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***
The professor's theory was mesmerising, and mind boggling! To think of it, the partial overlap of different DNA strands! It was unthinkable, but so exciting! Today, at last, Kurt Connors had finally come close, in the training of his two lab assistants, to the subject of natural regeneration! Gwen Stacy's blonde head was humming slightly. So Prof had calculated today's dose of knowledge correctly. There was no overload, and the brain, greedy for new things, continued to analyse the received information in the second layer, thus helping to assimilate it more deeply.
But all this was only the second layer. The first and foremost was now planning a prank on one overly nerdy snob. Namely her boyfriend Peter Parker. Gwen hadn't forgotten one bit that the insensitive chump owed her an ice cream. Lots of ice cream. Lots of ice cream!
The timing was perfect. Today was Friday. She had to go to a party tomorrow, which meant it was time to buy an outfit. The girl gloatingly remembered how she had terrorised the unfortunate Eddie Brock, how he had been running in circles all day... But Gwen needed to know what style to wear!? Besides, she didn't like Brock, so she could make fun of him a little.
- Sweetheart. - she sang at the end of the day. - You remember your promise, don't you?
- Knowing you, it's safe to assume you want your ice cream? - Peter asked wearily.
- Of course! - she exclaimed with feigned indignation. - If you don't remember, you won't remember. And what do you want me to starve?
- And let me order you at home, those two hundred kilos? - It was so funny to watch the face full of tragedy...
- No way! If you promised, drive!
The cunning plan was slowly coming to fruition. She took the whiner under her arm and dragged him along the pre-planned route. According to Eddie, it would be a party where beer was drunk and fun reigned supreme. So simple looking clothes, but only expensive brands! Here's the right boutique!
- Pete, Pete, Pete! I completely forgot I didn't have anything to wear to the party tomorrow night. Look, there's some things you can look for here. Shall we go in? Please!
The guy gave her a sceptical look. So she knew right away she was set up! But there was no way to back down. So it's a fight!
- Where am I going? - interrupted her boyfriend, who opened his mouth for an angry rant.
- Y-you are the best! - she exclaimed sincerely a minute later. Gwen was happy! Her cunning plan to lure Pete to shopping had been foiled, but she had let him twist the ropes! The important thing now was not to exercise that right too often. Gwen was smart, and her hair colour... so it was a disguise.
Only two... well, three... and a half hours, the girl tried on outfits, and flaunted them in front of Peter. He tried to put on a look of universal sorrow and despair, but sometimes he failed. Admiration broke through the mask, and then Gwen just melted with joy that he liked them. The choice was made, and after asking the salesman to bag her purchases, she quickly dressed in her everyday clothes. Peter was already waiting for her at the door with a whole pile of bags (well, she got a little carried away, so what?).
- Let's go, to the cafe and home...
- I'll just...
- I've already paid. Let's go quickly, I want ice cream too. At least a dozen more air conditioners need to be installed in this hell of a clothing shop.
- Peter,' she said outside, really embarrassed, 'you didn't have to pay. I have money, and...
- Well, must I spoil you sometimes? And don't get your hopes up, I owe you another two hundred kilos of ice cream and that's it! I won't spend another cent on you! Hey! Why are you fighting?
- Thank you.
***
They dragged me out shopping yesterday. But the truth is, it's not what I thought it would be. The blonde girl gave me a sly look sometimes. So I figured the ice cream was just an excuse. Anyway, after those scary looks, I started carrying money. After she opened up to me twice and showed me how tender, vulnerable and fragile she really is, my attitude towards her started to change.
Before, it was... I don't know... I guess I didn't realise that our relationship could go this far. I really, really doubted the possibility of our relationship! At first I thought it was all a bit rubbish, no less. And then a few miserable weeks go by, and somehow the situation turns upside down for me. Yeah.
For me, by the way, yesterday's shopping didn't go so easily, even though I was mentally tuning in, meditating, and setting myself up. At first it was tolerable, and I stoically tolerated, admiring not so much her outfits as herself. It seems that Gwen decided not to torture me too much, as she bought almost everything in one boutique. I lost a lot of money, but... there are a lot of thieves in the city, and sometimes you can do a little piggybacking.
But when we were halfway to the café and ice-cream, she asked me what I was going to wear. Relaxed, forgotten, what's the excuse? Without thinking, I blurted out that I was going like this. They pulled me over and dragged me off to get dressed. I don't want to remember it, I don't want to remember it.
