Zenon's Game Chapter 10

"GET TO THE CAR AXEL!" Zenon's voice yelled loud and clear.

I looked over and saw them jump over booths, plates crashing on the floor as they ran towards the front door. They were making their getaway.

Zenon reached the door first but he turned around for Axel, who hopped off a table and landed on his feet seconds later. A man lunged towards Axel and I felt my heart lurch. Zenon pushed Axel out of the way and received a blow to his shoulder instead. He didn't cry out in pain - he looked pissed.

Angry Zenon was not someone I wanted to mess with. With incredible reflex, he knocked the guy out cold. I stared.

"START THE CAR CANDACE!"

Oops.

I was the getaway plan... but I wasn't there to help them getaway.

"I have to go!" I said.

I jumped off the chair and squeezed between scared onlookers and the crazy guys they were fighting. I pushed my way out, because no one ever pays attention to me –least of all now.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" Zenon yelled, by the empty car.

"WHAT THE HELL?! I CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR!"

"I'M GOING TO KILL THAT-"

"ZENON, BEHIND YOU!"

A rush of bad guys ambushed them, but Zenon and Axel knew how to fight. I watched them defend and counter strike amidst the chaos, standing back-to-back so they could cover each other.

Time out. You know when you're sitting at home watching the discovery channel and you're like 'cheetah's fight and gazelle's choose flight but if I was in this situation which one would I be?' Well I've always wanted to know that too. And it turns out, I'd be a headless chicken (did I mention that was an option?).

I was standing there; feeling guilty and scared and worried and confused and upset and anxious...

So I literally walked into the fight hoping to stop it.

"Please make peace. Guys stop. Hey. Ow. You're hurting me. Ow. OW! OOOOOOWWWW!"

I was swept up in the undercurrents and knocked around. Supremely painful. Beyond words.

"ZENON!" I screamed, "ZENON!"

He suddenly realized that I was in the pits with him. From this vantage point, I could now see how much stronger Zenon was than the others. He was taking on three grown men at once. Suddenly I felt his strong arms around my waist. Without speaking, he pulled me behind him, sheltering me between the car and his body.

I tried not to reach out to touch the muscles as they rippled across his back. He used his strength to his advantage and fought with skill & technique. I felt safe. In the middle of this crazy fight, I felt protected.

"ENOUGH!" The guy in the bomber jacket interrupted everything.

The men stopped fighting as if he had just announced a car sale. Axel, Zenon and I were left even more confused by who bomber jacket guy was.

"Where's the girl?" he asked, wading through the fight, pushing people aside.

Sheltered behind Zenon's body, I squeaked, "Here."

One of the men came over. "The boss is asking for ya. Get out here."

He tried to grab me but Zenon immediately blocked him. "Touch her and I'll take you down."

The man backed down, leaving Mr bomber jacket face-to-face with Zenon.

"That's my comedic muse you've got there," he said and looked around Zenon's shoulder at me, "You feelin' ok, kid?"

I could feel Zenon and Axel both staring at me.

"I'm ok, thanks."

"Good. I never got to give you the piece of paper I was writing on. Here you go. It's at the Laughing Heads bar. You'll see me perform some time ok?"

"Sure. I have a lot of time. My social calendar is empty so... I'll check it out?"

This was awkward. Everyone was looking at us now.

Bomber jacket dude turned to his guys, who were all bruised and battered courtesy of Zenon and Axel.

"I don't feel angry anymore. Consider our debts with these boys settled. The kid plays a good game of basketball. Next time, we'll bet on him. Call it even and get outta here."

And just like that, they picked up their stuff and scattered. We were left alone in the parking. Axel looked at me like I was growing antlers out of my head. I wish I was –then I may have had a flight reaction and run far away.

"Are you hurt?" Zenon asked me, his eyes trailing all over me to see if I had a scratch.

"No."

His eyes locked with mine, "Then what the h*e*l*l were you thinking?!"

His tone had changed quickly.

Before things between us got any more heated, Axel intervened, "Was I hearing things or did he call Candace his comedic muse?"