‘In moments of pain, we seek revenge.’ -Vanessa Williams.
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Marcus grinned from ear to ear as he eyed all our expressions. I focused my gaze back to his as he pushed the gun to rest on my forehead.
Everyone stayed silent. The only noises heard was everyone’s ragged breathing.
“You’re going to shoot me?” I questioned with a raised eyebrow, “-go ahead.”
I had to play this game carefully.
If I knew one thing about Marcus, it was that he loved to play tricks and mind games.
I knew he wouldn’t shoot me just yet. But I also knew he wouldn’t hesitate to do so.
“Oh don’t worry,” Marcus said tilting his head, “-I will.”
In that moment Alexander and Quinton were alarmed. It was obvious. However I on the other hand, didn’t show any signs of emotion as I continued to stare Marcus down.
Before anyone else could speak, there was light groaning and a little cry of pain.
Not bothering to glance back, Marcus tilted his head further to spot who I assumed to be Catelyn who was regaining consciousness.
“Ah Catelyn!” Marcus cheered, his grip on the gun wobbling making me eye it, “-care to join the party?”
After a few long moments, I spotted Catelyn from the corner of my eye, slowly limping towards were both Marcus and Max stood.
Her gaze suddenly fell on mine and her eyes widened in horror.
“You… you nearly killed me!” she shouted out in disbelief and Marcus let out a loud laugh and I just stared at Catelyn now, silently.
“Marcus,” she slowly drawled out, “-shoot her!” she suddenly said in anger and pain as she limped behind Max.
She gripped onto her lovers arm for support and balance. However, Max furiously pushed her away and looked at her in disgust.
In that moment, I planned to knock out the gun from Marcus’ grip. Or perhaps, twist his arm and grab hold of the other end and point it to the ceiling. However, It wasn’t possible. Marcus had pulled the safety pin and his finger was already on the trigger. I couldn’t risk it.
“Don’t touch me,” Max said in hatred as he looked at Catelyn, “-the Lord knows what those hands have touched.”
Soon as the words left Max’s mouth, Catelyn’s mouth opened wide and she furiously shook her head.
“Max! It’s not true, I swear!” she lied, relating to her secret lover and I grinned, even if there was a gun pointed at my forehead.
“Really? I have photos,” I offered and Catelyn looked at me in horror once again.
The tables had turned. And finally, she truly feared me.
“Enough of these petty issues,” Marcus grumbled and Max glared towards him.
“You’re right,” Alexander suddenly said, creating even more tension.
“It is enough. So I suggest you put the gun away and fight like a real man,” he hissed and Marcus suddenly narrowed his eyes and grabbed my arm pulling me closer.
He rested and pushed the gun further into my head and slowly twisted it.
“Well Mr Celeste,” Marcus sarcastically said and I didn’t dare move. Not yet.
“I suggest you don’t make anymore suggestions or else you’re girlfriend here is going to have a bullet through her pretty little head,” Marcus
threatened and Alexander balled his fists. Quinton watched me silently with worry.
Alexander eyed me for a moment. Then, suddenly, in a quick motion, Alexander lunged forward and grabbed my other arm. He yanked me towards him, and I crashed against his lean chest.
Since Marcus was holding my other arm, the force caused him to stumble a step forward. However, he still had the gun tightly in his hand and he quickly stood back up right, and his face masked one thing.
Fury.
He clutched the gun tighter and he raised it in a steady aim with dark eyes.
However this time, it wasn’t aimed at me.
It was aimed at Alexander.
Marcus stood a good metre away, and Alexander swiftly tucked me under his arm and shoved me behind him.
I couldn’t help but feel angry. He was treating me like a fragile and scared little girl.
Something I certainly was not.
“Alexander!” I hissed and tried to move around him but his arm blocked me.
“Playing the brave hero are we?” Marcus spat and Alexander slyly grinned.
“Brave? Certainly. And certainly something you are not,” Alexander said and Marcus began to shake in anger.
“Perhaps I’ll show you brave once I pull the trigger and shoot the shit out of you!” Marcus barked out and now he was getting really mad.
“You call that brave? You’re a coward for hiding behind that gun!” Alexander shouted and Marcus let out a scream of fury.
“That is it! Say your last prayers-” Marcus began but was suddenly cut off.
“Drop the weapon!”
Immediately, everyone’s head snapped towards the new source of voice.
