Studio Apartment

Olivia and Norm reached the top of the fire escape to find a studio apartment waiting for them. The window was ajar so they took it upon themselves to crawl in. The inside was a mess. Books were scattered on the floor. The bed, which was in the center of the room, had slid off the boxspring, and the sheets were pulled into the kitchen. "You think anybody's here?" Norm asks. "I don't think anybody is anywhere. But I'd feel better if we checked." Olivia says. "I agree. You check the kitchen. I'll check the bathroom." They both walked off to their respective areas. After a moment, they both came back to the center of the room. "Anyone in the bathroom?" Olivia asks. "No, how about the kitchen?" "Not a soul." "Good." Olivia glances at the open window. "We should really close that." Norm strolls over to the window. He attempts to close it with no luck. "It's stuck." Olivia signs. "I was afraid of that, but it's not like we don't have any resources." Olivia picks up the mattress. She walks over to the wall, and places the mattress flat against the window. "Well, it's something." She says, trying to catch her breath. Norm whistles in admiration. " I love it. You think we'll be able to keep them away though?" "With any luck, yes."

Up and Up

Olivia knew she had a duty to perform. She knew she had to protect Norm. Perhaps she looked at him and saw a cute, defenseless creature. At any rate she knew she had to escape. Olivia rounded the corner. The first thing she saw was a fire escape ladder. Olivia jumped multiply times, but she could not reach the ladder. Norm saw her struggling and took it upon himself to help. He scaled the side of the building, hopped on the fire escape, and lowered the ladder for her. Olivia wasted no time and climbed up to Norm. "Thanks." "Don't mention it. You want to hide in this studio apartment? It looks cozy."  Olivia shakes her head. "No. It's too close to the street. They'll find us right away. We have to go up." "You don't go up. That's how the kids get killed in every horror movie." "We're not in a horror movie." Olivia says calmly. "I suppose you're right, but lemme do one thing." Norm raises the fire escape ladder. Olivia smiles approvingly. "Good thinking. And now up."

Choosing Sided

I was left in the dark for a long time. I have no idea how much time had actually passed, but I know enough that I was relived when I heard the door open. I was so relived that as soon as I saw Davies I shouted "I repent." Davies chuckled mildly to himself. "I repent." I said again. " I heard you." "Then you know what that means." "What does it mean?" Davies asks,creeping closer to me. "It means I'm on your side." "Does it?" "Yes it does. We had a deal, remember?" Davies crouches down to my level. He grabs my shirt and pulls me close. "Why should I trust your deal?" "Why shouldn't you?" Davies shakes me violently back and forth. "You're a lying sack of shit. You only want to bring us down." "I don't I swear." "You lie." He shouts, still shaking me. "No, it's true. I want to be on your side."  Davies throws me down. "You want to be on my side?" "Yes, I do." "Okay, tough guy. I'll put you on the front lines."

Untied

Olivia's heart pounded as she listened to the sirens blasting. She was tied up and left in the alley. Olivia struggled to break free by rubbing her ropes against a brick building. She knew she had to be quick. She knew it was only a matter of time before Eagle Eyes men found her. She furiously scratched the ropes against the bricks. It wasn't long after her freeing her right arm that she heard footsteps. Olivia readied her hand in anticipation. As soon as the subject came around the corner, Olivia shot it with a barrage of hearts. BAM! She didn't wait to find out who it was. Olivia slowly lowered her hand. She saw Norm standing there in a daze. "Norm. I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you." "Oh, it's nothing. Now, is there anything I can do for you?" He asks, not entirely with it. "Well, I'd appreciate it if you untied me." "You got it." Norm drops his crossbow. He unties Olivia. Once she is free Olivia gives him a big hug. "Thank you so much." "It was nothing." Norm says swaying. "You hear that? They're coming for us." "But I put down my crossbow." "That's fine, but we can't be out here."

