Freerunner

Chapter 20

"Please Prince," I sighed. "This isn't the time for blind accusations. I need you to help me get out of here and-"

"And you thought crawling back to the enemy was the best way to do that. Well done Pinks, you've become the most useless coward I've ever met. At least normal cowards make good distraction targets."

I flinched. I needed to pull myself together if I was to get through to him. I bit the inside of my mouth and spoke quietly. "I didn't betray you. I thought it'd be useful if you had a Runner on the outside." I stared him down, a small smile pulling at my lips. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Suddenly, Prince leapt forward and kicked me in the stomach. Before I could double over in pain, he pushed me over and I fell on my back. He came down and leaned his weight on me. I tried to push him off but I had no energy. I could only lie helplessly, hoping he wouldn't crush my lungs.

"First off, let's get some things straight," he whispered, his face dangerously close to mine. "I don't need any attitude from you. You're a coward and a traitor and I don't owe you anything. I owe your little friend who is under my care. I could easily say you were killed in crossfire or you wanted to stay with your baby brother."

I wriggled an arm free and tried to surprise him with a punch. However I was too slow and he caught it before it could collide with his face. He shifted his position so his knee was pressed against my stomach then grabbed my left arm and twisted my wrist. I bit down on my lip, trying not to scream.

"You're weak. I don't need you. I never needed you. You're more trouble than you're worth." He twisted it further and I gasped. It was so excruciating that it took a lot of willpower not to yell out. Prince grinned evilly, enjoying watching me squirm. "Still not going to scream? Are you afraid of your friends outside the door? If they saw you here, you'd be slaughtered like a lamb just like the rest of us."

My body went cold at the thought. I could feel my face go pale. I stared up desperately at Prince, a single word escaping my lips.

"Please."

He watched me a little longer then sighed. Reluctantly, he released my arm. Relief washed over me but I knew we weren't done yet.

"Pinks," he snarled. "Admit you're a coward."

"I'm a coward," I mumbled.

"And a traitor," he continued

"I'm a traitor," I agreed quietly.

"But you swear your loyalty to me and won't act on your own again unless I say so. If you defy me again even just once, I will personally make your life a living hell or make sure you end up there. Understand?" He said harshly. I nodded, ashamed I still couldn't stand up to him.

"Good," he muttered then stood up. I sat up, cradling my stomach. We had elapsed into silence. I nursed my wounds whilst Prince paced around, thinking hard. Finally, he cleared his throat.

"So," he began. "Why have you come to me? Why didn't you run off to Dogs?"

I looked up at him briefly then reached a shaky hand into my pocket. I withdrew the papers and found the translated letter. I held it out for Prince to take.

"Prince," I whispered. "Is Stevie really alive? You said he was under your care."

Prince scanned over the letter before replying. "Huh, so he doesn't trust me," he muttered. "Where did you get this?" He asked.