Ace kicked off hard, his Sprinter's Stride node kicked in, and he sprinted toward Marko. He caught up in a few breaths. It felt like seconds.
The Conductor looked far, but they were close together. Death was close.
"Don Capo?! Why?!" Marko asked.
"Because I am Don Capo," Ace said, looking up at the Conductor's horse and its cold zero eyes. "The Heavens suck. Been there. I'll never let my friends go there. Gates, multiverse. This hell fits us better. Back to the others. Now. I'm saying this as Don Capo, not your friend."
Marko's tears spilled, streaking down his face. "Y-Yeah!"
Biting his lip, he turned and ran, obeying his boss. The stillness broke when the Conductor's horse whistled its distinct note. It vanished in front of Ace and reappeared behind Marko.
"You think I wouldn't see that coming?" Ace said. His left hand gripped his silver bow; his right drew the string taut.
