She knew that he was lying when he told her it was nothing. She was just about to get up from the bed and leave his lair when he instinctively stopped her and just stood there, looking at her, as if it was the last time he was going to see her. She recognised that look. It was the same look her mother gave her before she left them years ago. Alisha could never forget that look, so full of regret and determination at the same time. That is why when she saw Simon smiling at her his half-smile she already knew something dreadful was going to happen. The thought made her nervous and she hurriedly left the apartment, eager to be alone so that she could think, try to guess what he was up to.
Next thing she knew, this total weirdo with the gun kidnapped Kelly, talking some crazy stuff about Conti giving him back his money. Alisha was sure all of them were in real danger. 'Could it be this that he's here about?' she thought as she ran to warn the others. 'He knew this was going to happen, I saw it in his eyes this morning. He'll be with us soon enough to help us. I must be prepared.'
So they decided to rob a bank and give Tim 'his' money, hoping that this will put an end to the game in his head. But things never turn out the way you expect. Before they could decide what to do next, they were all hanging on meat hooks from the ceiling, absolutely helpless and scared as shit. The mad gamer returned with a chainsaw and seemed ready to use it on Alisha to show the others that they can't fuck with him. It was so close that even Nathan managed to master some bravery and offer that he should be cut to pieces first.
Curtis used the moment the madman wasn't paying him any attention and kicked him in the face, shouting at Alisha to run for her life. And Alisha ran.
Running had proven the best source of inspiration. She had never noticed it before, but all her great ideas came to her while she was on the run. She didn't run all that often but the last weeks had been quite strenuous and full of action so she now had enough experience in order to trust the thought that came to her as she was running around the old warehouse.
All of the others were still hanging from the meat hooks. None of them was going to save her. And that guy with the chainsaw was properly mental so she had no hope he'll give up any time soon. And she was just a girl, having a bad hair day, wearing not the most comfortable sneakers. She was bound to get tired and make a mistake. And he was going to find her. The answer was simple, really: Simon, her Simon, had told her he's here to protect her, to make sure she doesn't die. Today was the day he saved her life.
But somehow she didn't think it was all that simple. Somehow she knew that, if he was sure they'll both survive, he wouldn't have looked at her like that this morning. He was here somewhere, probably watching her every step, waiting for that damned clock to strike the right second. Well, she wasn't going to wait for that to happen. It was time she used her powers for what they were there all along – to save herself. And maybe the man she loved as well.