Like Snow

Todd worked furiously on the blueprints at his desk while Eagle Eyes stared out the window. Eagle Eyes seemed almost at peace with his arms behind his back as he watched the ascending globes. "You work too hard." Eagle Eyes says to Todd."Somebody should." Surprisingly Eagle Eyes chuckles at the comment. "Even so, a man should not work to work. He should not deny himself the simple pleasures of life." "What are you going on about?" Todd asks. "Come here." Todd begrudgingly complies. Eagle Eyes watches Todd watching the outside. "This wasn't done by us?" "No. It's far too sloppy." Eagle Eyes says. "I'll say...but it sure is pretty." "Isn't it? It's just like snow." "Just like snow." Todd repeats. The two of them marvel at the outside world for a moment. "They've been after this for a long time." Eagle Eyes admits. "Then why don't we stop them?" Eagle Eyes appears disgusted and annoyed. "Let them toil all they want. To them they are just hunting monsters. They have no idea that they are holding reality in their hands and that they can shape it to their liking." "How do you know they don't know?" "I just do." "Are you sure you want to risk that? I mean this could be a huge game changer if they know." Eagle Eyes stares at Todd intensely. Suddenly there is a knocking at the door. He turns away from Todd to answer the door. "What news do you have?" He asks Davies. "The girl is working with Ms. Rodgers. They are attempting to break into the tower and take it over." "Good luck with that." "I agree sir, but I believe some precautions should be taken." Eagle Eyes sighs and glances back at the ascending globes for a moment. "I suppose you believe they are close?" He asks. "Yes, sir." "Very well. You have redeemed yourself." "Thank you sir. What should we do now?" "Sound the alarms." "And what about the other? The one we have captured." "He knows more. Don't give up on him."

Out in the Open

"What are you doing?" Sgt. Rodgers shouts. "Grabbing these." Freddy says, pointing to the floating globes. "Get down now." Freddy fearfully complies. "What the hell is the matter with you?" She asks. "We were trying to get the globes." Olivia jumps in. "I wasn't talking to you." Sgt. Rodgers snaps. " I had trouble collecting them." Freddy says."So you decided to climb to the top of the fence where you were out in the fence where you were out in open? You know they have scopes, right?" "I'm sorry." Freddy says, lowering her head. "Don't be sorry. Just don't do it." There is an awkward pause. "Well, show me you got." Freddy reaches in his vest pocket and takes out two handfuls of the globes. "That's it?" "I have some too. Olivia says, showing Sgt. Rodgers a small handful of globes. Sgt. Rodgers shakes her head. "At least it's something." "She's gonna help us find Norm." Freddy says happily. Sgt. Rodgers turns to Olivia. "Oh, is she?" "Yeah, she said Norm is captured. She's gonna help us get him." Sgt. Rodgers draws her gun on Olivia. "And how does she know Norm was captured?"  "Because I saw it happen!" Olivia shouts. Sgt. Rodgers continues to aime her gun at Olivia while she talks to Freddy. "I don't believe her do you?" "I don't know." Freddy replies honestly. "Well, I don't. Tell me, Freddy, are you good at following orders?" "Yes ma'am." "Good .Steady your shotgun on her. Don't let her move an inch." Freddy does so, and Sgt. Rodgers lowers her gun. "Are you going somewhere?" He asks. "No. I'm just getting a rope out of my bag. We won't hurt her, but we won't let her leave either."

Grab Them

Olivia marveled at Freddy' s work. The little, yellow globes were smaller than usual. They looked almost like lemon drops. "Pick up." Freddy says, snapping Olivia out of her trance. She shakes her head. "Yes, we must pick them up." Olivia and Freddy scramble to pick up the globes. They do the best they can, but they are like marbles. They scatter everywhere. Olivia and Freddy grab handfuls and shove them in their pockets. Unfortunately, they are not fast enough. The globes start to lift up into the sky. "Oh no, we were too slow." Olivia cries."I have an idea." Freddy says. He climbs to the top of the fence, and grabs the globes as they ascend into the sky. The majority whiz past him, but he was able to get a decent amount. Enough to keep up spirits. At least until a stern voice shouted "Get down from there." Sgt. Rodgers emerged from the alley.

