"We all have a choice—to be monsters or men. It is not a matter of blood, but a condition of the heart."
—
The exchange of bullets seems to be non-stop. Chay finds everything to be unbearable. Chay feels like everything is too loud for him to hear. The pain was not only in his wounds, it came from every part of his body. He was tired. He was overwhelmed. Kim's warm hand tightly holding onto his shaking one was the only thing that could keep him grounded. They just ran and ran. He doesn't know if they are chasing after Boswell or running away from him, but the only thing Chay can think of is to trust Kim.
Yet, then, Chay realized that he couldn't just keep running while Kim did all the shooting. Kim was protecting him, but who was protecting Kim? He needed to do something. Once they took cover, Chay said to Kim, "I need a gun."
Kim, who peeked from their hiding, furrowed his eyebrows, "What?" he said, not really giving attention to Porchay. Boswell was so close to them. Kim was so close to killing him.
"Kim, I need a gun!" he said again, getting Kim's attention this time. Kim had this confused and insane look on his face like he didn't believe what his boyfriend just said. "I need a gun, Kim. I need to cover for you. I can't just run and watch you do all the work. I have to do something and protect you. We need to do this together." Chay said determination etched on his face. He was still scared, he wouldn't deny that, but his fear wouldn't get them anywhere. He needs to face them this time and be the protector that Kim needs.
Kim was silent for a while, processing his words before nodding in understanding. "I'll get you a gun. I'm almost out of bullets, anyway," he responded. "Stay here," he said to Porchay, kissing his forehead, then went out from hiding.
Chay waited and silently prayed for Kim's safety. He doesn't know what their plans are. He runs with Kim wherever he pulls him into. It was raining bullets, but in some miraculous ways, they remained unscathed. Well, except for their existing injuries. Chay's bandages were already soaked in blood and they are really painful, but he has to endure it more now.
Then, Kim beside him again made him smile. He hugged him tight, thanking the stars for making it safe. At this point when they're in the middle of danger, every second of their lives is precious, and seeing Kim still alive makes Chay alive as well. With a comforting mutter, Chay almost spoke to himself, "Okay... Okay... Kim's fine... You are fine..."
Kim hugged him back, "Yes, sweetheart. I am okay. We both are. Don't worry, with me, you are safe." he replied. When they pulled away, Kim handed Porchay a gun. "Do you know how to use it?"
Chay took it and nodded, "Yes, but not precise. I'll just have to cover for you like what I did to P'Big. Load, point, and shoot just like what P'Big told me a while ago. We'll be fine." he said nervously. He needs to make himself stop from shaking. He keeps reminding himself that he doesn't have to kill anyone. Just cover and protect Kim. He is doing this for Kim.
Kim was somehow confused about what Big had thought of Porchay for a short period of time, but what Porchay had said was pretty much what he needed to use a gun. "Yeah, okay. Cover for me. You can do that, I trust you." he said and quickly kissed him on the temple lovingly.
Hand in hand, the young lovers started running again. It started raining bullets once again. They kept shooting at everything they could see; to Kim as long as it was a threat, he shot them; for Chay as long as it wasn't a human, it was fine. Kim did the killing, while Chay did the covering; both protecting each other. Chay won't admit it, but the force from the gun's recoil every time it shoots a bullet is very heavy on his arm. He was certain that he wouldn't get used to it.
They both hid again and Kim reloaded their guns. Then, Kim pecked him on the lips, "You're doing so good, sweetheart. I am proud of you." he said to him which made Chay smile. Suddenly, Chay got pushed to the side by Kim, earning a loud grunt from him as he landed on his wounded arm. He softly cursed as the pain worsened. Damn. It hurt so much now that most of his weight was on it. Chay looked at Kim, seeing Kim had already ducked and hid behind huge barrels. Boswell has been firing them with two guns on hand. Chay cursed again, why does it seem he doesn't run out of bullets?
"Run! Run! Run! Run, Porchay!" Kim screamed at him as Boswell aimed at Chay. With wide eyes, Chay quickly stood and hid. He screamed and covered his ears as bullets came in his direction. Kim fired back just as when Boswell ran to the top floor.
"No, Kim! Don't!" Chay screamed as he watched Kim chase Boswell all the way to the top level. Just like that, Kim vanished from his sight again. A familiar dreadful feeling spreads on Chay's chest. He hates it! He hates it so much! Chay needs to follow him.
Out of nowhere, he felt a cold metallic thing behind his head. Even without looking, Chay knew what it was. He was even holding one right at this very moment, but it was useless since he was frozen on the spot. The fear was worse now. He was scared for his life and Kim's. Who would protect Kim now if he's dead?
