Nothing Else Matters
By: Dark Mousy
Chapter Twenty
"Driven"
Treize tried to push Zechs away, but failed miserably. It seemed as if the man was driven, but by what, Treize could not yet see. In a test of strength, Zechs' pale, bloodied hand grasped Treize's sword-bearing hand. With a groan of effort, Zechs raised his hand, and pounded it against the floor. Treize was forced to elicit a yell as the sound of cracking bones was heard, and his hand released the sword.
In a fluid motion, Zechs took hold of Treize's dagger and held it to his throat with such force that blood began to trickle down his neck, catching the beads of sweat that lined it.
"Quite the predicament we're in…"
"I wouldn't call it a predicament. You'll be dead in a few seconds," came Zechs' cool reply.
"No, no. I would call it a predicament. You see, you can't kill me." Treize's voice was arrogant, and he backed up his tone with a smile to Zechs.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" Zechs allowed sarcasm into his voice.
"Let me recap the events for you. Do you honestly think I would capture Suzuka, not for ravaging purposes, just to watch her hang from my ceiling like an adornment? Oh, no no no." Treize allowed a short laugh, despite the pain shooting up his arm from his broken metacarpals. "You see, she's my insurance policy. A very pretty one, at that." He mused. "Now, would you like to know more?"
"Enlighten me."
"I would love to, but you're crushing my chest. So, if you will…"
Zechs let out a growl, before he stood, making sure all weapons were out of reach.
"Good, good." Treize dusted the petals off him. "Now. While the lovely assassin was in my custody, I took it upon myself to give her a nice medicine, designed by, well of course, yours truly." He smiled. "Now, perhaps I go too far with calling it a medicine… More like… A virus. A very nice mixture of deadly chemicals. Are you with me so far?"
Zechs made no response, his hands itching to strangle the life out of the arrogant bastard.
"She has… One week to live, I'd say. She won't feel the effects until about.. Ah, two days before her time is up."
"How do you consider this an insurance policy." Zechs said through gritted teeth. "And I doubt this is the truth."
"I consider this an insurance policy, mainly because…" Treize ripped his shirt open in a single motion, and Zechs blinked at a black device, like a tape, firmly placed over his heart. "If my heartbeat stops, or if this is removed, the lovely little device attatched to the ONE vial of antidote will… Oh, how should I say this? Go poof?" He ran a hand through his hair, now knowing his security.
"So you're asking me to spare your life."
"No, I'm presenting you with a choice. Kill me, and Suzuka dies, let me live, and she lives."
"How do I know you won't pursue her again?" Zechs lowered his sword.
"Ah, well… You don't." Treize laughed. "But it wouldn't matter anyway… You'll be dead."
Zechs made no movement, but to narrow his eyes at Treize's words.
"Because… Well, you see that lovely-looking gash at your side there? My blade had the exact same poison on it… The exact same virus. And so, you have three choices. Your life… Or her own. And I am pretty sure that you will give her the antidote so I have no worries… She'll be mine, you know." And with that, Treize turned his back on Zechs.
"Give me the antidote, and I swear before my last breath I will cut your heart out of you and watch you waste away."
"I'd like to see you try." Treize turned his head, to look at Zechs from the corner of his eye. "…But you won't have a chance to."
