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I came to on the operating table, or whatever youd call it. My fist twitched, only to realise I was tied down. I glared at the man who poisoned me, broke down my own soul to his own narrative,
and he didn't return it, which was more upsetting than if he had. He looked vacant, absent-minded, like this was another boring day on the job.
"Look. I know you probably hate us right now-"
"I do." I hissed in return, still lightly thrashing on occasion. He didnt stop me. He knew I wouldn't get out until he wanted me to. Not out of my own choice.
He scoffed back at me, as if to say he couldn't care less about it.
"Regardless. This isn't about you, or me [....]"
I zoned out at this point of the conversation. Now I'm the one who couldn't care less. Spite motivated? Slightly, I'll admit it to you. But mostly because I knew what I'd be saying already. I'd made my decision.
"Duga."
Park and Adler turned their heads to look me in the eye. He hadn't finished speaking.
"Duga what." Adler retorted, frustrated that I'd broken his speech.
"Perseus. Perseus is at Duga."
"Spare me the bullshit, Bell." said Adler, reluctantly untying the belts regardless.
"Do you know any better? Do you know where he is? And if you did, why-"
He put a finger to my mouth. I scowled and wanted to bite it, before realising I still had a balaclava on my face stopping me from acting like such a dog.
"Enough. I believe you."
I felt no guilt for what I said. For my.. "lie." It was only partially a lie. Whatever I said would be true, because whatever I say is the absolute truth. People may disagree. It is what it is.
The road bumped up and down with potholes and unfinished construction. I think this truck needs new suspension. And yes, I am in fact complaining about this.
The truck came to a halt after a while. I clutched my firearm in my arms like a baby, gently holding it to stop it scratching.
It's the only thing I "own" other than the clothes on my back. The only thing truly mine after they took me away. But that'll change. I feel it. I hope. I beg that he listens to my call.
"I have a confession to make." I said, holding back a shit-eating grin.
"What is it, Bell." Adler said tiredly. He put his hand around his holster.
"I lied to you all."
He brought up his gun.
"About what?"
"Perseus isn't here."
"What the fuck, Bell?!?" He said, gesturing wildly at me. "You're putting the entire world in danger, you piece of shit!"
I brushed off his insult with ease. I do not care for his language.
"I just bet on the winning horse." I said, clenching one fist and putting the other hand behind my back, standing up straight.
"You're not betting on the winning horse, you're betting on the losing dog and dragging us all down there with you out of spite!" His gun was shaking slightly, but he was readying it.
I raised my fist about a head above my own, turned it around to face myself, and then tugged it downwards. My former allies stared at it like a moth to a lightbulb.
Everything afterwards went so fast, everyone was shooting with almost reckless abandon.
I'll admit, I felt a bit of guilt, or shame, killing Park and Mason. They did nothing. Out of sympathy, or remorse, I aimed for their heads to make it quick.
Woods? I couldn't care less about. This was all about one man, and one man only. One man we both know.
Adler.
I stomped through occasional patches of blood, getting them on my boots. And then I found him.
Settled in a puddle of his own blood, presumably from his arm or leg, there he was. Weak. Stupid.
Perseus stood beside me. Adler coughed, unable to muster enough strength to pull up a handgun, apparently.
I drew my gun faster than he could retaliate a weapon.
"I saved you from the brink of death. Don't you remember that, Bell?"
Perseus rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"So, the bare minimum?"
"I could've left you to die."
"Would you?"
"Please shut him up." Perseus said tiredly.
I listened. In one quick click, I shoot the man, Adler, in the face.
I suppose this is the end of it. I watched his blood pool a little more, blankly, like I was entranced by it. I'm glad he's dead.
But a part of me wishes I could've kept him around longer to make him feel just like how I did.