I feel so damn stupid for walking into a trap again.

Ash wanted to tell himself that maybe it was a stupid dream that he had walked into.

But that seemed too real- even if it wasn't, Ash would've highly doubted it.

Nothing had changed since yesterday- it still felt like second October, with Blake and how lackeys cornering him, the only difference was Lucas.

Yesterday, Lucas was in power, ordering others around. Today it was Lucas held captive by others.

Life really was ironic.

Ash could laugh at his situation all day long, but right now, it seemed like he had better things to do.

Like figure out how the hell he is going to get it's this place.

“Hey, Lucas?” Ash said, not knowing why the heck did he say it.

While Lucas looked taken aback. Right, Ash thought, he must think why am I talking like a normal human being and not running away while I've the chance.

“Uh…yeah?” Lucas asked hesitantly, tugging at his wrists.

“Jason asked me to let you know that if you don't let him know if you're going to school tomorrow by 8:00 PM, he'll kill you.”

Lucas didn't respond. Instead it took a few brief moments of silence, and then Lucas chuckled a bit.

One chuckle, and then two chuckles.

And then, Lucas erupted into laughter.

I shouldn't ask him to stop laughing, it might be his and mine last laugh…Although I really hope that doesn't become the case.

Ash chuckled too, standing in front of Lucas but not very close to actually open up his ties.

Blake was in front of Lucas, turning to face Ash, and then scoffing, “What the hell is so funny?”

Ash didn't respond, nor did Lucas.

Both were too engrossed in laughing, and then Lucas said between cracked choked laughs, “Sorry Jason....but my phone is currently held captive by Blake, I can't reply.”

That confirmed Ash’s doubt. So, he was right. Lucas didn't ask him to come then, it really had been Blake.

What do I do now?

“I've conveyed his message to you, Lucas. I'll get going now.”

Lucas looked at him with sheer confusion, his eyes narrowing as he was Ash turning away and walking to the door.

Don't look back. Keep moving.

Ash kept on moving to the door, glad and confused at why hasn't anyone stopped him yet.

When he was close to the door, he heard Blake scoffing and thumping his feet, which meant he was coming closer to Ash.

That's the door. There is a brick on one side- pick it up the moment Blake comes closer.

Blake was close enough, close that Ash could feel footsteps, fast and padding, And then the moment he felt someone trying to grab him from behind- he heard Lucas shout.

“Ash, watch out!”

“Where the hell are you going, Ash?” Blake asked, moving his hand closer to Ash, but when his hand barely grazed Ash's shirt- he ducked, quickly grabbing the brick from the side.

Hurry. Hurl it at him.

Ash followed the instructions given to him by his mind, spinning but running miles in one second.

Ash didn't miss how Blake's eyes widened with confusion and shock, and how the heavy impact of the brick slammed against Blake’s nose; which wasn’t Ash’s target, but with his shaky hands, he managed to hit him on the nose.

It only took a second for all of it to happen-

And then chaos erupted.

Blake’s hands shot up to his face, his eyes wide with pain and shock. Blood poured from his nose, staining his shirt and dripping onto the floor.

“Damn it!” Blake snarled, his voice muffled and raw. He cupped his face, wincing as he stumbled back further. “I think you broke my damn nose!”

Ash’s legs moved before his mind could catch up. He didn’t wait to see the aftermath.

He ran.

Behind him, Blake’s lackeys shouted in confusion, their leader swearing between sharp, pained gasps.

“Blake, Blake are you-”

“There’s a lot of blood pouring, Blake!”

“Are you sure you’re okay?!”

“Get him!” Blake barked, his voice rising. “Don’t just stand there, get him, you punks!”

But Ash wasn’t going to stick around long enough for them to get their act together. His mind screamed at him to keep going, to not look back.

His eyes darted around the room until they landed on Lucas. He was slumped against the wall, his wrists bound, his eyes widened from shock.

Ash’s focus narrowed. That was his target. Lucas.

