454 Troubles Don’t Come Alone (1/2)

Late at night, there was no one in the quiet alley. The stinking garbage rustled and Charles poked a head out. He breathed heavily and looked around. When he saw that there was no one around, he let out a sigh of relief. Then he pulled the barely conscious Constantine out. His face was green from the disgusting garbage and could not talk.

After escaping in the morning, they had thought they were safe. But then they were attacked again. Thankfully, this was only a coincidence and the enemy could not get a more powerful musician over. They were able to escape with Charles' amateur skills. More accurately, they had jumped onto a garbage truck to escape. After that, they jostled along with the garbage and were dumped into this stinky alley a few hours later.

Checking again that they were alone and had escaped with their lives, Charles heaved with laughter. His smile was so joyful that even the two rotten vegetable leaves on his face seemed to bloom.

Feeling around his pockets, he pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. There were only two left.

”Want one?” Charles rubbed his fingers and ignited a flame. Constantine accepted it weakly but did not dare to smoke it. He just panted tiredly. His old lungs sounded like a wind blower that was about to explode.

Charles had never seen someone age like this. It was not just in flesh but also psychological fatigue, depression, and despair.

”How many days has it been since we left prison?” Constantine asked quietly.

”Twenty…days?”

Constantine nodded. It dawned on him. ”I guess it's enough time.”

”Enough?” Charles froze.

Constantine chuckled. ”Twenty days is enough for Gaius to clean out the Revolutionaries and wipe out all my men…This is probably why they put me on house arrest, making sure I can't get any outside news, right?” He paused. Lowering his head, he smoked Charles's cigarette. ”It seems like Gaius really wants to kill me,” he murmured.

Smoke blurred his features, making it hard to see his expression. Charles remained silent. Perhaps, this had been Gaius's plan since the beginning. When he realized that Constantine was standing in his way, he already made up his mind. He was not even willing to meet Constantine one last time, despite being friends who had experienced so much together during the decades. Ever since Constantine walked out of prison, he began going down the road to death. Now, everything was out. Constantine finally saw the final destination of the path Gaius showed him but he did not show any hysteria or fury. Only disappointment.

”This is good too,” he said softly. ”At least I won't have to make more decisions or do more useless things… The ending has already been decided, hasn't it?”

Charles stared in silence and then looked away. He wanted to say some comforting words but they both knew it would be useless. He could not do anything for Constantine. Nothing he could say would change the reality. He could not even think of a joke to lighten the mood. All he could do was look away, away from Constantine's pathetic state.

Good, everything was over now. His spy career was over. Constantine's efforts and hopes were gone too. They had both fallen into the lowest pits of life, the bottom of the abyss. There was no way to retreat.

In silence, Charles put out his cigarette and climbed up.

”Mr. Constantine,” he said, ”are you rested now?”

Constantine shook his head. ”I can manage to walk.”

”That sucks. You must run.” Charles smiled wryly. ”Otherwise, we'll probably die here tonight.” Just as he finished, scattered footsteps sounded outside the smelly alley. There was the sound of metal grating and steel boots hitting the ground. Coldness radiated from the clangs.

Charles pulled Constantine up and rushed deep into the alley. However, he quickly realized with despair that there was a high wall before them. He looked at Constantine hopefully.

”I know what you're thinking.” Constantine sighed. ”Even if an old man like me could climb walls, would you be able to take me with you?”

Charles said, ”It'll be good if you can escape.”

”Whatever.” Constantine smiled tiredly. He leaned against the wall and sat heavily onto the ground. ”I've run my entire life. My back is full of scars. Before I die, let me leave a wound in my chest.”

Charles laughed bitterly. He bent down and picked up a rock. But after thinking, he tossed it down. What was the point of holding a rock? Rather than hoping he could hit someone, he should just end things once and for all for himself.

He sat down next to Constantine and they fell silent.

The footsteps were closer.