Rebels

Ch. 39

Arin did not break stride as he steadily headed for the King. The King backed away, but one of the guards shoved the King towards Arin. The King was terrified. "My pet, w-what are you doing?"

At this, Arin lunged for the King. He tackled the man to the ground, plummeting his fist into the King's head. Jack could not watch, for it was too much for him at that moment. He squeezed his eyes shut, and he could hear the cracking of bone and the muffled cries of the King. Jack tried to focus on Tom, who still lie on the ground. Slowly, Jack dragged himself over to the man, wincing in pain because of his broken ribs.

Jack called out for Tom, but Tom did not move. When Jack got close enough, he found that a pool of blood was beneath Tom's shoulder and was slowly spreading. Jack swore under his breath, knowing that Tom was losing a lot of blood. Jack was reminded back to his own gun wound, and pain once again blossomed into his arm. He slowly and shakily ripped a part of his shirt and tied it tightly around his arm, having to tie it with his teeth. When Jack was done, he pressed down against Tom's wound. Tom began to stir, seeming to come awake from the pain. Tom laid eyes on Jack above him, and he immediately scooted away. "Agh, why are you so close to me?" He complained, sitting up. "No offense, but it's gross."

Tom winced and held his hand up to his shoulder, looking back at the blood on his fingertips. It was then that Jack saw what state he was in: Tom was pale, and Jack saw how the gunshot wound was a little too close towards Tom's heart for comfort.

Tom's eyes glazed over as he saw Arin beating the King. This worried Jack a little, and Jack took a shaky, painful deep breath, immediately regretting it. "We have to get out of here before both of us are dead." Jack said, his voice pathetic.

Tom nodded weakly. "Don't worry about the guards. They won't shoot you. Get your friends, and get out of here. I'll meet up with you guys eventually." He explained.

Jack nodded in understanding. He turned over to face the King and Arin, now kneeling with great struggle on his knees. Jack took in shallow breaths as he tried to ease his pain, and slowly stood, staggering until he found his footing. His mind was scattered, but he tried to keep his game together. "Arin." He attempted to shout, but his voice cut out. He swallowed and tried again. "Arin!" He shouted.

Arin stopped beating the King, whose face was now a bloodied mess. Arin's bloodshot eyes met Jack's and Arin straightened.

Jack slowly made his way over to the King, whose face was now unidentifiable. He was groaning in pain and moving his head side to side, and both of his eyes were swollen. Nevertheless, the King was smiling. He licked his lips. "That was fun."

Arin was breathing heavily. Jack held out his arm between Arin and the King, so Arin would not beat the King anymore. Blood slowly was seeping from the King's mouth, and he closed his swollen eyes. "Go ahead, kill me."

Jack stood, in deep thought. He desperately wanted to kill the King, but it was not for his own sake. After all, he had only been in the city for a little over a month or so. No, he did not want to kill the King. He wanted sweet revenge that lasted. He wanted to take revenge on behalf of the Rebellion, and its leader. He wanted to take revenge for Arin, and the citizens of this horrible city, and for all of those who were killed too quickly under the King's orders. He wanted to take revenge for Luca and Lyla, for they represent how everyone else in the city is treated. Most importantly, he wanted to do it for his family, though they beat him and hurt him and took their anger out on him when he was only a boy. He knew that his family was only acting through their anger over their financial issues.

"Eye for an eye." Jack said, though it was hardly audible.

Nevertheless, the King's smile faded. Though his face was unrecognizable with blood and bruises, Jack could detect anger in the King. "You can't do that to me. I am the King!"

Jack scoffed. "I am just a person and you did this to me." Jack suddenly got a burst of adrenaline, and he became furious with the man who lie before him. He did not want to see the King conscious, or breathing. Jack raised his foot and slammed it down into the King's skull, immediately knocking him unconscious.

"We have to find Luca and Lyla." Jack said, looking to Arin. He was staring with a shocked expression at Jack, not believing what Jack had just done. Yet, Jack figured it wasn't that big of a deal, for Arin had done much, much worse to the King.

Arin nodded in understanding.

"You okay?" Jack asked, making sure Arin was in the correct state of mind.

Arin nodded once more, his jaw clenching. "Let's go." He stated.

The two began to walk towards the door where Luca and Lyla had been dragged through, when a few guards stepped in their path. "We can take care of the King from this point." They explained. "We'll seal off this room so the others don't get in."

Jack looked towards Tom for confirmation that these guards before him were on their side. Tom, who was now standing, nodded. Jack gave a curt nod to the two guards and veered around them, Arin following close behind. The only sound that filled the air was of their shoes against the polished floor, Jack's squeaking with blood of which he could not tell was either his, Tom's, or the King's blood. He glanced behind him, though the simple movement sent a burst of pain through his skull, and found his crimson footprints following close behind.

They came to the end of the hallway, where it branched into two hallways. Both contained numerous rooms running down the halls, with white metallic doors and windows attached to them. They each had a golden number on its door frame.

Arin glanced at Jack. "I'll take the right one. We find Luca and Lyla, and we get out of here." He said.

Jack nodded curtly. He was beginning to succumb to his pain, and his throat was throbbing significantly now. He did not know what he would find behind those doors, but he feared he would not like what he and Arin would find.