Chapter Eleven:

Assassin Execution

Madrid, Spain, 1944

Spain was, supposedly, neutral territory with the war raging around it. After its lengthy civil war, Spain chose to abstain because of the turmoil still brewing within its borders, though hundreds of Spaniards were clambering to help their chosen side, whether it be the Allies, now pushing forward at an incredible pace through the German frontlines thanks to the aid of the Russian army, or the Axis Powers, out of loyalty, and because the Germans had helped supply the Spanish people with weapons to fight their civil war.

This left Spain in a very unique position, and thankfully it was not in the way of the advancing Allies or the Axis Powers, so its people lived almost blissfully happy with strong leadership at its head, even sometimes going as far as pretending the war didn't even exist. But government officials knew they were treading a thin line. Neutrality was a double-edged sword, and their lack of aid could be seen as a stand in which Spain was waiting for the other empires of the world to waste lives and ammunition, then leap into the fray, though the Assassins thought otherwise.

With Spain remaining neutral, the Assassins wondered just how far Spain wished to withdraw from the carnage outside its borders. This led to a spy discovering Winston Churchill, the Templar, was bribing Spain to stay out of the war, or, at least, not join the side of the Axis Powers... for a time. But on the other hand, Spain was collecting a list of names of the Jewish refugees that fled to their country, and rumour was they'd be supplying it to a leader of the Axis Powers.

Chances were, Richard Cole would be there to make certain it got to its destination on behalf of the Templars and their puppet Adolf Hitler. So while two cells of Assassins were dispatched to keep an eye on the movements of the upper-echelon of Spanish government, Mary and Katherine were deployed to intercept the message and assassinate Richard Cole. Any Assassin-hunters he brought with him would be distracted by the Assassin cells.

That was the plan. Mary and Katherine only needed to be back on the same page.

Since the last time Cole managed to escape, Katherine had busied herself trying to find patterns in the attacks of the Assassin-hunters. Not only had there been more casualties on the Assassin cells, but every report filed, now much more frequent than previous years, included slightly different descriptions. It helped reinforce Mary's theory that there was more than one Assassin-hunter, so Katherine began creating a list. In all, Katherine assumed there were at least six Assassin-hunters. There had once been seven, but the extra had been the one beheaded by Katherine in Auschwitz. But she could find no attack patterns, so they clearly had an agenda that the Assassins were not aware of.

By the time Mary had mostly recovered from her injuries and Katherine had received care from her time in Auschwitz, Joseph Hall had issued new orders from Manigot Line that all undercover operatives wearing Axis uniforms were not to return to the make-shift base for any reason due to the advancing Allied forces and the increased chance they'd be shot on sight. Mary and Katherine would be unable to explain their presence to either side of the conflict and were instructed to move to Spain, then report their position to Hall once they were secure.

Their arrival in Madrid instigated the hatching of the plan. When they'd found a place to stay, hidden at the highest levels of Saint Michael's Basilica, Mary and Katherine began their walk to La Casa del Abuelo, a bar where they would meet with the two Assassin cells they'd be working with for that mission. Katherine vowed to keep Mary away from the drink to the best of her abilities, despite Mary's increasing agitation since doctors had her withdraw from spirits without her consent.

But on the other hand, Katherine had, on a whim, used her Sight on Mary to see if she was getting any better. What Katherine saw gave her pause: Mary's right side, in its entirety, looked as though it was in pain without any alcohol. Katherine attributed it to a withdrawal. After all, Mary was the type of woman who could out-drink many sailors at once. Still, that it was the side Mary was bandaged on piqued Katherine's confusion and interest.

By the time the two Assassins arrived at La Casa del Abuelo, it was just approaching nightfall. To act a little more inconspicuous despite their Assassin uniforms, Mary and Katherine had their hoods lowered and Mary decided to leave her sword back at Saint Michael's Basilica. Katherine (who'd "borrowed" a rifle from a German storeroom) left her rifle there as well. Both still carried their handguns and, of course, their hidden blades. Their comrades that had arrived ahead of them seemed to be just as socially conscious as the women. No sinister hoods were visible, and while their uniforms seemed like they belonged to an army, that detail was welcomed by the local Spaniards who were eager to hear about the war.

