"Y-you… cof…" she tried to force her eyes open, breath scraping in her throat.
The officer cupped her face gently, too focused on her. Too concerned.
That was the opening I needed.
I hated running. But alive, I could still finish the job. Dead… well, the dead don't finish anything, right?
My feet shot across the parking garage. The place was huge, endless rows of cars stretching in every direction. I ran in a zigzag, hoping the drops of blood splattering behind me would throw him off. But, you know, two bullet wounds weren't a joke — running like that was way harder than I'd pictured.
And, of course, soon I heard the man's footsteps closing in.
Where had he even come from this close to midnight? I lured Yuri here precisely because police patrols stay on the main streets tonight. Did he follow us? Did she warn him and use herself as bait? And that affectionate little scene? They looked like a pair of lovebirds.
I searched my pockets with my uninjured hand when a gunshot cracked through the air.
"You're under arrest for attempted murder!" His voice was close. Too close. "Don't take another step!"
Like hell I was going to obey.
I ran. Adrenaline clouding everything — just like when I cornered Yuri. No, even better. My heart felt like it wanted to burst through my mouth and run ahead of me.
"Ah… there."
I threw myself behind a cluster of cars, panting hard. Fireworks boomed in the distance, testing the New Year's show. The exit was only a few meters away.
"No use hiding," his voice came calmer now, footsteps controlled. "Even if you escape here, backup is on the way."
He was searching carefully. The type of officer who plays everything by the book… but not trained for someone like me.
"Where did she crawl off to…?" he growled, lowering his gun for a second.
A small noise — a light dragging sound — made him turn his head. He saw the trail of blood leading to a specific car. He smiled. A victory smile.
Getting closer.
Closer.
Closer—
"What the…"
There was a puddle of blood near the tire. But where was the source?
"What the he—"
BANG!
He didn't even have time to turn. My hand — even injured — grabbed his collar and yanked him straight into the crackling shock of the taser. The electric arc caught his eye, and the buzzing mixed with his choking screams.
"AAAAAARRRGH!" he howled, doubling over.
"Ah… ah… fuck…" I dropped the taser and bolted toward the exit. My body decided before I did.
A quick glance over my shoulder.
He was still standing.
Anyone else would've dropped. But not him. Maybe that's why someone that pretty was in special forces.
But if I stayed… my head would definitely become a bullet magnet.
"Ah… there."
I burst through the exit and into the chaos of New Year's Eve. Crowds, music, lights, shouting… the perfect place to vanish.
All I had to do was blend in.
If I make it home, I'm taking a long bath.
I slipped into a group of drunk college students, and the noise grew louder as we approached 12th Street, where a giant screen played the countdown show.
"Hey, miss!" A guy grabbed my shoulder. I almost tore his arm off. "Are you okay?"
The crowd noticed the blood.
Shit.
"Her hand!"
"Someone call for help!"
"Miss, you need a hospital!"
"Isn't she that streamer?"
"I'm fine, excuse me—"
"HEY, YOU THERE!"
No. No. No.
I turned — the officer was there. And behind him, that idiot Yuri, wobbling but alive.
Fast bastard.
I ran. Shoved whoever I had to and pushed through the moving crowd. The street was right there — the other side safe, the perfect place to disappear.
I just needed to cross.
"STOP!" Yuri shouted, her voice breaking.
People stepped aside, others tried to grab me. I didn't care. I wouldn't be caught. Not before finishing off that idiot.
Ah — a crosswalk.
The first fireworks burst overhead.
I would survive into the new year, and I would kill you, Yuri.
I ran into the street. One step. Two. Three.
I looked back, pure instinct—
And instead of fireworks reflected in the faces of the crowd, I saw only a growing white glare to my left, lighting up Yuri, the officer, and a few stunned bystanders.
What a way to start the year, huh?
A truck plowed right into me.