I was born exactly two months, three weeks and one day before I was due. I was so small and sickly, the doctors said not to get attached. My parents had a coffin picked out and everything. I survived, even though the odds were stacked against me. I've always had to fight for my life. From growing up on the streets to being drafted into the cyborg army, to competing in Cybrawls, to even today, I've had to fight. The world is wearing me down, I don't know how much more I can take before I give in. I'm like a candle that's about to flicker out.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16W6p6DHlb
Chase gave me a concerned look. "What's wrong? You're making your gloomy face."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2tPivzjhl
I hate it when people read my mood. I want to sulk about my own existence in peace! "I'm just tired."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0wDecz1Ex
"Stop it. As your friend, I won't let you lie about what you're going through! Talk to me."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwpKBeJAMg
"Are we friends now?" I've never had many friends. I'm not sure what the friendship protocol is.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiRPNMW7e5
"Yep! I've decided we're officially friends. Now you're stuck with me forever. You can never get rid of me, pal. Our shared trauma of almost being murdered by killer cyborgs has bonded us for life."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9aoJYrpm9
"For life? That's quite a long commitment."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdBMhjGoIL
"Not if people keep trying to kill us."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbE8RS6Dqd
We walk in silence towards Harv's stall.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP1tQw4y5C
"Are you scared of death?" Chase asked abruptly.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f3yoIx6aC
"Woah, why so serious all of a sudden?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2G9taCqdH
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well, we are friends now, and friends don't shy away from discussing difficult topics."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmIW2NBw01
"No, I'm not afraid to die. A part of me feels like I was meant to die a long time ago. Now it feels like I've lived past my expiration date, and I'm not sure what I'm meant to do anymore. You know? I'm not suicidal but—"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rHLCz5ehu
"No, I get it. Since the car crash, I've been having a bit of a crisis." He confessed. "I never realized how much of my identity was rooted in my career. Modeling is the only thing I've ever been good at. I don't know what to live for anymore."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjhacGnvRc
I gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "I hope you find something to live for. You deserve to be happy."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhnfQeZ2aM
He glanced at me sorrowfully. "So do you."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwmhiWkBv6
"I wish that was true, but after all the lives I've taken, I'm not sure that I deserve anything."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjAAwVc1gh
Chase came to an abrupt halt. "Stop acting like you're the villain in this scenario! It's getting super annoying. You're a victim. You were a kid and the army forced you to do those things. I know it's not easy to hear, but you were abused."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ELnCmNpZC
Victim? Abuse? Those words caused me to recoil. That can't be right! Chase doesn't know anything! I'm a monster, I'm a killer! I'm... I thought about every person I killed. I forced myself to recall the details of every execution I carried out. As I was thinking, a repressed memory gradually revealed itself. I remembered receiving my first assignment. I recall protesting and trying to escape. They punished me for my insubordination. They threw me in solitary confinement without food or water for days. I remember laying on the cell's cold floor and sobbing. Every day, my commanding officer would visit me and ask if I was ready to kill. I spat in his face until my body's need for food and water superseded my moral compass. Then I did it. I killed for the second time. The words victim and abuse raced through my head. Was it possible I was a victim and not a monster? I recalled vague memories of many nights spent in solitary confinement. Did I try to fight back against them? I always saw myself as a ruthless killer, but maybe that was a narrative I invented to protect myself from the truth. Abuse. Victim. I suppose it was easier for me to believe that I was heartless than to cope with the reality of being abused. I wanted to believe I wasn't helpless. But...