But the uniforms the Assassins wore, unique to their own style, caught the eye of the few Allied soldiers taking leave from the war. American, French, British and Italian alike. The Americans in particular were looking at Katherine, and when Mary followed their gaze (briefly annoyed they were watching her chest region) she noticed something she hadn't before: two sets of dog tags.

Mary stopped Katherine just before they reached the bar and gestured to them. "Yer brothers' tags, aye?"

Katherine clasped them in her palm tightly. The metal was cool from being exposed to the air for a few hours. "Yes..."

Mary lifted a corner of her mouth and gently took the tags from Katherine's palm. "Something I learned a while back..." Mary lifted the dog tags from Katherine's neck (even though Katherine was loathe to be separated from them) and tucked them into a secure pocket attached to her belt. "When ye miss those ye love, dannae carry their things with ye. It can burden ye, and mask yer judgement. Justice before revenge, lassie. So, while we're here, I'll take care of them for ye. When we're at rest, and when ye're ready tae mourn, that's when ye wear it. That's when ye think of them. Otherwise, as much as ye mean well for them, they'll drag ye down with 'em."

Katherine began touching the space between her collar bones, where the dog tags were now absent from. "... You'll take good care of those, right?"

"They mean a lot tae ye, lassie. On my life they'll be safe."

Katherine seemed to accept it and made her way to the bar to order a drink before she would meet with the Assassins. Mary followed her, and when Katherine had finished ordering a light drink she turned to Mary.

"You're getting water or nothing," she said sharply. "No more drinking."

Mary smirked, winked, and then hailed the barkeep. "Water, please."

The younger Assassin led Mary to the secluded corner in which the Assassins were seated, quietly discussing whatever their latest subject was. Mary immediately slid into the booth next to a large red-haired man with large mutton chops and a moustache, and elbowed him playfully. Almost immediately the two engaged in intelligible Scottish prattle that made Katherine's head hurt.

"Nice to know you're already acquainted..." Katherine mumbled, and sat in a chair at the end of the table.

One of the Assassins glanced around. "We're all here then?" he asked in a strictly Arabic accent. "Good. My name is Burhan El-Amin. I will be leading this strike against the German Empire. I am appointed by the Master Assassins behind the war. Is anyone against this?" When no one answered, he nodded softly. "Then I'll get straight to the point: we're a distraction. We're going to get the attention of these Assassin-hunters lurking about while two of us, namely Mary MacKenzie and Katherine Prince, will intercept a message withholding names of those of the Jewish faith that is made to be delivered to the German forces."

A bleary-eyed American Assassin raised his arm half-heartedly. "You... You're saying we're...?" He hiccupped, and Katherine shook her head.

Mary reached over and gave the boy a pound on the back. "Ye've had a bit much tae drink, laddie. Ye'll die first if ye come along."

Burhan rubbed his head. "Fool..." he grumbled with a scowl affixed to his face. "Jed, we are a target. Mary and Katherine will be doing the real mission."

Katherine took a gulp of her drink while Mary scratched her nose. "It int in yer best interests tae underestimate the Assassin-hunters. We only just managed tae behead one in Auschwitz, but there was another one who withstood point-blank gunshots tae the chest. Lead them away, and try not tae engage them in hand-to-hand. That's where they excel."

Burhan nodded. "You heard our sister. We'll get into position now. Remember your radios, everyone. Groups of two."

The Assassins filed out of the bar, attracting the glances of a few regular bar patrons and soldiers alike. Katherine went to the bar once more to get water, and while she was waiting she watched Mary with her Sense. Mary's right side was still red, and her right arm was shaking. Mary caught her watching, and Katherine immediately fixed her eyes on the bar as she channelled her regular sight to return. But Mary was already standing and made her way to the bar.

"... Sorry," Katherine muttered. "I was just wondering..."

Mary quietly put a hand on Katherine's shoulder. "I'll be fine, lassie."

"You drink alcohol to make it better, don't you?"

The Scot took a sip of her water. "Aye," she replied. "But my body's not the only thing I was making better with the drink."

Katherine finally received a water from the barkeep and swirled it. "Why are you still bandaged up, Mary?"

"Well, last I checked burns dannae usually disappear quickly, lassie."

"I suspected, but..."

"They're pretty bad. Better if I'm bandaged up. Sometimes I think it's the only thing that's really keeping me together. That and the drink."

"It's better for you if you don't drink, Mary."

"Aye, I know. But I cannae help it. Still..."

"Katherine?"

