Chapter 13
Though he was caught and pinned under Jenos, Bade began to laugh. "And soon," he chuckled, "You'll join him."
Jenos snarled and hoisted Bade up. He pinned Bade to the wall and proceeded to slam his fist into Bade's jaw repeatedly. Train let go of Eve and strode over to Jenos. He grabbed Jenos' wrist and pulled him off of Bade.
"This won't bring them back, you know that!" Train shouted at him. Jenos glowered at Train.
Bade's face was still split in an insane smile, and he kept cackling. "Isn't despair beautiful, Creed? Remember we used to wallow in it every day."
Creed sneered at Bade in disgust. "I'm past that, Bade."
"This isn't even the end of your torment," Bade said, smiling madly.
Eve glanced about the room, wondering what he meant.
"Joaquin," she muttered. "Where's Joaquin, Bade?"
"Following orders," Bade muttered. He pressed a button on his belt.
Eve scrambled to her feet. "Everyone get out!"
"What about Leon?!"
"We have to leave him!" Eve said, trying not to cry. Charden grabbed Creed and Sven grabbed the wheelchair. Train shot the window; it shattered into tiny, crystalline fragments. The seven that still remained, plus Bade, jumped out the window.
They landed on the ground and Bade dashed off. Eve landed second and ran after him as fast as her legs could carry her.
She faltered once when the building exploded, turning around to see if the rest of her group made it out. Satisfied to see them safe, she continued her pursuit.
Bade turned a corner and Eve followed. She stopped, recognizing the alley.
"Heehee! Aren't you a cutie?"
Balling her hands into fists, she stepped into the alley.
One…
Two…
Three…
"I'm proud of you, Ms. Volfied," Bade's voice echoed about her. "I didn't think you'd actually come after me.
Four…
Five…
Six…
She passed the manhole where Gyanza burst forth and grabbed her. In the distant mind, she could hear the cement break, could feel a strong hand grab hold of her.
"Tell me, girl. What shall we play?"
Seven…
Eight…
Nine…
Eve clenched and unclenched her fists.
"I know! Scream for me. Make me smile. Do it!"
Ten…
Eleven…
Twelve…
Eve's head began to throb from an old scar, now hardly visible, on her forehead. It looked like a small indent. She rubbed it to relieve the pain.
Thirteen…
Four—Bade jumped down in front of her, holding a knife in his hand. He licked the blade. "At last, I think I've found what I've been craving since I met you, Ms. Volfied."
Eve shook where she stood.
I see now, Eve thought. My desire isn't to avenge Rins or Leon. My desire is to go home with as many people alive as possible, to see whether or not Creed and Echidna have any children, to grow up and marry Train, to see Sven and my mom, Dr. Tearju, get married someday. To grow up and go to Cait Café where I can work after I retire from being a sweeper, inherit it from Annette maybe.
"Let me hear you scream," Bade muttered, approaching her as a lion approaches a cornered gazelle. The madness in his eyes was frightening. Much worse than Gyanza, Eve noticed.
When Gyanza demanded her to scream, Eve froze instantly. She shook, sweated, and could not control her nanotech.
Here she was, five years later, a sixteen year old girl, facing someone who scared her more than Gyanza—and she could still move. Eve took a deep breath and Bade lunged at her. Eve skidded to the right, transforming her hand into a sword.
"I'm the Oni."
"I'm the Tsumibito," Eve muttered to herself. She lunged at Bade who also lunged at her.
"Come to me, Eve," Bade shouted. The knives interlocked. "Scream for me," Bade ordered.
"No," Eve growled. "I won't scream for anyone." She turned her other hand into a gun and aimed at Bade's stomach.
Bam!
Bade's insanity flickered and died as his expression became shock. He looked at his stomach as it began to pour out blood.