Infinity's Row - Interlude

Chapter 7

A gunshot goes off.

I close my eyes and brace myself for the bullet's impact--

Yet nothing comes.

I crack them open as two more are fired. Archer flinches--

It's not him that shot the bullet. Then it can be only one other person.

Gentry is up on one knee, aiming a gun at the golden chandelier. Nearby is one of the gunmen, reeling over and now weaponless.

She fires three more shots at the chandelier before I finally hear something snap. The chandelier groans and begins to plummet to the floor, its shadow growing across the entire floor.

I grab Gentry's wrist and sprint away. "Everybody, run!" I say.

Screaming and yelling subsequently erupts as everybody--even the invaders--runs for cover. Gentry and I zigzag through the tables, looking behind us every few seconds to ensure that we won't be crushed by the chandelier--

And now it's about to hit the floor.

I stop running and drop to the floor in a crouch. "Get down!"

The chandelier punches the floor, crushing several tables and glad objects in its wake. Its sheer impact jostles my body.

I stand back up once it's over. Several citizens are running out of the room while screaming, and while I hear a few gunshots being fired in the distance, most of the invaders are running away as well.

I recognize what Gentry has done. By shooting down the chandelier, she caused so much chaos and confusion that it enabled us and the other hostages to escape.

She'd certainly succeeded.

"Good work," I say. "Now, escort them all to safety."

Gentry cocks her gun and grins. "Only if you make sure to go after your sword."

I look around the chamber for Archer until I spot him sprinting up the stairs with the sword.

I set my shoulders back. Earlier, I had been thinking illogically. I have not failed yet. There's still a chance that I can get my sword back.

I turn to Gentry. "Hand me one of your guns." I'm by no means as good of a shot as she is, but it's not a good idea to run after Archer while defenseless.

She offers me one of her pistols. "Good luck."

Then she takes off, stretching her free hand high up into the air to garner attention. "Everyone, follow me! This way!"

In the meantime, I run towards the stairs. I see Archer passing through the doorway as I arrive to the foot--

Within seven seconds I've reached the top of the grand staircase and hurl myself through the doorway. I look from side to side--
He's in the left hall--

I spin on my heels and give chase. I close both of my hands around the pistol, gripping it almost too tightly as I run after him through turns and staircases, through long halls and through sharp corners--

Archer begins flying up a towering staircase. I continue going after him, but my ribs feel like they're on fire and my legs feel like water--

I shove it all aside. Pain is necessary, and something I must deal with. But no matter how much of it is thrown at me, I'll get past it. I'll make myself get past it.

Finally I reach the top, but when I do I don't slow down, I just make myself run faster and faster and faster--

He slams his body into a door at the end of the hall and goes outside, and I'm right on his heels--