The Machine [Open/Accepting]

[lil_lollypop1]

"Alright." She replied, taking his hand out of necessity, and quickly leading him through the back ways of the building. As she did, several of the other stores and such were being robbed or held up by groups of similar people with guns. She led him through the cleaning section. "This way." She told him, taking a thin path separated from the main hall by walls of drying sheets and clothes. Hearing the clanking of metal, she suddenly stopped behind a clothing basket and turned to Damien, signaling him to be quiet as a squad of gang members with larger guns began to run by them.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien followed along. He hated being the follower but knew that Shadow knew this place better and so he reluctantly did as she ordered. It was only until they got out safely.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Looks like we're going to have problems getting down." She said after the group passed. "Let me borrow your gun." She said. She had two hidden under her clothes as well as some grenades, but she wanted to make sure he wouldn't betray her.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

"And then what will I do if I need it and I don't have it? I need some sort of protection for myself. I can see that you already have your own" Damien said.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"In that case, I'll be frank. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done so already. We both know that. We both also know just how much you want me behind bars. The only reason you probably haven't shot me by now is because you need me to get you out of here. I can protect you, but I don't need you shooting me in the back of the head once as we get out, you understand. I don't take betrayal well, and you've already done it to me once." Shadow explained simply.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien took the gun and looked at it, then Shadow. "Let me guess. We're not going anywhere until I give it to you, right?" he stated.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Is that a problem?" She asked. "Because if so, I'll just leave you here to fend for yourself. Besides, you've seen my skills with a gun."  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien rolled his eyes. "Fine. Here. Take it" he said and handed her the gun. He knew she was trying to render him as helpless as possible so that he wouldn't try anything funny.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Shadow smiled and took the gun. She took his hand once more before leading him to the elevator. "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" She asked, pushing the button, but the elevator didn't respond. Shadow pushed the button again, but still nothing happened. "Ok. Maybe it will be." She sighed, leading him to the stairs. "Stay behind me. If I see someone, I'll let go of your hand. Make sure that you stay one flight above me if that's the case. I'll tell you when it's clear." She told him, before leading him inside and down the steps. Almost instantly, she let go of his hand and stormed down the steps, firing a few shots. "Clear."  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien followed. For right now he would have to do as he was told, no matter how much he hated it and thought it was wrong.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Shadow led him through the wounded bodies and down the stairs. Of course, none of them were killed but none were able to stop them either. She continued to lead him down the steps, going through the pistol, which she tossed aside, and a two rounds of her own two pistols. After a little over five minutes, they made it to the second floor. "Finally..." She muttered, opening the door and looking around. "It's clear for now. Let's hurry." She told him, leading him through a hall of empty offices towards the fire escape.  

[Ayame-Yuura]

((Guys are going up or downstairs? I'm confuse.))  

[lil_lollypop1]

((Down. They were on one of the upper floors and went down to the second floor. They're going to take the fire escape the rest of the way out because they know the first floor is going to be swarming with gang members trying to prevent people from coming out.))  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien followed along. He was slowly running out of breath. He was never very active. "Hang on. Gotta catch my breath for a moment" he said.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Alright." She said, stopping to let him take a few breaths. "I knew it. There's no way you can be on active duty or play sports if this much makes you tired. You're out of shape. Even if you're not the Absolute Leader, you're definitely one of the military's brains. So, chief, after I get you out, what do you plan to do? The patriotic moment is still going on, and we don't know how far the jamming signal reaches. On top of that, I can't leave you alone. The back streets are gang territory. So, what do you think?"