"When love meets destruction, there are no trails of gunpowder to ignite the flame that has been extinguished, yet there is still hope, that one small spark, can still set an entire city on fire"
Andrew
I went to sleep that cold morning, while Xavier watched a movie on his laptop, which I had saved to watch as soon as I got home from spring break, what I didn't know was that maybe those few days would turn into a nightmare, where my life and those I love. It would become a tournament between choosing life or death.
I lay my head on the pillow and fall into a deep sleep, my body swaying in unimaginable sensations. I dream that I was in a field, with thick grass and beside me there was a big tree shading me from the sunlight, I was wearing a white dress in the style of the 50s, I was reading a book. In my hair there was a light blue ribbon, with my sunglasses on I lie on the grass and put on my headphones. I play Lana del Rey while being soothed by the sweet melody. Hours pass, as soon as I realize someone approaching close to me. I get up and sit, extending my legs to the right side and wait. In the distance, a silhouette running in the middle of the sunlight that devastated everything. I can only see when he approaches, it was Andrew, with his perfectly combed hair, with a wide smile, dressed in typical attire of the 50's. With a light brown suspender, white shirt and a bow tie. He holds out his hands to me, so I take them and slowly stand up. Andrew holds me around the waist, our eyes meet in perfect balance. With the wind blowing our hair, I gently place my headphones in her ear and together we dance to our song, Change . "Our forever is our infinity. Andrew said.
"I guess forever isn't enough for us. — I say
He caresses my lips with his hands, lifting my chin and kissing me intensely, the rays completely surround the environment, illuminating everywhere.
Suddenly I wake up, it was day. I remain lying down staring at the wallpaper on the ceiling, with constellations.
— Hey, good morning! Xavier exclaimed.
He approaches with a breakfast tray.
— Cake, juice and fruit? — I ask
— Yes, and there's even a vase with a flower to decorate. Xavier replied.
"You're amazing, in every way, I swear. — said Natasha "What the hell, I did the bare minimum. Xavier replied.
I get out of bed, put on a red velvet robe, go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I take a shower, I stand under the shower with my eyes closed, thinking about everything that had already happened and I start to cry.
After that, I go to the bathroom mirror, wash my face, put on a black skincare mask, as soon as I blow dry my hair. I sit on the edge of the tub wrapped in my towel. I put my hands on my head and close my eyes for a minute.
After a few minutes, I hear Xavier call after me from the other side of the door.
"Luna, I mean, Nat, are you okay?— Because it's been fifteen minutes since you went in there and you haven't come out until now. said Xavier
"I'm fine, just a minute. — I say
— All good. said Xavier
When opening the door, Xavier's mouth is open, I was wearing a totally daring outfit, black pants, my long boots, a blue shirt that showed my belly, a white jacket. My hair was down and curled at the ends, my makeup was perfect with my trusty cat— liner, red lipstick, and my fake eyelashes.
"We have to get out of here. Fast! — I say
— I... I'll go fix it. I mean, I'm going to pack my things. Xavier stammered.
Putting my backpacks on my back, I open the door and an explosion throws
me against the stairs, I hit my back on the steps and I fall rolling to the floor; — NATASHA! Xavier yelled.
Before he could approach me, a mechanical claw grabbed him around the neck and lifted him high. A skeletal machine, with red eyes, with pointed claws approached me and grabbed me by my hair and lifted me up.
"Protocol 2308, survivors captured. said the machine
From the top of a large hall, the woman in the lab coat smiles and says:
"Bring them to me!"
The brightness of the woman's eyes permeated the glass of the glasses. Down the stairs she approaches the large floating electronic monitor.
Observing the image of unconscious Natasha.
SECOND ROUND
I wake up in a dark and cold place, my breath was freezing. It was in a sort of freezer, the kind used in butchers to store frozen meat. I was freezing to death.
My heart was beating fast.
"Sweet girl, welcome back to another stage of Lethal Trials. — said the voice — What do you want? asked Natasha.
— You are part of a very secret experiment, we have to know what you are capable of. — said the voice
"Give me back my family and my ax and I'll show you what I'm capable of. Natasha snapped.
— Very well, but first you have to go through the phases of the experiment and of course come out alive. — said the voice
"How will I do that if you try to kill me with every step I take. — said Natasha
— Use your amazing skills. — mocked the voice
The cold was so intense that my teeth chattered against each other. I rock my body back and forth quickly in order to break out of the chains. I hear a creak and the iron circle breaks, sending me tumbling across the room.
— Not so fast. Trigger the traps. shouted the woman in the lab coat. Already!
Cutting through the air, flaming blades come towards me, I move my legs up and do a perfect cartwheel, do a somersault on the ground and escape from objects. I get one knee on the floor and turn around to see what was going on over there. Tying my hair quickly into my perfect ponytail. I try to get to the door, but before I see stunning thorns coming very close to me, I throw a chair as a shield. Hitting the bottom, the thorns are embedded in the wood.
