Chapter 5: Rage and Needles

"What do you mean an assassin?" Valkyrie had tensed up against her chair.

"I mean someone who kills people for money. This assassin in particular is after me."

"How do you know?" asked Skulduggery, he sounded calm but I could sense he was getting ready to fight.

"His name is Matthew Medicum, people call him Med. He's an Adept, specializing in self healing."

"I didn't think healers would be a good choice for an assassin?" Valkyrie interjected.

"Imagine being chased by someone who no matter how much you hit, shoot or burn them they won't slow down?" I asked her. "Trust me when I say you don't want to get on the wrong side of this guy. He enjoys playing the fact that the Sanctuary use seers to wipe people's memories..."

I was getting ready to continue when a hand slammed onto the table. Med towered menacingly over us, his silhouette outlined by the bright sunlight from the window behind him.

"What a pleasure seeing you here." He growled, smirking at me from above; yellow teeth almost glowing in the soft light. I smiled sweetly from my chair.

"Ah, Med, it's been too long. Now, what was it you said to me when we last met?" From under the table my knee came up between his legs. He screamed.

"Oh yes, that's it!" I yelled. Getting up from my chair I knocked him to the ground while he was distracted. Hoping to lead him away from the crowded cafe I ran to the door, calling insults along the way.

Thankfully, there weren't many people on the street. Most were at work or school, meaning it was empty apart from the group of skivers queuing outside the chippy. Valkyrie was next to exit the cafe, followed swiftly by Skulduggery.

I called out to them, telling them to aim for the vitals if they could, the more serious the damage the longer it takes to heal.

Suddenly, Med came barrelling out the glass door, screaming insults I definitely wouldn't repeat to my mother. Through his fit of rage he caught sight of me; eyes ablaze with anger.

He ran towards me, taking a handgun out his pocket as he came. At the last minute I dived out the way, my hands scraping on the rough pavement.

Rolling to the left I barely missed a bullet aimed at my chest. Valkyrie sent a shadow that ripped into his arm, but as it went through his arm had already started to heal. Flesh began to knit together like a piece of cloth and strands of skin weaved themselves back into a full arm.

Although the damage wasn't permanent it had given me the distraction I'd needed to get up and run for cover behind a building. My Colt now out I began to shoot relentlessly from behind a nearby building. Each bullet seemed to only annoy him more; tearing off chunks of his humanity with every shot until pure animal like hatred remained.

Med and I went way back, even before my life was torn apart at the seams. Even when he was 'on my side' I found him unnerving. After all, theoretically he was unstoppable. A blade would kill him if you managed to keep it in him long enough; it would block the blood flow to his vital organs and he'll die before his magic has a chance to heal him. I've thought about it sometimes when assassins seem a bit too much too handle. I've thought about ways to kill them but have never gone through with it. I'm probably the only criminal with a conscience. My only redeeming feature and I'm being hunted because of it-figures.

"You're finished," Med slurred, casually striding towards me as fire and shadows temporarily ripped him apart. After his rage had consumed him he had began to snarl at his attackers, sometimes trying to pounce but getting pushed back by the onslaught of weapons. Then his temper began to slowly subside. He became cold as the fires that fuelled his rage began to sputter and dim. This is when you start to panic.

Now realising that we cannot harm him, he took advantage of the situation. He was so close that one more step and I could reach out and touch him, that's when I threw all morals to the wind. I aimed for his head and watched as the cavern that was once his skull again began to heal. Another shot went through his chest and it healed again. He pounced when he saw me about to back away; I could hear Valkyrie calling to Skulduggery for advice.

Choking under his weight I tried to wiggle loose but to no avail. I brought up my Colt and smacked him round the side of his head, hearing the telltale sickening crack as I fractured his skull. Struggling, I pulled further away from him. I had managed to pull most of him off when a strong hand clamped around my wrist. I cried out in surprise but not before he plunged a hypodermic needle into my upper arm.

My vision swayed as the contents worked its way into my blood stream. The world blurred and began to spin and only when I realised that the oncoming darkness was not night drawing in, did I collapse completely.

Sorry it's a day late, I lot track of time.

5. Out of all the elements (fire, air, water and earth) which would you say is the most destructive?

My answer: Fire