The Algorithm

Chapter four - Who are you?

"One... two... three!" She took off running, Adrien close on her heels. The adrenaline pumping through their veins carried them as they ran through the grass. Their hearts beat hard and fast as they sprinted across the wet grass. Adrien nearly fell, tripping over his own feet, but Clara gripped his wrist so tightly that she pulled him along despite his clumsy feet falling behind them. They bolted across the park and into the street only to have Clara stop in her tracks.

She skidded to a halt. Another earth cracking bang ripped through the air followed by a metal dart flying past the blue-eyed girl's shoulder. Startled, they both fell to the ground. Adrien could taste the metallic flavor of blood lined his mouth as his face smacked against the concrete. While the air was knocked out of his chest, the girl quickly stumbled to her feet and pulled the blond up by his waist and directed him behind a blue minivan. Their backs pressed against the exterior of the car; silence hung in the air. Only the sound of their breathless panting filled the tranquility. Despite the madness that had ensued, it was quiet. Peaceful even. But peaceful doesn't necessarily mean they were safe.

"Where is that squadron?" Clara whispered with a growl into the bracelet, and once again the phantom voice replied.

"They're on their way, are you still in redwood park?" She asked.

"Yes, we're still in redwood park but there is more than one sniper and they have us pinned down with very little cover." Clara replied with a look of fear in her eyes. It was the first time he had seen her genuinely afraid. She was terrified but her features still showed a calm and collected expression.

Adrien was almost afraid of her. Her blue bell eyes look petrified, but he could tell by her stoic expression that she would go down fighting.

She beat her fingers against her knee as she rummaged through her thoughts, debating over what the best course of action was.

"What do you mean there is more than one sniper?" Adrien asked abruptly. Clara jerked her head toward the building, signaling to him to look at the roof. On top he could see the faint silhouette of what looked to be a woman and the barrel of a rifle resting on the tower's edge.

"That's why I stopped running," Clara explained. "I didn't see her at first, but chances are she isn't alone. There are probably others waiting to take their shot."

Her head swivels around, taking in her surroundings. "Okay," She said after a few moments "We have a few options but none of them are good. We either wait here for aid or we fight our way into that building."

For some reason he trusted her. It was odd. He hardly knew her, but he still felt safe in her presence. Maybe it was the confidence she excluded that made him feel sure about her. Whatever it was, he knew he was able to trust her completely. So much so, he was willing to put his life in her hands.

"What happens if we wait?" Adrien asked, still trying to catch his breath.

"Chances are we will be pummeled with darts and I can't protect you from them all." She answered quietly, some of her words were smothered by the sound of the wind that was slowly picking up.

"Well, what about you?" Adrien asked, she looked at him almost shocked. Like it was the first time someone has ever worried about her. Her eyes narrowed.

"I don't matter right now, you're what they want."

"So?" Adrien remarked. "You matter. What will happen if they get you?" Clara sighed.

"Look blondie, this is what I signed up for. Being shot at, fighting, dying. I agreed to it. You didn't. If I don't make it back then so be it, but you... you're innocent. You don't deserve to die." Adrien shook his head in protest.