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhFsXZlpta
I noticed I was crying when Chase wiped my cheeks with his sleeves. I blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the tears. I jerked my head away, so Chase didn't have to see the pathetic sight of me crying.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mAFmaUQfa
"I'm so sorry, dude. If I knew you were going to cry, I never would've brought it up. Forget I said anything." Chase stammered.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmneyK8htfA
I shook my head. "No, I'm glad you said something. You've given me a lot to think about." Am I a villain, a victim, or something in between? I thought I knew, but now I'm not sure.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUo7wajkCF
"Wow, you've been having a pretty terrible day so far, Oblivion broke into your apartment and threatened your sister, Vindicator tried to kill us twice, Patch is in danger, and it's only 10:00 a.m."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2WKuHQMAk
I sighed. "I've been having a pretty terrible life so far, and I'm only nineteen." It feels like whenever I start to feel okay, something goes wrong. Today's events solidified my theory. Despite my crazy day yesterday, I was happy this morning when I was in the safe house with Chase. It felt good to share my secrets with someone. Then I got the call about Patch, and things fell apart. I've been trying to pull myself together and stop worrying about Patch, but it feels like I'm falling apart. He's a smart man, and he knows how to evade Bionic Corp, but I can't subdue the sense of dread that's taken hold of me. The truth is, I love Patch more than I ever loved my parents. Marisa would kill me if she ever found out I had such treacherous thoughts, but it's true. Honestly, all my memories from before my parents' deaths are jumbled and blurred. I can barely remember my parents' names or faces. I think Bionic Corp messed with my memories somehow. The only person I remember taking care of me was Patch.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E44n3bG6V
In the following weeks, after I was torn apart, I was unable to move or communicate in any way. Patch didn't want me to be lonely, so he'd hold me close and read me books that were much too mature for a thirteen-year-old, but I didn't mind. I was just happy to not be alone. After I got new cybernetics and regained mobility, Patch never mentioned those moments again. It's like he's allergic to sincerity and intimacy. He acts as if forming a genuine bond with someone will give him a rash. That's probably why I shared all my traumatic experiences with Chase. Patch never wanted to have these types of conversations with me. He is still dealing with the emotional fallout of his own experiences in the cyborg army. It's difficult to comfort someone through experiences that you yourself haven't healed from. Bionic Corp broke all of us in different ways.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf79c4Kt4h
My train of thought was interrupted by the sight of Chase walking in the wrong direction. I ran after him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Wrong way, dumbass."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5pAO9Twxz
"No, I'm going the right way. You're clearly distressed, so I'm getting you cotton candy. I'm not great at cheering people up, but I am great at spending money."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRHysY06na
A halfhearted smile spread across my lips. "If you insist."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUJ1WQqd5N
"I do." He placed his hands on his hips stubbornly and marched over to the cotton candy stand.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAjlEWJMrN
Chase returned with a cone of pink cotton candy in his left hand, and a cone of blue cotton candy in his right. "I didn't know which flavor you preferred, so I got you one of each."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JlNa5sjpH
I graciously accepted the pink one and offered the blue one to Chase.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ija5XtULP
He waved it away. "No, thanks, I can't stand the texture. I know you like it, though." He gestured towards the pack of flavored cigarettes in my pocket.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36MM5QT3aY
"You remembered?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JPCb4SCRX
"It's kinda hard not to when you keep blowing smoke from pocket-sized cancer sticks in my face."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vjke4HLjS
"I'm sorry. I promise to quit smoking if you quit drinking."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDHT0sOL03
"No deal!" He shouted.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulY8pNS7vi
I shrugged. Okay, then.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujYHsdB3fr
I consumed both cones of cotton candy at lightning speed, and we continued our journey. We reached the outside of a tent, with a sign that read, "Harv's Antique Knickknack Emporium." Chase and I shot each other a wary look before entering. The truth is, I have no idea what is going to happen when we step into that tent. There could be an ambush waiting for us as soon as we step inside. I gripped my knives and prepared to strike first. I hate going in blind, but I don't have a choice. I lifted the tent flap and ducked inside.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwmeS8IKrv
