— Grenade !
When the grenade fell, screams of terror filled the air on the opposite side, followed by a deafening explosion. Fragments flew everywhere, and various cries of pain mixed with the roar.
Ethan patted Siobhan on the shoulder, pulled the Glock out of the holster around his waist, and launched himself forward.
Behind the concrete platform in front of them, a black man fell to the ground. He grabbed his thigh with a grimace of pain, desperately asking his companions for help.
Seeing Ethan's figure appear, the man began to crawl towards the weapon that had fallen into the distance.
Ethan raised his gun and, without hesitation, shot twice in the man's back.
Ethan did not stop and continued running forward, closely followed by Siobhan. Passing the wounded man, Ethan waved his arm and shot twice more in the head.
On the other side, the shooting intensified. Brock ran forward with a shotgun in his hands.
— Ethan, to the ground! —Siobhan screamed suddenly.
Ethan quickly dropped to the ground.
Two enemy men appeared from the side, holding assault rifles in their hands. It was hard to imagine where Rabbit had gotten so many powerful weapons.
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he clenched his teeth and he lay on the ground, raising his pistol.
Siobhan fired first, and Ethan followed, pulling the trigger with a frenzy.
The two men who had appeared smiled fiercely as their weapons continued to spit fire. Bullets flew everywhere during a chaotic moment. Under the intense exchange of fire, a mixture of red and white exploded from the head of one of the men across the street, and Siobhan stepped back and fell to the side with disorderly movements.
The other man dressed in black, panicked, tried to turn around and run away. Ethan quickly got up and shot him with precise shots.
At that moment, a desperate scream came from the other side.
— Ah damn they gave me, help me! —Brock's panic voice was heard.
Job tried to run towards Brock to help him, but several shots from the opposite side forced him to back off. The bullets hit the concrete floor, raising clouds of dust and smoke.
Ethan got up quickly, took two steps back, grabbed Siobhan by the arm, and dragged her to the nearby concrete pier.
—I'm fine, I'm fine —Siobhan said, leaning against the concrete spring. He grabbed Ethan's hand and sat down.
He looked at the bullet that had hit his vest with an expression of relief. Fortunately, before leaving, everyone put on their bulletproof vests, they wouldn't be so sloppy to forget it before entering a shooting.
Ethan noticed that Siobhan was sweating profusely and his face had turned pale, so he helped her loosen her armor a little.
—Rest here for a while. I'm going to see what's going on.
Brock's screams were still echoing, so Ethan had to leave Siobhan in his place. He changed the Glock charger in his hand and moved on.
—The shooter is at the top of the tower —Job shouted from the other side when he saw the figure of Ethan appear.
He and Emmett were so cornered that they couldn't lift their heads. Not far from them, Brock lay on the floor with an expression of pain, and the leg of his pants was drenched in blood.
Fortunately, due to the angle, his position was beyond the reach of the shooter in the tower.
Ethan ran out from behind a pile of rubble as he shot toward the tower, causing the metal railing to resonate. The shooter, surprised, rolled quickly to avoid being hit.
Job and Emmett took the opportunity to run and drag Brock back.
At that moment, the shooting stopped suddenly, and the Glock's slide in Ethan's hand receded, and he ran out of ammunition.
Ethan quickly released his hands, dropping the Glock, and then stood up with his hands under his armpits.
The shooter in the tower smirked as he heard that the shooting stopped.
He stopped his rolling body, lifted the M4 and looked down.
The last image she saw in her life was that of a tall man with short black hair, standing up to him with a Beretta that glowed in the night, his smile did not last long, Ethan pulled the trigger, lighting the powder inside the bullet. The warhead shot out and embedded itself in the shooter's head in the tower.
Instantly, his head leaned back, and a mixture of red and white splashed the wall behind him.
When the shooting stopped, the huge factory was silent, except for everyone's hectic breathing and Brock's moans of pain.
Ethan approached Brock, whose leg was still bleeding.
