Intertwined

Chapter 63: Neon Red Stripe

J U L I E T

I'm actually quite proud of myself when I manage to beat up the three Henchmen that come for me.

Maybe because the whole time I was fighting, I could hear the M&Ms in my head. Their commentary on my training, be it 'what kind of a block is that' or 'keep the tension in the core, come on!'. It worked.

But a hand grabs the back collar of my t-shirt, pulling me back and thrusting me onto the ground.

I feel the stinging of pebbles and small inconsistent stones grazing my skin harshly, but I don't care for it.

I turn around to find Cyril, Chase didn't point him out but when he came out of the portal, Chase stiffened up completely and that was enough of a tell.

There's a fury riding in Cyril's eyes, as he almost stomps on my face, but I manage to roll to the side right before his foot can collide with my cheek.

There's such a rush around me, I hear gunshots and weapons and bodies falling onto the floor. Nausea clouds my head and I work solely on my adrenaline.

I kick his leg, he almost collapses to the floor, but he manages to keep his balance.

He grabs my hair, holding me upright and a small sound of protests escapes my mouth.

He kicks me to the floor, levelling down with me.

I feel his fist meet my jaw and the throbbing sensation causes me to recoil.

I feel another punch in my stomach and my eyes shut tight. And I feel the click of a gun right above me.

I open my eyes and up until now I thought I was completely ready to accept my death, but now that it's staring at me, I'm not so sure.

Cyril pushes the gun against my forehead to keep me pinned to the floor. "I've waited so long for this," he laughs maniacally.

"Dad," I hear Chase's voice and the fear in it is evident.

Cyril smiles, not taking his mismatched eyes off of me. "Well, if it isn't my son."

"Let her go, come on."

Using my collar, Chase's father pulls me up, pinning the gun against my temple and all I can think about is the throbbing sensation all over my body.

Chase looks at me, and his stance becomes more defensive and he pulls his gun out. "Dad, I'm not playing around, let her go."

But Cyril only pushes his gun further into my skin.

"You can be better than this," Chase reasons.

"Like you? You traitor?! I won't let you live no matter what, never in a million years would I have thought that my son would turn out to be such a disappointment," Cyril grits.

"Well, he's better than you'll ever be," I can't help but defend Chase and Cyril smashes the back of his gun against my cheek, I feel the blood drip down my face slowly.

"I know you, you don't want to kill her. It's me you want," Chase declares. "If you don't kill me, Amos will, let her go and you can have me."

What? No, absolutely not!

Cyril lets out a small laugh. "Do you see how pathetic you've become? And for who? Her? The enemy?"

"She was never the enemy."

A few other Henchmen pool around us, and with their stance I can tell they're excited to see me die.

Chase looks at me and I give him a slight nod.