Pack [Eddsworld]

CHAPTER TWENTY [1/2]

It didn't take long to work out why they were running like their lives depended on it: their lives literally depended on it.

The boys all exited the house to help pick up the exhausted duo, hoping to at least try to get them inside before the gang arrived– but to no avail. A thunderstorm of uncoordinated footsteps came to an unsettling, silent stop on the pavement in front of the lawn. Tord could only squint tiredly, trying to focus his wavering vision on the dense group of silhouettes.

He could feel his heartbeat in his skull and his lungs burned horribly with every heaving breath that tore through his throat. All he wanted to do was pass out and hope the whole situation could be handled by his old friends, but he knew they'd need his fighting expertise.

Edd hoisted the Norwegian to his feet, their arms tightly around one another for balance and support. "Come on, we need you back up."

Tord's legs stung with the build up of lactic acid and his feet ached horribly, and yet he allowed the words of his soft-spoken friend to coax him into standing mostly on his own. He forced his spine to straighten and he puffed out his chest, raising his chin and letting his stormy eyes glare down upon the Burning Tygers.

They had tried to manipulate the girl he loved into betraying him, but she resisted and rebelled, proving her loyalty. They had tried to find him at this very house, but his friends had lied and defended him, even when they had little reason to.

There were some people worth dying for, and in that moment Tord knew he was standing with them.

The gang members at the front parted and Ormarr, Ylva's deceiving father, took his place at the front. "This was quite an unfortunate turn of events, I have to say. Everything would've been so much easier if you had just done as I asked, Ylva."

"Don't speak to me." She snarled back at him, looking as if her exhaustion vanished for a moment as she leapt forwards, only to be restrained by Paul and Patryk.

"You were such a sweet, loyal daughter– what happened?" His small, grey eyes closed for a brief moment as he seemed to reminisce on the past.

"I'm not your daughter. You manipulated me and lied to me for so many years." Her voice wobbled with sheer emotion as she continued to glare at the repulsive man. "I thought you were dead!" She paused, momentarily flashing a bitter smile his way. "It would've been better if you were."

His face hardened and his hand went to the holster on his hip. Tord tensed up, ready to move in an instant, and both of his soldiers drew their guns and aimed them at the leader. Ormarr narrowed his eyes at them and slowly let his arms fall back to his sides with fingers curled into white fists.

"Then, it's over, isn't it?" He said in a tone that was deadly quiet, "as I no longer have a daughter, I'll show no mercy towards her or her friends."

Tord wanted to go to her side, but he was afraid that the sudden movement would end the sickening stand-off. From where he stood, he could see her entire body trembling, although it was impossible to tell whether it was from fear, fatigue or grief. He reluctantly dragged his saddened eyes back to the intimidating crowd of hundreds.

Bella had moved to her leader's side, looking disinterested and cold. She had one hand on her hip, the black dress she wore hugging her curves smoothly. Her green gaze landed on Tord and her thin lips twisted into an unpleasant smile.

There was barely a moment to respond as a grenade rolled to a stop at his feet. He let instinct take over as he dropped down, snatching up the explosive in his robotic hand and flinging it over the fence as he shoved Edd behind him with the other arm.