Ethan put his Beretta back in place, pulled a tourniquet out of Emmett's belt, and tied it around Brock's leg. Siobhan also approached after recovering.
At that moment, a nearby iron door slowly opened.
Job raised his head and his pupils contracted violently.
Two men forced the iron door open it. In the center, Hood was kneeling with the barrel of a rifle, his neck was pink, he looked with surprise and relief at his friends.
Ethan looked at a metal tube, which I can quickly identify as a RPG coiehte spear in front of the man and muttered to himself:
—RPG.
At that moment, Brock, who was lying on the ground, quickly raised his weapon.
There was no sound to warn of the gun being fired, only the man's smile with the RPG stopped instantly, and suddenly a shot rumbled through the scene, and soon a black hole appeared on his forehead, while a thread of blood covered his face. The next moment, his body fell, but his fingers continued to execute instructions from his brain.
The RPG shot up, pointing directly at the ceiling.
A strong "burst" was heard and the flames erupted.
Ethan lay down quickly, protecting his head with his hands and covering Brock. The concrete blocks they splashed hit his body.
When the roar disappeared, Ethan turned around.
The men dressed in black at the door had disappeared, under the rubble with one of their mutilated limbs they were scattered on the ground.
— Damn it! We need to ask for support. Who knows what the hell they'll get out later? —Brock muttered, catching his breath.
Across the building.
Carrie moved cautiously, her breathing controlled, and her mind focused on one thing only: rescuing Hood. I knew time was running out.
With each step, Carrie slipped deeper into the building, her body a shadow in the dim light. The distant echo of a moan made her stop dead. I knew it was close.
Finally, he came to a large room at the bottom of a long hallway. In the center, illuminated by the dim light of a hanging lamp, was Hood, suspended from the ceiling by thick chains. His body was battered, covered in dried blood and bruises, and his head hung forward in a position denoting extreme exhaustion.
Beside him, leaning against a column, was Rabbit.
—I never thought you would have the courage to come all the way here. Anastasia had already forgiven you, you were free, but as always you keep crawling around Hood. —Rabbit said, not bothering to turn when he heard Carrie enter the room.
Carrie clenched her teeth, feeling a surge of anger mixed with worry at Hood's condition. He was alive, but barely. Rabbit had pushed him to the limit.
— What the hell did you do to him? —Carrie snapped, her voice low but full of contained fury.
Rabbit finally turned to look at her, a crooked smile playing on her lips.
—Nothing I just played a little with him. — Rabbit replied, pulling out his knife and playing with the blade, as if the situation was nothing more than a game for him.
Carrie felt the fury burn on her chest, but she knew that losing control would not help Hood. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to think clearly. He needed to free Hood, but Rabbit was on his way, and he couldn't afford a direct confrontation without risking his life.
—Let it go, and I'll let you go —said firmly, stepping forward —
Rabbit laughed, but his eyes remained cold.
—Always so sure of yourself, Carrie. But don't forget who is in control here.
Before Carrie could respond, Rabbit stepped toward her, the knife blade reflecting the low light in the room. The distance between the two narrowed in an instant, and Carrie knew she had no choice. With a quick movement, he pulled out his gun and aimed directly at Rabbit's chest.
Rabbit looked at her for a moment, then dropped his knife to the ground with a metallic noise. Her smile did not disappear, but she stepped back, raising her hands in surrender.
—As you like, Anastasia. But don't think this ends here —he said in a threatening tone
Carrie wasted no time. He put away his gun and ran to Hood. With a quick movement, he began to untie the chains that held him. Each link seemed challenging, but he finally managed to free one of his wrists. Hood fell forward, and Carrie held him, feeling the dead weight of his body. He was barely conscious, his eyes narrowed and his breathing heavy.
—Hood, hold on. I'll get you out of here —murmured, trying to hide his concern.
After the roar, Rabbit took the opportunity to escape, apparently his men were dead, he could only get out of here.
At the same time at the entrance.
