Page 24 of Piston

With a roar of defiance, I surge forward, throwing everything I have into the fight. I'm a whirlwind of fists and fury, my body moving on pure instinct and adrenaline. I take down one, then another, my knuckles splitting open against their faces.

But they just keep coming. For every one I drop, two more seem to take their place. My body is screaming, my lungs burning with each ragged breath. Blood drips into my eyes, but I blink it away, refusing to yield.

"Come on, you bastards!" I snarl, spitting blood. "Is that all you've got?"

They answer with a renewed assault, and I meet them head-on. I'm fighting for my life, for the chance to see Jenny again. To hold her in my arms and tell her that I love her.

That I'm done with this life, that I'm ready to start a new one with her.

But as the blows keep coming, as my body starts to falter, a sickening realization sets in.

I might not make it out of this alley alive.

My vision swims, darkness creeping in at the edges. I'm on my knees now, barely able to lift my arms to block the next blow. Pain explodes through my skull, and I taste blood on my tongue.

"Jenny..." Her name escapes my lips, a desperate prayer.

I see her face in my mind, that beautiful smile that lights up my world. I hear her laughter, feel her touch on my skin. She's the only thing keeping me tethered to this world, the only reason I'm still fighting.

But my body is betraying me. Each breath is agony, and I can feel my strength leaching away with every drop of blood. The world tilts, and I find myself on my back, staring up at the night sky.

The stars blur together, and for a moment, I swear I can see Jenny's face among them. She's crying, reaching out for me.

"I'm sorry, baby," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the ringing in my ears. "I tried..."

The darkness is closing in, and I know I don't have much time left. With a shaking hand, I reach into my pocket, my fingers closing around the small velvet box hidden there.

I was going to give it to her tonight, to ask her to be mine forever.

But now... now I'll never get the chance.

As my eyes drift shut, I cling to the image of her face, to the love that burns bright in my chest. Even in the end, she's my light in the darkness, my reason for everything.

"I love you, Jenny..."

The words die on my lips as the world fades away, and I slip into the waiting embrace of the void.

My fingers fumble for my phone, slick with blood. Vision blurring, I squint at the screen, searching for Dagger's number. He's my only hope now.

I punch the call button and press the phone to my ear. Each ring feels like an eternity. Come on, pick up, you bastard.

"Piston?" Dagger's gruff voice crackles through the speaker. "What's up, man?"

"Dagger..." I croak, my voice barely recognizable. "Need your help... ambush... dying..."

"Whoa, slow down. Where are you?"

I force the words out, giving him my location. "Hurry... don't think I'm gonna make it..."

"Hang tight, brother. I'm on my way. You hear me? Don't you dare die on me."

I let out a weak chuckle that turns into a cough, sending fresh waves of agony through my battered body. "No promises..."

"Shut up and focus on staying alive. I'll be there as soon as I can."

The call ends, and I let the phone slip from my grasp. It clatters to the ground, the sound distant and muffled.

I'm fading fast, the world around me growing hazy.

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