The Collector and Her Steed

Chapter 8

 Slinging her bag over her shoulders she grabbed her leather jacket and tied it around her hips. Slipping out the front door she closed them behind her and began the journey out of the town. Heading down the path that led her to the bridge. Passing through the decrepit ruins that were between where the old ceremony site was and the bridge, she glanced around her and took note of the crows cawing in the distance. They didn't even want to go anywhere near the factory. She didn't blame them, a growing dread was forming in her stomach with every step. Making it to the other side of the stone bridge she climbed up the hill to the statues of giant lords. Looking up at the large statues she shuddered. It was definitely an ominous welcoming to the bridge that would bring her to the factory. Glancing behind her she let out a sigh. She could turn back now and forget this ever happened but deep down she knew he wouldn't let her just ignore his existence for forever.

Adjusting the straps of her backpack Mira started to jog forwards across the bridge, just wanting to get this over with so she could go back to her pub and never return to the factory. Continuing to jog up to the gate, she noticed it had been left ajar. He knew she would come before she even knew herself. Groaning, she pushed through the gate and trudged up to the entrance of the factory. The doors were wide open, beckoning her to enter. Glancing behind her one last time, Mira stepped into the factory.

It was dim inside of the factory, the open doors being the main source of light. Making her way through the entry room she started wandering down a hallway, muttering to herself about how annoying it was that she had to find him herself.

As Mira walked on she ended up in a room that seemed like a dead end. Groaning, she began looking around the room, trying to find a way out that wasn't the way she just came. Noticing a large piece of fabric, she walked over and tugged it to the side. A large picture of Mother Miranda was taped up to the wall, along with images of the other lords. Dozens of other pictures surrounded those main four photos. There were stab marks through the image of Miranda, as well as Dimitrescu's.

"My my, it's very rude to snoop through a man's things while you're in his home." A voice behind her startled her, causing her to drop the fabric and spin around. Heisenberg was leaning against a wall, smoking his cigar with a smirk on his lips. Standing up straight he sauntered over to her, which caused her to take a few steps back until she bumped into a shelving unit.

"W-well it's not my fault you didn't exactly tell me a meeting place." The sudden appearance of Heisenberg was enough to unnerve her. Watching him take a drag of his cigar she rested her hands on her hips.

"I was starting to doubt that you were going to come here willingly. I was just about to send my pets out to snatch you up, but alas you were a good girl and came here on your own. Now, did you bring those gogoși you were making?" Heisenberg eyed the straps of her bag, an eyebrow cocked up. Watching Mira reach behind her, his smirk turned into a full on grin as she brought out the wrapped up gogoși. Taking a few strides towards her he roughly grabbed her chin, lifting her head so she looked him in the eye. His yellow eyes bore into her dark brown ones. "Good girls don't disobey orders do they? If I gave you a bit of a test, would you do it without any protests?"

The sudden closeness of this man she had only met the night prior caused her to stiffen up, holding in her breath. As he had grabbed her face she let out a soft gasp, her face immediately turning red. His scent of oil, sweat, and tobacco filled her nostrils. Going over his words in her head a frown formed on her lips. His eyes never left hers. "I thought you were giving me a tour of the factory, I don't want to do a fucking test."

Clicking his tongue he roughly let go of her chin and snatched up the bag of gogoși from her hand. "That's not what I wanted to hear, Mira." Taking a hold of her arm he spun her around and forced her down into a chair. "Give me a minute to explain some things." Taking a few steps back he reached out and yanked the fabric off of the wall. "Since you decided to fucking snoop I guess I have to test you now. Now darlin, you don't want to get on my bad side so I'd suggest listening real close. I fucking hate it here. I never asked to be part of that bitch Miranda's family but here we are. I'm starting a rebellion against her and I need supplies. If you finish this little test do you think you can get me some items?"
"Screw you, why would I want to be your errand girl? Can't your aforementioned pets get this shit for you?" Mira began to stand up but quickly sat back down as a piece of scrap flew past her head, nicking her cheek. Slightly wincing from the sudden sting she slunk back down into her chair.

"Because if you don't say yes, you won't be leaving this factory alive." Taking a few steps to Mira's side, Heisenberg opened a large metal door on the floor. "For the test I want to see what you can handle. I want you to jump down this hole and see if you can make your way to the top floor. Most of my pe-" He was suddenly cut off by the shrill sound of metal grating against metal. Frowning he yelled down into the hole, "Get your ass back to where I told you to be." Standing back up, he looked over at Mira. "Sorry about that, they usually don't have a mind of their own. As I was saying, most of my pets are locked up but not all of them. I want to see if you can get past them and make your way up to the top floor. I'll be waiting there for you." He reaches over the hole and grabs something off of the shelf behind it. Walking over to Mira he held out his hand, which now contained a dull knife. "Wouldn't want to throw you into the maw without some protection." Chuckling as she grabbed the knife, he reached up to the trickle of blood dripping down her cheek. Wiping some of it off with his thumb, he stepped back and licked the crimson liquid off. "You have ten seconds to decide whether you live a little bit longer or if you die right here, which would be a true tragedy because these gogoși smell delicious. Wouldn't want to lose a damn good source of good fucking food."

Looking at the knife in her hand Mira frowned. Tilting her head to look back up at Heisenberg she nodded her head, "I'll do it, but I'll be damned if I give you any more of my cooking after I get out of here."

"Now that isn't fair darlin, I could've killed you as soon as you stepped foot in the factory. Be glad I didn't chain your hands and feet, this could be a lot worse." Taking a gogoși out of the wrapping he bit into it and a groan left his lips. Grinning, he looked at her. "Let's get this show on the road." As he spoke, all of the metal in the room began to shiver. Goose prickles covered Mira's arms as electricity flowed through the air. Heisenberg took a step towards Mira, lowering his glasses and began counting down from ten.

Letting out a huff Mira turned and sat down on the edge of the hole before slipping into the dark abyss below.