- Don't walk too long! - my aunt threw me in the back, but I was already in the street and I didn't want to yell back.
I got a taxi and drove home to the blonde's house. It would have been faster on the rooftops and the cobwebs, but I didn't want to sweat, and I felt like I'd be forced to dance at the party. When I got to the right floor, I poked the bell button. Standing, looking, waiting... The door opens... slowly, and I realised I'd walked in badly.
- Hello, Mr Stacey.
- Hello, Peter! Come on in! - he steps aside to let me in. - Gwen's still getting ready, you'll have to wait a bit.
- That's all right.
- Come in, sit down. Tea, coffee?
- Juice, if you like.
While George Stacey went into the kitchen, I had a little look round. Quite a comfortable place to live, I must say. Apparently, police captains make a good living. The furniture and appliances were quite expensive, to my unsophisticated eye, of course. Besides, one could immediately feel a woman's hand in the flat. Everything sparkled and shone, there was no place for dust, as well as scattered things. But at the same time there was no sense of museum-like premises. It felt homely.
The blonde's father returned and handed me a glass of cherry juice. It was very useful for me, because the next forty minutes of my life my interlocutor unobtrusively turned into a firm interrogation of my favourite. It seems the questions were harmless. How are you? What's new at school? I hear you and Gwen got jobs as lab technicians at the university? That sort of thing... but somehow I felt out of place.
Thankfully, the blonde finally turned up.
- Dad, stop torturing my boyfriend! - I almost choked on my juice, and her father smiled at me so affectionately....
- Gwen, you're adorable. But let's hurry up or we'll be late. - I took the blonde under my elbow and hurried away before the storm hit. - I promise to bring your daughter back safely! - I shouted from the stairwell and pushed us into the lift. Breathing the air out of my lungs, I leaned against the wall.
- Hee hee hee...
She was laughing, you see! She must have taken so long to get ready on purpose and giggled at me. Sneaky woman!
- Oooooooo... - howling at the moon, I pulled out my mobile phone. - Hello. Taxi?
I don't know who threw the party, but he spared no expense with his country cottage. Brave bloke. Or girl, whatever. But it's a nice cottage, very nice, yeah. Mnu, he wants one! Although, no... cleaning it would be like death! A maid? No way, she has to pay her salary! No, not an option!
It's quite a crowd, by the way. Probably half of all the students at our university. Music, dancing, plastic cups with beer - what else do young people need? Especially when it's all free! Now, where's the bastard who invited us here? Brock to the left! Yeah, there's a glimpse of his head. Let's go and have a chat, we hardly know anyone else here anyway. As we walked through the crowd, I noticed a few irritated looks at Gwen from the guys. MY Gwen! Mine? Yeah, yeah. Mine! Stop denying the obvious. I like her and don't turn your nose up at her.
I've been looked at too, thank God by girls. That's the last thing we need! I'm not that kind of girl, thank God for the Apocalypse. Some of the fair sex threw interested glances at me, but I made a brick face, and in general I pressed the blonde to me tightly. No need to shirk, let her protect poor me! She dressed me up, and now I have to suffer! Where's the justice in that? I should have refused her pleas, but who knew I looked so good in normal clothes?
- Eddie! Hi! - I never did like blasting the music.
- Oh! You guys are here! - the blond guy cheered.
I missed most of the party, actually. Eddie was introducing us to his countless acquaintances, I don't think I remember anyone, I've got Gwen, so let her put her to good use! We danced, drank beer, chatted and all that.
- Piss off, Ryan! I said back off! - A velvety girl's voice cut through the music for a second, followed by a slap. A few people near us hurriedly parted, and into the vacant lot, head held high, stepped... another blonde! Oh, no! Not that one!
- Hey! Felicia! - Eddie, why don't you have a nice life, eh?
Hardy looked at the blond (what is it with blondes?), her angry eyes brightened a little and she came over to us. I guess it's fate. What else am I supposed to think? I've just got to meet Harry Osborne at a party here and it'll be bollocks!
- Hello, Eddie! Going out?
- Yeah! Meet the lot of you. These are my friends and colleagues. Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey. Guys, this is Felicia Hardy. She's a student here, too, but she's in a different department. - We said hello. - Listen, Felicia. Did you have a fight with Ryan? - Brock asked me embarrassed.
