58 Either Win or Lose

It was already 6:12AM. After Sheloah's confession, they went back to 7-Eleven and slept there with Tyler, Josh, and Sheloah's family. Veon was also with them.

Sheloah stood up and approached to where the boys were sleeping. She started shaking Veon slightly to wake him up.

"Wake up. Your match with Ray will start soon," she said and Veon woke up.

He sat up and he started stretching his arms. Sheloah stood up again and got a sandwich in one of 7-Eleven's refrigerator and gave it to Veon.

"Eat a little. It may give you strength," Sheloah said and Veon ate the sandwich she gave him.

Isobel entered the convenience store, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey. These flowers are apparently for you," she said as she threw the flowers towards Sheloah and she caught it. There was a note inside and she took it and read it.

Roses are red, Violets are blue

If Veon loses…

I'll come and get you.

-Ray

"Urgh!"

Sheloah cringed when she read the note and she threw the flowers with the note to Tyler and it woke him up suddenly. Isobel laughed out loud and Veon just remained nonchalant about the situation.

Josh then woke up and the two boys read the note as well. They started laughing when they read what Ray said.

"Even in a zombie apocalypse, you would still have an admirer," Josh said and Sheloah rolled her eyes at him.

"Yeah, right. Like I find the walking pork romantic," she said and everyone who heard her, except Veon, laughed out loud.

When Veon finished eating, they all went outside. On the other side of their location, they already saw the people of Weapons of Massive Destruction.

Sheloah saw Ray standing at the middle of their soon-to-be battlefield. When Ray's eyes met Sheloah's, he smiled at her but Sheloah replied by rolling her eyes at him.

Sheloah gave Veon his swiss knife then spoke. "I trust you. You can do this." Veon smiled at her when he heard this.

"I will win. You don't have anything to worry about," Veon said and Sheloah nodded at him.

When Veon was already in front of Ray, all of the people started cheering. It was as if an olympic event had started.

They may either win or lose.

The parents who were with Army of True Salvation had no choice but to watch as well. They were also calming down the youngsters who wanted to join the fight. Sheloah's mother decided to stay beside her daughter because she did not want her acting up rashly again.

Ray smirked at Veon. "Ready to lose," he asked but Veon ignored him. "You're taking things seriously," he added but he was taken aback when Veon suddenly ran towards him and slashed his knife at him. It almost reached Ray's neck, but he had dodged it at the last minute.

"You're all talk," Veon taunted and everyone cheered once more.

Ray now then glared at Veon with evil intent. Veon now smirked at Ray as he took three steps back, anticipating his next moves.

Isobel held Sheloah's hand. She sensed her best friend's panic. "It's going to be okay. Veon assured us," she said and Sheloah nodded, her eyes still glued on the battle in front.

Ray ran towards Veon and attacked him as well but Veon dodged it successfully. The moment he dodged Ray, he planned on attacking his back. Ray had anticipated this. He smirked, as he dodged Veon's attack, and had managed to make a scratch on Veon's left arm.

The people in Army of True Salvation were surprised and the people of Weapons of Massive Destruction started cheering loud when they saw Ray land a scratch on Veon's body. The parents were shocked at the moment and wanted the battle to stop. Ray took some steps backward as he glared at Veon one more time, taunting him.

Veon's face changed into a serious expression. He ran towards Ray and he successfully made a scratch on Ray's right cheek. Blood started to trickle from his scar, down to his chin.

Veon had actually aimed for his eyes, but seeing that Ray was anticipating his actions, like he was an experienced fighter, most of his plans failed.

Ray pushed Veon and when he stumbled, Ray ran and toppled him, subduing Veon.

"Veon!"

Sheloah shouted as Ray punched Veon hard on the face, repeatedly.

Sheloah's body quivered. "Stop," she said almost in a whisper and Isobel touched her back when tears started escaping from her eyes. She didn't want to see Veon get hurt.

"Veon, stand up!"

"Veon, you can do this!"

"ATS, ATS!"

"You can defeat Ray! Go, Veon!"

"Stop already! Both of you will get hurt!"

"Enough! What you've done is enough!"

Various shouts were heard from the students and the parents. Their shouts were for Veon and their desire to stop this fight.

The group wanted Veon to win. Of course, who wouldn't want their representative to win? But then again, they couldn't stop the parents' shout of worries and concern.

"Veon! Don't give up!"

When Veon heard Sheloah shout, he regained his strength and pushed Ray off him. Ray stumbled and Veon took this opportunity to get his knife. Ray laughed evilly and it had caught everyone's attention.

"What did Sheloah say again last night? That you were perfect for her?"

Veon was taken aback when he heard Ray teasingly say this. If it was his way of distracting Veon, then he succeeded.

"You watched us," Veon said and Ray laughed again.

"Don't you remember what I said a while ago," Ray asked and he smirked at Veon. "We own this place," he added and everyone knew what he meant. Since they own the place, they can eavesdrop whenever they want.

"I'm sorry to break our promise," Ray said when suddenly, two boys grabbed both of Sheloah's arm, holding her captive.

'I knew it! Ray set a trap indeed!'

"She's a good distractor," Ray said and he smirked at Sheloah.

Sheloah's uncle suddenly went berserk. She treated her as his own child as well since Sheloah had no father. Seeing her like this made him angry and worried. Sheloah's mother embraced her daughter's waist as well, as her brother started attacking the boys who were holding Sheloah captive.

They noticed that Sheloah was not only their target. Some of the people in Weapons of Massive Destruction started attacking the people in Army in True Salvation. They were practically starting an ambush; a war!

'Damn!'

Ray tricked them! He wanted to harm everyone so they could only have this place to themselves! He just made the challenge as a part of his plan to infiltrate their group and hurt them!

"Sheloah!"

Veon shouted and he turned his back on Ray. Sheloah looked at Veon and her eyes widened when he saw Ray about to attack Veon with his knife.

"Veon, look out!"

But the moment Veon looked back…

It was too late.