Freddy's Post

It was up to Olivia to not only snatch Freddy and Norm from Sgt. Rodgers, but also to evade being seen by  Eagle Eyes or any of his men. It was not an easy task, but I knew she was up to it. Olivia crept through alleys. Eventually she stumbled upon Freddy. He stood with his back to Olivia. He looked through a chain linked fence and held a shotgun. "Hey." Olivia whispered. Freddy turned slowly, preparing to fire at the enemy. A smile came over his face when he realized it was Olivia. "I know you." He says.  "I know you too. Now let's get out of here." "Can't. This is my post." "What if I told you Sgt. Rodgers assigned you a new position?" Olivia asks. "But this is my position." Olivia signs. "I know, but she's relocating you." "Where?" "Well, she wants you to find Norm." "Is he in trouble?" Olivia nods. "Very much so." Freddy stands firmly. "We must save him." "That's the spirit, Freddy." Then, out nowhere, Freddy squints his eyes. He looks like s crazed animals now. "Freddy, what's going on?" Freddy raises his shotgun. He stands menacingly with it. "Freddy, put down the gun." Without any further warning, Freddy fires the gun. It goes past Olivia, just missing her shoulder. Freddy relaxes and smiles victoriously. Olivia quickly grabs the gun from him. "What the hell was that about?" She shouts. "Look." He insists. Olivia turns around to see a million little, yellow globes scattered on the ground. "Wow. Good shot."

Torture

I was locked in a cold, dark room with cement walls. However, I was not dismayed. I used my solitary time to practice my lines in my head. "I'm sorry."  "I repent." "I believe in your cause and I want to join." These phrases left a bitter taste in my mind, but I knew I had to say them convincingly. I was ready. So ready, in fact that when I heard the door unlock, I didn't wait until the figure opened the door all the way before I shouted "I repent."  "Change of plans." Davies says, entering my cell. "What is it?" "Come with me." I stand."Am I free?" "You will be if you play your cards right." I reluctantly walk over to an even smaller room. This one though, has a bucket of water on the floor. "I don't get it. Do I have chores now?" "I'll ask the questions." Davies scolds. "Fine." "Where is she?" He asks in a slightly calmer, yet still threatening tone. "I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine." "Is it?" "Yes,it is." Davies shakes his head. He grabs me by the back of the head and forces my face under the icy cold water. "Where is she!" He asks, pulling my head back. I cough violently. "I don't know." He forces my head under water again. My arms flail frantically, and then he pulls my head back up. "Where is she?" "I told you I don't know." He dunks my head underwater again. This time he holds it slightly longer. I struggle to breath when he finally releases me. He waits for me to catch my breath. "I'll ask you one more time. Where is she?" "She went looking for Sgt. Rodgers. Sgt. Rodgers is trying to take over the tower, but you knew that." Davies smiles smugly. "Good work." He exits the small room, locking door behind him, leaving me alone to my thoughts. I wonder what I had just done.

