The shouting grew louder as you approached, the hallway free of bodies. The rest of the hideout was cleared out, your chrome & iron having done the job, or perhaps not in favor of a more subtle entrance. With that, your gig should've been done here and now.
But you didn't account for any hostages, or a daemon based on all that screeching...
"YOU MOTHERFUCKERS, YOU'RE ALL DEAD! DEAD! EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU WHEN I'M OUTTA THIS!" That rabid threat lead you to the cellar, lock already dealt with once you reached the bottom of the stairs. Moving inside, you're met by grime & dust, almost no light save for weak rays from the stairwell plus the huge floodlight emplaced in the center, aimed at a crappy bed. On it, you discover the fiendish little presence, frantic eyes of rage targeting you at once.
"HEY, YOU, ASSHOLE! GET ME THE FUCK OUT THIS! I'M GONNA KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THESE GONK BASTARDS UNTIL THERE'S NOTHING LEFT OF THEM! FUCKING PIECES OF SHIT!" Writhing within her bonds, purple electric strands restraining her to the bed, all she had on were her bra & panties. The scene spoke for itself, but based on your unintentionally timely arrival, it looked like the gonks didn't get the chance to go any further. To say this was an unexpected hitch in the equation would be an understatement...
Now what?
With a small sigh I walked over and flipped a switch, turning off the electrical shackles and unhooking Rebecca’s small, metallic form from the bed. “So, how’d you end up like this?” I asked with a curious smile, eyeing her half-naked from the side.
"One of their scouts set me up. Told 'em I was carrying vital intel for a job I just finished," she growled, rubbing her wrists as she glared at you suspiciously. "What do you want with me anyway? More of the same?"
Her words stung, but it wasn't like they were unfounded. You'd known each other long enough for her to know your history.
“No, I’ve changed since five years ago. I’m not like that anymore.” I helped Rebecca find her equipment and some clothes before escorting her out of the building and into a dark alley where we both took a moment to catch our breaths. “Can I help you with something? Like a room and some food at a motel maybe?”
"You're serious?" she asked, her tone incredulous as she looked you up and down. "I mean... I guess I ain't got much choice right now." She paused for a moment before grinning sheepishly. "Thanks, choom. I owe ya one."
We made our way to a nearby inn, and I paid for both the double-meal buffet as well as a room for the both of us. The manager gave me a knowing smile as he handed me a pair of keys and gestured up the stairs towards our room. Rebecca hadn’t looked as childish or eager as last time I met her, but as soon as we sat down at a table and got to eating, she started wolfing down the food. “There’s the crazy old cyber-girl I know.” I said with a small chuckle as she filled her mouth with soft bread and soup.
"Hey," she grinned around a full mouth, "I've been through hell today. I could eat a horse right now." Her tail swished lazily behind her as she continued to shovel food into her mouth, pausing occasionally to gulp down some water from a plastic cup on the table before continuing with renewed vigor.
Once they were both reasonably stuffed, Rebecca stretched out on one of the beds and let out a content sigh.
"Thanks, choomba," she murmured into her pillow. "It's good to be outta that fucked up place..." Her breathing evened out as her eyes drifted shut. A moment of peace, however fleeting it might turn out to be...
Time passes slowly in the dimly lit room, the only sounds coming from the ticking of a wall clock and the occasional snore from the bed beside me. My mind wanders back to how I ended up here, feeling grateful for Thorn's help despite his shady past. The thought of being at their mercy unsettles me more than a little...
I remember what they were like five years ago; ruthless and amoral, only out for themselves and their crew. They seemed to have changed since then, but can I really trust them?
After hours of tossing and turning, unable to find any rest in the strange bed, I finally decide to sit up and face my worries head on. Flicking on the lamp beside me, I take a good long look at Thorn's sleeping form. They seem peaceful enough... but looks can be deceiving.
Taking a deep breath, I lean closer until our faces are just inches apart. "Thorn," I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know something..."
"What's changed? Why did you come for me tonight?" My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for their reaction, half-expecting them to lash out or ignore me completely. To my surprise, they don't seem startled by my question; instead, they open their eyes slowly and look at me with a mixture of curiosity and... understanding?
"I've been thinking about things a lot since then," Thorn finally says. "About the people I've hurt, the lives I've ruined..."
Their words wash over me, making my blood run cold as I remember all too well the horrors they committed in the past. But there's something different about them now; a spark of remorse and regret that wasn't there before. Could it be possible...?
"You really want to know?" I ask softly, hesitating for just a moment before continuing. "You really want me to trust you with that?"