Two Shots
By Commentaholic - Alpha 02
Chapter Five: Running and Gunning
The Runners didn't used to be armed. They didn't need to be.
As long as the Runners stayed out of the Cops' way, they were left alone and allowed to continue on their transport of illegal information.
Ah.. the good old days. Back when the cops were lazy.
Ironic, isn't it? That I should be talking about them that way? I used to be one of them, after all... Before I realized that beyond all the glossed-up news reports and propaganda, there was a secret war being waged. It also took a rather rude awakening that involved dangling off a building because I knew too much. Luckily, Faith came and saved me. That's how I met the Runners and my eyes were opened.
But anyway, I'm getting off-topic.
Back in Faith's younger years, it was all about speed. Knocking out a guard if need be, but nothing lethal.
But once the cops (there I go again with the hypocrisy) started gunning for us, we either had to step up our game or get with the program.
Most of us chose the latter.
Faith never lost the old ways.
She's a Runner. Not a Gunner.
Every life is precious, even the lives of those that are trying to end yours.
Thus endeth the lesson.
-Sly's Journal, May 15th, 2036
My arm ached as I swung from the pipe hanging between the ventilation system that hung between buildings. I released at the critical moment, allowing my momentum to carry me through the air to the next building, rolling as I landed, as I had been taught. Pain splashed across my back, reminding me (yet again) what had just happened.
Like I'd ever forget...
Faith called out to me, "Come on! We've got to get to a safe distance before they close down this section of the city!" she said, sliding through a hole in a fence. I hopped it, not having the luxury of the extra time to head over to the hole. My body complained, but I politely told it to shut up. When it refused, I began ignoring it. That's when it stopped complaining.
Then it started whining.
Those who know the difference will know the annoyance and pain that I started to go through. But I couldn't stop. We couldn't stop for anything, much less for a petty thing like accomodating a passing pain. I didn't even remark on it. Any comments would no doubt cause Faith to stop, just for me. I knew that she would, too.
We grabbed a cable and slid down it to another building, running as we landed, not giving up any momentum.
Then Faith slowed to a halt, her head turning slowly. I ran up behind her, panting, "What is i-" She halted my words by holding a finger up to my lips.
"Shhh!" she hissed, standing perfectly still, listening.
I looked around, trying to see what she was sensing.
She relaxed. "Nothing. It was nothing. Just my imagination."
"Come on, Faith, I've known you too long. I know when you're lying." I whispered.
Faith glanced around at the surrounding buildings. "I thought I heard something, but like I said. It was probably nothing. Let's keep going." she said, giving a small skip to gain some momentum to keep running.
My hand strayed to the holster strapped to the back of my belt, but found it empty. Then I remembered that my pistol had been thrown from my grasp during the explosion. We were Running this one.
Six blocks and countless jumps, slides and drops later, we were almost to the nearest safehouse. Once there, we could call for backup and an escort back to the hub.
Faith leapt down ahead of me onto a crane's cab, straightening and beckoning towards me, starting up the long arm of the machine. Then, in an instant, I heard two shots ring out amid the background noise of the city's night life.
A warning died in my throat as I realized I was too late. A spatter of blood cast a red splash upon Faith's ivory-hued pants as the twin bullets struck her in the leg and she stumbled, a look of shock on her face as she lost her balance on the narrow span.
My eyes widened in horror as she slipped from her place on the crane.
She began to fall.