7AK-47 Slaughterhouse: This is Hell
Chapter 5: Exodus Imperia Lament
*BANG*
"HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!"
The moment we were expecting relief, hell forgot to knock on the door, but instead came crashing down upon us.
*BANG BANG BANG*
The motherfuckers were shooting at us.
I looked North, South, East, West.
It was me, Kohta, and Saeko against what seemed like a dozen mall survivors.
"Take cover!" yelled Kohta.
I immediately duck against a solid oak furniture. Shoes in the store flew above my head as pistol rounds and shotgun pellets continued to launch them upon impact.
Kohta and I simultaneously disengage the safety on our rifles. We make eye contact with each other and nod. We both knew a nod during a firefight is the universal sign to get ready to kick ass.
Kohta was the first to fire back. He removed the quick-release on his scope mount, and fired five rounds rapid-fire at the direction of where the muzzle flashes were coming from in the dark.
After he ducked back for cover, I peeked over and emptied a 30-round magazine.
*BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG *
I dropped back to cover. The motherfuckers started firing back. The gunfire was disintegrating my cover. As the rounds whizzed by, I looked around to assess the situation. That's when I noticed Saeko. She was hiding behind the brick entrance of the shoe store a few feet away from the large window panes that spanned most of the shop front.
But she didn't look right.
I was completely surprised at what I saw.
She was gripping the handle of her sheathed katana. Her face… saturated with fear. It was not the look of intense fear, but more a fear of hopelessness. It was the first time I witnessed vulnerability within her iron-like persona.
There was a short break in the gunfire. It seemed like the motherfuckers were reloading. I took this chance to run towards Saeko's position. She saw me sprinting towards her. She grabs my hand and pulls me into cover. She pulled me in with such force, my AK-47 swung on its sling from my chest to her face.
*Thunk*
"Oh shit, are you ok Saeko?"
There was still no gunfire so the atmosphere was silent.
She leaned in to whisper to me.
"I'm more worried about the bullets hitting my face than your rifle."
This was the type of girl who could take a beating.
I noticed her eye-socket swelling. I knew then that my rifle just gave her a black eye. I lean in to inspect her eye. Gun fire erupted once more.
*BANG BANG BANG*
She pulls me in deeper into the brick cover. That's when I felt softness come into contact with my lips. Like a bullet made out of clouds and cotton.
She kissed me… then proceeded to French kiss me… slipping her moist tongue against mine.
She then leaned up against my ear.
"My sword gives me tremendous power, but not enough to defeat a storm of bullets…"
I looked at her. Damsel in distress. My God…
"I fear… annihilation" she concludes.
A new fire erupts within me.
"Hey John, Saeko, HELP ME OUT!" yelled Kohta.
I could see Kohta reloading. I did the same. I repocketed the empty mag, and loaded in a 100-round drum mag.
"Follow close!" I told Saeko.
She nodded as she grabbed a nearby antique metal shoe-shining sign. Smart girl. She found herself a shield.
I grabbed her free hand and started rushing towards Kohta. The metal sign she was holding in her other hand was large enough to shield both of our upper bodies from direct fire.
Kohta tapped me on the shoulder and asked me, "Where the hell are the rest of us?!". All three of us looked at the opening. It was blocked. During the gun fight, a large ceramic panel weighing at least 500lbs was torn from its nylon restraints on the ceiling by shotgun pellets and fell in front of the opening. We did not notice it during the madness.
"John, you lay cover-fire while Saeko and I try to tip the damn thing over so we can get through the opening", shouted Kohta over the ear-piercing gun fire.
I also heard footsteps outside the store. The motherfuckers were closing in.
"No…" I said.
Saeko and Kohta looked at me bewildered.
"I'll pull it off the opening." I said.
Kohta gives me a look-through and realizes why I volunteered to be in the line of fire. People say I'm built solidly. Stock and muscular. My strength surely exceeds that of Saeko and Kohta combined.
Without any further notice, I sprint towards the panel. I grabbed one side of it while a round nearly missed my head and shattered on the ceramic panel.
I grasped the panel and pulled with raw, primal power. The adrenaline allowed me to displace the panel to the floor within a few seconds. I fear my own strength.
The opening was once again an opening. On the other side, Rei and Saya were smiling with tears in their eyes.
"Hurry! COME OUT!" yelled Saya.
Before I had the chance to turn around to let Saeko and Kohta know of the exit I just made, a 9mm round hits my shoulder.
"AH FUCK!"
I collapsed to the ground in pain and shock as the top of my shirt soaked in crimson red.
I could feel something tugging on my rifle sling as my vision blurred and blackened.
I look up to see Saeko, Kohta, and Takashi grabbing the length of my AK and dragging me out. I could see the stars of the night sky.
"Get up John!" yelled Takashi as he helped me up to my feet.
Once I was up, I noticed some of the motherfuckers entering the shoe store.
"RUN!"