The tent's interior reeked of mothballs, stale beer, and another musty odor I couldn't quite place. Shelves surrounded the entire interior of the tent. They were fully stocked with random trinkets from every decade in the past two centuries. In the right corner of the tent, a teenage cyborg hummed a Volcanic Kittens song to herself as she stocked shelves. At the very back of the tent stood a dilapidated counter. A burly-looking cyborg with scythes tattooed on the sides of his head stood behind the counter and scowled at us. Everything in the store was covered in a thick layer of dust.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIRIitL9on
Chase let out a sneeze so loud it caused the entire tent to shake.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcLKYkqQaP
"Hey! You break it, you buy it!" The burly cyborg shouted. His voice was so deep and gravely, it sounded like he'd been gargling rocks.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU8yF4OtV3
Chase chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry about that. Dust allergies, you know?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyP03JDYUw
We stepped up to the counter.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGL4RZODZd
The man stared Chase down. "We don't see people who look like you often."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqhPJTaabq
"What do you mean by that?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYFCJwg27u
"You're soft and fragile," The man said, appraisingly.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJjpQFVA2b
"Fragile!" Chase spluttered.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAmuSlYPv4
The man grabbed Chase's right hand and studied it. "Look at this hand. It is so soft and delicate, like a baby's hand. There's not a single mark or callous. I can tell you've never had to toil a day in your life."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3GxdpzrLt
"I have a job!" Chase protested. "Or at least I used to. I might get fired soon."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcPf7zE4Bk
"You don't belong here." The man said. His scrutinizing gaze shifted to me, and I flinched. "You on the other hand. You've seen too much for someone your age, I can see it in your eyes."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1w9FY7gnl
I turned away from him. I didn't appreciate being analyzed.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51TSQgILLF
"What are you two doing here? What do you want?" The man interrogated us.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCasIbPw0WI
"We're looking for someone named Harv Knox. We heard he has something we've been looking for." Chase said.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D2yB9Ci77
"Well, you found him." The man said, gesturing towards himself.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4wnNZNytG
The teenage employee tried to pretend she wasn't eavesdropping on our conversation, but she was failing spectacularly.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u3HUcXNGd
"Get out of here, Ava. I want you to take your break early." The man said.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUumBZfX8I
"I won't leave you alone with them!" She gestured towards Chase and me. "I don't trust them!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe883O3czW
"That was not a suggestion. I'm ordering you to leave."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauxowrdTcs
"Yes, sir." She muttered, then stormed off.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynnhNKBiy5
After she left, Harv turned towards me. "You were in the cyborg army, weren't you?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHrQJcnat3
I froze in place. How the hell did he know that?
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8IsZZeQ8Q
"It's written all over your face, boy!" He barked. "You reek of Bionic Corp's foul stench."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg42PUrc7u
I wanted to protest, but I didn't know if he understood sign language, so I shoved my hands in my pockets and stared down at the ground.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpdLUtJbyv
He scoffed. "What's the matter, boy? Can't you speak?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk3RWZmvUE
Chase spoke up. "Actually, he can't speak. He had his voice box was ripped out by a deranged lunatic, so maybe you shouldn't judge people before knowing them, jerkface!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHS2pKf15P
I placed a reassuring hand on Chase's arm, signaling for him to calm down. I lowered the scarf around my neck just low enough for the man to see the scars from where my voice had been ripped out.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI9bLFXFC6
The man inspected my scars. "Did that happen when you were in the cyborg army?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNP6UzGp8M
I gave a solemn nod.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8lj24pirP
He lowered the collar of his shirt to reveal a deep, round scar on his chest. "I was in the army too. I received this scar when I got shot in the chest on the battlefield. The bullet pierced my left lung and just nearly missed my heart. I almost died."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVzcLZ4Bbh
I gave him an empathetic look. I know what it's like to almost lose your life on a battlefield.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqYtezU5lH
Harv stared us down. "Now tell me, why did Bionic Corp send you here? I served my time! I did everything they ever asked of me! All I want is to be left alone for the remainder of my days! Is that too much to ask?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZRzkrJqfn
What? Did he think we were working for Bionic Corp?
