Chapter 35: Plan In Motion[8]
Meanwhile, Ryder stood in front of Reana’s quarters, staring into the night, rather, waiting for the Intruders. Not long, he saw the dark silhouettes of figures emerging from the shadows, their movements swift and stealthy as they advanced towards the quarters with sinister intent.
The figures probably didn’t take the man standing in front of Reana’s quarters, in the middle of the night into account, or perhaps they simply didn’t care, for they continued to creep forward, their eyes fixed on the hallway, until Ryder’s low, warning growl stopped them dead in their tracks.
However, the brief hesitation was short-lived, as the figures promptly resumed their stealthy approach, but one of them suddenly broke rank, charging towards Ryder with a silver sword that glinted menacingly in the fading moonlight, poised to strike, to take Ryder’s life in one swift slash.
But before the figure could close the distance, Ryder moved. The assailant’s eyes widened in shock as he felt a searing pain in his chest, but his gaze was too slow to register the motion - he didn’t see Ryder’s movements clearly. It was as if Ryder had teleported to his side.
The figure’s stunned gaze trailed down to find Ryder’s hand buried deep in his chest, the motion so swift and silent that it seemed almost supernatural.
The assailant’s gaze jerked back up to Ryder’s, his lips twitching in a futile attempt to form words, but all that escaped was a bloody gurgle. A warm, crimson rivulet trickled down his chin, pooling at the seam of his closed lips as Ryder’s hand closed around his heart.
A sickening, wet crunch filled the air as he plucked his organ, accompanied by the thick smell of blood as Ryder pulled his hand out, his fingers still clenched around the assailant’s beating heart.
The body slid limply to the side with a thud, his lifeless eyes staring up at the moon, as Ryder stood tall, staring at him with a deadpan expression.
The others, their senses assaulted by the coppery stench of blood and the dull thud of a body hitting the ground, froze in unison. Their heads snapped back to rebuke their comrade for doing things to draw attention.