Clone Chronicles

Chapter 5: Bullies

The bullies have caught up with me. Us. How they escaped the oddly dressed soldiers I have no idea. They look somewhat the worse for wear, one staggering, the smallest with blood running down his face from a gash in his temple.

They are no longer smiling. Predators, they picked the perfect spot to pin us down. Poppy releases her grip on me, her face scrunched in fear, but her hands now holding a short length of pipe she's fished out of her heavy jacket.

They don't speak when they attack. I step out immediately, the calm returning. Poppy must be safe. The first dives for me and I lash out, fist impacting his jaw as I twist to the side and let him fall. The second is right behind him, rushing at me in a tackle. He is simple to sidestep, my elbow coming down on the back of his neck. I hear him grunt and the c***k of bone even as I spin and lash out with my left foot, taking the smallest in the nose with the toe of my boot. He crumples where he stands, a heap of unconsciousness as I turn and duck the last of the bullies. The largest, the instigator. I can feel it, know it. He wants me that badly?

He can have me.

My fist drives upward into the soft flesh of his neck, lifting him backward as his windpipe collapses under my hand. I sweep one foot forward, dropping to a crouch, his knees buckling from the impact. He hits the ground, gargling as he clutches at his ruined throat, fighting for air.

I should feel guilty. Should I feel guilty? Instead I watch him die while his friends gather themselves together and run from me.

It feels good, the battle. My blood is on fire, my body wanting to chase them down and hurt them more. But the girl, Poppy, breaks through. I spin, eyes searching for her with near desperation.

She stands there, gaze sad, and she's not alone. I lurch forward to protect her from the people who hold her back. I will save her. I will.

Her eyes fly wide, mouth hanging open as she pulls against hands keeping her from me. "No!"

I feel movement behind, know I've allowed myself to be distracted and it means the end for both of us. Something impacts the back of my head and darkness closes in again.

***