[A/N: Chapter soundtrack: Hold On / Chord Overstreet]
Aybel didn't even wait for the boy's response as they sped past the ornament...
"Ahh!" Koki's head snapped back as Aybel's foot collided with his spine, throwing him downward, allowing Aybel to springboard upwards in the same instance.
Barely, and just in time too, he managed to grab hold of the chandelier, his fingers intertwining with the chains.
"Tch."
He gritted his teeth as the impact jarred his arm almost ripping it off its socket. But he held on despite its force yanking him downwards.
With his body dangling, struggling against the weight dragging him, he grabbed the chain with his other hand, ensuring his grip.
His arms burned in white hot pain. But the boy had a job to do.
Finger's tightened around the chandelier's chain, he attempted to climb it.
His arms quivered as he put all his strength into one arm, then the other.
Come on... Come on...
His palms dug into the chain as his legs hugged the other end.
Using the last of his energy, Aybel pulled himself up enough to grab a firmer hold on the chandelier.
Finally, he maneuvered his way into a perch, body pressed against the ornament, hand firmly wrapped around the chain as if he were holding a dog on a leash.
"Hah..." The boy sighed with a look that showed his exhaustion.
"...Hah..." His breathing now heavy and laboured.
Aybel's eyes looked down on the scene, his arms trembling with fatigue.
"I did it. But... I... I really can't do much more... I can't even feel my arms."
His entire body was engulfed in sweat.
Catching his breath for a moment, he took in his surroundings.
From this elevated vantage point, he looked across at Koki, and could only see the terrified back of the overweight boy.
I suppose I should feel remorse for using him like that, but there's no point in thinking that now...
Koki Aketarou...
Who could have predicted that...
Aybel's exhausted face began to feel numb, his emotions becoming dull and lifeless.
I mean, I didn't know he was here... But at least he's a familiar face. I guess that's something. He's the only one here I have that connection to.
He sighed.
Now's not the time to reflect on that... If he's here then there's a decent chance Aria is too...
"...So..." His icy stare fixed on the glowing slits.
"What should I do?" Aybel muttered to himself, eyes shifting back to the chains.
"I can't let go, for one... If I get off, the whole thing would just fall back down." His voice, the only sound that filled the silent air.
"But the question still remains, how do I break it...?"
Thinking on it, Aybel's options ran thin as time slid away, leaving him with no choice.
He had come to a decision.
"There's no way it'll work..."
Still, he had to try...
He took a deep, shaky breath.
Using every shred of strength left in his tired body, both hands holding onto the chains, he settled for pounding the chandelier relentlessly.
Dong! Bong! Dong! Bong!
The pain was excruciating, but he ignored it.
Of course. Even in this life-or-death situation, nothing comes easy.
Splatters of red blood dotted his already pale complexion.
Why would it? That's just the way it is...
Even though he was well aware of the damage he was causing to his knuckles, he kept striking it.
Bong! Dong! Bong! Dong! Dong! Bong!
Damn it... Right now, she could be falling...
The thought was eating at him.
In her condition, falling from such a great height...
Aybel froze for a second.
"I cannot let that happen."
BONK! DONK! DONK! DONK! BONK! BONK!
Alas, after several hits, he could see just how fruitless his efforts were.
Tch. So stubborn. What's with this thing? Doesn't it have a weak point, or some rusted area? Why won't it break?
...No. I'm the problem... I need to think. There has to be some other way...
With his energy almost all but gone, Aybel looked up, his eyes searching for any solution.
The pandemonium above could only be described as a coalition of student bodies all screaming, crying, pleading, and yelling at the same time.
The situation was nothing short of dire.
And yet, someone caught his eye amongst the crowds of frantic students.
It was the girl with the sports jersey whom he had contemplated using as a 'springboard' earlier.
Now, she clinged to one of the massive dilapidated shortened pillars, inching her way to its jagged tip.
"How did she get there?" Aybel muttered to himself as he stared at her... impressed.
She's smart. That's a very good idea.
Since the pillar is broken off at the top, she might just be able to reach it. That is, if she can hold on long enough.
Her hands were wrapped around the rough edges as she tried to find a foothold.
I can't even begin to imagine just how badly burned or bloodied her palms must be.
But the damage already done was severe. Blood dripped from her wrist betraying her as it slipped off...
The girl's face turned to fear, her eyes crying out.
She's in a tight spot. Her left side is now exposed to the open abyss.
Aybel watched her sway wildly in silence, awaiting her fate.
Still... I trust that she can hold on.
And then, a thought struck him.
The pillars, of course...
What if I can somehow guide the chandelier into them instead?
With enough force, it should be heavy enough to shatter on impact...
In the corner of his eye though, the boy with multicolored hair spotted something unpleasant moving.
To Be Continued...