Chapter 120: Alton Brantley Must Die Part 1 (2/2)

Zinnia stepped back, holding her head in pain screeching. ”No! No, I can't. Don't make me.”

This got the attention of the others as Scarlett and Alton quickly came to see what the problem was. Bargaining held onto Zinnia clutching her shoulders yelling at her. ”You made a deal, so finish it! Only then will you be free of me! Only then will you have the power to save others from death. No one else will have to die! Do it! Alton Brantley must die.”

Zinnia fell to her knees as her whole world began falling apart. Everything she was standing for put in question all crumbling at the touch as the problem was placed. How much is one life worth for many? Could she do it? Kill who she cast as her best friend, perhaps something more than that. If it meant saving everyone else, could she be selfish? Go against the ideology she stood for. One question remained. What would a hero do? Zinnia tensed up before everything just faded.

Alton kneeled down, shaking her. ”Zin? Hey, girl you there? Are you alright?”

Zinnia's eyes met with Alton's. One filled with tears and guilt but also of determination and anger. Her hand began shaking as Bargaining's voice echoed in her mind. ”Alton Brantley must die.”

Small crackles of electricity rippled through both hands before Zinnia whispered softly. Alton leaned in to hear what she was saying. ”I'm so sorry…”

Alton was blasted by the volts making him slide back by the force of Zinnia's attack. Scarlett glared at Zinnia ready to fight, but Alton yelled out, holding his hand forward, falling to one knee. ”Stop! Stop, I'll handle this.”

Zinnia, wholly broken inside, walked towards Alton feeling a puppet as she couldn't hold back anymore. ”Please Alton don't resist. I don't want to hurt you any more than I have to. Make this easy for yourself!” Alton gave a confused look as Zinnia raised her hand forward, opening it. ”Pure volt.”

A sudden and bright lightning bolt struck down scorching Alton as he stumbled back only managing to stand panting. He leaned his head back, gasping for air.  ”With attacks like that Zin you're going to… Oh. I get it now.” Stepping back, he looked back at Zinnia with no expression. He wouldn't even give her a look of sadness or betrayal. She didn't deserve it. Before we continue this, I need to know. Why are you doing this? You're many things but a killer. No, I can see it in your eyes. You don't have it in you.”

”Don't talk down to me like I'm a child, Alton. That's all you ever treat me like, and I'm sick of it! Is that all I am to you? The child you babysit? You don't understand what I'm going through. I need this for not only my sake but for the sake of the world.”

”Sake of the world? What are you talking about?!”

Zinnia clutched her fist, turning away. ”Back during our fight against Paradox. After Percy… I made a deal—a deal with one of the five stages of grief Bargaining. I was so caught up in the moment between Percy and you possibly dying that I made a gamble to save you. He promised me the ability to save the people I cared about. If I didn't act, you would have all died. Because of that deal, you were given that chance. The rain all of it was to defeat Paradox. I don't mean this in any ill will, but I can't lose anyone else. So, I have to kill you. Doing that will free me of his curse and grant me that wish forevermore.”

Alton couldn't quite believe what he heard as his whole-body posture changed. For that small part where he felt worried for Zinnia had died. He felt nothing for her now. His head held low down in disappointment. ”And you intend to carry out the will of the Garden, even after all the Garden did to us you chose to trust it… You really are nothing, but a Montague now aren't you… Zinnia.”

”Yes…”

Alton turned back to her with a daring glare. ”I hate you.”

Zinnia's heart crushed as she was forced to accept that truth. ”I… Can live with that.”

Hand still shaking another ray of electricity struck from her this time much weaker. Alton took the attack head-on shaking it off. Water from the ocean drizzled over to Alton resting against his fingertips. Zinnia tried another round of electrical attacks only for Alton to counter each one by shooting small pockets of forward water meeting the attack. Having no choice Zinnia was about to switch to a close-up attack only to feel damp. Her eyes widen as she slipped crashing to the ground missing her attack. Pulling the water towards him, Zinnia roared forward towards an inevitable attack from him. Bracing herself with a counterattack, she was stunned when Alton grabbed her and pulled her in for a hug. She didn't quite understand what was happening as she began shocking him trying to break free. Alton took a few deep breaths slowly muttering. ”I think it's… About the time I pay this trickster a little visit…”

Feeling her body move without her permission, she grabbed Alton's head, putting him to sleep as the two were trapped in a stalemate from an onlooking eye. Scarlett stared on conflicted as she bit her lip. ”Come on, Alton, what are you up to?”

Alton woke up in the middle of a lush garden one with birds chirping and the scent of flowers covering the land. The sight of the sunsetting lingered over. Heavy vegetation blocked the outside world apart from the small crack for the sunlight. On top of the hill rested a metal table and chairs and on the table was a chessboard. In one of the chairs stood him. The one responsible for all of this. Bargaining leaned forward, moving a chess piece forward smiling to himself, turning to Alton with his foreboding yellow eyes. ”Alton Brantley. Child of the Garden, I've been waiting a very long time for this.”

Alton stared at Bargaining weary as he held his hands out. ”You wanted me, here I am…”