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WehaaSkoP
Chase let out an easygoing chuckle. "Oh no, you've got us all wrong. We don't work for Bionic Corp. We're trying to sabotage Bionic Corp by stealing something from them."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MbbXHjzPf
"Oh, so you're thieves!" Harv accused.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TPt0CdHNK
I nodded, but Chase shook his head. Chase elbowed me in the stomach. "No, we're not thieves." He said through clenched teeth.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRII1MjhbvR
Speak for yourself. Chase may not be a thief, but I am. Theft isn't even in the top three worst crimes I've committed, and I'm not going to lie about it.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedLNFQZSoB
Harv let out a low grumble. "Go tell whoever sent you, they can go to hell."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGbUdhscaL
"No one sent us. We came alone. We're just ordinary customers looking to purchase your wares." Chase insisted.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WOsbpdWJ6
Harv pointed towards the exit. "Get out of my shop." His tone was cold and unyielding.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWChv2XEt3
Chase banged his metal fist into the counter, leaving a dent. "We aren't leaving until we get what we came for."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NmoH0HREK
I restrained Chase to stop him from committing any further property damage.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMJRfgW5pP
"I don't owe anything to you or Bionic Corp! I more than served my time!" Harv snapped. "Bionic Corp stole everything from me! I'm not giving them a damn thing!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYf6oTcD9x
"They stole everything from me too." I signed.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WLbv0oxAh
Harv paused for a moment as his cybernetics translated for him.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgsOldwafq
"No, you could never understand what I've been through. I was falsely convicted of killing my best friend. I never would've hurt him, I would've traded my life for his, but no one believed me. I was sentenced to fifteen years in the cyborg army. I was a loyal soldier, I followed every order without complaint for the entirety of my service. When I was finally discharged, no one wanted anything to do with me. Everyone refused to hire me, and all my friends and family refused to speak to me. They all believed I was a criminal, a cold-blooded killer, and they refused to hear otherwise. I was left with nothing and nowhere to go, but eventually, I managed to find a job at this shop. After working here for thirty years, I'm finally in charge. This store is all I got, and I'm not letting Bionic Corp have anything. You hear me!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj0WPyTKqH
Harv and I were more alike than he'd ever know. The draft ruined both of our lives. The only difference is that I was guilty of my crimes. Just like me, Harv was trying to survive after having his humanity stolen from him. We're both victims of a system determined to exploit us. I faced Chase. "Let's get out of here. We're not welcome."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOrh8vgHTw
Chase stomped his foot on the ground like a disgruntled toddler. "I'm not leaving without the map! What's gotten into you, man? You were willing to fight in a Cybrawl for a piece of this map! I almost died for a piece of this map!" He pointed towards the scars on his face for emphasis. "Are you seriously going to let it go just because an old guy told you so?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ9m8XDoKf
"He's right, you know. I expected better from you, Atlas." A mysterious figure, cloaked in all black, leaned up against the tent's entrance.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFqnAjiYC1
Chase recoiled at the sight of this cyborg. "You again! I'd hoped you'd run off for good."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC08Z59UO1
I shot him a quizzical look. "Do you know this person?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY2WLvUrGG
"Yeah, this is the psycho cyborg who tried to kill me in the alley behind the Volcanic Kittens concert. I think they broke into your apartment too." Chase said.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoyhXkLBmQ
I clenched my fists. I mix of rage and fear flooded through me. I felt rage because this person threatened Marisa and tried to kill Chase. I wanted to make them pay for trying to hurt the people I loved. I also felt fear because if what Chase told me about this cyborg yesterday was true, then they're the one who took my place as the cyborg army's favorite assassin. Which means they're the new keeper of the Annihilation Code. I clutched my knives and prepared to attack. I have no idea what Oblivion is capable of.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02JDVYV91m
I could almost see Oblivion roll their eyes beneath their helmet. "Stand down. I'm not here for you, Atlas. I'm here for the burly oaf behind the counter."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfofBK9ESIl
"You should show your elders some respect," Harv advised.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VTBlDveuJ
Oblivion laughed. "You should be showing me some respect. Perhaps you've heard that my employers at the Bionic Corporation purchased the entire boardwalk and everything on it."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxQr4ITbZo
Harv crossed his arms. "Yeah, so?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6tdbrwBXI
"You're six months behind on rent, Harv. What do you have to say for yourself?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xrCApwD21
"It's not my fault!" He protested. "You keep raising it. I can't keep up."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKVRN2eYiM
"Well, my employers have run out of patience, and I've come to collect your debts."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFkWNFiMDG
"Are you kidding me? I don't have that kind of money!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMkwkYP3Se
Oblivion whipped around and kicked over a shelf of merchandise, causing everything on it to shatter. "I suggest you get that money before the next time we cross paths."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxhIQ1sKvz
"You know what? I'm not giving you or your employers a damn penny! Now get out of my shop!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtekgaUjsd
"I'm sorry to hear you say that, Harv." Oblivion cleared their throat, then began singing in a low, husky tone. "Sleep my darling tiny one
Tucked within your bed so tight
Else the old grey wolf will come
And grab you by your side."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MN59I8gaQ
Hearing the cursed melody caused every inch of my body to tremble. I deep sense of panic took hold of me and I fought my hardest to breathe. I had to stop them from finishing the song!