Eagle Eye's Office

Davies stood in attention while Todd furiously drew up blueprints at the desk and Eagle Eyes stared out the window. It appeared Eagle Eyes was in deep reflection. Davies wanted him to have his moment, but at the same time he was eager to get the meeting done with. "Does he have to be here?" Davies asks, referring to Todd. Eagle Eyes continues to stare out the window. Then after a moment he slowly turns to Davies and answers. "Todd is an integral part of our operation."  "Remind me exactly what he does for us." "Never you mind that." "It's just-" "It's just what?" Eagle Eyes says, cutting Davies off. "Would you prefer if he wasn't here?" "Yes, sir. I would." Davies says. "Very well." Eagle Eyes turns to Todd. "Could you give us a moment?" Todd complies without giving a fuss. He stands up  and exits the room, closing the door behind him. "You're gonna wish he was here." Eagle Eyes says. "And why's that?" "Because now there are no witnesses." Eagle Eyes head butts Davies The bridge of Davies' nose bleeds. Eagle Eyes proceeds to slap Davies with the back of his hand. Davies tries to defend himself, but Eagle Eyes throws him to the ground. "You dare question me?" Eagle Eyes shouts to Davies while he picks him up only to shove him against the wall again. "Where were you?" Eagle Eyes shouts. "I was injured. I had to take time to recover." "And who healed your wounds?" "I did. I healed them myself." "Liar. You were making friends with the enemy." "I wasn't. I swear." "I don't believe you. Why should I?" "Because I have a prisoner." Davies says nervously. "Yes, you have one prisoner. Where is the other one? Where is the girl?" "She got away." "She got away? Or you let her get away?" Eagle Eyes accuses. "She got away. Please, you have to believe me." Eagle Eyes takes a deep breath. He takes a moment to collect himself. "Bring hell to him." "Excuse me?" "He's your prisoner, isn't he?" "Yes." "Then bring hell to him, and if you don't I will bring hell to you ten fold."

The Grand Tower

 We arrived at what Eagle Eyes and his men refer to as "the grand tower." The building seemed more sinister than ever. I stared straight up and could see no end in sight. The cold, grey, dilapidated skyscraper stretched on for miles. Davies conked me on the head. "Stop looking about." He then banged his fists on the steel door. He continued to pound his fists until a rat faced guard answered the door. "You're loud enough to wake the dead." He says. "I should hope so. I've been waiting out here a while." Davies replies. "I knew you were there. I had to size you up." The guard says, eyeing me. "Size me up? What's the matter with you?" "I wasn't sure of your intentions." Davies turns beat red. "My intention was to bring this scumbag in to torture." The guard looks into my eyes. "Wasn't there a girl with him?" The guard asks. "There was, but I wasn't able to capture her." Davies explains. "Pity. That means he'll be all by himself." The guard opens the door fully to reveal an assault rifle aimed at my chest. "I'll take him to the cell. You stay here. I'm sure the boss will want a word with you."

Makeshift Wespon

"What about me?" Olivia asks. "What about you?" Davies repeats. "You have a quote gun against his back, but what about me? How would you deal with me if I were your prisoner?" "I wouldn't do a thing?" "What?" "You wouldn't do anything. You'd be too afraid to. You'd know I could shoot him any second." "I guess that makes sense, but I still feel like I should be doing something." Olivia says. "Walk." Davies orders. Olivia starts to walk. "Not like that!" Davies shouts. "What's wrong with my walking?" "It's too confident. They'll know." Olivia sighs, she then starts to walk again. This time she is hunched over and her legs tremble. "That's more like it." Davies says. After half a block Olivia stops. "What's a matter? Why'd you stop?" Davies asks. Olivia turns around. "I can't do this." "Don't tell me it's moral reasons." He sneers. "No, I feel like I'm gonna give it away." "What are you gonna do? Hang low?" He asks. "Yes." Olivia walks over to me. She gives me a sweet goodbye kiss. "I'll see you soon. " She promises. I watch her leave out of the corner of my eye, and then Davies jabs me with his pretend gun."Just you and me now."

Why Follow?

"You guys don't have to come with me." He says as we continue our journey in the abandoned city. "I know, but we'd like to join you." Olivia replies. "You know you'll still have to be my prisoners." "I know." Olivia says. "Then why do you want to come? You already got your medical attention. You wouldn't benefit from this at all." There is a brief silence. I eventually answer. "We were hoping we could get back into Eagle Eyes' good graces." "That what you want?" Davies asks. "Yes." Olivia responds quickly. "Alright, if that's what you want then we have to lock you two up. Eagle Eyes will ask if you repent. You'll say yes, and maybe just maybe this plan will work." I sign deeply. "Don't relax. We're not out of the woods yet. I still have to fake a weapon." Davies pulls me back by the throat. He then shoves his hand in his pocket and jabs me in the back with it. I know its just his hand mimicking a gun, but it feels as menacing as the real thing. Davies whispers in my ear. "Now do exactly as I tell you."