It was a male voice that cut in to the conversation. Mary had never met the man, but Katherine recognized him immediately. He was a young soldier with hair that had always reminded her of cedar wood in colour, but had always been well taken care of and was soft to the touch, but now it was combed badly and still had a decent amount of dirt stuck in it, though his green helmet hid it. His brown eyes were like the rich soil of the farmland back in Bradford, and they made Katherine homesick.

"Ben!" Katherine exclaimed, and leapt at him to trap him in an embrace. "Oh my God! I-I didn't know you were in this area!"

"I didn't know you were in Europe!" Ben held Katherine close to him. He practically breathed her in. Mary avoided watching them and sipped her water quietly. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Katherine paled with a guilty expression lingering on her features. "It's... a long story... H-How'd you know I was—?!"

"Boys came back to our temporary base talking about a bunch of oddly-clothed people. I thought I'd check it out in case it was some sort of German spies..."

"We're no spies, I can assure you." Katherine sighed, and then kissed him full on the mouth. "God, I missed you..."

"I've been writing. I was wondering why nothing was being returned."

Mary finished with her water and placed it a bit loudly on the bar to get Katherine's attention. "Hate tae break up the reunion lassie, but we've got tae get moving. Radio-silence int gannae remain that way for long."

"Radio-silent?" asked Ben.

Katherine reddened. "U-Uh... Well, you see, my associate and I are, uh, meeting with a few potential business partners. She's, well, a close friend of mother's from Scotland, and is helping me in Europe."

"While the war is shaking the continent?"

"Everyone back home's looking to buy oil. And the government needs it to fund the war, so since Spain is neutral territory..."

Mary put out her hand and grasped Ben's, then shook it tightly. "It was nice tae meet ye. If ye want, after oor business is concluded I'll have Katherine meet ye somewhere. Where's yer base, meantime?"

Ben stared at Mary's bandages, like most people did. "I-I'm sorry, but I can't say..."

"Then ye'll send us a message, laddie." Mary waved to gesture the bar. "Send it here. I'll keep a lookout, aye?"

"Wait!" Ben released Mary's hand and grabbed Katherine, then kissed her for a long while. Probably a full minute, by Mary's count. "Kate, please send word that you're well. I'll meet you here. I won't leave until you return to this spot."

Katherine grinned, then pecked him on the cheek. "At ease, corporal," she chided. "I promise."

_/-\_

"Katie and Benjy, sitting in a—!"

"Mary I swear to God if you finish that rhyme I will toss you off this building!"

The Scot grinned wickedly and patted Katherine's arm. "Aw, did I hurt yer wee feelings, lassie? Do ye have naw pleasure in listening tae the song of my people?"

"That is not the song of your people, you devil!" growled the American. "Have some class!"

"Excuse me, but ye dinnae mention a lover. I wanted tae take full advantage!"

Katherine hushed Mary and peered over the railing of the rooftop, only a building away from where she and Mary were camped. The third floor of the white-brick building they were observing was where the exchange of names would take place. It was at the edge of the city of Madrid, and Katherine was busy watching the windows with the scope attached to her rifle (they'd returned to Saint Michael's Basilica to retrieve it).

Since they'd left the bar, Mary had endlessly poked and prodded Katherine about the corporal, and Katherine had been forced to explain just to quieten her. Benjamin Price was a young man she knew from back in Bradford who joined the war at the same time as her brothers. Of course she knew him beforehand. He'd worked on his uncle's farm and took some delivery jobs on the side, and often he'd unknowingly be handing over assassination contracts to Katherine and her family. But they grew close very quickly. He'd never taken his leave to return to the United States because he feared he'd never be able to leave (as Katherine had read in some of his earliest letters home).

Mary's eyes keenly surveyed the streets below. The electric lamps were lit and people had mostly disappeared from the cobbles below. All that really remained were police officers, a few Allied soldiers, and the occasional ruffians lingering about. So far, there were no Templars or Assassin-hunters to speak of.

"Think we got bad intel?" Katherine asked carefully as her gaze wandered from the building to those around it.

Mary shrugged heavily and crossed her arms. The coolness of the night began to affect her. And that she was suffering through a craving of spirits helped none. Still, she kept her mind focused and on task. "Naw," said Mary. "Only concern is the Templars dannae get wind of oor knowing. Then oor intel is shite."

