Forsythia Brown felt an inexplicable tension as she heard the words.
Staring straight into those hawk-like eyes, she called out, "Gem Atkinson."
Gem Atkinson stared intently at the bushes where their opponent was hiding, but he spoke to Forsythia, "Trust me."
Yes, at this moment, she could only trust him.
Feeling her compliance, Gem patted her cheek despite not looking at her. With a 'ding,' he opened his lighter, simultaneously twisting off the automatic control. Then he flicked the lit lighter in a parabolic arc towards the Pauper's hiding place in the bushes.
His hand movement was quickly detected by the Pauper, who fired several bullets without hesitation.
In the nick of time, Gem, who had already anticipated his hiding spot being exposed when he threw the lighter, rolled away with Forsythia in his arms, dodging the enemy bullets.
