Running From Your Shadows

Chapter 22

Locus watched in horror at the scene before him. He managed to knock a few lackeys unconscious and hide them away, but even when hiding behind the library he could see what Lozano was doing.

"Her name is Gemma Lozano? I remember Gabriel and Ruben, but not a Gemma. She looks too young to be a wife..." Locus thought to himself. Out of his peripherals he could see John sneaking to the comm tower and using the override chip Locus had to send a distress signal, and he instantly regretted allowing the young boy to help.

"Come on out, Locus! You can't hide forever! Face me, the ghost of your past that haunts you!" Locus activated his active camo and stalked out to where Gemma was, thinking he could disarm her and free Marina, so that all attention can be on him. Out of the blue he was met with an explosion of... color? He found his camo useless as he was covered from head to toe with a colorful powder. A yellow powder. All sights were trained on him in the middle of Central Square, including the scrutinizing gazes of the town and the concerned gaze from Marina. Locus sighed and decloaked.

"Lozano." Gemma cackled as she held Marina closer to her.

"Locus, I respect a man who chooses to look his death in the face. Very noble of you, and very chivalrous to rescue your damsel in distress, yes? A bit too romantic if you ask me."

"Like father, like daughter." Locus thought to himself, him beginning to circle Gemma who held Marina.

"What do you want from me?" Gemma simply sneered in response to Locus' question.

"The same thing Siris gave me, and what Felix seemed to do before I got the chance. Was that you who killed him by chance?" Locus made sure to keep his control intact, especially with the knowledge of her tracking him for a while, and killing Siris. Was she aware of what happened on Chorus?

He continued walking with his camouflage active, hearing Felix's sinister laughing, never feeling so confident in his life. Locus knew there was no turning back for him on what he wanted to do, and something told him only one of them would make it out alive.

"Think again." Locus stopped next to the two blue soldiers, took his SAW, and threw it at Felix's knees. The entire scene stopped before his eyes as they directed their attention towards where the SAW came from, and Locus decloaked from there. He merely cast a short glance to those of panic and anger from the Reds and Blues before glowering back at Felix like a parent disciplining a spoiled brat. What never surprised Locus in the slightest was how confused Felix looked.

"Locus, what are you doing? You're supposed to kill them!" Locus firmly shook his head, his fists clenching tighter.

"No."

"What?!"

"No more killing." Locus stated firmly, additionally promising himself.

"What are you talking about? You're a soldier, remember?!" Locus inwardly sighed, knowing the manipulation tactic from Felix, but stood firm in not letting it get to him again.

"I'm not a soldier, I'm a monster," Locus admitted as he took a few steps closer to the edge of the den, "Like you." Each step as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders, liberating him. He watched as Felix weakly stood up, panic prominent in how he carried himself. His true fear was beginning to manifest, the same fear Santa told him about.

"Locus, we're... partners. Survivors. We need each other. What about our orders? Our reward? Becoming the ultimate weapon?" Locus took a deep breath before hitting the final nail on the coffin.

"I'm not doing this for the reward. I'm not doing this because someone told me to. I'm doing this for me."

Locus won't ever forget the screams of death from Felix as he fell, even though he already fell so far from grace, but Locus knew he was no different, and maybe still is in a way.

"The Reds and Blues killed Felix. I left him to their mercy, cutting off my abusive partner. I'm no better than him, I let it happen." Gemma peered curiously, as if she could see his eyes through the helmet.

"You murdered my father and my brother, I'm simply here to get even with you." Locus took a daring step forward, which prompted Lozano to shove the barrel to Marina's temple.

"Leave her out of this! This is between you and me, Lozano. I am here, and I am not running. Let us settle this!" The sickening laugh Gemma let out reminded him too much of Felix when he thought he had control.

"Oh, but you must understand, with Marina here I have your attention, because I want you to witness this," she turned her head behind her to her lieutenant. "Bring them forward. It's time for him to confront his true ghost." Locus watched as the lieutenant walked away behind the ganglord, only to fail at suppressing a gasp as three goons threw three individuals to the ground.

"Dad? Rowan? Alissia?" Locus could feel his body want to freeze, but he retained a ready position if someone were to strike him now, but how could he kill when he promised not to kill?"

"Alissia Ortez, Rowan Ortez, Charles Ortez, I would like to reunite you with your son, Samuel! Oops, I mean a member of your family." Locus suddenly looked between his father and Gemma.

"What are you talking about Gemma?" He saw a similar face of confusion manifest on his sister's face, Marina's face, even the townsfolk.

"Charles, have you ever told your supposed son the truth, of how he isn't your child, that your wife was nothing but a whore?" Locus was stunned at this new information, and he could see the fury that came on his father's face.

"That is a major understatement. You, Samuel, are nothing but a bastard! You are not my son! My stupid excuse of a wife decided her best friend was worth giving in to sin, and look at what happened: You!" Sam could feel his control begin to melt away, realizing how it all fit into place, and why he was faced with such contempt from the man he called dad for so many years. His mother cheated on her husband, and Sam was the product of the cheating.

"But why? Why did you kill her?" Sam shouted, unable to control his anger and confusion. It was then he watched the man break down from a simple chuckle to a cackle to an all out maniacal laugh.

"Me? Oh no, I didn't kill her. She killed herself before I had the chance to tell her family. I knew nothing would've hurt her more than her family knowing what she did. What would she do if their precious angel had cheated on her husband whom she loved dearly?" Sam could see the look of horror on his brother's and sister's face, as well as everyone. It all came crashing down on Sam, realizing this is what Lozano wanted. She wanted him to hurt, knowing he has no one, and that he will die alone knowing people will hate him and think of him as a murderer, someone not worthy of forgiveness. What confused him was how Rowan's face was suddenly filled with guilt.

"But why take it out on me? What did I ever do to you, Dad?"

"You existed. You never deserved my love. You don't deserve any good in your life. You are nothing but a mistake, and a monster from what I've heard!" Monster Sam's body couldn't take it anymore, and he fell to his knees as he struggled for breath. There it was again, someone confirmed he was a monster. What snapped him back was the evil cackling from Gemma.

"Do you feel it, Samuel? Doesn't it hurt knowing that you can never run from what you truly are? You are a monster, and no one wants you. The people that you called family? No. The people you live with? No. The woman you love? Oh, why would she ever want you?"

"Stop!"