The rest of everyone hovered over the three young men.

  Their eyes downcasting onto the ginger-haired elf, they all took note of Sean’s exhausted eyelids and red-straining eyes, along with his fingers stabbing the inside of his palms. No blood streaming out from his palms this time, he bit his lower lip lightly.

  Luke lowered his head down, placing his hands on his eyelids while releasing a huff of air. Letting them drop down to his sides, he lifted his head, staring straight at the elf with pushed-down eyes.

  (Luke) For the last time, we don’t hate you. We just want you to understand that what you’re doing now is going to get us, and you killed too.

  (Sean) Then I guess you’re down for round 2.

  (Luke) No. Not anymore … no brawls …

  A soft hand hovered on his upper back, a hand that let his body relax from his tightened stance. Straightening his back, along with his neck and face, he cleared his throat while taking a single step forward.

  With his right foot just on the edge of the train cart that he was on.

  (Luke) Let’s just go home … let’s stop this running …

  Luke slowly extended his hand out, his hand already trembling as he kept his eyes downcasted onto the metallic floor.

  This caused Sean to widen his eyes, letting go of his balled-up hands that stabbed the soles of his palms. His lower body succumbing to the lack of blood loss, made him unable to stand himself up, his feet and legs feeling as if a thousand needles repeatedly jabbed inside of him.

  (Sean) We can’t.

  A reverb hotel service bell clouded every ear of his soul.

  Hovering both of his hands onto his hips, he looked straight ahead into the door that led to the rest of the train carts. Being on the very front train cart, Luke squinted his eyes as he let them trail the many metal crates spread out from one another.

  His fingers running up and down the grip of his guns, he motioned his voice down to Sean.

  (Luke) They know we’re here…

  Everyone began to frantically look around the train, their heads swaying right to left while keeping their statutes imposing on top of the hill of charcoal. Remembering that the front train cart held the family fortune, Luke side-glanced at Johnny, who had his hands motionless to his sides.

  (Luke) You told us the treasure was in the very front train car.

  (Johnny) I said the very front, not the first front car. Besides, you guys have no obligation to rob us in the first place.

  (Luke) Still…

  The small strands of hair from his back stood up like a scared cat, as he continued to deepen his stare into the same metal door. Taking a step back, his entire face was consumed in a pitiful sweat, leading him to breathe heavily as air crashed out of his nostrils.

  His feet went numb, his hearing blurred.

  Even the sensation of his friend's hands wasn’t enough to jolt him up. Buckling his knees, the sweat that trailed from his face was engulfed by the arid coal.

  (Luke) It’s a trap…

  Then came a reverb gong.

  Without thinking, his knees unbuckled to let him fall forcingly to the coal. In slow motion, both of his kneecaps slammed onto the rigid shards of the tip of the charcoal, scraping off the skin and cloth of his pants.

  As a gunshot pierced the afternoon air.

  Just as Luke placed both of his palms onto the ground, a single sniper bullet grazed the top of his hair, hitting the engine room as it pierced the metal. In that instant, everyone followed Luke’s example, ducking down by using the hill of charcoal to their advantage.

  With everything going back to the present motion.

  (Christian) Take cover!

  Slumping beneath the hill, then came the raining bullets opposite them, deafening the area with the metal rain.

  Barely pulling out their weapons, Jack took out his sniper, having his finger already on the metallic trigger. Turning his body so that he laid on top of the rigid coal, the long barrel settled onto the edge of the metal wall, his right eye sucked into the scope.

  Ignoring the rain of bullets, he noticed a short-haired woman wielding a sniper rifle, whose barrel emitted a cough of smoke. Wearing a flat cap and a thin brown jacket, she laid flat on top of the roof of the train cart, her elbows holding up the rifle as it rubbed against the metal.

  (Jack’s thoughts) She healed pretty quickly…

  Ducking his head, he laid his cheek on the coal while turning to look at Luke. His eyelids were on the verge of closing from the ongoing bullet rain, he grits both of his jaws into a crushing close.

  As for Luke, he looked up to the afternoon sky, his hands already gripping both of his uzis. Resting them on top of the coal, his fingers shook the metal gun violently, his face distorting itself to form a harsh wrinkle on his forehead.

  (Luke’s thoughts) Why right now?!