He zigzagged through the chaos, his lungs burning as he dodged Blake’s lackeys. They were too distracted trying to calm their furious leader to notice where Ash was heading.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Finally, Ash reached Lucas and crouched beside him, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Lucas’s head tilted slightly, his eyebrows knitting together. “What the hell are you doing?!” he asked, his voice rough. “Run, while you’ve the damn chance! Forget about me!”

Ash didn’t answer. Yeah, right. Leave you behind so they can make meatballs out of you.

His hand darted to the ground beside him, grabbing a shard of rock. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. He moved quickly, pressing the sharp edge against the ropes binding Lucas’s wrists and cutting them with desperate motions.

“Don’t do this,” Lucas muttered, leaning back slightly as he stared at Ash. “It’s a mistake for you to come here! Ash, go!”

“Shut up,” Ash snapped, his voice sharp. “You’re wasting air.”

Lucas flinched, then let out a quiet chuckle, though it sounded more like a rasp. “You’re taking too long. Blake will get on his feet in mere seconds!”

Ash’s jaw tightened.

He didn’t bother responding, his focus entirely on the ropes. The shard cut into them unevenly. His fingers burned, the rough edges digging into his palm, but he didn’t stop.

Finally, the ropes gave way with a sharp snap, and Lucas flexed his wrists, wincing slightly as he rubbed at reddened skin.

Ash stood quickly, his gaze darting to the ropes binding Lucas’s legs, and handed the shard of rock to Lucas. “Here,” he ordered, his voice low but firm.

Lucas nodded. He didn’t say anything, but his hands were already working on the ropes around his ankles. His hands trembled slightly.

Whereas, Ash’s thoughts raced, as he stood up to his feet. What the hell will I do now? This wasn’t the plan. I was supposed to run with Lucas, but now-

“Don’t let them escape!” Blake’s furious voice cut through.

Ash’s head snapped up.

Blake was on his feet now, blood still streaming down his face, his eyes burning with rage. His lackeys stood behind him, watching as their leader clutched his nose with one hand and took out his dagger with the other.

Ash’s eyes widened. He had seen Blake use a dagger before- on the day he called 9-1-1, but now, looking at Blake as he pointed the sharp edge of the blade towards Ash, his chest tightened.

This is bad.

Lucas let out a sigh. The ropes around Lucas’s legs gave way, and he surged to his feet, while Ash grabbed Lucas by the arm and yanked him forward.

“Run,” Ash hissed, his voice urgent.

Lucas hesitated.

“Get them! Don’t let them get away!”

Ash's head whipped around, his heart hammering as Blake's lackeys advanced, their faces twisted with determination. His eyes darted to the ground, searching for anything that could serve as a weapon.

There.

Ash's fingers curled around a thick stick lying just off to the side. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. He gripped it tightly, and positioned himself.

Ready.

Beside him, Lucas rolled his shoulders, his expression calm, like someone about to enter a boxing ring. He clenched his fists, and let out a slow exhale.

“They don’t look too tough,” Lucas muttered under his breath, glancing at Ash. “We’ve got this.”

Ash didn’t respond.

His focus was on the two lackeys charging toward him. Their footsteps echoed in his ears.

The first lackey swung a pipe toward Ash’s head. Ash barely ducked in time as the pipe missed by inches. Without thinking, he forced the stick upward, catching the lackey square in the ribs. The guy stumbled back with a grunt, clutching his side.

Oooh, that should’ve hurt.

The second lackey swinged wildly. Ash dodged with the stick, gritting his teeth. He countered with a swift swing, the end of the stick cracking against the lackey’s knuckles.

Sheesh. I am ruthless.

Meanwhile, Lucas was a blur of movement. One of Blake’s lackeys rushed at him, fists raised, but Lucas dodged effortlessly. He landed a sharp punch to the guy’s jaw, sending him sprawling.

