Intervene and pull Holly off of Annabelle
From Create Your Own Story
"Holly, enough," you say. "Let's hear what Annabelle has to say for herself. Then we can decide what to do with her." You try to pry Holly off of Annabelle, but despite your strength, Holly is even stronger.
"Holly, please," you say in a softer voice.
Holly, shaking, slowly releases Annabelle. "Okay, but you'd better..."
That's as far as she gets. In a lightning move, Annabelle cheerleader kicks Holly in the face, taking her completely by surprise and knocking her out with the strength of her leg. She then grabs Holly and wraps a muscular brown arm around her neck. "No funny stuff, Marina," she warns you. "No crying for help or anything like that. One wrong move and I'll pop her neck like a chicken."
You curse at yourself for putting compassion ahead of logic, and for leaving your gun behind. "So what now, Ana?" you challenge her.
"I'm getting out of here. Luckily I have a bug-out bag all packed, just in case a situation like this popped up. Too bad I couldn't kill the rest of you off and have the castle to myself, but I still have my brains, my beauty, and my muscles. I'll go to the city, seduce some male saps, and once I've gained their trust I'll kill them and take over their little fiefdom. I'm a survivor. Always will be. Now you're going to stay where I can see you and keep quiet."
"Let Holly go. Just let her go and you can go off wherever the fuck you want," you say in a low voice.
"When I'm good and ready, Rina. You're in no position to give me orders. I'm holding all the cards here."
"No," you say quietly. "You have just one, and once you play it, you're fucked."
Annabelle swallows hard, but quickly regains her composure. "Are you willing to risk Holly's life?"
You look down at your feet.
"Thought not. Now, enough talk." With that, Annabelle grabs a duffel bag, still keeping her other arm around Holly's neck. "Now follow me outside and keep quiet."
Once the two of you are out of earshot of anyone inside the castle, you say sharply, "That's far enough. Let her go. Now."
Annabelle looks at you, not saying a word, as if sizing up your capabilities, comparing them with hers, and calculating her options and outcomes. Finally, she releases Holly, letting her unconscious form fall to the grass.
"Now step away from her and just go," you say.
Annabelle chuckles like the sociopath she is. "You know, I would have killed her if I thought I could get away with it. But you're a strong woman, Marina. Strong enough to save Holly's life. I do respect your strength. Holly and Jack were physically strong, but mentally weak. But you, Marina...you have real power. In fact, you and I are not that different."
"Don't give me that crap," you growl. "I'm not a murdering psychopath like you."
"Oh, really? You know you'd love to kill me."
You snort. "Killing you would save many innocent lives. That's hardly murder."
"Then why don't you try it now, Rina? If you think you're woman enough," Annabelle challenges you.
The two of you stare at one another for several seconds, both breathing heavily. Both of you know that you're evenly matched and it would be a 50/50 shot who would win in a fight to the finish.