After the Procedure

Without any form of anisthetic, the procedure was quite painful. It didn't start start out so bad. But the pain soon became unbearable. I kicked my feet and dug my nails  into my thighs. It was excruscriating. I ended up passing out from the pain. Olivia woke me when it was over. "It's done. And she's gone." Olivia says. "And so am I." Davies replies. I look up to see Davies. His right arm was bandaged up. "Where are you going?" I  ask. "I have to defend the tower, but you don't have to come. I won't make you." Davies starts to descend the ladder. Olivia leans in and whispers to me. "We have to go with him." "Why?" "Because he's probably going to fight Sgt. Rodgers." "So?" "So? She's with Freddy and Norm still. I don't want them to get hurt. They're basically kids playing soldier." I take a deep breath. "You're right. Davies! Wait up."

Medical Bag

Sgt. Rodgers left us alone for a full hour before finally coming back with the medical bag. She tossed it by my feet. "It took a little longer than expected." She says. "I'll say. Where did you go? Timbuktu?" Olivia asks. "Close. Our base." "The base? You went all the way to the abandoned subway station?" Olivia says in amazement. "Of course. That's the hiding spot." Olivia shakes her head. "Whatever. Can you fix them up now?" "Nope, you're on your own." "What?" Olivia gasps. "I said I'd get the medical bag, but I never said I'd help you." "I don't know what to do." Sgt. Rodgers digs in the bag. "You got bandages and pliers to dig out the bullet." "This doesn't seem like a good idea. I could dig too deep and hurt him." Olivia says. Sgt. Rodgers rolls her eyes. "Fine I'll help you with this, but the minuet we get the bullet out I'm splitting. With Davies injured this is my chance to move in on the tower."

Her Help

I did not fear Sgt. Rodgers, at least not in the sense that I believed I could loose my life because of her. It was a feeling of I was a troubled student being sent to the pricipals' office. I most likely didn't do anything wrong, yet I couldn't help myself from feeling so guilty. She climbed up the stares. Before she got a chance to say a word, Olivia fired a pink heart at her. Sgt. Rodgers, however, was quick. She pulled a yellow globe out of her pocket and held it up to the pink heart. The pink heart was then absorbed in the yellow globe. Sgt. Rodgers studied the pink heart trapped in the yellow globe before placing it back in her pocket. "Thanks. That may come in handy." "We need your help." I say. "I don't see why I should help you." "They're both injured. They need your help." Olivia replies. Sgt. Rodgers walks over to Davies. She snaps the end off of his arrow, and then tosses it over the edge of the catwalk. "There. I helped." "What about him? He has a bullet in his shoulder." Olivia says, pointing to me. "That's too bad." Sgt. Rodgers says, coldly. She turns to walk away. Olivia fires a pink heart at her back. Sgt. Rodgers turns back to us. "I have a medical supple bag. I can get it, but then it's every man for themselves."

We Have to Go

I waited patiently as I heard the metal clanging. I expected Norm to arrive, but like a running gag it was someone unexpected again. This time it was Olivia. She stared at Davies' arrow, then me, and then back at Davies. "I was going to say I saw Freddy, and that Sgt. Rodgers must be around here somewhere, but clearly they got here first." "It was Norm and it was an accident." I say. "I believe that, but now we definitely need help." "I know. Norm is getting Sgt. Rodgers. He thinks she can help." I reply. "What did you say?" Olivia asks in disbelief. "I said Norm is getting Sgt. Rodgers." "Are you insane? We can't do that." "That you." Davies says in a pained grunt. "What? She could help us." "She could, but it doesn't mean she will. We can't trust her." "So, you want to stick with the plan even though Davies has an arrow sticking out of his arm now?" I ask. "Yes! Who knows that might work out in our favor. But right now we have go. I mean what would Sgt. Rodgers say if she saw us now?" "I'd say you're on my turf ,and I wouldn't let you leave." My heart pounded. Sgt. Rodgers was just feet below us.

