"Long time no see, dear Queen." The group of attackers walked closer. A full-bearded, bald, fair man looking like the leader of the gang did the talking. "I bet you missed us... badly?" The prisoner clenched her fists but didn't speak anything. "Well, here we are. Come on, let's go." His words didn't match his intention. It looked as if he wanted her to do something bad to her. Sean's attention was now focused on the scene taking place in front of him. He felt a heavy aura filling up the space. He was certain this place will be a war zone if the supposed conversation dragged on longer. There were only two options he could think of. One, he will be a part of the conversation and try to convince the Odds to let him take the prisoner to the Dark center (Yeah, that's idiotic) or he could jump in between with a surprise attack and take the girl with him. Yes, that sounds good but there are a few problems. First of all, there is no means for them to outrun the group of eight people. Secondly, why would the girl want to come with him knowing that he was going to take her to the Dark center? 'Shit! I have to think of something fast.'

"Why are we doing this Boss? Let's just finish her here. Why should we take her back to the cave?" A girl with short purple hair spoke this time. Her eyes were filled with rage and if not restricted it seemed that she will kill the prisoner right then. "You know the Captain needs her alive Echo. Also, we have a lot of catching up to do, no?" The bald man gave a smug smile which faded as soon as the prisoner rose her head and looked at them. The hair was still coming in the way and Sean couldn't see her face still.

"Boss? Is that your name these days, Fighter? Of course, I missed the days when you worked under me and licked my shoes." That one sentence uttered in a powerful voice was enough to make the big, bald man flinch. The pride was erased from his face and he was no longer smiling. "Yes, I am dying to go back but the consequences won't be the same as you are thinking."

"You..." The girl holding the bow shot an arrow toward the prisoner. She tried to dodge it but couldn't because of the chains and cuffs. She was barely saved because the jacket she wore was thick enough to stop the arrow from touching her skin. "Stop it, Archie, we want her alive!" "Yes Archie, listen to your boss." 'Is this girl mad? Why is provoking them rather than thinking of escaping them.'

"Chh-Chhk... Hey...!" Sean tried to get the prisoner's attention. Reluctantly, but she did look at him and her eyes were filled with surprise. "What" she mouthed and he gestured for her to pick up the gun when he throws it towards her. She nodded making sure that the Odd's members haven't seen her. Sean took out the gun from his waist belt and threw it as close as he could toward the prisoner. Even with all the restraints, she did grab it and blindly shot at the group in front of her. She knew this trick would do damage to them but was enough to shock them for their escape. She partially ran and partially hopped toward Sean and he quickly undid the cuffs on her ankles. She pushed the chains out of her body and taking advantage of the Odd's confusion ran as fast as they could. By the time the Odds noticed anything at all Sean and the girl were out of sight. "What the hell? Where did she go?" The group looked at each other for any clue but no one had it. "Let's go. We have to get her or else Captain won't be too happy." The bikes got loaded again and the Odds went towards the city.

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"Why isn't the backup here? Hello, hello?" Sean frustratedly shouted into the phone. "No one's coming. Those guys must have jammed the systems and stopped anyone coming here on the way. Don't expect any help coming anytime soon." Sean looked at the girl who sat beside him. She avoided looking at him but fidgeted with her nails. When they were running, rather than going toward the city she dragged him into this narrow alley between ruined buildings. The move was a rather smart one seeing how the Odds didn't hesitate and thought she ran to the city. "What?" The unruly hair moved and a pair of crystal blue eyes peeked through them. Sean was seeing something soothing after a long time and couldn't look away.

"Hey? What are you looking at?"

"Your eyes..."

"What?"

"Thinking. I mean, I am thinking about how to get you to the Dark center."

"But"

"No. No 'buts'. I have to take you there. I know we both might die doing it but I have my orders."

"You don't have to wait that long. In this condition, you will die in a few seconds."

"What condition?"

She gestured towards Sean's neck and he grazed his hands over there. A sticky maroon liquid was leaking profusely from the side of his neck.

"Shit!"

"Yeah, you are losing your fluid. And that cut is big enough to kill you in about a minute plus we don't know if it's because of those poisonous arrows. So..."

Sean held his head and slowly reclined to the ground. His breathing got heavier, faster and very slowly he closed his eyes.

"You were just waiting for me to say it, weren't you? Could've done this long back but why would you spare me this drama? Just freaking amazing!"