- No. She raised her head again. - I broke up with him! He's an arsehole! And a bastard!
Brock was pleased, though he tried to hide it. I can understand it, though. Felicia was just as good as Gwen. Just as pretty, just as slim, and in all the right places, just as good! In fact, the girls could be mistaken for sisters, because they were so similar. But at the same time, they were as different as the moon and the sun. That's right. The colour of their hair alone made them different. How is that possible? They're both blonde! Well, Gwen was the sun. Bright, warm and gentle. Her shimmering gold hair was like a reflection of her essence. As was Felicia's platinum, cool hair colour. Like light reflecting off the moon - mysterious, proud, icy. No wonder Brock decided to take advantage of the situation and hit on the pretty girl.
At one point, I was so sick of all the noise and clamour that I decided to find a quiet place for at least a dozen minutes. Brock and Hardy were missing somewhere. But as far as I could see, they weren't together. Felicia ignored or thwarted all attempts to approach them. Brock's a fool, what can I say?
- Gwen! - I tried to convey my desire to my friend. - Come on, let's go look for a quiet place! I want to rest a little!
The blonde looked at me strangely, but then pressed closer, and we went to the first floor. It seemed to me that it should be less crowded, and if I was lucky, I could even find a bathroom and rinse my head. As it turned out experientially, I don't know how to drink beer... in such quantities.
Looks like it was once again the capricious lady called Fate! Just as we were getting up, we heard a shrill shout.
- Stay here! - I shouted to Gwen, and rushed towards the scream. It's like a reflex to run to the screams... I'm damaged, I guess... I think the screams were coming from behind that door. I pulled it open, but it was locked. Hearing muffled swearing and sounds of blows, I did not hesitate to kick the door. What I saw made my blood boil. The pressure hit my head, and it sounded like I was roaring with anger. Felicia was lying on the floor. The bottom of her dress was pulled up, her breasts torn, her bra pushed down. An unfamiliar guy stood on top of the girl, one hand covering her mouth, the other slapping her face and everywhere else he could get his hands on her. His trousers were down.
- ...ava! Rich little whore! You bit me! You bitch! I'm gonna fuck you up the arse, bitch!
A film of blood covered my eyes. And I didn't notice how I stepped into the room and threw the rapist bastard into the massive chest of drawers with one hand. Which made the latter break a little. I don't know how, but I managed to regain control. In time. I had the bastard pinned against the wall with his hand in the air. He was already unconscious... Shit! If I'd been a moment longer, I'd have punched him in the head! That's bad, that's very bad... I've had enough of one dead soul. Yeah. I killed a man, I killed a man. I didn't know what I was doing, intoxicated by the power I had in me. The face of that poor robber still haunts my dreams. I've never been a pacifist, but I can't take a life just yet. No matter what kind of bastard my opponent is. Even a rapist.
- Oh, my God! A familiar voice called out.
- Gwen, help her. - I asked tiredly, nodding my head at the horrified Felicia staring at me. - I'll find Eddie and call a taxi.
So! What do we do? The eternal question, damn it! Where's that blond blonde carcass? Is he hiding from me? It's bad timing... The first option a decent person would think of. Call the police. Nope, not an option. Rape is not a topic that should be brought into the public eye. At least that's how I think. And in the case of someone as famous as Felicia Hardy, no-one needs to know.
- Eddie! - I've finally found the invisible man. - Come on!
- Something wrong, Pete? - Brock asked a little drunk.
- Yeah. Wait here! - I ordered brutally, copying Shark's tone, near the broken door. - Is everything okay?
I asked the girls, but they didn't answer me. Felicia was crying, clinging to Gwen. She was whispering quietly and wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. Sighing heavily, I grabbed the scruff of the half-corpse that was the rapist and dragged him towards the door.
- Do you know this creep? - I asked Brock, dragging the body out into the corridor.
- Uh... um... d-yeah. That's Ryan... he's Felicia's boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend, actually. Pete, what happened?
- Oh, I see. He was picking on the girls, so I had to calm him down. I think he was drunk. Anyway, Eddie, take care of his body. Find an empty room and put him to bed. Let him sleep it off.
- But, Pete, I--
- Eddie, either you get him somewhere or I'm not responsible for me! Get him away from me!
