Life Will Change

Chapter 75: The Failed Escape

Begin!

~Normal POV

"Run."

"Run."

"Get the hell out of here."

Akira surveyed the main floor of the casino. Despite his desperate situation, the young man was confident in his mission. He was going to escape; make it back to his companions. They were waiting for him, and he wasn't planning to let them down. He stopped momentarily to look down. He was standing on the rafters above the main entrance floor. He could see guards moving in past the casino patrons, and the boy knew they were looking for him. There was no denying it, he was a thief after all.

He watched as one of the security guards spotted him and alerted the others. "Good," He thought. "That's exactly what I wanted." With the Treasure, a silver briefcase, gripped tightly in his hand, the boy began jumping across the rafters. In his ear was a communication device, and through it he heard the voices of his companions as he headed towards the balcony at the opposite end of the room.

"Showing yourself above the crowd, huh? Excellent maneuver, Joker," Futaba said through their comms.

"Only the best from our leader," Morgana added, excitedly.

"Is everyone out safely," Akira asked.

"Most of us are," Akechi responded. "Except for one. You still need to hand the Treasure off to-"

"Hold that thought, Crow!" Futaba interrupted, "Shadows incoming!"

Akira had made it to the balcony where before him stood three hulking Shadows.

"These guys are nothing, take 'em down, Joker!" Futaba urged.

Akira pulled a pistol out of his belt and shot the three monsters dead in mere seconds. Their bodies disappeared on impact with the ground. He smirked. "Didn't even break a sweat, and still have bullets to spare." He returned his pistol to his holster and continued on.

"Good job, leader." Futaba said in his ear. "Now get moving; there's a door to your right, take it."

As Akira ran through the specified door, he spoke to his companions once more. "Oracle, are there any enemies this way?" He was now running through a darkened utility hallway of the casino.

"I see a few, you'll have to get sneaky," Futaba responded. "And the checkpoint for package interception is getting close."

"No fighting for a few steps then," Akira said.

"Dude, how are you holding up though?" Ryuji asked. "This can't be easy on you."

Akira laughed, "Are you kidding, Skull? Killing Shadows, stealing shit, and running for my life? This day can't get any better and it's not even my birthday!"

"Let's pick up the pace then, shall we?" Yusuke suggested. "We're not getting out of here without our leader."

"Fox, you got nothing to worry about," Ryuji replied, casually, "It's Joker; the guy can handle anything you throw at him."

Akira halted his progress through the hall; a pair of guards were blocking his path. He quickly ducked behind some metal pipes protruding out of the walls. The meet up point was ahead, but there was no way past these two without getting spotted in the cramped hallway. He had to make it up the stairs behind them; fast. After all, he didn't want to keep a lady waiting...

"Joker, scaffolding above you," Futaba whispered. "There's a door up there too. Goes directly to the checkpoint. It'll save you a little time."

Akira ensured the guards were not looking his way before stepping out of his hiding place. He reached out his left hand and from a mechanism hidden under his sleeve, a grappling hook shot out to the scaffolding above him and wrapped tightly around the metal. The grappling hook pulled him safely up to his destination. He steadied himself on the platform briefly, before quickly going through the door beside him. The guards appeared oblivious and didn't notice.