking spots out of my eyes.

The man who hit me jabs his cane into my back, keeping me in place. I hear Braken yell again and take a step, and I look up as the man releases me for a moment. Before I can scramble away, he swings the weapon into Braken and my friend crumples to the ground, seeming to black out for a moment.

They turn to Rogue and he freezes up in fear. Phantom has to drag him away before the second man attacks him, too.

I finally regain my senses and manage to roll over before the first one pins me down again. I scramble to my feet, pulling my wallet out of my pocket. If anything happens to me, which seems pretty likely at the moment, I don't want these men to have my identification. That could lead them to almost anything. "Catch!" I shout, throwing it as hard as I can.

Braken looks up as it falls to the ground in front of him. He reaches out to grab it, but the man in front of him slams his foot down on it and scares him, nearly crushing his fingers.

"Everyone get in the truck!" I yell.

"Don't let them get away," the man cornering me says to his partner.

Nitro takes a step forward, decides against it, and leaps into the truck. Rogue still can't seem to move, and Phantom has to drag him away again, shoving him into the back of the truck and kicking the man coming after them.

I risk a glance at Braken and see that he's climbed, unsteady, to his feet. My wallet is gone and I assume he has it - or at least, I hope he has it. His face is a battle of emotions; fear, anger, determination, hesitation.

Soon this fight will be over.
The Valkyrie chose to defend.

I dart forward, attempting to escape, but the man turns his cane sideways and slams it into my throat, suddenly cutting off my air. He shoves me against the wall, pushing against me. I try to cry out, but the sound doesn't come. My fingers wrap around the cane in a desperate attempt to push it away, but the man's much stronger than I am.

"Leo!" Braken screams, taking a step to run to me, but Phantom grabs his arms to keep him from coming. I'm grateful for that. I don't want him getting hurt.

Thoughts of death were not a cause to live slowly ...

But now, I'm completely terrified. What's going to happen to me? Are they going to kill me or just take me back as a prisoner? I can't breathe. It's a struggle with this cane against my throat. That and the man's smug expression are making my heart race and my thoughts jumble in panic. I push harder, fighting to stay conscious. Help me. Help me. Help me.

Finally, I manage to bring my knee up between his legs and he releases me with a yelp. I kick him away and break into a run, trying to catch my breath. "Get out of here!" I yell.

"I'm not leaving you!" Braken screams, his voice cracking.

What is fate revealing?
Will I survive?