This one's quite a short chapter. Bear with me guys, we're nearing the end.
Alicia saw the label on the arrow; saw Savannah's hesitation at shooting it. She had to get to those syringes fast, and then escape from the soon-to-come explosion immediately. The serpent had left a slimy trail, overturning rocks and trees. One such rock had been overturned and now formed the shape of a C. It was big enough to provide shelter from the inferno, though Alicia wasn't sure if it would hold and not crumble from the heat.
Savannah released the arrow just when her hand gripped hold of the packet. Immediately she sprinted towards the rock, concentrating only on not getting burnt alive. She was about 5 meters away when she slipped on the unfortunately extra slippery slime. The packet fell with a thud and the contents started spilling out, the syringes rolling away. There wasn't any time.
Alicia grabbed the nearest syringe, scrambling towards the rock, diving behind it just as the arrow hit its target.
The heat was intense –it felt like being boiled alive. Alicia prayed fervently for the safety of the rock that protected her, hoped that it will hold long enough until the fire died down. She had to tuck her hair into her jacket to avoid it getting blown by the wind into the flames. That would be horrible.
She used the time to inspect the lone syringe she had salvaged. There was a sticker there that read, "Minimum of 2 syringes for maximum result." Alicia's face fell, as she cursed herself for dropping the syringes. Her ribs won't be fully cured with just one syringe; but it'll have to do.
Sucking in a deep breath, she bit her lips, and then jammed the needle into her ribs. She felt nothing at first, just a tinge of numbness that spread from her ribs to her entire body. Then came the burning sensation of her insides getting scorched. Alicia doubled over, wanted nothing more than a jug full of ice-cold water to douse the growing fire inside her.
The pain soon passed, replaced by a welcomed cool sensation. Alicia touched her ribs gingerly –and winced. It still hurts, but the pain was tolerable.
Alicia gritted her teeth, face already set with deadly determination. It's time for the final face-off.
Savannah coughed, wiping the ashes off her grime-covered face. She opened her eyes and turned to the direction where she last saw Alicia, unsure of what she expected to see –a badly burnt body perhaps? Instead, she saw said girl rapidly advancing towards her, eyes blazing with rage. Quick as lightning, Alicia sent two of her knives flying. The attack came so suddenly, Savannah only had time to cry out an 'Oh!' If it wasn't for the shield that sprang up without her needing to activate it, she would have been skewered by now.
Interesting. So sudden attacks trigger the shield's activation system. This shield is proving to be an immensely useful item.
Ahead, Alicia was scowling after having seen what Savannah's new accessory turned out to be. Savannah grimly noticed that the other girl now moved with increased grace and agility; something she wouldn't have been able to do with badly broken ribs. She must have gotten the cure after all. But there was still something off. Alicia winced occasionally, when she moved too fast or jumped around.
Savannah let loose another two of her arrows, one after the other, though not in the same direction. She knew Alicia would have dodged the first one, and would dive to the left side, like she always does. That was why Savannah used a poison arrow as her second one. If she was to kill her opponent, she would make it quick, and hopefully, as close to painless as possible.
Just as she let her second arrow fly, she saw Alicia's eyes widened, and she rolled to the right, hence missing both arrows. Never missing a beat, she then counterattacked and let her knife fly. The shield blocked it, but it gave her just enough time to aim for Savannah's back and threw another knife. Savannah jerked to the side, but was too slow. Though the knife didn't hit her spine like how Alicia wanted it to, it burrowed deep into her shoulder.
It felt as if an ancient torture device was used on her, driving nails into her shoulder. Savannah wanted to assess her injury, but Alicia gave her no time for that. Before she knew it, said girl had crashed on top of her, pinning her to the ground. Savannah struggled to break free, but the other girl was much stronger and heavier than her, and her grip was like iron.
"You," Alicia spat out the word accusingly, "I've long waited for this moment. You're gonna be my ticket out of this hell."
Polls end this Sunday! Thanks all for voting!
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