Priceless

Chapter 31: the rat

Chapter 31: the rat

I lunged at Conrad, instantly shoving him against the wall. It took everything in me not to close my hands around his throat. My anger blocked out all my senses, making me blind to the environment around me. I knew my feeling was right about Conrad. He was in on the whole thing. That's why he was such a kiss ass to Dr. Altman.

"Will What the hell are you doing!?" He yelled, struggling against me.

"How could you do this?" I seethed, "I almost trusted you enough to stick with me through this."

"What are you talking about!" He shook his head in disbelief.

Suddenly, I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned my head, still keeping Decker against the wall. I saw Dr. Altman, but Helm was no longer in his grasp.

"I think you're forgetting one thing." Dr. Altman grimaced with a toothy smile. "I didn't hire him."

My head snapped to Helm. His mouth turned into a smirk, crossing his arms across his chest. No. How? My grip loosened on Conrad, and he pushed me away from him. I ignored the fact that I almost hit the wall and stalked towards Helm.

"You?" I tilted my head. We were only a few feet away.

He laughed through his nose. "Don't underestimate people, Will. It'll get you nowhere."

I stood there in shock. Helm was the last person I expected to be involved in this. He put up this facade that made him seem so soft. so innocent and naive.

But I guess I was wrong.

He was just as much a monster as Dr. Altman.

I clenched my fists, my eyes still locking with Helm's. And something deep inside me caused me to charge at him, but he was faster.

It went by in a split second. Helm pulled something out of his pocket and grabbed Liv by the arm, pulling her to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her neck. A knife. I saw the bright gleam catch on the light. It wasn't that big, but it was large enough to cause some damage.

He dragged her back, and I heard a choked sob escape from her mouth. Her face was filled with genuine fear, turning pale and fingers clutching his arms, trying to pry them away from her neck. I stepped forward, but he pressed the knife further against her neck. She struggled against him, trying to wrestle free, but he only tightened his hold.

"Stay back." He said intensely.

I held up my hand, "Helm, if you hurt her, I swear to god I'll-"

"You'll what?" He took the knife away from her neck but still had an arm wrapped around, "I have the upper hand Will!"

"And your girl right here," he sunk his nose into Liv's hair, and her eyes grew wide, "she's a nice one. How did you find someone as gorgeous as her." He then brushed hair out of her face, and I felt my face heat up with rage. My fingertips dug into my palms, probably drawing blood. But I didn't care.

"G-g to hell." Liv choked out with a glare.

That's my girl.

I took one more threatening step, but Helm brought the knife back to her neck. I kept my eyes on him, until he nodded behind me. In a split second, I felt pressure on my back and stopped, my breath hitching. Dr. Altman turned the gun on me. I saw Liv's eyes grow wide and she tried again to wrestle free. Even if she had been able to escape from his grasp, I don't know what she would've done to stop this.

"You know, Will, I thought you would be a great asset to this clinic, but it turns out I was wrong." Dr. Altman almost whispered. He grabbed my shoulder and pushed me down to my knees. I still felt the gun digging into my spine. One shot and I'd be paralyzed from the neck down.

"NO! GET THE FUCK AWAY" Liv started to fight aggressively against Helm's grasp. He let out a growl-like sound and pushed her against the wall, a hand clasped around her neck. And I knew he wasn't going to let go any time soon.

I tried to get up forcefully, but Altman pushed me back down again, now moving the barrel of the gun to my temple.

"Burn in HELL!" I yelled, feeling my vocal chords as if they were ripping apart. Suddenly, my heart skipped a beat as I heard the click of the gun against my temple. Liv's screams seemed muffled as Helm pushed her to the ground, wrapping both his arms around her arms so she couldn't move.

One last click.

"No!"

In a split second, the gun flew from its spot on my head, and I saw Dr. Altman stumble in front of me.

Decker.

He stood in front of me and pushed Hal against the wall, knocking the wind out of him.The gun shot off as it hit the ground, and I saw splinters of wood fly from the wall.

Decker continued to throw punches at Hal, pummeling him over and over.

"GODAMNIT HELM DO SOMETHING." He screamed, and Helm released Liv, going to his aid. She instantly ran towards me into my arms. I kissed her forehead, and she wrapped her arms around me, clasping them around my torso.

I backed up with Liv next to the door, and untangled her from me, grabbing her shoulders.

"Go. Get help."

She shook her head but didn't say anything. I knew she wasn't going to move. So I had to make her.
I took her arm aggressively and opened the door, pushing her out. I quickly closed the door and locked it before she had a chance to come back in. This was her chance to get out while she still could. I wouldn't put her in the line of danger again.

Liv pounded on the glass. Then she moved to yanking the doorknob back and forth. After a few seconds, she turned and sprinted down the corridor. I watched her through the window of the door until she disappeared around the corner.

I shook my head, trying to get her out of my mind for a few moments. I turned back around and to my surprise, both Helm and Dr. Altman lay on the ground unconscious. Decker was facing the wall until he turned around, clutching his stomach. Blood was seeping through his hands, bleeding through his shirt.

Shit. A stab wound.

His eyes were wide and focused as he stared down at his wound.

"I'm fine. I'm okay." His words came out in a shudder. He lifted his shaking hands but instantly put them back on his stomach when more blood came out.

He was in shock.

Decker collapsed to the ground, and I instantly took action. I removed his hands and started to put more pressure on his wound.

I wasn't going to let him die after all this.

I'd have to carry him out.

Whether he was dead or alive.

......................................................................

A/N: Will is such a King