Chapter 25:
Firestarter
(Lars, Earlier)
Holy, shit, how did I not notice? It makes sense that Clarine and Fence were on the first floor. Logically, it’s safe to assume that I most likely stay in the building, so if I must go against two of them in here, the pairs must both be really strong. That takes Masir out of the equation. He’s no doubt one of the guys in a hoverpack outside. It makes the most sense since that also happens to be the safest position. Bane is the centerpiece of this all so he would need to stay with one of the strongest Lords. Rocco would be a decent pick but there’s no man better than his own father, right? It must be those two approaching from above.
Alright, I have all their positions sorted, and with this, my plan can go into effect. But floor six won’t be good enough. It’s a risk but if I want to maximize my odds, floor ten is where I need to be. Getting there will be tough, especially if Bane and Ed make it there before I do, but this is the clearest path to victory that I can see. Trust in my instincts, trust in my luck, and I’ll be rewarded for my faith.
Twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, one…
Onto floor eight and still no sign of the father-son duo. My heart is slowly starting to race. Deep breaths, this is nothing you haven’t done before. If you get all excited now, you may let the opportunity slip by. This is a one-time plan. If I screw it up, I won’t be able to do it again. It has to go right.
Floor nine and I could hear them directly above me. They’re either on floor eleven or floor ten.
Shit, should I go back down while I can? No, what the hell am I doubting myself for? I always knew this was going to be insanely risky. I have to press on and trust I get into position before they do… No, getting on the tenth floor won’t be enough, I have to also get the jump on them. If they check the rooms, it’s over. Fuck, there really is no way…!
…Wait, Bane, he’s a cadet. A stupid one at that. They don’t teach investigative abilities of this caliber back in Milona… I would know. If I can hide in a room that only he would check, then there’s a chance. What rooms would he check? How would they go about splitting the rooms? Would they check every other room or split them in half from front to back? Aw, but dammit, what use is knowing that if I don’t understand their positions?
Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen…
I don’t have enough time to put it together on the ninth floor. I have to get to the tenth floor now before this whole opportunity fades away.
Albeit risky, my trek to the tenth floor was the least cautious so far. I needed time on my side more than anything and speed was a necessity. That ended up working out in my favor as I beat them to the floor but the creaks of wood began to visualize as I looked up. These floors were so damp that the planks were physically moving by the slightest margin every time they took a step. Wait, that’s perfect! There’s only one pair of steps that are denting the wood. I see, now!
None of this is certain but this is undoubtedly the smartest choice I could make right now. I hid in a room towards the back, away from the stairs that led to the ninth floor. I made sure to choose a room with a hole in the wall that would allow me to enter the neighboring room without exiting into the corridor. All I had to do now was find a cheap hiding spot. Something that would work on him.
There was a bed posted up against the wall, if I were found here, I’d no doubt be in no position to fight. In fact, regardless of who found me, I’d likely die. But on the chance I don’t get found, everything should work out. This should be the final missing piece!
I took the mattress and laid behind it while I slanted it against the wall so it would just barely cover me. This place was grotesque enough for it to look somewhat natural. All I needed was for Bane to be the one who checked these rooms.
Seven, eight, nine…
After a minute I started to hear them talking. I couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying but it didn’t seem entirely important anyways. Just be patient, Lars, we’re almost there… The doorknob wiggled. Someone was about to enter. It was Bane! I knew it. The damp wood responded to both of their footsteps audibly but only Eddie’s footsteps made the floor move. His uniform and shoes must have also been damp. As for Bane, with his entire being on fire, it’s unlikely that the wood would ignite but the moisture within would combat the flames and in turn refuse to budge to his steps. That’s how I knew he was walking behind his father. Logically it made the most sense to then assume Bane would be responsible for searching these rooms closer to the floor they came from rather than ahead.
Hurry up, even for a rookie you’re taking a bit of time. I needed Bane to be the one to investigate because I knew he’d be less thorough, and likely leave the room. That’ll leave him in the corridor while his dad is still checking every speck of dust.
Bane began to turn around and leave. I could almost feel my crotch tingle with excitement. The moment he left, I slowly shoved the mattress off my body. It may have made noise so just in case, I quickly tiptoed over to the hole in the wall that would let me travel to the neighboring room just in case anyone came in here to see what the fuss was about. The door knob wiggled and I quickly hid behind the wall of the other room. Luckily after a few seconds, he seemed to leave again.
Now was the time for my charge. No more games, you lose this round, Bane! I charge out of my room and towards Bane. He turns around and sees me, but then he starts running away…?
“Haha, Lars, you idiot, you lose! Father, do it now!” Bane’s chuckle almost pierced my poor heart.
What the hell were they planning?! It’s hard to say for sure and honestly, I couldn’t put that last piece together… Luckily, I didn’t have to.
One of the first things I imagined your father told you was that if I began to charge your way, you were to not entertain a duel with me. I know your father well. He fears every ounce of my being and my ability to surpass him. It clouds his judgment of reality. While you ran away from me in the other direction under the assumption that I’d chase you, I’d turn around as well the second I entered your blind spot. Before you realize what’s happening, it’d already be too late.
I’m sure my counting was perfect. Was it twenty-two or twenty-four seconds? I began to lose track towards the end, but I’m here now. Even if this is my final move, I no doubt outsmarted every one of them. That is a death I could accept. My charge towards the window at the end of the corridor where they came from, turned into a full-on leap as I crashed through the glass and…
“BINGO!!!”
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