"Even in this situation, Kim couldn't fucking let you go." the familiar cold voice of Korn Theerapanyakul entered his ears. He let out a shaky breath. No, this can't be happening. Korn ordered him to put his hand up, slowly stand and face him. Chay did as he was told. Korn has this smug look on his face. Having Chay at gunpoint is like having a rat trapped in a cage. It seems like he won yet again. Yet, despite that, he can't hide the pain he was enduring from the gunshot wound that Boswell did to him. He was clutching into one hand, while the other one held out a gun.
The fear and tears seem to be endless on Chay. Moments ago he was fighting hand in hand with Kim, then now he was face to face with Kim's father. Seeing a gun in between his eyes made him fear for his life, but he was still lucky that he was still alive at this point. Korn would've shot him from behind even before he knew it. Still, Chay has fears, his demon. Korn Theerapanyakul is one of his demons. He needs to face him.
Hand still shaking, Chay risked pointing his gun at Korn directly on his forehead. Instead of being feared, Korn maniacally laughed at him instead. "Look at you and the influence of my son on you. You really look like one of us now. A killer. Your parents would be so proud, Porchay." he said smugly.
Chay blinked away his tears and firmly shook his head, "I'm not like you and I will never be. Don't you dare speak about my parents, you heartless bastard." he spat. He was trembling again, the gun visibly shaking along. Anger, fatigue, and frustration mixed in his system. The emotions only grew when Korn's wicked smile widened.
"Then, let's see who can pull the trigger first. You or me." Korn said to him, slowly stepping away from Chay. Korn's aim is perfect no matter how long his distance would be from Chay. He just needs to pull the trigger and Chay will lay lifelessly on the floor in an instant. As for Chay, he doesn't know. He was obviously sucked at aiming his gun. He's a first-timer, after all. Also, he had no intention of killing anyone, not even Kim's father. He doesn't want to do this. He cannot do this.
Abruptly, a gunshot emitted from somewhere. This surprises Chay a lot, causing him to jolt, scream, and shut his eyes. He was shot. He was shot. He was shot. Korn had shot him. Shit. Shit. Shit. He is dead. He is dead, isn't he? Chay waited for the immense pain that Korn's gun had given him, but there was nothing. What? What is happening?
Chay, still scared, fluttered his eyes open. He is still alive. Oh, thank the stars that he is still alive. Yet, rather than being pleased that he is still breathing, Chay widens his eyes in horror seeing that Korn was shot in the stomach. Chay doesn't know that he accidentally pulled the trigger of his gun. He screamed again and dropped his gun as if it was on fire. "O-Oh, my god... Oh my god... Oh my god..." he whispered ghastly.
Korn was staring at him in shock as if he wasn't expecting to be shot by Chay. He dropped his arm so his gun on the concrete floor and looked down at the gunshot wound in his stomach as life slowly drained out of him. He softly laughed, blood oozing from his mouth. "I told you, you are one of us now," he said before dropping to the floor.
Chay screamed horrifyingly as he dropped down to Korn's body, shaking to wake him up. "No! No! No! Wake up!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. No, this can't be happening. There's no damn way he just killed Korn Theerapanyakul. He just killed someone. No. No. No. Chay's conscience is already screaming in his mind. Is he really a killer now? Tears upon tears streaming down his eyes.
Before he knew it, Porsche was already beside Chay, calling his name out repeatedly, "Chay! Chay! Porchay!"
"Hia! Hia! Hia, I shot him! I didn't mean to! I was surprised and pulled the trigger. I didn't mean to, I swear!" he cried out loud, still shaking the dead body.
Porsche tried to cup his brother's face but Chay was too frantic. "Chay, listen to me! Hey! Listen to me, nong!" he said. He held firm on Chay's face, making him face him. His brother's face was covered with tears, dirt, and a few bruises. "Listen to me, nong. I shot him from the back. I killed him. It wasn't you. It was me. Do you understand? I killed Korn." he stated.
Lips quivering, Chay shook his head. "N-No... I shot him, Hia! I killed him..." he said, showing his brother the gunshot wound he inflicted on Korn. Porsche shook his head and insisted that it was him who killed Korn. Chay was trying to process everything his brother had said. Porsche shot Korn from the back. That was the gunshot he got startled with. Still, Chay pulled the trigger. Korn's blood was on his hand, literally and figuratively.
"Porchay, look at me. Kinn and I have been looking for you." he heard his brother tell him. Chay did, his body still shaking uncontrollably. "Now, where is Kim?"