A Man for Himself (Norton X Eli) [Identity V] *UNEDITED*

Chapter 4 - Volunteer

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Campbell," Norton heard a small voice say against his chest. The ginger's face was buried in the crook of his neck, and her arms were tight around it. "I really tried my best to contain Violetta, but she's too fast."

"No worries. You did a great job," the prospector replied in a reassuring tone.

It was an honest statement. Helena did an amazing job. After all, it's not easy to run around without vision while being chased by a giant spider. He wouldn't have found out if she hadn't run into him.

Still, it's all a fucking mess.

He shouldn't have gotten himself involved. He wouldn't have to worry about a giant mechanical spider chasing after him. And as much as he would love to back down, there's no way for him to do so.

Norton spotted a flight of stairs that led to a platform and ran up to it. As if luck was on his side, he found the roller coaster train waiting there. He didn't know where it would lead, but it's still one way to get away from the hunter.

"You go and find the others. l'll distract the hunter," Norton ordered as he carefully placed the blind girl in the front seat and secured the safety locks. "Don't let go or you will fall."

"Thanks again, Mr. Campbell." Helena nodded. "I sure will-I mean, I'll hold on. Please be safe."

Norton managed a forced smile before he pressed a button on a post that deactivated the stopper in the train track. Slowly, the train began to move forward until it picked up speed and disappeared from the prospector's sight. Clutching his magnets in his one hand, he steeled himself and turned to face the enemy.

The giant spider was at the bottom of the stairs, waiting. It had placed webs all over the railings, trapping him at the top. If he forced himself to go through them, he would definitely not make it.

"Leave the poor girl alone!" Norton belted out. "Face me, coward."

The spider let out an eerie yet mocking laughter, sounding like it belonged to an old hag. Norton didn't expect that it would actually respond. It brought chills up his spine. He could only imagine what could be operating that thing.

"Why are you trying to be a hero?" the spider asked in a raspy voice. "It does not fit you. I heard all about you. You make it seem like you're the kind that won't leave your people behind, but that scar on your face tells otherwise."

Norton froze for a moment. "Shut up!"

He didn't want to hear more of what the hunter knew about him, so he tossed a magnet to the spider and jumped off of the platform to the ground when it tried to go after him. He landed on the barren ground and rolled over to lessen the impact of his jump. It was a last minute decision, but he's glad he's able to pull it off without breaking any bone.

As soon as he recovered his control, he stood up and crossed the stone bridge, sprinting all the way to the building with the sign 'Thrillviol' at the top of its entrance. It's like a small stadium.

Like what Helena had said, the spider was indeed fast. The repulsion effect caused by his charged magnets wasn't creating much distance between them. He made it inside the building and headed straight to one of the curved stairs that he spotted. Unfortunately, upon reaching the top, he found that the only possible way out was through the window.

The jump that he'd made earlier from the platform was risky. He's not sure if he could still pull the same stunt again. The building was way higher than the platform. He would be lucky if he wouldn't break any bone this time. Taking a deep breath, he vaulted out of the window and jumped down. Pain shot through his ankle up to his knees, stunning him momentarily. It was a wrong landing; but thankfully, he didn't break his ankles.