The Annihilation Code

Chapter Twenty-Three ✰ Chase Huxley ✰

I gasped for air as the fist constricted around my throat. I tried to pry my attacker's hands off of me, but they wouldn't budge.

"Chase!" Marisa sprang to her feet, preparing to come to my defense.

"No, stay there, I need you to keep hacking, okay?" I wheezed through choked breaths.

She reluctantly agreed and continued searching for the Annihilation Code.

"You should've turned back while you still had the chance." Piercing green eyes peered at me from behind a battered skull mask. It appears my nemesis, Vindicator, is here for another rematch. I knew we'd have to face him sooner or later, but now really isn't a good time.

"Sorry, not sorry," I muttered before jamming my fingers through the eye holes on his mask, temporarily blinding him. He let go of my throat and stumbled backward.

I surveyed the room for something I could use as a weapon. I'm going to need any help I can get in a one-on-one fight against Vindicator. It was too dark; I couldn't make out anything! I reached out with my cerebral link, trying to contact Atlas for help.

Vindicator kicked me in the stomach, causing me to double over. Waves of pain shot through my abdomen. I clutched my stomach and coughed up a spattering of blood.

Vindicator laughed. "Are you calling Curseword to come to fight your battles for you?"

How the hell did he know that? "Maybe."

"What are you, some kind of damsel in need of saving?"

"I'd rather be a damsel than a villain."

Vindicator shoved my body into the back wall. "I am not a villain!

"Atlas!" I called out through our shared link.

"I'm a little busy right now," he replied.

Vindicator tackled me and restrained my arms, pinning me to the ground. He kicked me in the shin so hard I heard something snap. My limb throbbed with pain. Standing up after this was going to be a challenge.

"If you bring Curseword here, I'll crush your throat then drop your corpse at his feet. How do you think he'd feel about that?" Vindicator said.

"Um, I don't think he'd love that."

Vindicator let out a satisfied chuckle. "I think you're right. I think it will tear him apart."

"False alarm, there's nothing here." Lying to Atlas broke my heart, but I reminded myself I was doing it to protect us.

"I know you're lying. You're in pain. I can feel it."

"I stubbed my toe." I lied again.

Atlas didn't respond after that. I hope he's okay. "You're sadistic," I said to Vindicator.

"That's where you're wrong, Chase. I don't enjoy hurting people. In fact, I abhor it!"

"You've got a weird way of showing it." I quipped.

"We all make sacrifices for the greater good."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, so you think you're some kind of savior?"

"I saved you."

"Um, no. Do you have amnesia? You've been trying to kill me. That's the opposite of saving."

"I was the one who pulled you from the wreckage of your burning car, and I left you on the doorstep of Patch Contreras, so he could fix you," Vindicator said in a serious tone.