“Come on,” Lucas said, his voice victorious as he sidestepped another punch. “Is that the best you’ve got?”

The chaos around them grew louder, but Ash couldn’t afford to look away. The first lackey had regained his footing and came at him again. Ash blocked his swing, using the stick as an attempt to shove him back.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ash caught movement. His heart plummeted.

Blake.

Blake was bolting toward him, dagger glinting under the dim light. “You’ll pay for breaking my nose, Ash!”

“Damn it!” Ash muttered, his grip on the stick tightening as Blake closed the distance.

“Behind you!” Lucas shouted, but Ash had already turned.

Blake lunged, the dagger slicing through the air. Ash barely managed to twist his body, the blade grazing his arm instead of hitting its mark. A burning pain shot through him, and he stumbled back, clutching his arm.

That…hurt.

Blood seeped through his fingers, warm and sticky. The wound wasn’t deep enough to incapacitate him, but it burned like fire.

“Ash!” Lucas’s voice cut through, sharp and urgent.

Ash mentally groaned, and pushed the thought of rolling his eyes at Lucas down. Seriously, in a damn hard situation like this, when Ash was feeling fire and throb in his arm, when his heart pounded so fast, it felt like it could jump out of his throat- Lucas called him by his name?

That’s it? Calling you by your name won’t help you win a fight. It wasn’t like it could make a difference in your pain experiencing levels.

“ASH!” Lucas shouted again, louder this time, like yelling his name repeatedly was somehow going to magically fix the burning gash on his arm.

Ash clenched his teeth. He shot Lucas a quick glare.

“What?!” he snapped, his voice sharp despite the dull throb spreading through his arm.

Lucas froze for half a second, clearly not expecting a reply mid-battle.

“I- uh- are you okay?”

Ash let out a humorless laugh. “Oh, yeah, Lucas. I’m feeling great.”

“Y-You are?” Lucas asked again, his brows knitted in confusion, while Blake just looked at him with shock. And then, snapped.

“Are you two ignoring me?! I’ll kill you!” Blake snarled, twirling the dagger in his fingers.

Lucas and Ash stopped mid-battle, eyeing Blake.

“Of course, we’re ignoring you.” Ash said, his lips twitching into a smile.

“Who are you again…?” Lucas managed, his hand resting behind his chin, as if he is deep in thoughts, and he doesn’t know who Blake is.

Ash deadpanned. ‘Seriously Lucas?’

Blake laughed, the sound low and cruel. “Doesn’t matter,” he said, his grin widening as he pointed the bloodied dagger at Ash. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll show you where ignoring and messing with me will get you, Ash.”

Ash’s knees wobbled, but he forced himself to stay upright. The pain was bad, sure, but right now, he had to focus on his surroundings, Blake was still close.

Before Ash could catch his breath, Blake let out a sharp whistle.

The sound pierced the air, and Ash’s stomach dropped as more footsteps echoed. More than fifteen of them came through the door, sickening smirks plastered on their faces.

Great. More of them?

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Lucas muttered, his eyes scanning the growing crowd of lackeys emerging from the door. He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Hey Blake, did you put out a recruitment ad or something?”

Blake didn’t respond.

The pain in Ash’s arm throbbed, each pulse making his vision blur at the edges. His grip on the stick faltered, his fingers trembling.

This is bad. Really, really bad. Like seriously gigantically bad- Is that even a word?

But he couldn’t think about that now. Not when Lucas was still standing there, fists clenched, ready to fight. Not when Blake’s lackeys were closing in.

Ash swallowed hard, forcing his focus to return. He couldn’t afford to lose his head. Not now.

One step at a time. One swing, one block. Don’t think. Just move.

“Hey, Ash,” Lucas said, his voice unnervingly calm despite the chaos. “Think you can handle a dozen more of these guys?”

Ash managed a weak smirk, his grip tightening on the stick. “Sure. Why not?”

Lucas chuckled. “Good. Let’s make it count.”