A man in police uniform stood at the entrance of the warehouses room and pointed a gun at Marcus as he slowly marched forward.
“I said drop it!” the police officer yelled once more and Marcus froze. However he certainly did not drop the gun.
To our utter shock, and my utter relief, a couple more police men and women emerged into the building, all holding guns pointed in Marcus’ direction.
The scene before my eyes was thrilling. If only they all pulled the trigger.
“What the fuck!” Marcus furiously shouted as he panicked and eyed the room in alert.
“You called the cops?” he said in disbelief and now he was even more angry.
“Drop it now or we shoot!” A female officer yelled out and Marcus clenched his jaw, not moving an inch.
“Wait a minute,” A police officer mumbled, “-Aren’t those the three from that tape? Those two are the ones from the video!”
After those words, the room immediately tensed.
“I’m not looking for trouble,” Marcus said steadily.
“The hell you’re not!” Quinton shouted and Marcus clenched his jaw.
“No one was speaking to you!”
Insulting his friend, Alexander glared at Marcus and took a step forward making Marcus raise the gun.
“I am going to kill you,” he hissed. He was beyond furious and didn’t focus on the police around us.
He straightened his arm, and prepared to shoot.
Just as his fingers curled around the trigger, a few seconds later, there was a loud gun shot.
Usually I wouldn’t have flinched, however the intensity of the situation caused me to snap my eyes shut. I felt myself being shoved over by another body and Alexander yelled out as another gun shot followed the first just a second after.
Opening my eyes I watched with wide eyes as the police officers quickly ran towards us.
“Arrest them!”
“Marcus,” Catelyn gasped and I followed her gaze.
Marcus was bent over and clutching his right shoulder. The gun had slipped from his grip and now laid on the ground. Blood was pouring through the gaps of his fingers and he groaned and grunted in pain.
An officer grabbed both his hands and pulled out a pair of handcuffs, the same happened to Max who watched in silent shock, following by Catelyn.
I slowly turned around and the sight I was greeted with had me gasping.
“Quinton,” Alexander said repeatedly as he knelt down, holding Quinton up.
I slowly dropped to my knees with wide eyes.
Quinton was in Alexanders arms, unconscious and shot. In the torso.
Blood was escaping Quinton’s body and Alexander put his hand over the wound and harshly pressed down, applying pressure.
“Quinton! Open your damn eyes!” Alexander shouted and I watched. Speechless.
“… do it now! Or I swear I will fire you!” Alexander yelled in panic and alarm. His eyebrows were scrunched up in worry and he lightly slapped his friends cheeks.
All I could do was stare in shock and with teary eyes.
Quinton wasn’t supposed to get shot.
“Her!” A shrill female voice suddenly screamed.
I slowly turned my head around to see Catelyn struggling against the female officer who handcuffed her hands.
“Arrest her to! She did this too me! Look at me!” Catelyn screamed and the officer who was holding her glanced at me.
She then glanced at the male officer who was reading out the rights to Marcus and Max who were being held by separate officers. Marcus clenched his jaw with a sneer and stared at the ground.
The female officer nodded her head and then tilted it in my direction.
I watched hopelessly as the male officer marched towards me and grabbed my arm harshly, pulling me up.
“You’re going to have to come with us,” the man said in a low voice as he pulled out handcuffs.
“Samantha,” Alexander called out as he softly placed Quinton to the ground. He stood up and grabbed my arm pulling me away from the officer.
“She isn’t guilty,” Alexander hissed, “-those three are the only ones you are taking.”
The police officer must’ve recognized the wealthy and well known businessman in front of him because he sighed.
“I am truly sorry Mr Celeste. She has a complaint against her.”
Before Alexander could push it any further, I got out of his reach.
“Alexander I’ll be fine,” I said in a firm voice, “-you get Quinton to a hospital. Now,” I said as I eyed his body in guilt and regret.
“Now!” I shouted loudly.
Alexander looked at me for a second. After being reassured I was going to be fine, he sprung into action and lifted Quinton up with the help of another officer.
“You,” I suddenly said to the officer who was standing beside me, “-give me those.”
Snatching the handcuffs from his hands, I snapped them onto both of my wrists and let out a bored sigh.
I then began walking with him trailing behind me, both shocked and confused.
Sure, I appeared confident and daring on the outside,
but on the inside, I was terrified.
For both Quinton and I.