Page 110 of Gunslinger Girl

We’ll escape. Get out of Casimir, Cessation, and then… then…

No plan came to her, but she’d have to worry about that later. Getting to Max was her first priority. She grabbed her gun belt, the beautiful thing he’d bought for her. It felt like eons ago. Instead of putting it on, Pity froze, mesmerized by the glossy black leather and the weapons it cradled. An almost electric sensation crawled down her spine.

It’s going to be a bloodbath. Casimir wasn’t going to roll over. People would resist. Fight.

That’s how wars go. She heard her mother’s voice suddenly, thick and sullen. People fight, people die.

But Pity didn’t have to do either. She strapped on the gun belt. All she had to do was walk away for a little bit, and Max would be safe.

All she had to do was stand by and let others die.

And who is it going to be? This time she heard Finn. Luster? Duchess? Garland? How many friends do you want to lose, Serendipity Jones?

She tried to ignore the thoughts, but they burrowed out of the earth of her mind like worms during a rain.

I can warn them. Tell them to stay hidden in their rooms. But if she did that, they would alert Selene. And Selene would kill her and Sheridan, maybe even Max. And probably not in that order. Even if Pity convinced them to obey her without question, who else might die? Which lives were worth Max’s, and how many of them?

All of them, the selfish part of her said.

None of them, said another, and that part sounded too much like Max.

Her skin crawled with frustration. He wouldn’t let this happen, she thought. He wouldn’t risk losing the friends—the family—that had embraced him when he’d had no one.

She was the one about to do that.

Max would tell Selene. Max would stop it all.

“Dammit,” she hissed, because the decision wasn’t Max’s.

It was hers.

But if she went to Selene, tried to bargain Sheridan’s betrayal for Max’s life, would Selene even believe her? She wanted Sheridan in her grasp so badly. She’ll think every word out of your mouth is a lie to save Max. And even if she did believe it, what would happen to Max when Selene discovered who he was? He would be in more danger than ever.

But at least Casimir would be safe.

What is it going to be? she asked herself. Stand up, take a risk… or stand by and watch the slaughter?

“Dammit, dammit, dammit.”

With a last, decisive yank on her gun belt, Pity flew out the door and into the graveyard silence of the hall. By the time she reached the end, she was almost running. Consumed by her thoughts, she rounded the corner and collided with an unyielding mass of flesh. The impact sent her sprawling to the ground, but when she looked up, cool relief coursed through her.

“Santino!”

“Pity?” He yanked her back to her feet as if she were made of straw. “Where are you headed in such a hurry?”

“Thank goodness!” She dropped her voice. “I need to talk to Selene. Now.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain when we get to Selene. But she’s in danger. We’re all in danger!”

“Pity, chica, relax.” Santino pressed his hands down on her shoulders, then gestured behind him, to a pair of Tin Men she hadn’t even noticed. “They’ll take you to Selene. I’ll get more men and meet you there.”

Pity’s hands tensed into fists. “You need to hurry!”

“I will.” He turned to the Tin Men. “Take her up the restricted way. And don’t let anyone near her.”

They parted, Pity and the Tin Men heading for the nearest elevator. Her body ached with anxiety as they traveled. Distant sounds of laughter and music echoed in her ears. The Gallery was doubtless in full revelry, unaware of the danger that was camped just beyond the city limits, readying to strike.