"And they could lay a trap, or have a decoy list..." Katherine bit her lip. "We'd have delivered more Assassins to the slaughter for Richard Cole."

Mary's eyes narrowed. "He's already taken enough from our Brotherhood. I'll die before he takes anything more."

"Try not to be too eager to fall, Mary. You've got my brothers' dog tags with you."

The Scot forced a smile, but there was no real humour behind it. Finally their chatter died down until the only whisper sounding was the wind's. Mary had a hand on the grip of her sword and waited patiently, all the while Katherine peered into her scope. Katherine heard the Scot stand and draw her sword, then jabbed the point towards the rear of the building she and Katherine were on.

"Ye cannae hide, bastarts. Show yerselves."

Katherine spun and saw two black shadows begin a dread march towards them. Their footfalls were unnaturally quiet, and while they shuffled slowly, they began to draw their rapiers. Katherine took aim but Mary moved in front of her sights.

"Naw loud noises, lassie. We cannae alert the Templars. These ones may only be on patrol. Keep yer eyes on the streets. I'll take care of these dobbers."

Mary spun her blade and stepped forward to meet the challenge of the Assassin-hunters. From the numerous bullet wounds in the ripped robes of the first, Mary assumed that was the one who assassinated Andrew Lee back in London. The second was one she'd never encountered before, and truthfully she hoped to never again. Brandishing the blade in front of herself, Mary waited for the assault with the patience of a sniper awaiting his prey. Like the march of the dead they sauntered forward, their gait betraying some semblance of exhaustion and hindrance. Their boots were muddy and worn, the edges of their coats tattered from overuse. But they didn't hesitate to engage into battle. It made Mary wonder if they truly believed the Templar Order to be in the right. Mary knew them not to be, but while she was a part of the Assassin Brotherhood, she did not fully agree with the methods the Assassins would partake in.

Mary ducked underneath a sweeping blade aimed at her gut and quickly swung her sword to try to tear into the Assassin-hunter's chest, but the second had rushed forward, grabbed her left arm and yanked her away from her attack, then practically tossed her away. Mary hit the ground on her back, rolled backwards until she was crouched, and sprang forward to engage them again, this time wary of the immense strength they seemed to contain. She shifted herself like an animal on the prowl until she'd moved from in front of Katherine to having the Assassin-hunters' backs to her, in a complete turnaround. Like Mary thought, they focused solely on herself. They had specific orders for her and her alone. Katherine was merely an afterthought.

"Do ye see anything, lassie?" Mary asked over the shuffling of the Assassin-hunters.

Katherine called back, "No. It's completely dead on my end."

"Radio Burhan. If he doesnae answer we flee. The Assassin-hunters may have sprung a trap on them."

Katherine did as she was told just as Mary parried a frightening blow from the London Assassin-hunter, and with a quick riposte she sliced a shallow wound diagonally across his chest to add to his bullet-ridden collection. She led them further away from Katherine just as the second lunged forward and slammed his blade down on hers with enough strength to make her wrist jar from the impact. She fled a few more feet away until they were in their own little world, far from Katherine, who signalled Mary.

"Radio's dead," Katherine said as she attached the bayonet to the barrel. "We can't lead these two back to the safehouse."

"Aye," agreed Mary. "Naw guns, lassie. The less attention we draw this night, the better."

"I won't." Katherine approached with her bayonet pointed at the gut of the London Assassin-hunter from her hip. "Anything I should be concerned about beyond what I already am aware of?"

"Dannae let them grab ye. They're stronger than their walk would say. Can be fast if they get close enough, as well."

"Noted."

London spun, then charged forward abruptly and reached his arm out to grasp the barrel of Katherine's bayonet. She narrowly managed to avoid his reach, spin her rifle and smash his cheek with the stock, all while Mary dodged and dipped from the slashes in quick succession that the other Assassin-hunter was delivering. Her sword had less speed, but she wielded it well and parried any blow that came too close from the Assassin-hunter's rapier. In a matter of moments she'd been pushed back to the edge of the rooftop. Katherine, meantime, shattered London's nose with another blow from her stock. He nearly fell backward onto his arse as his crumpled nostrils gushed blood, but other than his staggering he appeared to be in no pain whatsoever. Katherine proceeded with her attack and lunged to drive her bayonet into his guts. She managed to succeed, but London swept his rapier at her neck in retaliation. He wasn't going down!

