Chapter 11: Consumed by Darkness

“Well if it's a fight you want then come at me brother,” spat Elizabeth.

With a signal from George, his men sprang into action. Oscar, the master of disguise, vanished into the shadows, ready to strike from the darkness. Kyran, the sharpshooter, aimed at a high vantage point, his rifle trained on Elizabeth. Kiyan, the tech genius, began hacking into the factory's systems, preparing to unleash a digital assault.

Elizabeth knew she was outnumbered, but she refused to back down. She moved swiftly, using the environment to her advantage. She ducked behind crates, dodging bullets and evading Oscar's attacks. She managed to get close enough to disarm Kyran, sending his rifle skidding across the floor.

"You're fighting a losing battle, Elizabeth," George taunted, his voice echoing through the room. "Just give up."

But Elizabeth's resolve only strengthened. She remembered Gabriella's sacrifice, the promise she had made. She would not falter. Not now. Not in her moment of revenge.

With a burst of adrenaline, Elizabeth launched herself at George, tackling him to the ground. They grappled, each trying to gain the upper hand. George's men tried to intervene, but Elizabeth fought them off, her movements fueled by sheer determination and rage.

Finally, she managed to pin George down, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "It's over, George," she cackled, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.

George struggled, but Elizabeth's grip was unyielding. "You think you've won?" he sneered. "This is just the beginning."

Elizabeth tightened her hold, her eyes blazing with defiance. "No, George. This is the end.”

He glared at Elizabeth with a mixture of hatred and fear, the realization dawning on him that this was no longer the woman he once knew. The factory fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the distant hum of machinery and the laboured breaths of those who had been involved in the skirmish.

Elizabeth stood over George, her eyes cold and unyielding. "You took everything from me," she spat, her voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with venom. "Gabriella is dead because of you.

George smirked, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "You think killing me will bring her back? You're just as deluded as she was."

Elizabeth's fist clenched, but she resisted the urge to strike him again. "No, killing you won't bring her back. I would never kill anyone!

As she spoke, the remaining members of George's team began to regroup, realizing their leader was in grave danger. Oscar, still hidden in the shadows, moved silently towards Elizabeth, a blade glinting in his hand. Kyran, having retrieved his rifle, aimed carefully, ready to take a shot.

Elizabeth's senses were sharp, however, and she heard the faintest of movements behind her. She spun around just in time to catch Oscar's wrist, twisting it until he dropped the knife with a pained grunt. She then kicked the weapon away, turning her attention back to George, who was trying to crawl towards a hidden firearm.

“You are the one who gave the go-ahead for the plan! You are the one who got Gabriella into this mess in the first place,” George sneered.

"Enough!" Elizabeth shouted, her voice echoing through the cavernous room. "This ends now."

Before she could make her next move, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder. She stumbled, realizing too late that Kyran had fired a shot, grazing her arm. Blood seeped through her clothes, but she fought through the pain, her vision narrowing on George.

With a final burst of energy, Elizabeth lunged at George, ignoring the pain in her shoulder. She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to his feet, her grip like iron. "You're going away, for a long time!”

She threw him against a stack of crates, the wood splintering under the impact. George lay there, dazed and battered, unable to defend himself. Elizabeth, approached slowly, her footsteps deliberate, her expression devoid of mercy.

As she stood over him, For a brief moment, she saw Gabriella's face in her mind and heard her voice pleading for mercy and justice, not vengeance. Elizabeth's resolve wavered, her grip on George loosening.

George, sensing the shift, laughed weakly. "You're too soft, Elizabeth. You don't have it in you to finish this."

Elizabeth's eyes flashed with renewed anger. "Maybe I am soft," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "But I'm not a murderer. Not like you."

With a swift, decisive motion, she knocked George out cold, his body slumping to the ground. Elizabeth stood over him, her chest heaving with the effort of the fight and the weight of her decision.

Kyran and Oscar, seeing their leader defeated, exchanged uncertain glances. Kiyan, having failed to complete his hack, emerged from his hiding spot, his hands raised in surrender. Elizabeth glared at them, daring them to make a move.

"Take him," she said, her voice hard. "And get out of my sight. If I ever see any of you again, you won't be so lucky."

The men hesitated, but the look in Elizabeth's eyes left no room for argument. They gathered George's unconscious body and retreated, leaving Elizabeth alone in the ruined factory.

Every move she made stung. Collapsing, Elizabeth tore up into a cry of laughter. And then a cry of pain. She grabbed her shoulder and felt the hot sensation of blood.

Tears streamed down her face as she looked around, seeing Gabriella’s face everywhere she looked. The world began to spin, she knew this was the end for her. She reached out catching a hand in hers.

It was quite splintered and rough, she looked up, at George. “Do it then, finish me!” Elizabeth cried, tears streaming down her face as she surrendered.

“I just wanted to be loved, to be proud of how hard I am. But all I want now is my sister. But it’s too late.” George whimpered,” I tried too hard for love, I wanted you to be proud of me, to be proud of your only family, proud of what I achieved.”

He swept her to her feet, “May I have this dance”, George whispered.

As they danced, time seemed to slow. This shared moment made Elizabeth’s heartbreak. “I missed my brother”, Elizabeth whispered.

They embraced, tears dripping down their faces. George picked up Elizabeth and lay her on the floor and George kneeled over her body. “ I vow to never again turn away from the truth,” George cried.

Seeing Elizabeth's eyes start closing, George kissed her on the cheek,” Send my regards to Mum and Dad. I love you.”

And so, you see that in the end all was right. For in the shadows of deception love is everything.