"Phew, I need to be faster. — I think
I move my legs to give momentum, I hold the bar that was on top of my head, with my feet positioned on the slippery wall, I throw my body forward.
— I achieved. — I say softly
I push my body, slide on the ceiling and come close to the door, so I try to open it. It was locked, I turn the knob in vain. When I quickly turn, I see that on the other side of the room, an inside wall compartment opens and inside a square of glass. A golden key.
As soon as I put my feet forward, the floor opens up. Bubbling green acids appeared, fumes lashed the air.
"How I wish I had my ax right now.— — I think
I take my backpack and from inside I take out a small harpoon gun. I throw it against the wall and tie a string to the end. Praying that my idea works out.
As soon as I aim and fire, I hit the surface of the wall, right above where the key was. I rip off the iron bar and attach it to the rope. Straining my legs, I push off and step over the acid floor. I reach the other side of the room and break the window with the bar, taking the key. The room starts to shake, I lose my balance and almost fall into the tank. A drop of my sweat falls and hits the vat. As soon as the drop mixes with acid, everything starts to bubble.
— My God! — I think
I quickly take it and go through the rope again and manage to reach the door. As soon as I open it I realize that I am miles above the ground, the room was submerged in air. I couldn't see anything but the clouds.
"And now how am I going to get out of here?— — I ask
I turn my attention to a copper wire that was loose, I decide to throw myself from above.
"I hope this works out.— — I think
Throwing my body forward, I slide over the wire and manage to grab the end, staying in midair. I swing and with a mortal reach the abandoned building.
"I got it, but where's Xavier?— — I ask
I go down from the top of the building and arrive at the bottom, I was on a completely different street, it was possible to see the beach. And it was hot. From afar I see Christ the Redeemer, I was in Rio de Janeiro.
— That's the only way for me to visit Brazil, I could practice my Portuguese. — I think. — Now is not the time to daydream Natasha! Focus!
I place my hands on top of my eyelids, when preventing my sight from the sun, I pass between the buildings and arrive at a place.
"Is Xavier around here?— — I think
I open my backpack and take out my compass, it points east. I place it in front of me, close the bag behind my back and walk down the sidewalk. I decide to change clothes. I take off my jacket and tie it around my waist, put on a tank top that left my shoulders showing. I wasn't used to the heat, but it was a little refreshing, for someone who likes to get a tan in a beautiful city. But at the moment I wasn't in the mood to delve into it.
After walking a little, I find a dimly lit alley despite being day and with a lot of sun, that seemed strange to me. On one side was a red door, on the other a gray one.
"Which one should I open?— — I ask
I go against the red one, and I break the latch and enter. Everything was dark and gloomy. I turn on the flashlight to see better. Walking towards, I hear someone in the distance. A muffled sound. Suddenly the lights come on and Liam was between chains, on top of a giant claw that went to the ground, under a tank of electric eels.
"These challenges are bizarre!— exclaimed Natasha.
Before I can get to Andrew, a gray direwolf appears snarling at me. I stand still just watching the animal approach, with a jump he and I grapple and roll sliding under the ground, I put my hands around his mouth. Fiercely he tries to attack me, moving his head from side to side. It was the end of me.
Suddenly, I hear shots coming from afar, as soon as the bullets arrive and hit the wolf, the animal disappears in ashes, embers and smoke.
"Need a hand?— Xavier asked.
"Xavier!— Natasha exclaimed, hugging him.
"Who else would it be?— Xavier asked. "We need to save Andrew. — I say — As? Xavier asked.
"First we have to get him off the eels. explained Natasha.
— Okay fine. said Xavier
Natasha and Xavier took it and pushed the claw aside, she went up the steps and pressing the buttons managed to get Andrew down.
"Andrew, it's okay. Everything will be fine. — said Natasha
Using her hairpins Natasha managed to unhook the padlocks and chains, Andrew was badly bruised and injured.
"We have to get out of here. — I talk
"I'll find a vehicle. said Xavier
Xavier leaves and leaves Natasha and Andrew alone. Natasha runs her hands over Andrew's face, cleaning his wounds, she kisses him on the forehead. "Let's get out of this. I promise. — said Natasha
After a few minutes, Andrew's eyes open slowly, when he sees Natasha he gives a slight smile.
— I think I'm dreaming, now I've been able to prove the existence of angels.
Andrew said.
"You fool, I missed you already.— — said Natasha
— Me even more. — Andrew said holding Natasha's hands
A loud bang and bricks fly in all directions, a blue pickup truck pulls up with Xavier at the wheel.
Let's go guys! Xavier exclaimed.Who is he? asked Andrew coughing.
"A friend.— said Natasha. — Let's go!
Natasha lifts Andrew, Xavier helps him. The three go to the vehicle. Opening the doors, Natasha puts Andrew in the back and rides in front with
Xavier.
"Andrew, lie down. We're going to a safe place. — said Natasha looking at Andrew holding his hands.
"Boot on the board, friends. said Xavier
"We'll be safe. — I say