Purity

Chapter 9

I quickly grabbed the duffel bag and sprinted behind the wall once again. I took out a gun before hustling it onto my shoulder.

I didn't know a thing about guns, but this would have to work.

I heard the door handle turn roughly, and my  breathing quickened.

I grabbed the gun into place feeling the coldness seep into my palm.

On cue, I heard the shoes clacking against the floor and then speeding up.

They definitely knew the guns were missing, and they were coming my way.

I took the safety off, and tried to pull the top back.

I mustered all my strength into that simple action, but to no success.

My heart thudded as I knew it was seconds before I ran into them.

I finally pulled it into place, and let out a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, I felt myself be pushed back.

My head snapped back hitting the wall, I cried out in surprise.

I looked to see it was Giorgio and gasped as everything clicked into place.

I leaned against the wall with my head pounding but my grip on the gun intact.

I leveled the gun and knew if I didn't shoot now, he would wrestle it away from me with no problem.

Time flew by.

I saw his mouth move and a grin take over his lips but I paid no attention.

I wrapped my other hand around the gun, and pressed the trigger.

I closed my eyes; I didn't want to see the outcome.

The shot was silenced, but Giorgio wasn't as he let out a loud groan of pain.

His shoulder was seeping with blood, but I didn't waste another second.

I pushed past him and ran as fast as I could to where I had heard Giovanni.

I was so scared, I had no plan and without thinking I turned the knob and sprinted into the room.

Strapped to a chair was Giovanni with his head hanging down and his shirt bloody.

I took this image in quickly, and turned my attention to his tormentor, an old man with a sinister look in his eyes.

I didn't think, I just raised the gun before he could do anything with his, and shot him.

He fell to the ground, and I didn't want to know if this shot had been fatal or not. I knew it would only be a little until every other man in this building caught on.

My time slot was incredibly slim, and Giovanni was unconscious.

My heart was racing as I ran over to him and knelt down.

I felt for his pulse and was relieved to find one.

I shook him and felt him stir.

"Giovanni, we need to go. Now."

He grunted, "Orabella?".

I untied him quickly and grabbed his armpit to lift him up.

He winced in pain, and held onto me while he shook off his weakness.

I handed him a gun, and started towards the door.

I cracked the door open and looked down the hallway.

As of now, there was no one in sight so I ran stumbling to remember where I had come in from.

Giovanni weakly pointed towards a door to the left of the bottom of the stairs.

We hobbled towards the stairs, everything was too quiet I was skeptical and immensely paranoid.

The gun in my left hand was leveled waiting to shoot anyone who popped out while my right hand was under Gio's armpit to support him.

"Come on, we need to run and get the hell out of here", I muttered impatiently.

I felt around the duffel bag and felt something small and circular.

I clasped it with my palm, I had no idea what it was capable of doing but I threw it down the stairs opposite of the door we were headed towards.

It made a loud noise and I felt a strong rumble from where it had exploded. I heard men shouting in Italian and I knew it was time to act.

Gio and I nodded at each other and I ran ahead of him to make sure it was clear. Gio was weak and limping but we were moving at a good speed.

We were nearing the door when I heard Gio sharply inhale in pain. I saw someone had grabbed him and without even aiming I shot them and shot stray bullets at the perimeter around us.

Gio limped towards me and we ran out the door. I could tell he was in so much pain but he was trying hard to keep up.

As soon as we ran out, there were two guards waiting for us. Gio butted one in the head with his gun while I stood there frozen.

The other one hurled at me and pinned me against the wall. It was snowy and the freezing sensation snapped me back into reality.

He had a cold and empty look in his eyes and tightened his hands around my neck. I smiled at the humor of it all and sounded like a half dead turkey as I attempted to laugh.

I tried to knee him but I just managed to hit his muscular thighs not inflicting a bit of damage.

Finally, Gio stepped in and knocked the guy out. I caught my breath while stifling a laugh because that was the most pathetic fight I had put up the whole time.

We stole his keys and climbed into a black jeep parked nearby. We drove and drove in silence, reflecting on what had just happened. In shock and adrenaline flushed, we sat there in our own worlds.

After it had all worn off, we were thirsty, hungry, and lost.

One thing had been accomplished and now I was left with far more questions and fears...