The "prisoner"

Davies posed in victory with his  boot on my chest in preparation of his soldiers. To both of our surprise , it was neither his soldiers nor Olivia. It was Norm with crossbow. He pointed it as menacingly as he could at Davies. "What's your business here?"  "I have come to seek refuge." Davies replies. "Yeah? Well, I'm part of the resistance, and I don't know if I want you here." Norm shouts. Davies chuckles. " I am! I am the resistance and I don't have to let anyone past me." Davies rolls his eyes. "Fine. You're the resistance." "Damn straight. Now who's that under your foot?" "My prisoner." Your prisoner?" I lift my head so Norm can see me. This instantly made him enraged. Norm shot Davies in the arm without warning. Davies recoiled in pain. I sprung up off the floor and stopped Norm before he could load another arrow in the crossbow. "Norm, it's ok." "What do you mean it's ok? He captured you." "All part of the plan." I say calmly. "What?" "I was shot. I need medical attention. Me being his prisoner was a sure fire way to get it." Norm sighs. " I guess that coulda worked. You coulda gotten hurt though." "No shit." Davies grunts. Norm ignores him. "I think the Sgt. is around here somewhere. She could probably help with you guys." "No, no way." Davies shouts. "Listen, you wanna get better?" Davies does not respond. "That's what I thought. I'll see if I can find her. I'll return."

Catwalk

We eventually found refuge in a sewage treatment plant. None of us were thrilled to be there, but it was a chance for us to rest. We climbed a tall ladder and Olivia set us down on a catwalk. I assumed she was going to stay with us, but she took off promptly. "Where are you going?" I asked. " I have to secure the area." Without questioning it I let her go. She left me alone with the man who shot me. Several times he tried to strike a conversation. I, however, was not in the mood. Fortunately , after a moment I heard the metal clanging. I knew it was her. "Olivia." I shouted. She did not respond. I decided to shout louder. "Olivia!" She still did not respond. "It ain't her." Davies says. "Then who is it?" I ask. "It's my guys. Stay where you are." Davies hoists himself up. He can barely stand. He leans most of his weight against the railing, but he is able to push me back. He then placed his boot on my chest in preparation for his his soldiers' arrival.

We Wander

We didn't want to admit it, but doubt was creeping into all of our minds. How could it possibly work? None of us  thought beyond the idea of stumbling up to the building, and stumbling is just about all we could do. At least me and Davies that is. I noticed we weren't bothered by anyone as we wandered about aimlessly. To which Davies replied "This is precisely when we should be the most vigilant." "I'm watching." Olivia says. "No, they already know we are here." "Then what do we do?" I ask. "Take cover as soon as possible."

Will it Work?

Climbing the ladder to the surface was a daunting experience. I have no idea how Davies or myself made it to the top in our condition other than Olivia doing most of the work. I wanted to thank Olivia once we got to the surface, however I knew it wasn't time to celebrate just yet. I knew we were not out of the woods. "How are we gonna do this?" I ask, leaning my weight on Olivia. "I don't know, but we will." She responds. "But how do we know this will work?" "Please, this is really not the time for your cynicism." She says as calmly as she can. "I'm just saying look at him. Look at his face. How are they supposed to believe we are his prisoners?" Davies turns his bloody face to me. "I may look like this, but you have a bullet wound. Therefore I win." "He's right. We're unarmed, after all." Olivia explains. "But he can barely walk." I shout. "I can walk just fine." Davies takes his weight off Olivia. He attempts to walk on his own, but he falls flat on the sidewalk. Olivia picks him up. "We'll figure something out before we get to headquarters."

