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Two of the women I thought I’d killed on the island stood a few meters away from us, living and breathing. They glared at me through the crowd. If I were the overly dramatic type I’d say they were staring daggers, but that would have been too cliché, appropriate, but cliché.
Elena and Snezhana weaved through the throng of Patrons and Runners towards Sunil and me. We both looked around for an exit, but a wall of Runners seemed to spring up out of nowhere and encircle us. They tried to look innocent, to pretend that they were just standing there looking in another direction, but Sunil and I were clearly in a trap.
“Get behind me,” Sunil whispered.
The room grew quiet. It seemed as though everybody was holding their breath. So was I. The two women took their time sauntering towards us with these self-satisfied grins. I didn’t even want to think about the look on my face.
I heard Von Zimmer shout in the distance. His voice sounded as though it came from another universe and not from across the ballroom. There was a scuffle as other Patrons held him back. He made threats, but they wouldn’t release him. Sunil and I were on our own. I was once again going to have to fight for my life. Only this time I didn’t have a sword and there was nowhere for me to run. I didn’t think a beer bottle would suffice as a weapon.
Patrons milled around the edge of the circle of Runners. Some stared in open curiosity, while others pretended not to notice what was going on. I heard one grumble about it not being right and another told him to stay out of it. Another one said something about the consequences of breaking the rules and was quietly told to shut up.
The Runners parted at one end of the circle to allow Elena and Snezhana to enter the ring. Sunil pushed me behind him and planted his feet firmly, getting ready to fight.
“This is not your fight, my friend,” Elena said to Sunil with unexpected warmth.
“You’re attacking my Runner. Of course it’s my fight,” Sunil said.
“Please step aside,” Elena said softly. She was almost begging him. It made me wonder about their past relationship.
“Elena, what you’re doing right now breaks every rule the Organisation has. There will be consequences,” Sunil said.
“This is taking too long,” Snezhana said and took a step closer towards Sunil. “Move or I make you.”
I tried to get out from behind him, but he pushed me back and shook his head.
“Fine,” Snezhana growled.
She was still one of the ugliest women I’ve ever seen. She moved like a bull as she ran at Sunil. She knocked him right off his feet and we both went sliding across the polished ballroom floor. My beer bottle went dancing across the floor, between the feet of the inquisitive, ever growing crowd. Hands grabbed me, forcing me to my feet and back towards the centre of the ring.
I dusted imaginary dirt off my bare legs and hands while I tried to calm myself down and prepare for whatever was coming.
“Why exactly have you got your leather thongs in a bunch?” I asked, trying to sound as cool as possible, but my voice squeaked.
They both looked a little confused by my question.
“You’re both clearly alive and you both tried to kill me. So I’m not sure why all the schoolyard bullying tactics are necessary.” My voice sounded stronger, and I wanted to give myself a little pat on the back for that.
They remained silent.
“I mean isn’t killing each other in The Race all in a day’s work for you guys?”
They stayed silent as they walked towards me and then circled me like hyenas moving in for the kill.
“Why are you doing this?” My voice quivered.
Elena stood behind me. I felt her breath on my neck. I tried to remain calm. I didn’t move.
Snezhana stood in front of me. Her breath stank of garlic. I met her smug glare with a rebellious stare of my own. At least I hoped I did. I hoped I didn’t look like a scared bunny rabbit.
“This not personal,” Elena said with her thick Spanish accent as she thrust a knife into my liver and twisted it. “It is business.”
“You talk too much,” Snezhana said with a snarl as she plunged her knife into my stomach.
As I sunk to my knees, they walked away and so did all the other Runners and Patrons.
My blood ran down my back and stomach and flowed across the marble floor while they all pretended as though nothing had happened. Music played once more. I heard glasses clinking and conversations starting up while I held my guts in.
I coughed up blood. It tasted metallic.
I didn’t want to die.
It hurt.
My brain slowed down as I fell back onto the floor.
Sunil held my head.
I don’t know where he came from.
I was cold and my skin tingled.
It was weird.
I was dying and it was all so fucking pointless.
Von Zimmer knelt next to me and held my hand.
It didn’t hurt so much anymore.
“Mein Gott!” Olga screamed.
“Can you save her?” Sunil asked the ashen faced Doctor standing next to Olga.
“I am not sure,” he said kneeling down. My blood stained his pants red. “Her blood is black and she is losing too much of it too quickly. They knew precisely where to stab her to cause the most damage without taking her head.”
“Is it possible?” Von Zimmer asked.
“It will be difficult,” Doctor Mannheim said while sticking his fingers in my stomach cavity and pushing my guts back inside.
“Fuck. That hurts,” I groaned.
“Is she worth saving?” The Doctor asked Sunil, ignoring the look of pain and fear in my eyes.
“Yes,” Sunil said, stroking my head. “She is better than any of them. She only needs time.”
“We must hurry then,” Mannheim stood up. “We have to get her back to my lab within the next hour.”
“The chopper is on its way,” Von Zimmer said looking down at me and squeezing my hand.
“That was quick,” Sunil said.
“I left instructions with Kurt to stand by. The moment I saw those two walking towards the two of you, I made the phone call,” Von Zimmer said.
“I’m so sorry about your Runner,” A woman’s voice said. It was a clipped, elegant, high-class English voice.
Von Zimmer stood. His tuxedo slacks were soaked in my blood and stuck to his legs.
“Victoria,” he said with a curt nod. “This is not over.” His voice was cold and calm.
“When will you realise that you are beaten my love? You are no longer the head of the Organisation. You don’t belong here anymore. You don’t have any power. You’re like a dog who keeps returning to an owner who no longer wants it. It’s rather pathetic, Sweetie. It’s time you crawled away and hid in that drafty castle of yours and leave the Organisation in more capable hands.” She smiled. “Good chat,” she said, patted him on his shoulder, and walked away.
I heard her heels clip-clip across the floor.
Pity she didn’t slip in my blood.
My vision blurred and I heard Sunil say my name.
Olga called me Liebchen.
Then there was nothing.
No pain.
No sound.
Just nothingness.