Hell's Gift

-15-

As we arrived at City Hall, the group split, Chris, Finn, Piers and I making our way further in, whilst the rest of the team continued their search downstairs. We fought through a corridor, before coming out in an open room, a break in the balcony where we walked. That's when I noticed the cocooned people below, the ones in the foyer remained still, but something about these ones felt off. "Chris, I'm not so sure about this." I warned. 

"Alright. Stay here with Finn, Piers, with me." He looked at Piers, who nodded, ready to drop down. 

"That's not what I meant," I stated, following him over to the edge. Chris turned, placing a hand on my shoulder, "just let us check it out. You two can provide cover if things go south."

"Surely I should swap with Nivans then?" I pointed out. 

"Not gonna happen, Gloves." Piers shook his head. 

"Then it's settled, I'm coming with you." I went to step forwards again, but Chris gently pushed me back. 

"Stay here. That's an order." Our eyes met, and I let out an annoyed sigh, folding my arms. 

"Fine. Whatever you say, Captain." 

"Good." Chris nodded, before jumping down with Piers.

That's when I heard it. The cracking sound of an egg hatching, or a cocoon being split open. I ran to the edge, seeing the once frozen people opening up, and from them, large B.O.W.s emerging. "Screw orders." I hopped the balcony, landing beside Chris and Piers.

"I told you to wait." Chris snapped. 

"I'm a Kennedy, we're not so great at following orders." I responded, drawing my pistol that had been restocked thanks to Echo team. 

"I gave you one rule, Liss! You do as I say, or you're out."

"Well I guess I'm out then, but you can't stop me following y..."

"Look out!" Piers sprinted forwards, tackling me to the ground after pushing Chris to the side just as a B.O.W. charged between us. "Looks like I'm on top this time," he smirked, looking down at me. 

"Get off, we're literally in a life or death situation," I reminded, shoving him. 

"Good point." He shot up, and I dusted myself off, taking in the situation. 3 of us, 3 of them. 

"Liss, stay back." Chris looked at me. 

"Not gonna happen." I replied, shooting at one of the B.O.W.s. Let's just say my pistol, was not gonna cut it. "Shit."

"Move!" Chris ran towards the other side of the room, and I followed. 

"Surely you guys have a grenade or something?!" I looked at the soldiers. 

"You think it'll work?" Piers questioned. 

"It'll do some damage if anything," I replied. He looked at Chris, who nodded. 

"I'll get them closer together." Before they could stop me again, I ran forwards, sliding under the arm that swung my way, before shooting up and diving to the side as another charged. "Liss!" Chris' shout drew my attention, along with the familiar sound of a grenade. I ran for the nearby table, flipping it and ducking just as the explosion sounded out, and the three B.O.W.s roared, their armour falling off as they knelt on the ground recovering.