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWeU6kmx5g
"He'll snatch you up between his teeth
If on the bed's edge you sleep
And drag you to the forest deep
Beneath the quaking tree"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBvW9Lldmo
Harv banged his fists on the counter. "What's going on?"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4uWZbMCHc
I approached Oblivion. I counted down with every step, trying to subdue my oncoming panic attack. The code couldn't kill me. My kill switch was removed when I became Bionic Corp's main assassin, but I had to protect any other cyborgs within earshot. I tackled my adversary to the ground, but Oblivion didn't stop singing.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWopGgOUeMo
"So close your eyes and fall asleep
Count the little wooly sheep
Tucked so tightly you must keep
Or he will come for you."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1WoXWqCwI
No! I'm too late! I spun around to assess the situation.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0thx9eiAn
Harv rubbed his temples. "Something doesn't feel right." His cybernetics beeped loudly, and then, Boom! Blood, followed by chunks of flesh and guts, sprayed across the room, dying the tent red.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9ep6EpQoV
Oblivion sprung to their feet and dusted themself off, trying to shake off Harv's remains. "Gross. Scrubbing out bloodstains is such a pain."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPRZKLXv27
I clenched my teeth. "You murderer!" I signed.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxF0AkbJNv
"Teapot, meet kettle. You're not any better than I am." Oblivion strode over to the glass display case in the back of the room, punched a hole in the glass, and began rummaging around inside.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDz71dNUIN
"Oh, my God. That guy just blew up! The Annihilation Code makes people blow up? Why didn't anyone tell me this?" Chase muttered to himself. "That could've been me. I could've blown up. I could've become a goopy splattering of flesh soup like him!" He shook his fist at Oblivion. "You tried to turn me into flesh soup!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvVhBBxwMc
Oblivion nodded. "I did. Lucky for you, you're shockingly hard to kill."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDjmUNRScL
"You know, I've been hearing that a lot lately," Chase remarked.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlhZxGEyyr
I forced myself to my feet and trudged over to where Chase was standing and prepared to defend him. If Oblivion tried to kill him before, they'll likely try again.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQbDauc3aD
"I found it!" Oblivion proudly displayed something small in their hands.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwapDiXlAc
We eyed it skeptically, trying to identify what it was.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KurdOydF0
"It's the third piece of the map, fools." They pushed a button on the side of the device, revealing the third piece of the map. They extended it towards us. "Here, take it."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh8yVdzPXN
I nudged the map with the tip of my knife but didn't take it.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcTYb23rgw
"Go on. I want you to have it." Oblivion encouraged.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IGpf1rvDd
Neither of us moved.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE7Y6bjGYk
"Fine, I'll just leave this here." Oblivion placed the map on the blood-soaked counter and turned towards the exit.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8Qi70A1ws
"You're not going to take it? I thought you wanted the map." Chase said.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHgBwnvXrY
Oblivion shook their head. "There's been a change in plans. I've decided to play the long game."
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVKaUgPAZI
"So, you're not going to try to kill us?" I asked.
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpZlLH2KxV
"Not yet." Oblivion gave a polite wave. "See you soon, boys." They threw a smoke bomb on the ground and disappeared in the cloud of haze.
ns 172.71.223.161da2