I hope Eddie understood me. I was really angry right now. I wasn't in control of myself. I went back into the room and ordered a taxi.
- Ladies, I apologise, but I don't think we should stay here.
- Did you call the police? - Gwen asked.
- No. I don't think it's necessary for now. We need to decide where we're going now.
- Take me home... - Felicia whispered softly.
- I will.
Gwen tidied Hardy up a bit. Wiped off her make-up, adjusted her dress. I took a light jacket out of my bag, as I knew it would come in handy. So we went out. There was no sign of Eddie or Ryan. The bulk of the party was already drunk, which was certainly to our advantage, and Felicia knew where the back exit was. That cut down the number of possible witnesses even further. The car was waiting for us. The girls got in the back seat, I got in the driver's seat. We gave them the address and drove off. How am I supposed to answer to her mum now? It looks like it will not be the easiest case... We drove for a long time, Gwen was quietly comforting the victim and helping her to recover.
- Thank you. - I paid the driver and turned to the girls. - Shall we go?
Felicia lived in an upscale high-rise. Security at the entrance let us in. When asked sparingly if everything was okay, I answered just as sparingly. 'It's all right, Miss Hardy had a bit too much to drink. Apparently, the incidents had already happened, so we weren't bothered any more.
- What are we going to tell your parents? - I asked as I got into the lift.
- Nothing. - Gwen answered for some reason. - Felicia's mother is out of town. The flat is empty.
The fact that the girls are talking is good. It means everything's gonna be okay. There was only one door on the floor we needed. I can't even begin to guess how much space this flat takes up! The key turns in the keyhole, and Gwen and Felicia go in first. I shut the armoured door behind me and a hurricane comes rushing in, my spider-sense just bursting, but it's all for nothing, I just don't have time to do anything about it. I turn my head and see the girls fall to the floor. My gut pushes me to the side, and I shift slightly before I can see a dart flying past. I miss a few more similar projectiles as well. Looks like someone is getting bored. I hear the muffled sounds of gunfire. Then a sharp pain in my shoulder, and my left leg. I fall to the floor.
- Grab the girl! Let's get out of here!
- Which one? There's two blondes!
- Fucking hell! I'll do it! Let's go!
Where are you going? Shit! What kind of day is this? I got a scratch on my leg, and a bullet through my shoulder. It sucks, but it's bearable. I rush towards the sounds, but all I can see is people jumping and flying off the balcony. They seemed to have some kind of jetpack on their backs, I don't know what kind of construction it was, but they were flying five guys quite fast, and most importantly almost silently. Bastards! We had to act fast, too. But first, I rushed back to the entrance. I checked the pulse of the girl lying on the floor. Alive, thank Thor! Pulling out the dart that had killed her, I carefully carried Gwen to the couch. My bag slipped off my shoulder. I hope those darts have regular sleeping pills on them, I really hope so....
Darts on my hands, gloves in there, shoes on, and a mask on my head. That's it! No time to put on the suit. I leap out of the balcony and jump towards the kidnappers' flight. I don't feel the wound, but I'm sure it'll come back to me later.
Where the hell did those bastards go? Looks like I need to get to work making some superhero gear. Things are moving around me a little too fast. I can't keep up. That's too bad. The trail of the Flyers had gone cold, and all I could do was hope for luck. Which isn't so bad... Oh! There you are! Climbing to the highest point in the neighbourhood, I was able to spot the kidnappers. And just in time, too. If I'd just been a little bit more, they would've got away from me for good. Jump!
Those bastards are practically in the centre of town! They're not afraid of anything, the bastards! Jumping onto the right roof, I found my way down into the building. I opened the door and went inside, jumped up carefully and crawled along the ceiling. I've noticed many times that most of the opponents don't look up. As far as I remember, it's an office building. It seems that no one has rented the top floor for their needs yet. That's what the Dark Ones took advantage of. I didn't have to look for them for long, but some loud swearing and a vague noise led me straight to the target. Now the guys and, oh wonder, one girl, were taking off their gear. They looked quite funny, by the way, the stylised helmets alone were worth it. On the front part you could recognise an ugly yellow face. Something vague prickled in his mind, but there was no time to think about it. Waiting for them to put aside their weapons, I stupidly spun a web around them. Even though they were regular humans, it didn't stop them from putting holes in my carcass, as they'd already proven. And since I didn't want to get a few more holes, I didn't dare to be a hero and go into hand-to-hand combat.