Flesh Wound

"What? How could I have been shot? I didn't feel anything." "I don't know , but hold still." Olivia rips off a bit of my cape. She dabs the blood with it. That I can feel. That hurts like hell. "Ahhh. How did I not feel getting shot?" "I don't know, but you're gonna be ok." "No you're not." Davies replies. He's still half conscious on the floor, but his response is annoying none the less. "He'll be fine." Olivia assures. "You ain't Rambo, kid." He says condescendingly. "What the hell does that mean?" I ask. "Look, that's a flesh wound, and flesh wounds can get infected easily. You know how to deal with that?" "I could figure it out." Olivia says. Davies laughs. "I can." She shouts. "You think it's that easy?" He asks. "Fine. Then instead of criticing why don't you tell me exactly what I need to do?" "Because I don't know." "Aha!" Olivia shouts triumphantly. "I don't know because I'm a soldier not a doctor. He needs a doctor." Olivia stares at my wound. "He does, but we're not welcome above." "Then come with me." "Fuck that." Olivia says . "If you went up with me you'd have a better chance of survival." "And how is that?" "I'd take you two as my prisoners. Then they'd have to take care of him." Olivia thinks about the offer for a moment. "I don't trust you." Davies half smiles. "You could always stay down here. See what happens." Olivia stomps her foot. "Alright. We'll go with you, but I'm taking precautions." She then fires a pink heart in his chest. It's lighter than usual, but hopefully it does the trick.

Don't Wait

"What makes you so damn cocky?" I ask Davies as he stubbornly continues to point his gun at us. "Because while you may be right that my bullets can't penetrate your shield , I know I can wait." "Wait for what?" Olivia questions. "I know you can't have that shield up constantly." "Yes, I can." Olivia shouts. "No, I don't think you can. It takes up too much energy. It's only a matter of time before you get tired. Then your protection is gone. Then I attack." "If that's the case, you're gonna be waiting a long time." I say. "I don't mind." Davies stares at us with a smug "gotcha" smile. "What do we do?" I whisper to Olivia. "Only thing we can do. We wait." She replies. "That doesn't seem like a good idea." "You got a better idea?" She asks, annoyed. "Yeah, I'm going out there." "No, that's a worse idea." "Perhaps, but he's not going away." "But you'll be-"  Before I could hear Olivia finishing her sentence , I found myself pushing out of the bubble. Nothing can get in the bubble,  but anything can get out. We are always free leave. It just takes a little force. I pushed with all my might. I soon found myself face to face with Davies. Initially he was shocked, and then a weird delighted expression came over his face as I heard Bang! The devil tried to shoot me.He missed, but I was angered enough at the murder attempt to ball my hand into a fist. I punched his face so hard that his head turned. He spat blood and teeth. I saw him attempt to raise his gun again, so I swept his legs. He immediately fell backwards. His gun slidded across the floor. Then for no reason other than sheer adrenaline, I started to kick him in the ribs. Olivia shouted at me to stop. "Stop. No more." I stopped at her request at stared at this bloody mess of a soldier. Olivia throws down her shield and walks over to me. "Wow, you took care of him." "Yeah, I did." I say, panting. "Now its time to take care of you." "What?" "You're bleeding. He shot you in the shoulder."

Man Down

They all fired their guns simultaneously. Bullets bounced off the bubble and hit the walls of the tunnel. One bullet even hit a soldier , forcing him to fall backwards. They didn't notice however, they kept firing at us. I had to shout hold on at the top of lungs. Davies raised his hand to get them to stop. "Ready to tell us where she is?" He asks. "No, one of your men is hit." I reply. Davies glances down. He sees the soldier bleeding and clutching his side in agony. "Fuck." He says under his breath. "He needs medical attention, and we don't have that down here." I inform. "What are you suggesting I do?" Davies snarls. "You have to take him to the surface." I say. "I don't have to do shit." "No, you don't. " We stare at each other in silence for an intense moment. "I bring him to the surface, then what about you?" "You let us leave." "I let you leave?" He repeats. "Or you continue to fire at us and we continue to destroy you." Olivia replies. There is pause. Davies then grunts and lowers his gun. He barks orders to his soldiers. "Bring him to the surface." The soldiers pick up the wounded man and walk off. Davies watches them leave. After that he points the gun on us. "Looks like I outsmarted you."