Descent

Chapter 26 ~ Click, Boom.

After I slammed my head into Eddie's nose I then faced the next onslaught of attackers eagerly.

Reaching into the closest escape boat I tug out a firm, wooden paddle which was sticking out of the top of the boat and twinkling at me.

The first two men that reach me have no time to react as I whip the paddle cleanly across their faces, sending them sprawling onto the asses with painful thumps.

The next wave are smarter and spread themselves out, avoiding another one-hit wonder.

Grinning widely, I can't help but enjoy this human version of whack-a-mole as I topple over another two by using the blunt force of the paddle to bust their kneecaps.

The noises are swimming around in my head but my focus is too sharply directed on my escape to notice the pained noises.

As I slap another person down from the knees the whole floor pauses as the victims gun slides out of the pocket and slides right next to my feet.

Grabbing the weapon desperately I raise my gaze to find that all the remaining men have taken out their weapons and their stances show that they're no longer enjoying the 'show'.

"Put the gun down Katie." Eddie calls out from behind me, pain from my head-butt leaving his words muffled as he clasps his nose.

I shake my head and side-step so that I'm facing the entire party.

"That's Officer East to every one of you dipshits." I call out and my steady hand takes its turn facing each of the men while they remain frozen, unsure as to what the next move is.

"You're not a cop anymore, the world thinks you're the villain." Eddie gloats around his bloodied hands and I shrug, keeping my tough exterior even as his words sting.

"I can still shoot like a cop. I just no longer have to give you the chance to freeze." And with that I shoot two of the men in their shoulders.

The loud bangs from the gun assaults my senses and widening my eyes I find myself flung back into a memory that I often find surfacing to mock me.

I remember hiding in the forest after escaping our initial kidnappers all those years ago.

I remember Dana urging me to shoot Rosik and to ensure our safety, I had the gun, I had the rights and yet I couldn't.
I couldn't imagine hurting another being like that, so purposefully and vengefully.

My cousin in that moment would have pulled the trigger.

If I had have given her the gun she would have had what it took.
She has always had the will to do whatever is needed to survive.

No matter what the cost.

But I was weak, I was scared and most of all I believed in justice.

Some sense of karma that would befall all who would do me and my family wrong, it wasn't in my hands to give out the punishment, someone else would make sure they paid for what they did.

But there is no magic being ensuring that everyone receives their karma. Much like the tooth-fairy and Cupid, it's a childish thought and nothing more.

It's up to you to make sure you survive this world, nobody else is as invested in your life as what you are.

My cousin knew this, she has her own back and puts herself first.
She knows what needs to be done.

Now look at me, with this anger coursing through my veins I don't feel so much as pity as I watch the blood thickly droop down the men's arms, coating their flesh with the sticky, dark substance.