[_____V_____]

(Continued from above...)


NIGHTMARE OF DEATH and DANTE'S INFERNO sat together quietly. They were waiting for the firing to recede, and when all was silence around them once more, they stood up. Knowing that the shots they heard had been fired from their right, they moved forward noiselessly and suddenly, Dante motioned to Nightmare to sit down. Both peered forward from between the trees.

Despare sat propped up on the trunk of the yew tree. He looked like a big bleeding tree himself, all patched up with numerous HPs which were bright red in color. Dante motioned to Nightmare to circle around to behind Despare, while Dante himself moved to a better spot in front of him. He then watched Nightmare circle around, and squat down at a particular place. Dante aimed at Despare's chest, and muttered "Asta La Vista, baby!"

BLAM!!

BLAM!!

Despare didnt even protest as the two shells lodged themselves firmly into his chest. His arms and legs were thrown outward in complete resignation as the fresh gunshot wounds opened up and vomited blood from each of them. He slid to his left and sank down on the ground with a low groan.

Nightmare saw his chance.

BLAM!!

BLAM!!

Both shells buried into Despare's back in a flash, and opened two rivers of blood on it. Dante motioned a high-5 gesture to Nightmare, who smiled back and moved out.

Despare rolled down on the ground and sank into it, and his bloody, ragged hand reached for the HPs.


MILKTOASTE looked ahead at POSHER, who signaled back to him to be quiet. Both of them stood, straining to hear ahead. Posher moved forward and smiled at the scene before him. He signaled to Milktoaste to join him, and both of them looked back. Milktoaste smiled in delight.

The Return lay low, basking in the sun. His body was wrecked with small spasms of dull ache and pain from the gunshot wounds which were patched up, and he was letting them heal silently. Posher eagerly took one step forward, when Milktoaste stopped him and motioned ahead. Posher nodded in glee and moved to one side, and Milktoaste stepped forward aiming for Return's head.

Return felt a faint sense of alarm. He looked from the corner of his eyes and saw movement in the bushes. He was quiet for a moment and them jumped up in an instant, forgetting all pain and ache. Milktoaste was caught in sheer surprise, but as soon as Return started running into the trees, he lifted his shotgun hurriedly and fired blindly after Return.

BLAM!!

BLAM!!

Return caught both shots on his back and shoulder, and went flying through the bushes just ahead of him. Milktoaste muttered "Damn!" under his breath and turned around. Posher had disappeared from his side.

Return fell heavily on a clump of bushes. He dragged himself ahead and reached for his HPs, just as a loud laugh broke the silent rustling sound of Return's body.

"MUAHAHAHA!"

Return looked ahead with sudden alarm. Posher stood there with a huge grin lighting up his face.

"This is for all those times, OLD friend!" Posher said smugly, and lifted his shotgun.

BLAM!!

BLAM!!

The Return was in terrible pain. His body wracked in huge spasmic twitches as all 4 shells burned through his veins, bringing severe tingling pain sensations to every inch. He was running out of HPs, and had a very faint chance of survival.

The Return needed a miracle.

And a miracle awaited him around the corner.


(Final Continuation next...)