Ethan laughed, hugged Brock's head, and kissed him, but Brock pulled him away with a grimace of disgust.
Everyone lying on the ground also got up, staying on guard, not knowing when the enemy would reappear.
Emmett and Ethan advanced to help Brock stand up. At that time, quick steps were heard from the other side, accompanied by sporadic shots.
—Swish, swish, swish.
All the weapons in his hands changed direction, pointing towards the hallway on the other side.
The steps were getting closer and closer, and suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance to the hallway. It was Carrie, holding Hood.
Carrie kept shooting behind her, and out of the corner of her eye she saw four or five weapons pointed at her, almost dying of fear.
It wasn't until he saw Job's bald spot that he sighed in relief.
— Where's Rabbit? —Job asked incredulously, lowering his weapon.
He and Ethan ran to pick up Hood, who was covered in blood. His face was swollen, and Ethan looked at him with concern as the corners of his mouth moved before he passed out.
—This Rabbit bastard escaped before he could reach him, escaped in shock from the explosion. But I'm sure he'll be back. — Carrie said, shooting wildly down the hall with both hands, still roaring furiously.
Rabbit was running through the brush, looking at the almost destroyed old building, things had taken an unexpected turn, Hood had more help than he thought, but this was not over and when the situation was unsustainable, he abandoned a dozen corpses and away from the place.
Ethan's team was also full of wounded soldiers and he could no longer continue the fight.
A few days later, at the Banshee Town hospital.
—Ethan crossed his arms and looked at Hood, lying on the hospital bed, while he slept soundly the wounds that Rabbit had made him, they were not for less, his arm was covered with a thick plaster splint, while more than half of his body wrapped in bandages, and the wounds on his face were clearly visible.
— How's it going? —Ethan asked.
Sugar walked to the chair, sat down slowly, and replied:
—It is improving. Although Rabbit gave him a hard time, he's a tough guy and he'll get over it.
Ethan nodded.
— What about you? How's the injury on your shoulder?
—The doctor says that I will be discharged in a few days. Then I invited you for a drink to celebrate that we lived to see another day, I just hope Job doesn't ruin my bar.
—Don't worry about it. The Davis Bar has been closed during this period. Job is too lazy to attend to those drunks. The bar business will only continue after you return.
—I know without you having to tell me. —Sugar toyed with the triangular bandage on his body, and then looked at Hood asleep —
—Okay, so I'm leaving, try to rest. — Ethan smiled, turned around, and left.
After leaving the room, Ethan looked at a redhead woman waiting outside, after exchanging a few words, she asked him to follow her.
After going around the hall twice, Ethan threw the package in his hand at him. The redhead stayed there as she entered the room and walked to the bathroom attached to the room.
Ethan ignored her, knocked on the door, opened it, and entered.
— What are you doing here in secret?
—Don't scare me, have you gone to see how Hood is?
Brock looked at him angrily, then leaned back and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter from the excess space in the sink, used the lighter to light the cigarette he had just put out, and gave a drag.
—He is fine, you tell me when you will go out and stop pretending that you are hurt so that the redhead continues to take care of you.
—I am much better now and should be able to get out of the hospital soon.
Ethan opened the window and the breeze came in with fresh air, removing the smoke from the room.
—We were all lucky, I just don't know now what to think of Mrs. Hopewell, things turned out strangely, I can't stop thinking about it.
Brock smoked the cigarette and continued excited:
—Yes, yes, you are right.
Whatever happens, Brock's miraculous shot saved their lives, and Ethan allowed him to brag about it.
— How is the situation now at the police station?
—It is still the same as before. That FBI agent, Dean Xavier, watches us at work every day. Emmett is almost bored to death. Only Siobhan can bear it for now.
Ethan took an apple next to him and quickly peeled it with a fruit knife.
—So what are we going to do that agent looking for answers and culprits? How did things end like this?
Ethan moved his fingers flexibly and a cold light shone from time to time. Brock frowned and couldn't help but say:
— Does my apple hold a grudge against you? You will harm her every time you come here.
