Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 147: The Gate and the Knife

...

Number Ten came out of the villa, one hand pressed against her stomach, moving slowly.

She noticed someone standing by the courtyard gate and walked over, suspicious.

"Number Six, what are you doing?" Number Ten's voice was sharp.

Number Six turned around. He was holding an entrenching tool.

"Aren't you sick? What are you doing out here?" He looked surprised to see her.

"Number One and the team are on the roof fighting off the mob, and you're down here by yourself doing what, exactly?" Number Ten's eyes were full of suspicion.

Number Six frowned. "How am I being suspicious?"

"I asked you what you're doing here."

"I'm standing guard." He held up the entrenching tool.

"Oh, give me a break." Number Ten didn't buy it for a second. "That gate is solid steel. Nobody's breaking through it. What are you really up to?"

"The villa has two exits. Number One's team has the roof. Captain Zimmer and Ms. Townsend are inside. I just thought someone should be watching the gate..." Number Six tried to explain.

"Liar." Number Ten was unmoved. "You were skulking around here waiting for a chance to open that gate and let the mob in."

"Are you out of your mind?" Number Six's face went red with anger. He turned away, done talking to her.

Number Ten stepped closer. Without warning, she drew her blade and lunged at him from behind.

Number Six heard the whistle of steel cutting air and swung the entrenching tool to block.

In seconds, they were fighting.

"Stop!" Matthew had come out just in time to see it. He drew his pistol. "Whoever moves, I shoot!"

Serena was stunned by the scene, but she was smart enough not to ask questions. She watched her father's eyes and followed his lead.

"Dr. Lester, be careful with Number Six! He might have turned, just like Number Four and Number Seven—" Number Ten ran toward Matthew.

"Halt!" Matthew was on high alert. "Don't come any closer."

The enemy was at the gates. If not for No. 98's defenses, the place would've fallen hours ago.

And the person leading the attack from outside was their own former teammate, Number Seven.

Now, Number Six and Number Ten were at each other's throats. Matthew could smell the fire spreading inside the walls.

Number Ten realized the blade in her hand was making Matthew nervous. She sheathed it quickly. "Dr. Lester, Number Six is suspicious! While everyone else was fighting, he snuck down here to open the gate and let the mob in—"

Matthew's pupils contracted.

"I did not!" Number Six denied it flatly. "I was standing guard! I never touched the gate!"

Number Ten was relentless. "That's the worst excuse I've ever heard. Even Serena wouldn't fall for it!"

"Number Ten. Did you actually see him open the gate? How?" Matthew cut in.

"I caught him just in time. He hadn't done it yet."

"This is insane." Number Six turned to Matthew, exasperated. "She comes at me out of nowhere, decides I'm opening the gate for the enemy. Why would I do that—"

"Because you were on that mission with Number Four and Number Seven! They both turned, and you're the only one who stayed. Who's to say you didn't cut a deal with them? You could be their inside man, waiting to hit us from within. I saw you alone at the gate, and it didn't look right!" Number Ten's guard was ironclad.

Number Six looked at Matthew, pale and desperate. "I didn't... I swear I didn't... I just saw the gate unguarded and got worried..."

Matthew's normally gentle eyes had gone sharp. He motioned with the gun. "Both of you. Back to your rooms. Now. Nobody comes out without a direct order."

...

Night fell. The already gray sky went darker.

Autumn had officially started, but the suffocating summer heat hadn't broken.

Torches lit up one by one, forming a ring of fire around No. 98. The battle had reached a stalemate.

Harvey stood on the top floor of No. 101, binoculars in hand, burning with impatience.

Several hundred armed men were surrounding No. 98, and they couldn't find a way in.

He never saw Mariella appear. He did see Number Seven take a bullet to the wrist, which soured his mood further.

Are the No. 98 bodyguards really that loyal to Mariella?

At least, Number Seven had rallied. He'd picked up the megaphone with his good hand and kept talking.

Harvey thought, That speech had to have shaken some of them. A little more pressure, and it might work.

Damian came with good news. "Mr. Graham, the inside man that Number Four set up—he just made his move."