The Cornering

The basement was empty. No boxes, shelves, or even spare furniture littered the ground, it was just an empty span of rickety hardwood.

Umbra and Aunora were on full guard, searching every corner of the room for the attackers Aunora believed were pursuing them.

"Aunora, no one is here." Umbra finally murmured, frowning.

Aunora scowled, opening her mouth to retort back.

That's they heard footsteps.

The sharp ears of both of the creatures immediately picked up on the sound, Umbra bringing his weapon in front of him and Aunora clenching her metal-clad fist. Their eyes were locked on the open doorway leading to the stairs.

"Well, well, well," a familiar gravelly tone said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It looks like I was right. You two are stupid enough to be cornered."

"We're not stupid!" Umbra snarled back, trying to save face. "I was planning to trap you here!"

"Don't even bother with that," Hawkins said, shaking his head. Finch strode in through the door behind him, securely locking it. "It's pathetic."

"You?!" Umbra and Aunora cried in unison as they recognized the fat man beside Hawkins.

Umbra squinted, heart sinking into the pits of his stomach. "Wait...you two... You guys are the people Matthew set us up with!"

Hawkins nodded as a confirmation.

"Oh, so he remembers you idiots, but not me," a bitter-sounding voice rang out as a large bird glided above them. The bird shapeshifted in mid air, the messy persona of Asher hitting the ground next to Hawkins.

"Hold on a sec," Aunora growled, crossing her arms. "You all know each other?"

Hawkins glared at Asher, sighing. "Unfortunately."

Umbra gritted his teeth, regretting having Time in full view around his shoulders.

"Let me guess, you're the one's who kidnapped Clockwork, correct?" Umbra asked, fingers lightly touching the ferret on the nose. Time's eyes opened ever so slightly.

"Ah, was that its name? I wasn't sure." Hawkins eyes were locked firmly on Aunora and Umbra, seemingly overlooking Time.

Umbra started to unbutton his vest, pulling it off and wrapping Time in it, then tossing it behind him. He lifted his weapon, holding at level with Hawkins' throat.

"Hand over Clockwork," Umbra said slowly and severely.

Hawkins crossed his arms, the tattoos on his neck and biceps flexing. "Can't do that. I'm under strict orders not to let it go. Of course, you don't seem to care about my orders, seeing as you released all my other prisoners."

"Those 'prisoners' were innocent creatures, weren't they? I'm glad we called the police." Umbra had leaned his body towards the people that stood before them, fully into the conversation at hand. Aunora was unusually quiet, staring coldly at their adversaries, examining them like a predatory animal.

"Not all of them," Hawkins said coolly. "But you got me in trouble with my boss. And you're gonna pay for that. You two aren't leaving this room alive." Beside Hawkins, Finch started to pull a gun out of his coat. Asher summoned a bow and arrow.

Umbra snorted. "Don't be so sure of yourself."

With a quick glance to Aunora, he found that she was ready to fight. Her shoulders were tense, and her lips were parted to show her pointed teeth. Killing intent flashed in her eyes.

Blood roaring in his ears, Umbra took a deep breath. He allowed himself to look at Time, who was still curled in his vest.

I can't let these guys find out we are harboring Time. He's too weak to defend himself. We're the only ones standing between the destruction of time itself.

Author's Note- Sorry for the short chapter :( starting a fight scene in the middle of a chapter is kinda weird, especially as I would h
ave to cut it off to begin another chapter. Sooo, more tension building.