- Who the hell are you!? Bastard! - wheezed one of the kidnappers.
Instead of answering, I kicked him in the stomach. I've lost my kindness today.
- I ask questions, you answer! Is that clear?!
- Fuck you. Argh!
For the next ten minutes, I poured out my soul and negativity. Even the girl got a few punches in. And that arsehole who dared to say something, now he was spitting blood and pretending to be an angel.
- Let me ask you one more time. Is everyone clear?!
- Y-yes... yes... yes, goddamn it... ask me. - Is this one the leader or what?
- Where's the girl?
- Outside the door.
I followed his nod and went there. The door was locked, but the key was in the lock. Probably afraid Felicia might come to her senses. Opened the door. The blonde was there on some sort of cot. Checked her condition as best he could, finished with that, went back inside. The snarling man seemed to want to die, otherwise why was he trying so hard to cut the cobwebs with a knife? That's it! Stop beating him up, he's already unconscious and missing a couple of front teeth. I went through my prisoners and collected anything that could serve as a weapon. Sitting down beside the only girl in this spoilt company, I began to ask her.
- When will she wake up?
- Twenty, thirty minutes. - they answered me with a wince.
- Who are you working for? Purpose of the kidnapping? - No response.
- If I tell you, we're all dead.
- I'm the only one you should be afraid of right now! If I don't get answers, you're dead! No way. But maybe you'll just have a little more time. Tell me! - my fist slammed into the wall next to her head.
- Shit! Shit! Shit! All right! Osborne! He ordered it! I don't know why! We don't get that kind of information. We're just doers!
- Is that gear you're wearing his, too?
- Yes. Experimental military kit - Hobgoblin.
What?! Did I just hear you? Hobgoblin? That's what he is! I'm dreading meeting Rhinoceros, he'll turn out to be some sort of tank or terminator! A whole squad of trained specialists with advanced equipment, that's awesome! And it's the more logical and correct approach on Osborne's part.
- What were your orders to do with the prisoner?
- Hide her in a safe place for a few days. Then await instructions.
I couldn't tell the difference between truth and falsehood, but my empathy helped me. I could sense when the other person was being sceptical. That's why the interrogation passed quickly and I almost didn't beat the girl, she turned out to be smarter than the coughing one, and a few pokes under the ribs were enough for her. From the words of my almost voluntary informant, the following followed. The group had only been given a target yesterday. They hadn't even had time to rest from the previous action. They were given a week to kidnap the younger Hardy. But having learnt that Lydia had urgently flown somewhere and her daughter would be alone that night, they decided not to delay. They sneak into the flat and wait for the target. I already know the rest. They hadn't had time to report upstairs yet, and as it turned out, no one knew about their lair either.
The situation was working out just fine for me. But I had to hurry. I wrapped my captives in the cobwebs and found their first aid kit. After injecting myself with a strong painkiller, I picked up the still emotionless Felicia and jumped to her house. My arm hurt, and I couldn't control it very well. As a matter of fact, I was surprised I hadn't bled out so far. Sure, I bandaged the wound with a torn off sleeve, right after the wound, but that's still no method. Slowly but surely I reached my goal. Putting Felicia in the chair, I removed my mask, gloves, and throwers at a pace. Gwen was still asleep as well. As much as I wanted to, I carried her into the bathroom and washed her with cold water, starting to come round.
- Gwen, can you hear me? Wake up, sleepyhead!
- Pete? W-what's wrong? I... - the blonde mumbled weakly, but then she saw the red bandage on my arm from the blood seeping out. - Oh, my God! Peter, what's wrong with you?!
- Gwen, listen to me! I'm fine. I don't understand much either. I closed the door, I turned round and I just saw you fall. Then I got hit, and I blacked out, too. When I woke up, Felicia was gone, and you and I were on the floor. But then this weirdo showed up, remember, on the news? What's his name? Spider! The Spider! He brought Felicia. He said she'd been kidnapped.
- Peter, you need to get to a hospital! When are the police coming? Have you called an ambulance yet?
- Stop! Gwen, there will be no police and no ambulance! Listen to me! - I raised my voice when she tried to contradict me. - Right now you're bringing Felicia round. You help her change into whole clothes, and you go to your house. You tell your dad you're having a sleepover with a friend. Here's the money for the taxi.