Mary fended off the Assassin-hunter with her left foot placed on the low brick wall for a little more power behind her right-handed slashes and thrusts. The Assassin-hunter met her blow-for-blow, his rapier gleaming in the moonlight while hers began to cease reflecting as more and more of his blood coated her sword, but still he attacked with the fervour of a practiced killer. His shirt, white beneath his black surcoat, turned crimson. Mary could see no discomfort beneath his hood; his mouth was set in a disinterested, very natural stone look. As though he wasn't really there at all. Mary used her left leg to shoot herself forward unexpectedly and drive the whole of her blade into an opening he'd unwittingly created, straight into his throat. A slick sucking sound accompanied the sudden brutality, and as he finally fell onto his back, grasping at the blade in his neck and trying weakly to push it out, Mary twisted. The blade turned his head to the side. Finally, Mary tore the sword out the side of his neck, leaving his head barely hanging onto the stump of his nape by a scrap of flesh. He ceased all actions and laid on the ground as blood fountained around him.

Katherine managed to avoid the sword and shove the bayonet deeper into London's gut, until the tip of her barrel was pressing into his stomach. With no second thoughts Katherine pulled the trigger. The bullet was muffled but not muted by London's flesh and tore out his back painfully. Katherine heard a very satisfying moan of agony from the Assassin-hunter, yanked her rifle out of him and once again slammed the stock into his cheek. She broke the skin of his cheekbone and urged more blood to fall. He was dizzied, finally, and fell backward. His head connected with the brick railing with a sickening thunk! that made her cringe reluctantly. She saw blood pooling from beneath his head, but he was still very much alive.

Mary approached London then with her sword primed to deal the finishing blow to his neck, but, stunningly, he reached for her with his hand outstretched. Not to stop her, but just to reach her. Katherine saw Mary hesitate and began to step forward with her bayonet aimed for his skull when Mary put a hand on Katherine's rifle and stopped her. Mary looked at Katherine gravely, her eyes a cloud of thought, placed her sword on the ground and took the Assassin-hunter's left hand. She knelt beside him, on his left side, and slipped her right hand under his head to cradle him.

"It's ye, int it, Rav?" whispered Mary, as though she was speaking to a babe.

The Assassin-hunter coughed blood, but managed to nod with his head cupped in her hand. "Y-Yes..." he managed. "You... always knew... who you trained... didn't you?"

"Aye. Ye've got a shite right side, ye do. I told ye tae work on it."

Katherine's mind reeled. What was Mary doing?!

"Should've... taken your advice... Then I... wouldn't... be in this... position..." More blood flooded the back of his head. Mary seemed oblivious to the blood. That or she didn't care. Katherine assumed the latter, but...

"Rav—."

"I... haven't much more... time, Mary." Rav squeezed her hand weakly. Mary noticed the deadened look in his eyes when she'd seen him in London was fading. So was the light in them. "I... we... That mission in..." He sputtered more. Mary lifted his head gently in an effort to try to slow the bleeding. "Cole did something... to us. He... shot us, and then... he... made us slaves... All of us... We... We couldn't fight... whatever it was." She saw tears pricking at his eyes. "God... Mary, I'm... I'm so sorry! We... none of us... had control... The Apple is... It's... Fuck!"

More blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth. His nose was a floodgate oozing its crimson thickness. But Mary held him and listened quietly as he struggled to find his words.

"She didn't... mean it, Mary... None of us... We knew what we... were doing, but... Ugh, we... No... control..."

"I'll let ye die as an Assassin if ye stay with me for a minute more, Rav." Mary leaned closer to capture his final words. "Where are the rest of the Assassin-hunters, where is the Apple, and where is Richard Cole?"

Rav's eyelids fluttered. Katherine thought him dead, but with sudden renewed purpose he squeezed Mary's hand. "East of... Madrid... Thirteen kilometres... Assassin-hunters. Cole... heading... to... Edinburgh. Apple... with... him..."

Mary placed his head gently on the stone and removed her hand from his head, instead grasping his outstretched hand with her bloody right one and freeing her left hand to activate her hidden blade and drive it into his heart. Rav gasped his last, and finally he slumped, wholly limp. Mary closed his eyes and, after retracting her hidden blade, crossed his forehead.

"God be with ye, Rav. Find redemption in His arms. Requiscat in pace."

