Runners - Pt 02

Selina Johnson | Apartment

-A pawn you say?

-Yes. But make no mistake. I am just a scant trying to survive here after all.

-Trying to survive..

-(Sighs)Look, Selina? I won't say I am sorry. There's no point.

-What..what are you really after?

-...I already told you. This town, the society is like a giant food chain. And people like you and me are placed at the very bottom.

-Don't tell me you are on some holy crusade or something.

-No. You misunderstood. I don't really care about any of these.

-Then; WHY do I have a gun pointed at you right now? Why am I here with you at all?

-Back at the health clinic, I assume that's what you call that five star nursing home, right?

-...

-I was fortunate enough to get one or two visitors. Well, not that you gave a damn.

-If I had visited you...would things have been any different?

-Who knows..probably. Or not.

-(A big exhale)...you had them checking out this hotel for Layla at the day of your release?

-Charming detective! Not particularly Layla I believe. I AM impressed though.

-No..there's still...wait, you said she was like, a pawn? Then..,- My hands started to feel dull. Just when I began to get somewhere, a little smile on his face assured me that I was missing a huge number of pieces. I solved nothing.

-Yes, you were going on the right track. Her misfortune wasn't particularly my intention. I just made a good deal with very lousy people.

-How did they even find you? Who are you guys?

-It's a town where you trip over bullet castings while running around at the playground. I don't think it would be too hard for higher ups to find their missing errand boys here.

-...

-For your second answer, I am afraid I cannot say anything.

-...

-Now, if you want to shoot me, then go ahead. And if that's not it then help me out. It's a courtesy you know, to help a disabled person.

-...Shen Anderson, you are arrested, for attempted thievery, assaulting a police officer and plotting further robbery.

-Huh? I must say you are one interesting woman. No wonder he fell for you..but sorry, you're not arresting anyone today.

-Who? What did you just say?

-Never mind that. What were YOU saying? Arresting?

-...,- I was looking at him. Underneath my act, I was still trying to connect the dots, making scenarios.

-(Chuckles)what are the charges? On who's authority?

-...,- There was no good answer. I couldn't have backed out too. The only thing I could do was to hide behind my badge.

-Selina,- He moved towards me with a straight face while being completely vulnerable, powerless to fight. It was almost like he had no fear.

-Stop moving or I WILL shoot. Get back!

-Selina, this badge of yours bears no value right now. You are deprived of your duties, you know it. Your charges have no witnesses nor any evidence.

-Shut up!

-You acted on your own and ended up with this situation. I am sure NYPD didn't approve any of those solo actions of yours.

-No you just told me everything, you confessed..

-Did I?

-...,- My brain couldn't think anymore. It was like the man in front of me was stomping all over my face and I could only endure.

-You're good Selina. Probably with a bit more observation you might have already had me.

Even in that broken stance, his eyes were full of confidence. By the next second he had already grabbed the gun I was holding. My hands became steady in an instant. Still he was the one who channelled it at his own self.

-Now that you have steadied your gun, what are you going to do? You know everything you need to know but nobody else does.

.

.

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-Can you end it? Is it the only way?

-...

-...come on Selina. This is what I am. A worthless existence on this Earth; who lives only for himself. I am a runner in the end.

-Stop talking!!

-Know that nobody's going to have any say on this death. Nobody's going to come to you asking for their dead friend, son, husband or father.

-...

-You have already killed me when you took that envelope from me. Might as well finish the job completely.

-...no.

-You can't hand me over to police. You can't give me my life back. Worst of all you can not live your life now knowing how much of a scum I am. What a screw up, right?

-...yes,- For a moment I thought I saw tears coming out of his eyes. I couldn't be sure as he lowered his face suddenly.

I was happy for meeting some wonderful people here. People who also cared for me without asking anything in return. I had Shen to thank for that.

.

.

It felt like he was someone at the point of no return. I was once that way too. By letting him win, I would just be losing what I had achieved. Things would be just like the time when I lost Frank.

-...,- It was silence on his side.

-But I am not letting you win this one just like that. You have still got a lot to say to me.

-...I ask of you to do this. It's either you or...I just..want you to be the person who pulls the trigger.

-That's not happening. But I am taking you out of this game.

-Funny Selina...you have exceeded...my expectations. Now I can only laugh...at my worthless pride..,- He couldn't finish his line cause the whole body of him became lifeless out of nowhere. I grabbed him quickly. His face tumbled upon my chest. I stood there holding him like that for a few seconds.

-Shen!!

He was comparatively lightweight and slender which helped me balance myself swiftly. I felt that his breathing was slow. Almost close to nothing.