Forgetting Yesterday

-11-

Donni hurried down the street and to the corner of the building, her heart thumping as she hesitated. Thuds and groans echoed from the alley a few steps in front of her, but she was scared to take those steps and peer around the edge of the building, afraid of what she'd see.
Because deep down she knew what was happening, and she was powerless now to stop it.

"Jack!" she shouted and stepped forward, his muscular frame coming into view as the deserted alley stretched before her. He was punching the life out of a guy in a fancy business suit, the angry oaths coming from his mouth making her ears ring in disgust. "Jack, stop it now!"

He turned briefly, his wild eyes locking onto hers. "He tried to sell me out. He betrayed me and took all my research!"

Her pulse thudded in her ears, distracting her from the scene before her eyes.

Light blinded her eyes and she took a step forward. She would not let Jack hurt anymore people. Donni left the dark room and crept quietly down the corridor of the high-security prison, her bag slung securely over her shoulder. As she neared the corner where shouts and thuds echoed down the hall, she stopped in her tracks.

Music started to play. A techno melody that rang through the halls and caused her heart to pick up tempo. Then the beat dropped, and her breathing increased. "That's my beat, my rhythm," she whispered to herself and started running towards the sound.

She passed multiple prone forms of fallen cops, hoping they weren't dead, and followed the trail of carnage to the groans and grunts that were just ahead. Rounding the last corner, she saw two men locked in a fierce fight. One, his orange fatigues clearly marking him an escaped prisoner: Harper Riley. But hadn't Harper been with Daisy? She was getting so confused that her mind hurt.

The other, fighting skillfully and manoeuvring and avoiding the punches thrown by the prisoner, was dressed in baggy jeans, sports shoes, a hoodie, and a snapback cap. Who was he? Why was there music playing? Was he on their side?

All these random questions assaulted Donni's mind in a split second as she froze momentarily and watched them fight. Then it hit her.

This was the DJ Striker. This was the vigilante who had first sparked the reason for this whole case. He'd stopped the guy the first time, but the wrong one. Now he was here to finish the job. He spun around, his leg flying high before it connected to the back of Harper's head, dropping him to the floor with a loud thud that reverberated off the cold concrete walls.

"Landon, I thought I told you to stay in the room!"

Wait, who was speaking? The vigilante stepped closer to her, and she saw his face, his lips moving. "You could've gotten hurt—"

"Denver?" she frowned and backed away. "You're—you're him—"

"Listen,  I can explain later. But you have to g—"

"Denver, look out!" she yelled just as Harper picked himself up off the floor and came at Denver, slamming a gun against his head.

At the same moment, Donni felt a cold blade press against her throat.

"Miss me, Donni babe?"

"Then tell the police," she begged Jack. "Just stop hurting him."

"No! That's not how it works!" he glared and spat wildly.

And before Donni's heart could beat another beat, a knife was in Jack's hand and he plunged it deep into the man's chest.

"Nooooooo!"

Harper lay on the ground once more, his body not moving. Denver stood panting, his strong arms hanging loosely by his sides. "Let her go!" he turned and yelled at Jack, but the grip on Donni's shoulders only tightened, Jack holding her closer against his body.