Deus Ex Human Revolution: Shadow's Showdown

Chapter 17: The Adam's abduction.

Detroit – Adam's Apartment.

Adam came home angry and heartbroken all at once. He didn't even bother hanging up his coat, carelessly tossing it into a corner. On the way, he poured himself a glass of Whisky, drank it in one gulp, poured another. He had made so many mistakes in Laura's presence that he simply wanted to sink into the ground. First, he hurt her, then he gave her hope, and finally pushed her away again. It's good Faridah was able to think straight and helped the girl. Jensen reached for a cigarette, noticing his hands are shaking again, so he put it back into the crumpled box. The room was grim and half-dark, most of the blinds were down, he only raised the ones that blocked the view from the windows facing Laura's apartment. Jensen could only see the sketch of her silhouette pacing the room there and back again. Although he could not see her face, he could imagine what it was like now. He could feel her suffering under his skin, which overwhelmed him. He let her go that night and instead of breaking his rules he chose to push Laura away even more. Adam sipped his Whisky and turned away from the window rubbing the base of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. Slowly he walked over to a low table near the sofa and placed empty glass there. He sat down for a moment but was struck by the vivid image of Miss Werner from that night, so he stood up. She was everywhere he looked. Remembered her walking from the door to the living room, going down the stairs, sitting on the sofa, sleeping in his bed. He felt like an intruder in his own home and the memories were burning him from the inside out. Wanting to shake off this state, he went to the bathroom to take a cold shower. On the way, he grabbed the gray sweatpants he usually slept in and a T-shirt tossed on the bed. From the cupboard to the left by the sink, he pulled out two clean white towels, shower gel, and shampoo. He threw the clothes he was wearing onto the floor inlaid with square graphite-colored tiles. Those for sleeping along with the towels Adam left on the cabinet adjacent to the side of the shower. He stepped into the shower squeezed into the left corner of the narrow, rectangular room. Icy water dripped down his shoulders and back, but other than feeling cold, it didn't help in muting his thoughts. So he gave up on further torture by turning on the warm water. Jensen poured some of the gel onto his palm and spread it over his skin in quick motions. The foam swirled lazily over his muscles, then disappeared as he rinsed it off. Finally, he washed his hair and with gentle moves run his fingers through it a few times. Adam turned his face towards the flowing water and closed his eyes. He stood there for a moment, then rubbed his hands over his forehead, cheeks, and eye lids, turned off the water. He stepped onto a gray rectangular rubber mat, reaching for a towel. Jensen wiped himself with it and then wrapped the towel around his hips. With the other, smaller one he dried his hair. The Chief of Security looked at his reflection in the mirror, stating that he hated it. Suddenly a wave of unrestrained anger rose within him, which he unleashed with a strong, decisive blow aimed straight at the glass pane. He cursed under his breath as he watched the blood from his cut knuckles flow into the sink. With his other hand, he pushed open a drawer and pulled out a first aid kit. Adam had trouble opening it, so he was forced to use both hands. He stained the floor in the process, but he didn't care too much. He dressed the cut carelessly, wrapped it with a bandage, and brushed his teeth. Finally, he put on his sleeping clothes, hung the wet towel on the dryer attached to the wall covered with white hexagonal tiles, and turned off the light as he left. He lay down on the bed set to his left against the wall, near the bathroom exit. He was unable to fall asleep.

***

Detroit – Laura's Apartment

Laura was walking around the apartment holding a piece of paper in her hands. She was afraid of every sound, and Stalker was not helping her at all. He was constantly jostling or knocking something off, which made her panic. She did not know what to do with the message, and whether she could make any move at all based on mere assumptions. In despair, she slipped the anonymous letter into her right trouser pocket. Laura was aware she would not fall asleep, but she had to at least try. She took a quick shower, washed her hair, and brushed her teeth looking into the still broken mirror. Then put on Adam's t-shirt, which was like a talisman and shield for her. With a slow step, she marched over to the bed, which was already occupied by her cat. She carefully slipped under the covers, but instead of falling asleep, she stared at the ceiling. She analyzed all her mistakes and stumbles, but mostly recalled that moment of Jensen's hesitation. Laura felt he wanted it as much as she did, she couldn't explain it, but such things are simply known. She began wondering why he hadn't kissed her, what was it about her that pushed him away. She shook her head, regaining her common sense. His safety is more important. She may be his enemy for the rest of his life, but knowing he is safe is priceless. She has to think something out, find a way. She should tell him, ask for a conversation but Laura knew how Adam would act afterward. There was only one way out of this situation and she was aware of that. Laura sighed, rolling over to her right side. Stalker opened one eye, yawned, and continued to sleep, but she still couldn't so she got up from the bed. For a moment she looked out the living room window toward Adam's apartment. She didn't know if the sounds in her head were real or just echoes of exuberant imagination, but they made her terrified. Laura couldn't stand it anymore, staying alone in this empty space started to overwhelm her more and more every minute.