- But, Pete, but what about--?
- Gwen, do as I say. - I said tiredly. - Tomorrow we'll think it over and make a decision. Right now, you're right, I need to see a doctor and you're wasting time.
- All right, Peter. I'll do it. I wish I could do it right away.
- Thank you,' I put my healthy arm around her.
The two of us brought an uncomprehending Felicia to her senses. The girl was lethargic, but she obeyed without question. Which was to our advantage. After making sure that the blondes got into the taxi, I hurried back to the abandoned kidnappers. Actually, we could have called an ambulance, the police, even the fire department and the FBI. In a way, it would have been better. At least I could have had my wound treated. But there were several reasons why I didn't want to publicise what had happened. The biggest one was the attention it would get. I may be smart, but I don't think I'm the smartest. I don't know what forensics and other specialists might have found and realised. They'd ask me to show them the contents of my bag, and there'd be triggers and a Spider suit. And that's the most obvious option. So I figure if the police and others don't know what happened at all, I'll be more comfortable with my life.
Then I wanted to have another chat with the unlucky kidnappers. Even though the girl assured me that nobody else knew about their lie-in, I'd better not postpone the visit. I needed three things from them: information, equipment, and money. They were simple performers, but they might be able to tell me something useful. I'll take their suits, that's for sure, what's the use? And the money, which I'll find out more about in a moment.
- Shall we proceed, gentlemen? - I asked the bored girl with a wry smile.
Felicia's kidnapping was not the group's first task. They'd been working for Osborne Sr. for a long time, and they'd been productive. They had robbed banks and collection vehicles, kidnapped and killed people, extracted debts from debtors. The list of deeds was long, and the more I listened, the darker I got. The Hobgoblins were not angels, far from being angels, rather even their antipodes.
It is clear that such useful personnel were paid, and paid very generously. But here's the trick, most of my new acquaintances received their salaries on a card. Obviously, I couldn't let them go to the bank to get money. But the guys had a joint. So to speak, an inviolable reserve of cash for a rainy day, so I learnt the coordinates of one interesting place, where a bag of almost a hundred thousand dollars would be waiting for me. I also learnt something unexpected, it turns out I was wrong to sin on that puking guy, he wasn't the leader of the band at all.
- Listen, stranger, I want to talk to you in private. - The woman asked at the end of the interrogation.
Nodding thoughtfully, I pulled her into the room where they were holding Felicia. I thought I would have little interest in the conversation the woman was having. But I was wrong.
- I don't know who you are, but you're not going to let us out alive, are you?
I nodded, and only then did I realise what I'd done. Yes, for the last five minutes I've been thinking hard about what to do with my new acquaintances. I had been trying to find the most correct and true option, trying to find workarounds and solutions. But I've already decided everything for myself. To the scrap... The snarling one was already ready to take his breath away, and the others... they were obviously not innocent virgins, so....
- You won't let go...' the woman smiled crookedly. - In fact, it doesn't matter whether you honour my request or not. I won't know about it anymore. Anyway, listen. Unlike the others, I never trusted banks with money. Or rather, I was afraid that one day I wouldn't be able to get it back. That's why all my finances are in cash. I'll tell you how to get it. Why am I doing this? Because there's still hope in me that you can give some of it to my sister. She's sick, I'm told there's no cure. But I've been collecting this money anyway, in the hope of a future, and to keep her alive...
What a person can do... After listening to the woman, I just kept silent for a while. I don't know... Maybe she's trying to make me feel sorry for her, maybe she's hoping that I'll let her go. I don't know, but she wasn't lying about her sister....
I walked silently out of the room to the pile of equipment collected from the kidnappers. I found a pistol with a silencer screwed on. Four soft pops and it was almost done. Pulled a small glass bottle from my bag. My cobwebs take literally six or seven hours to decompose, but if you treat them with this liquid, they melt before your eyes. I went to the last of the group and treated the cobwebs on her as well. Now nobody can say Spider-Man was here.
- There's one bullet. You can take your chances with me. If not, you can decide your own fate. I promise I won't follow you if you leave. - I handed her the gun.
- I'm a dead man anyway, stranger. - she smiled. - They know about my sister, if I leave, they'll be waiting for me, and if I don't come, they'll just kill her. Give her at least one more year, stranger... -shot.....