Ethan left the fruit knife embarrassed and, after cutting it a little, the apple lost a lot of weight.
—Hey, who gave you permission to smoke in here?
The door to the room opened, and the red-haired girl from before entered menacingly, dressed in a white coat.
Brock was so scared that he choked on the cigarette, coughed twice, and then turned it off on the fruit tray next to him.
—I'm so sorry, this is my first time.
— Do you think I will believe it? —The redhead girl wore high heels to close the curtain next to the hospital bed. After looking at Ethan, he collected the medical records placed on the bed —. How do you feel today? Does the wound still hurt? —asked in a cold voice.
—Okay. I feel much better after taking the medicine —Brock replied sarcastically.
The redhead kept medical records, walked to bed, and said to Ethan:
—Okay, please help me shake the bed. I want to review it.
Ethan nodded quickly, walked to the end of the bed, and slowly raised the head.
After Brock's position was adjusted to a comfortable position, Ethan stopped moving it.
The redhead removed the stethoscope from her arms and leaned over to examine Brock.
It was obvious that the buttons on the white coat were not fastened properly, and when she leaned in, a deep ditch was exposed. Brock turned his head awkwardly, trying to control himself so as not to think about the black lace he had just seen.
Suddenly Brock was shocked and quickly held the redhead's hand.
—Sorry, did you make a mistake? I hurt my leg.
—That's right. —The red-haired girl in a white coat blinked confused, and Brock had no choice but to let go of his hand.
The next moment he released it, the stethoscope in the redhead's hand slipped down like lightning.
Brock gasped and looked at Ethan awkwardly.
Ethan finally couldn't help it anymore and suddenly laughed.
Brock was confused for a moment and looked at the redhead with confusion. At that moment, the redhead also took out the stethoscope, took off her white coat with a smile, exposing the bunny costume underneath, and twisted her waist.
—Bastard. —Brock's neck suddenly turned red, and he quickly grabbed two apples from the side and threw them at Ethan.
Ethan, quick with reflexes, caught the apples easily.
—Emma is new to the Club. I paid a lot of money for him to come dance for you. Don't waste it. Enjoy it.
After speaking, Ethan came out of the room with a smile and closed the door on Brock, very thoughtful.
Passing through the nurses station, Ethan put the two apples on the platform and showed a happy smile to the little nurse inside.
After leaving the hospital, Ethan blocked the dazzling sunlight with his hands and sighed.
Since the incident broke out at the abandoned metal factory, the person lying in the hospital has felt comfortable. He, Siobhan and Emmett had suffered the consequences of the boss.
FBI agent Dean Xavier was furious and stated that he would be on them, and would even review all the fines they issued three times.
While lost in his thoughts, Alma's voice came on the radio.
—Ethan, several bodies were found in the forest on the outskirts of the city on 85, near the hunting grounds. Emmett has arrived at the scene and needs support
—Okay, I'll be there right away.
Ethan left the radio and walked to the police car parked across the street. His Crown Victoria had been repaired and he had just picked it up yesterday.
Driving into the woods on the outskirts of the city, Ethan saw several cars parked in front of them and stopped.
While walking downhill, Emmett was removing a warning tape and people from the forensic department of the county police station were taking pictures of the well next door.
After Ethan helped Emmett remove the warning tape, he walked on the thick fallen leaves.
Three corpses were buried in the shallow well, and one of them had a large hole in the palm of his hand.
—A couple of hunters find three bodies, it looks like they are a couple of months old. They have no IDs, they will take them to the county coroner's office, so they can be identified by the dental plaques.
—I start to like Banshee, it seems that something always happens here.- I knew whose bodies they were exhuming, one of them was the real Lucas Hood, I had to warn Job, before they identified them.
As the mocking words fell, footsteps sounded. Ethan turned around and Dean, in a suit, walked carefully downhill.
Emmett stepped forward, stood in front of him, and said impatiently:
— How long are you going to supervise us? You don't have a job in D.C.