Page 137 of Ravaged Soul

“Hyland!”

There’s not a single shout or cry for help in response to my howl. Putting one foot in front of the other, I circle the back of the crashed van, crunching through smashed glass. My wobbling vision sharpens into clear focus when I spot a sprawled-out body.

“Hy!”

Several feet from the two burning vehicles, a colossal lump of muscle lies discarded in the street. The puddle of rapidly spreading blood around his still limbs spikes the adrenaline flooding my body.

I’ve crash-landed on my knees next to Hyland before I can process what’s happening. He’s collapsed on his side, unresponsive and quickly paling. Blood pours from a deep gash in the back of his head, turning his dirty-blonde hair crimson red.

“Hey, big man.” I cup his gravel-scraped cheeks. “Wake up. Open your eyes.”

He doesn’t respond to my shaking. A petrified sob tears at my chest as I shrug off my workout jacket to quickly ball up then press to the back of his head. Hot, slippery blood covers my hands, adding to the pool all around us.

“Hyland,” I whimper, applying as much pressure as I can.

With no signs of life, I’m forced to fumble at his neck, searching for a pulse. The low, thready beat grants me some relief. It’s short-lived as I search for the phone in his pocket, quickly dialling emergency services.

My voice doesn’t sound like my own while I rattle off a frantic plea for an ambulance. The call handler’s questions hardly compute. All I can see is Hyland’s slack face, lips turning bluer while blood quickly soaks through my jacket.

“Please hurry,” I cry uncontrollably.

“Is there anyone around, ma’am? Are you alone?”

“I can’t s?—”

The phone flies from my hand, cutting off my reply. A heavy blow strikes the side of my head, knocking me off-kilter. I’m shoved away from Hyland’s body and grabbed hard, tossed several metres to the side.

Fresh pain ignites with the force of smacking into the ground. A still-purple face looms over me, one hand clutching his throat, the other forming a bloody fist. Mr Friendly is back with us.

“Last chance to surrender.” He coughs in pain.

“No! You did this!” I screech at him.

“You’re the one with the bounty on their head, bitch.”

The punch sails towards me, attempting to make impact. I throw myself flat against the road then roll, catching the asshole’s ankles. He yelps and topples, landing hard on his backside beside me.

Clambering onto my knees, I levy the first blow. It’s a decent punch across the face, rendering my attacker momentarily stupefied. Blood drips from his nostrils, one eye rapidly swelling.

When he moves to strike me back, I’m too slow to react. The slap creates a fiery lash down the left side of my face, wrenching my neck. Thankfully, I’m long past caring and don’t hesitate to launch a fresh assault.

He topples backwards, taking the brunt of my weight. We’re propelled onto the ground together, fists trading strikes, spit and blood catapulting from our raging bodies. Indignation and terror fuel my bloodthirsty rage.

“The only bounty you’ll be getting is a one-way ticket to oblivion,” I hiss between punches.

He visibly seethes, his forehead surging into mine, smacking our skulls together. Dizzy stars explode over my vision, sending me toppling backwards once more. My skull feels like the bone is being chipped away by a drill.

“I don’t think so, 768. You’re as feisty as they say, but I need that money.”

Metal glints in his hand, prompting a sizzle of terror to sharpen my focus. My attacker struggles to rise long enough to wield the knife he’s pulled. I try to haul myself upright, folding inwards. Witnessing my struggle only widens his unhinged grin.

“You can’t kill me. Gael won’t pay.”

“He’ll still pay for your butchered corpse.” Crimson trails spill from his mouth. “That’s good enough for me.”

A search around reveals no weapons. Hyland’s body is too far out of reach, his gun lost in the melee. I’ve got nothing on me, not even a switchblade. And there’s a fucking knife pointed towards me.

“Gael wants me alive,” I pant frantically.