Our HERO fell through the glass skylight. He landed hard on his head. It took him a second to shake off the impact. To get back on his feet. He is very athletic, but even his athleticism could not help him with this fall. He always got back on his feet. Even when everything hurts, he could taste his own blood. His head rang like an old church bell. It was hard to focus. It has been a tough night. He fucked up badly. He doubted he could save his own ass this time. He let everyone down. The city was being wiped out. All he could do was run.
The room he landed in was dark.
It was once an old studio, he thinks. Small. Kitchen, living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Light barely entered the room from a pair of boarded-up windows. He quickly found his only exit, the front door. There might have been a backdoor, but he doubted it.
Right now, the place was being used for storage. Few boxes against the walls and a few squeaks from angry rats. He was the only thing in the room. He was not sure if it is dark because he hit his head or that an ominous cloud of death blocks the moonlight. The death he could have stopped.
Probably a good idea too, not think about it, he thought.
Dr. Richard Samuel Swann a man-of-action, an adventure extraordinaire. His mother called him Richard. No one else. Thoughts of his mom's homemade ice cream brought him back to reality, or maybe it was the pair of heavy thuds behind and in front of him. He was not the only one in the room anymore. He tried to pick out the figures from the darkness, but his vision was still out of focus from the fall and other events that led him to be in the room. He was sure they were the same dogged assassins from earlier in the night. He admired their single-mindedness.
******
The assassins understood the importance of their task. The Great Serpent had made it clear.
SWANN MUST DIE!!
Each one of The Great Serpent’s assassins was hand-picked at a young age. Fed a secret formula that made them feel unstoppable. They were bred to be murderers. They understood nothing else. Failure was death. Death was not an option. Ten assassins began their night chasing Swann. Now only two remained. Fear never entered their minds. Even when Swann systematically killed their comrades. They just kept hunting. The Great Serpent’s word would be obeyed.
SWANN MUST DIE! The Great Serpent’s word must be obeyed.
******
The Great Serpent’s assassins were dressed in green. Each one seemed bigger than the last. It amazed Swann how quickly they moved. The combatants moved like dance partners. Every move was in sync. They were lightning fast even in pitch darkness. They both jumped at Swann. They knew his moves. They had him boxed in. They would do everything to keep him in this room. Swann anticipated each grab. He pushed away from one, only to be grabbed by another. Each assassin Swann skillfully countered with a jab to any unprotected areas. They were determined to get a hold of him. Even if it meant getting hit. The trio was weaponless. They had lost any advantage a weapon would have given them long ago. One of the assassins grabs Swann’s wrist, twists him. Turns him into the other assassin. Swann used the move against the other assailant. Kicked him square in the chin. His jaw made a sickening THUNK from the kick. A lesser opponent would have crumbled to the ground. He just staggered back a few feet. Needing a second to regroup. The other assassin’s hands tightened down like a vice on Swann. Another second, his wrist would surely break. Swann turned on his assassin. With all the force he had left with his free hand. Swann smashed down on his opponent’s forearm. It was like hitting a steel beam. But it worked. The assassin's wrist broke. His grip loosened enough for Swann to make his escape. They were only human, Swann thought. Swann leaned his shoulders into the heavier man. Hoping to break the other man’s grip on his wrist. Get under the big man’s frame, he thought. Then turn, and fireman carries him into the other assassin. Very few things surprised The Great Serpent assassins. One of those things was seeing his comrade being shoved in his face seconds after being kicked in the chin. It was an unwelcome surprise for sure. Free from the other assassin grip. Swann needed to find a way out of this room before the pair untangled themselves. With the only door blocked by a tangled mess of angry man flesh. Swann’s options were limited to the skylight and a pair of boarded-off widows. Neither held much promise. His exit would have to be through the assassins. Luckily, the assassins were slow getting up. Giving him that needed second to crash through the door. The assassins were tenacious. They would not let Swann exit so easily. The grounded assassins flailed wildly at Swann's legs. Swann cursed as he tumbled. These last few days had slowed him down.
******
The Great Serpent plan was working perfectly. He was mad at himself for not thinking of this sooner. Years of defeat at the hands of his rival. Master plan after another squashed by his nemesis, Dr. Richard Swann.
Finally, not this time.
******
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