Katherine had her rifle shouldered casually while she glared at the dead Assassin-hunters. The one Mary had focused on was especially brutalized, but Katherine was bewildered that Mary would listen to the second, the one who'd attacked them in London. They could take bullets from a sidearm, but a high-powered rifle seemed to inflict a decent amount of damage and slow them. Beheading them was even more effective. Well, of course, thought Katherine. No one, not even these freaks can get up after that.

As Katherine was in the middle of analyzing her dead assailants, Mary pulled out a silver flask from her jacket. She poured it over both bodies.

"Mary, what are you doing?" demanded Katherine.

Mary crossed the arms of the Assassin-hunters over their chests. "I promised Rav. I cannae send him off half-done."

"I don't care if he was the Pope before this! He was a monster!"

"I told ye before, Katherine: dannae paint everything as black and white." Mary found some matches in a pouch on her belt and struck one alight. "He gave us information. If Wessex could have spoken before I killed him, I have naw doubt he would have as well."

Katherine hesitated then. "Wessex? He was in the cell with you, Hall, and Cole..." She watched Mary toss the match on the two, and the flames rapidly spread over the two. Katherine backed away from the sudden reek of burning flesh and unconsciously kept her mouth firmly shut. Mary acted as if there was no such stink and lingered around the bodies for a while before she beckoned Katherine to the ladder to street level.

With haste they slid down and hurried to their car a block away. While the street was clear of police and soldiers they made certain to move as swiftly as possible, especially when driving to the easternmost part of Madrid. Katherine felt something twist in her gut when she realized she might leave Benjamin waiting. Well, better he be waiting than come after me right now, she rationalized.

Mary drove them into the outskirts with her eyes set firmly on the road stretched before them. Katherine set her rifle in her lap and examined it with disinterested eyes as she asked, "I thought you said you had no apprentices to speak of."

The Scot didn't even bother to glance in Katherine's direction. "Because I thought Rav was dead, Katie. After I retired I was told he died on a mission that took the lives of others. They couldnae find a body, and now we know why." Mary shifted gears. "Now I know why. And now I'm really mad."

Thirteen kilometres east of Madrid, they discovered a Spanish farmhouse with large vehicles parked in front of it. Mary pulled up behind one of them and surveyed the area the moment she'd pulled the key out of the ignition. The farmhouse looked like a derelict shamble void of any sort of life within. That wouldn't be inaccurate with the state she'd witnessed Rav and Wessex to be in. The silence screamed at her. Her basic human instinct of curiosity was overwhelmed by the desire to flee, but the Assassin training in her had her plant herself outside of her vehicle and begin to fiddle with her sword in its sheathe.

Katherine lifted the strap of her rifle and peered at the farmhouse. It loomed with the presence of a tower and shook her core. She could sense death all around it. But why here? Were any of the Assassins from earlier that evening still alive anyhow? Or had they been tricked and drawn away? Katherine couldn't answer any of those questions and it severely annoyed her.

But her annoyance was made to wait. Mary reached into one of the pouches in her belt and removed Nathaniel and Henry's dog tags from within. In a second Mary had proffered it to Katherine.

"I thought you were going to hold onto these until I needed them?" Katherine asked, giving away her confusion.

Mary managed to successfully remove her sword from her belt and began shrugging off her overcoat. "Best ye have them now while I can still give them tae ye. I want ye tae keep eyes on the perimeter. Unless they're a friendly, naw one gets oot. If ye see an Assassin-hunter ye shoot the bastart in the head, between the eyes. Then ye remove their head from their bodies. It seems tae be the most effective way tae kill 'em."

"Are you drawing them out then?"

"Aye."

"Then why are you leaving your sword?"

Mary smirked. It was unlike her light-hearted gestures in the past. It was as if Katherine was seeing the person who chased down Andrew Lee again. "Close-quarters dannae flatter a broadsword, lassie. If I can find..." She trailed off and began a search around the premises. Katherine glimpsed a shine in a dark window. Someone was using a scope or binoculars for a closer look. Katherine slowly made her way behind a vehicle to remain hidden from sight. Mary had gotten a similar idea, but only after she found what she was looking for: an axe.

"This'll do," said Mary, and she began testing its weight and manoeuvrability. "First weapon I ever killed with, ye know."

"Touching."

"Ye're right. Memory lane never really welcomes me." Mary winked with her only visible eye. "I'm gonna burn this place tae shit."