Chapter 16 - Fox

Ethan was known with the nickname Storm in Dalton City, as well as in other neighboring cities. However, he adopted a new name since he arrived in Snake Island. It has been a long story since, and by the time he succeeded to infiltrate the dark organization, Snake gave him the name Fox. Snake bestowed him that name to remind him who he really was. Just like a literal meaning, fox is sly. Snake had not trusted him completely. Since then, Ethan was doing all his best to gain Snake's trust.

Ethan, who was now hiding behind his new nickname Fox, camouflaged himself with a fake face that was perfectly similar to a real human skin. No one was unable to recognize the real him.

Since Ethan was aiming to get Snake's trust, he was willing to risk his own life and use himself as his human shield. But of course, being a mafia lord for three years, he had become familiar with the fatal spot that could kill a person. In short, the bullet that penetrated his body seemed serious, but he was certain, if he was given proper medication, he would survive.

Back to the current situation, Snake was startled from that gunshot. As he turns on his back, he finds someone, who was wearing an open-faced black helme, lying on his back next to his feet. In an instant, he spotted blood leaking out from his savior's chest.

"Fox!!" Snake roared when he recognized him, his voice echoing in the forest. "Oh fool, go to Hell!!" 

What followed his shout was a gunshot from his Beretta 92 pistol, shooting the man with gritting teeth. He shot dead that man, who was the leader of the other party, right on the center of his brow.

Two parties continued exchanging gunshots. Dead bodies from every team fell on the bushes one after another, spilling their blood on the leaves and trunks. However, those three people, who arrived at the scene with Fox, sustained the area with their extraordinary shooting skills in such a short amount of time.

"Someone, come over here!! Fox was shot!" Snake yelled out loud, calling the attention of all the people who were lucky enough to stay alive. 

Everybody, making up with the number of seven people, rushed to them. Four among the seven people were Gecko, and Fox's three companions.

"Fox, are you okay?" Tiger asked as he checked upon Fox. "Damn it, you were shot on your chest!"

"Will he die?" Snake asked, somehow curious whether Fox would still have the chance to live. 

Tiger looked up. He was worried, but kept it to himself. After all, since the beginning, he never expressed emotions in front of them. He calmly answered Snake. "The wound is fatal. He will die soon. But—"

"But what? Say it, bullshit!" Snake was impatient.

Tiger lowered his head. "If you are willing to keep him, I can send him right away to our hospital. Whether he can survive from this ordeal, it's up to Fox' luck."

"Are you a fool?" Snake slapped Tiger on his head, causing the latter to stumble on the side, but didn't retaliate. "Do I have to tell you what to do? He just saved my life, so leave the Hell out of here and take him to the hospital! If he dies, I'll take your rubbish life to appease his soul!!"

"Yes, Snake!!" Tiger immediately picked Fox up, and carried him to his sport motorcycle with the help of Leopard. They helped the unconscious Fox sit on his back. "Leopard, hop on!"

Leopard looked in Snake's direction. 

"Bunch of idiots! Just go!" Snake pointed his pistol at Leopard.

With that response, Leopard jumped behind Fox. "Drive now!"

Just as Leopard touched his ass on the saddle, the motorcycle zoomed off under Tiger's magical hands and accelerated in the forest at full speed. As if they were just riding on an even asphalt highway. The uneven ground, twigs, and protruding stones failed to stall him from leaving that place.

It didn't take long, the group of three managed to come out of that forest, leaving nothing behind them but a fountain of soil, leaves, peebles, and Fox's blood on their trail.

"Sto— Fox, hang on! You can't die!" Leopard shouted as he tightened his grip on Fox's shoulders. "If you die, then what will happen to our mission here?"

Reynald clenched his hands on the handlebars, making the motorcycle roar aloud in the highway. The emotionless face earlier was now overtaken with fear. 'Come on, Storm. You can't die. You can't die. I won't forgive you if you die.'

"Drive faster!" Leopard urged Tiger, panic was evident on his fake face. "Damn it! Fox is getting weaker! He is dying!"

"Shut up! Don't jinx him, okay?" Tiger shouted angrily at Leopard. "Are good words so hard to come out in that mouth of yours?"

"Why are you shouting at me? I'm just worried about him!" Leopard retorted, displeased.

"Precisely, I have to yell! If not, will you be able to hear me?" Tiger shouted.

"No! I don't think so. My ears are fine. Why don't you admit that you're venting your anger on me? Since you're mad, scold this idiot!"

"Huh, call him that when he's awake!"

"No way! I'm not a fool!"

"Aren't you?" Suddenly, a weak voice interjected them. 

That made Leopard's eyes pop out. "Hey, was that you who just spoke?"

"Don't talk to me!" Tiger grunted.

"So, you're the fool." The voice said again. "You can't even distinguish the difference between my voice and Tiger's voice.

"Sto—"

"Call me with that, and you're dead." Fox's threatening voice entered their ears. Despite the destructing wheezing sounds of the wind.

"Oh my God, it's Fox!" Leopard exclaimed in shock. Both he and Tiger were exuberant that he finally came around.

Leopard immediately moved his eyes to Fox and was met with the latter's cold gaze. "Fox, how long have you been awake?"

"Is that all you care about?" Fox asked meaningfully. "Don't worry, I didn't hear you calling me an idiot."

"Fox, I was just kidding earlier." Leopard smiled stiffly. "Don't take it seriously. See? It worked. You woke up."

"Hmm, just celebrate if I'm finally out of danger. Now… I'm…" Fox closed his eyes, his pale lips trembled. "I don't think I can reach the hospital."

Tiger gritted his teeth. Cold sweat envelopes his entire body upon hearing Fox statements. Sweat emerged on his forehead. Even so, he still believed that they could make it. "Hang on, Fox. I'll make sure you will get in there alive!!"

That said, Tiger sped up even more. They were like a shooting bullet in the highway, not minding those other vehicles that they had ran into, leaving them no choice but to drive on the side.