Part 19 — Conversation

Zap and Xin walked out of the forest after 5 hours had passed. Zap had felt better, but he didn't feel great. They started retracing their steps, walking back home.

During the walk, Zap formed many questions in his head. "Why did you wait until that very moment to tackle me, anyway? Couldn't you have done it before we entered the college?"

"I suppose so," she said. "However, I had to make sure that there was no possible way you could've blocked it, so I had to wait until you were not focusing on me at all. Since your entire focus was on Ed, I had no trouble."

"Why—"

"My turn to ask a question." Xin studied Zap's face. "Tell me, why do you hate Ed so much? Just how badly did he treat you? You know, when you described what happened back home, you never really explained that part. That's one of the reasons why I didn't want to help you kill him."

"Xin, the best way for me to show you would be to demonstrate it specifically on you, but I wouldn't want to do that."

"Do it and I kill you."

"Exactly! I guess I can do this. Xin, I want you to imagine someone standing before you, someone twice your size."

"Right..."

"That person raises their fist..."

"Right..."

"And socks you in the stomach."

Xin, forgetting that she was only imagine, fell to the ground.

"Xin!"

"Sorry...I got caught up in that."

"How the f—"

"Anyway, I guess I can see why you would want to kill him. But was it really that bad?"

"Everyday for six years."

Xin stumbled, but was stabilized with Zap's help. "Xin, stop imagining. I think I'm going to refrain from using that tactic."

"Thanks."

They were entering the area nearby their apartment. Xin put her hand out, and they both stopped. "Get ready."

"Huh?"

Xin shot into the bushes to their right. Silence. "Strange—"

"Behind us!" Zap grabbed Xin and turned her 180 degrees, which introduced her to the massive bully charging at her with her pistol. She leaped out of the way and began shooting.