  The rain of metal stopped.

  Lifting their heads only an inch from the coal, everyone let their eyes glance to the left and right of them. Seeing no signs of guards trying to surround them, only the sound of breathing and gunsmoke thickened the moist air. Not even the small cicadas or mosquitoes buzzing or chirping, it only put them on edge, letting their fingers hover over their respective triggers.

  (???) We know you’re there Fenix! You and your group are finished!

  A familiar voice shook Luke and Johnny.

  Looking at each other, both of them nodded as they crawled an inch or two higher than they already were. Peeking their heads out from the hill of coal, both of them widened their eyes at the chubby man wearing a thin brown jacket, his bushy turquoise mustache covering the entirety of his mouth.

  His hands wielding a trench gun, his finger already had it set dead on the trigger. Reloading, a single shotshell jumped out of the cartridge, clinking on the floor of the train as it danced for a couple of seconds.

  (Doug) This is your last chance to surrender! We won’t shoot you if you comply, but I promise that you and your outlaw group will never feel the warmth of the sun’s rays.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Cautiously, Luke put both of his weapons into his holster.

  Raising both of his hands high, he steadied himself while pushing the soles of his boots into the coal. Barely able to stand, his eyes scanned the dozens upon dozens of Zirardge guards all lining up at the back wall.

  In front of the battalion was none other than Doug, the barrel of his trench gun pointing toward the sky. While the rest of the guards had their sights on Luke alone, Doug took a step forward.

  (Doug) You’ve ransacked my tower, burned my most profitable crops, endangered my life, my wife, my guards, and now you want to take my family's treasure … fallen sinner isn’t the word to describe you.

  (Luke) We’re just trying to get… well …

  (Doug) I think I have heard enough.

  Doug pointed the barrel of the trench gun directly at Luke’s face.

  The chrome metal basking in the sunlight, its maleficent rays sparkled toward Luke’s pale-ridden face. Both of his feet and legs going numb, the coal that he stood on decided to stab the soles of his feet evermore.

  But a couple of coal rolled downward, as another person stood on top of the hill the same as Luke. Raising both of his hands in the air as well, his smooth palms took many of the guards by surprise.

  As most of their eyes widened.

  (Doug) So this is where you were?

  (Johnny) Hello father…

  Some of the guards lowered their weapons down, keeping their heads downcasted while biting down on their lips.

  As for Doug, he continued to keep the barrel of his trench gun pointed at Luke, despite having his slanted eyes on his son. Letting go of the trigger, he placed his pointer finger on the side of the gun.

  (Doug) Did you decide to betray your own family?

  (Johnny) I’m not betraying! Can I just ask for no one to die?! Fighting right now would be pointless!

  (Doug) There goes your stupid ideals. Always talking about finding better ways to avoid conflict, yet…

  He placed his finger on the trigger again.

  (Doug) Violence is a key part of human nature. The greatest gift to men such as me.

  The gun locked and loaded, Doug closed his left eye while squinting with his right, despite the weapon he wielding was nothing more than a trench gun. Even though the bullet wouldn’t hit Luke, Doug cleared his throat, as he put both of his feet together while straightening his back.

  (Doug) What are you all waiting for?

  In unison, every guard from the front and back locked and loaded their weapons, the trickle of empty bullets dancing along the floor. Like a dance hall for the gunsmoked metal, teeth clenching ringing filled every guard’s ears, as they pinned the barrel of their guns back to Luke.

  Their fingers on their triggers, their breathing mellow; their ears perked to even the smallest of wind.

  (Doug) The rest of the group will be sent to The Dome for their pitiful lives, but as for you Fenix…

  Doug lowered his weapon down to the floor, the barrel of it hovering only an inch from the floor. His hands loosening the grip on his trench gun, both corners of his cheeks pushed up to form a wide grin smile.

  A smile that displayed his white-yellowish teeth, as his burly mustache wasn’t enough to fully cover his mouth. That smile, that single smile, made Luke feel as if liquid nitrogen ran through his spine dozens of times over.

  (Doug) You’re too dangerous.

  A single bullet slapped the soup air.

  Luke widened his eyes as he looked down to where his stomach was, seeing—

  There was no blood.

