6

The hall became dark, even the small lamps in the countertops stopped glowing.

Music started playing in the dark.

I even felt Kirby flinch, and I was shackled like a rabbit in front of a boa constrictor.

Suddenly Cornelius sat down in front of the piano, his thin fingers lay on the keys.

His voice was truly the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in this life.

Cornelius looks into my eyes and sings, I look into these incomparably beautiful brown lakes and see fear in them.

Everything that happened next happened in a thousandths of a second: a crowd of people dressed as a special forces unit ran in, lead rain fell in all directions, a lot of people got caught.

I pulled Kirby and Yanika under the table.

— Yanika, have you ever crawled fast?—I ask.— Don't straighten up, crawl towards the decorations! I'll find you later! —

— And where are you going?—Kirby asked, startled.

—I'll find him. I don't see him among the crowd!— I was shaking from unshed tears.— I can't leave him! —

— Is it possible to give your life for a stripper?—My brother stared at me.

— Kirby, I love Cornelius more than life, more than anything in this world... Maybe I love you and him more than this world...—

Tearing the pendant from my neck, I jumped out from under the table and stuck it in the neck of one of our own, stuck the pendant in someone else's stomach.

Having broken a chair, I began to disperse people with a chair leg.

I look around, but I don't see him, damn it, I don't see him!

One bullet hits me in the side, the other almost shoots through my knee.

It seemed to me that everyone who was possible would get into me.

When I was already on stage, my body was numb from the pain and now I have the best cover - the crowd...

— Cornelius...— I fell to my knees in front of the motionless guy. — No... Not that... No!—

The whole shirt was wet with blood - there was a black mark on the left side from a rifle shot.

— Cornelius, don't leave me!—I shouted.— Take me with you! Why should I live if you are not in this world?—

I didn't even understand if it was a blow or a shot...

I was hugging Cornelius to me when darkness suddenly covered everything...

***

...The intense pain woke me up.

Unfortunately, I'm still alive.

The saw buzzed disgustingly.

Damn... I'm in the morgue!

I was tied to one of the —tables and my head hurt terribly.

I cried, remembering what had happened.

Cornelius was lying on the table in front of me.

Why is my love already gone and I'm here?

Mariusz came up to the table where he was lying.

— You killed him, you bastard! Why didn't you kill me? Kill me, I want to be with him! I want to be with him!— I started kicking as much as I could and yelling until my voice broke.

—You broke my rules, damn you, you broke the rules again! The only thing I can thank you for is that you found him. I've been looking for at least one from this ship for so many years, and you, you met him! You've fallen in love with him, even though he's not even human!—Mariusz banged the saw on the table, which was empty.

I didn't even flinch.

—You're going to burn in hell!—I growled through my teeth.

— Don't you understand? No need to go down to Hell, we'll all be in hell soon.—Mariusz picked up the saw.— And this hell will be your home! —

Wriggling like a worm, I crawled and butted Mariusz in the knee.

The fallen saw cut my forearm badly, but I managed to grab it with my bound hand.

From the loss of blood, it was dark in my eyes, it was strange that I still had strength left.

But my bonds seem to have cut my veins...

I cut the second rope with a saw.

— You're not getting out of here!—Mariusz said angrily when I pointed the saw at him.— He's gone, why would you die because of stupid revenge!—

— If I die, I'll take you with me!—I shouted, swinging the saw.

I fell on Cornelius during another unsuccessful blow.

His heart... It's beating!

I didn't even feel a shot in the shoulder from those who entered.

With all my strength, I pulled Cornelius by the arm and we fell on the other side of the table.

Cornelius opened his eyes, and I almost cried with joy.

He's alive!

— My love...— feeling that the moment was not right, I jumped up and hit one of the shooters with a saw.

Putting a saw to Mariusz's throat turned out to be easier than easy, I thought it would be harder.

— Come on, cut off my fucking head!—Mariusz said.—Do you think they won't shoot me with you?—

With all my might, I threw Mariusz at the crowd of shooters and put a saw blade to my own neck.

— Lower your weapon!—Mariusz shouted to his soldiers.

I smiled sarcastically. What I wanted came out...

— Let me and Cornelius go.—I said.— And don't follow us!—

It was very difficult to lift Cornelius with my wounds, but I coped.

Mariusz is not just my boss... He is much closer to me...

the blood flowed more and more from my hand while I dragged my beloved.

From the shot, Cornelius was paralyzed and, it seems, is now beginning to revive a little.

The index finger on his right hand began to move.

— Honey, we need somewhere to sit out...—I said, leaning against the wall.—Even though you're light, I can't drag you home. This paralyzing drug must eventually go away... I can hardly see anymore...—

Cornelius tries to move his index finger, but tears immediately poured down his cheeks.

— Don't, honey, I know where to go...—I stroked his cheek.

Fortunately, one of the entrances of the house across the street was open, the main thing is to get to it...

— My love, I have to hurt you now. I can't drag you across the road. I'll throw your arms around my neck. So there's a good chance I'll carry you faster...—I said.

The eyelashes twitched slightly, this gesture was like a nod.

I gently put one of his hands on my shoulder, moved it up to my neck and the same with the second.

Tearing a piece from the dress, I tied his hands together, while Cornelius was pressed with his chest against my back.

Lifting my lover by the hips with my hands, I exhaled loudly and slowly walked across the road.

No, it's still heavy... Either I already have almost no strength...

My hands hurt mercilessly when we finally found ourselves under the stairs.

I freed Cornelius's hands and sat him down against the wall.

The old bookcase turned out to be very useful here...

I closed the cabinet so that we could not be seen at all.

While I had the strength, I texted Kirby where to find us and sat down against the wall, leaning my head against Cornelius' shoulder.

No more strength...