Estranged - Preview

      “I don't understand. What are we doing here?”
      “A little further” was the only reply April gave him.
      He stepped deeper into the alley, wondering she was possibly planning.
    “There. Boiling.”
      “Huh?” Jason spun around bewildered, however he realised the look in her eyes were no longer that of the April he knew.
      “April...?” He asked, his face twisted in horror. However, it was not the first time he had seen the pair of cold and heartless eyes. It was Gwen.
      “April is not in right now,” she smiled wryly, “may I take a message?”
      She quickly reached into her backpack, pulling out her signature crossbow. As its menacing tip arched higher and higher, Jason discovered for the first time that being intimidated by the looks of the weapon itself was nothing compared to having the weapon actually pointed at him. His knees weakened and he backed away.
      “Wh-what do you want from me?”
      Then, there was a snapping sound as it went off. Before Jason could react, the projectile was launched and embedded itself deep in the flesh of his right thigh. His leg was literally burning and nausea swept over him, causing him to collapse onto the ground. It did not stop there; the rest of his body was being eaten alive by the toxins that spread through and mutilated his body. The intensity of the pain was unbearable. Jason winced in distress, but made no sound out due to exhaustion.
    “You're not supposed to be able to hurt me! April said so!” He retorted, mustering the last of his breath.
      “Oh? It's just like humans to assume. Who EVER said anything about hurting you? My only obligation is to to ensure that you never bother either of us again.”
      Gwen reached out to one of the nearest garbage bins and forcefully tipped it over. A garbage bag tumbled out and Jason spied a body through the splits. He feared it was a corpse, but on closer inspection he was still breathing and merely out cold. The air had the stench of chlorine as it diffused from the bag into the air.
      “It is such a shame that we never were able to get to the pleasantries. So now, as the only three souls in sight, I believe we could make use of the situation to give ourselves some quality bonding time.”
      Jason wondered what could possibly be going through Gwen's head. He had never seen anyone sicker than her in his life. By now, the other victim slowly stirred and tried to struggle about, however, he had been expertly tied up and gagged.
    “Now, we are going to have a little chat. Just me and you, Jason. There is only one catch – the moment you say something I do not like, I will make the guy beside me say something you do not either.” Saying that, she reached a single hand into her backpack once more. What came out of it was a handgun with a silencer attached at the tip. The man's eyes widened in shock as she pressed the barrel into his forehead. The fact that Jason's head was still spinning definitely did not affect the immense pressure and urgency he felt.
      “Don't worry. I'm an open-minded person. Let's just see this as...an opportunity to develop an unbreakable friendship. I'll let you start the conversation. It's your call, Jason.”
      Jason tried to think of something to say – anything – but his brain was completely dysfunctional. Along with the man lying helplessly only a few metres from him and only a wrong word away from death, he just did not know what to say.
      “Come on Jason.”
      He tried to open his mouth, but not a word came out.
    “Now look at what you've done,” Gwen sighed. “An awkward silence lingers between us. I hate it. To fix that, I've decided that each time you don't say something, I will consider it as you having said something I don't like as well.”
      Saying that, she drew her pistol back, but quickly changed her aim and plunged a bullet into the man's shoe. It bore a hole right through his entire foot into the ground and the man grimaced in agony as his muffled cries echoed the alley. Bits of sole, blood, bone and skin stained the floor where his foot was. If that was what Gwen meant, Jason definitely could not bear what he 'said'. His stomach revolted and he was on the verge of vomiting.
    “Jason, my patiences grows thin. Fortunately enough, I have enough ammunition to last us the whole night even if it means I have to fire once every five minutes....”