  Time flowing in slow motion, Luke took a step back as not even the faltering of coal was felt or heard from his feet or ears. Keeping his eyes downward, a single line of smoke pushed out from a man’s Thompson.

  A Thompson that was held by none other than an elf.

  Slowly looking up, Luke pinned his eyes on the back of the train cart, seeing all the guards ducking down near the metal crates, as Doug—

  Blood streamed out from his right cheek.

  Spurting all over his turquoise boots, Doug took a step back. Red blurring his vision, even if it was strain or blood, he quickly aimed at the ginger-haired elf who had his barrel aiming at Doug’s face.

  (Doug) FIRE!!

  Taking cover, Sean let the back of his head pillow himself from the incoming bullets from up top. As for Luke and Johnny, both crouched down below the hill, avoiding the grazing bullets that pierced the metal wall that held the coal.

  Pulling out his dual-wielding uzis, Luke bit down all edges of his teeth, clattering sparks as some of it chipped off from its roots.

  For the rest of his group, they all pulled out their weapons from either their hips or backs, wielding them with soul-gripping fingers.

  (Luke’s thoughts) You have got to be kidding me!?

  With no other choice, the battle between the train’s guards and The Dark Angels commenced!

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  (Reverence 4, 59 / 12:45PM)

  In a tavern on the northern side of Dodgerock.

  Country blues blazed the walls from the inside, as waitresses carried large trays of mac and cheese and clam broth. Combined with the smell of alcohol and booze, every table was jam-packed with men ranging from late teens to early seniors.

  On one table near a window, three men sat together with their hands resting on the wooden table. The sun’s rays blazing into their faces, their mugs spewed out an endless stream of steam, with one of the men bringing the mug up to his lips.

  Setting the mug down, his large chubby face puffed up with the coffee.

  (Boris) Reminds me of the same tavern where I met Jenny.

  (David) Back when she was a waitress at this bar. It’s surprising how much she changed when you took her in.

  (Kenji) Was it you that changed her? I guess I should congratulate you more.

  Kenji rested his face as he took the mug of coffee into his old crusted lips, drinking down the batch in one gulp. Setting the mug down, he took note of David not touching his mug at all, yet he had his fingers laced on the handle.

  Glancing to his left, there was the bustle of the city pedestrians walking toward their lunch destinations. And to the right, a vast amount of men drank and ate to their heart's content, with waitresses busy cleaning up after their mess.

  Some of the waitresses laughed and chuckled, some smiled with their eyes twitching, and some…

  (Angry Waitresses) Watch where your hands are, you gongoozler!

  (Man #1) Woah … burps … pardon my miss, french …

  The man then fell from his seat.

  Everyone turned to the commotion unfolding, Boris, David, Kenji, and all the men had plastered deadpan faces. The air turned silent, not a simple laugh or chuckle escaped from their mouths, keeping an eye on the drunken man and waitress in the middle of the tavern.

  Without saying a word, the waitress stomped to the back, pushing away the wooden door with her own hands.

  (David) Jenny would’ve thrown him out the window.

  (Boris) I suppose that I have a knack for turning females more dormant.

  (David) Except for Loraine, she’s still a handful.

  Finally, David slowly raised the mug that he carried, placing it underneath his lower lip while keeping his eyes open. Turning glance to his right, his pupils burned from the sun’s malevolent rays, dilating his pupils tenfold.

  Until a shadow appeared.

  The only person unaffected was Boris, both David and Kenji were fast enough to catch the split-second shadow of a standing man.

  Both of their eyes widened, their irises traced the contents of the man, seeing that he was wearing nothing but a black hoodie and black sweatpants. His hands were inside his pockets, and the rays from behind him couldn’t portray a speck of his face, leading both David and Kenji to unravel the man’s identity.

  Pulling out a small piece of paper from his pocket, the contents of the paper read…

  “The Adobe”

  Now in the present time, both Kenji and David jumped out of their seats, causing all of their mugs to spill the remains of their coffee. Burning the wood, David dragged Boris out of the table, while pulling money out of his pocket for the food and damages.

  While the black hooded man swept away like the wind.

  (Boris) What is the meaning of this?

  (David) Something’s going on! We got to warn Iris!

  (David’s thoughts) I hope nothing bad happened to Luke and his group…