The Collector and Her Steed

Chapter 10

As the shrapnel fell around her, a buzzing sound filled the air. "My my miss Stanislav, you're definitely keeping me on the edge of my seat. Don't get too cocky though, you're still on the first floor. If you want to see the sun again I would suggest hurrying along." Heisenberg's voice filled the passage as he spoke through an intercom.

The buzzing stopped once his voice cut off and the passage was back to being completely silent. Mira made her way forward again, quickening her pace a little as she stumbled through the darkness. After a couple of minutes she finally found her way to the source of the red glow. A door barred her way forward. The door had a semi-circle of lights across it, although only two of the lights were lit up. Taking the handle she jiggled it and frowned, it was locked. Groaning in disbelief she kicked the door out of anger and smashed one of the lights. A soft click was heard after the shattered glass settled. Taking out the knife Heisenberg gave her, Mira used the handle to knock out the other light. A second click was heard and she tried the door handle again, this time it opened up. Slowly opening the door she peered in and saw that she was now entering a forge. A bright orange glow from the forge lit up the room. There were a few work benches littered with scrap and other bits and bobs. Making her way through the room she let out a whoop. Mixed into a pile of scrap was a fuse that looked to be the right size for the elevator. Snatching it up she started jogging back to the door she came in through. One of the side doors slammed open and another one of the creatures shuffled in. Not paying it much attention Mira ran through the door and back through the passage. Staying close to the wall she made her way through the darkness and back out onto the platform she had started on. Practically skipping her way from the dark doorway to the elevator, she opened the powerbox and slipped the fuse into its spot. The lights of the elevator blinked on and she pressed the button to open the doors.

Creaking as the doors slid open, the elevator's light poured out onto her. Stepping inside she hit the button for the top floor and nothing happened. Frowning she tried the others until she hit the one directly above the floor she was on. The doors slammed shut and the elevator began rising as the creature stumbled out of the dark corridor. Peering out the slats of the door, Mira gave the creature a loving middle finger before the elevator was engulfed in metal as it passed through the next floor.

Over the next couple of hours Mira found herself wandering through dark hallways and through messy rooms packed full of scrap and trash. Each floor she had to find a fuse, which she figured was going to be what she needed to do as the elevator didn't accept any floors other than the one above her.

Along her treks back and forth Mira came across a few of the creatures from before, as well as some smaller weaker ones. Avoiding them the best she could and taking out the ones she couldn't avoid, she received little congratulations from Heisenberg which made her push forward hard so she could get up to the top floor and tear him a new one for making her go through this.

After hours of going from the elevator into different dangers she was finally able to reach the top floor. Sliding in the last fuse Mira stepped to the side of the elevator to look across the expansive area. Knowing there were most likely hundreds of those beings in the factory gave her the chills. Luckily Heisenberg hadn't released too many or else she surely would have been overwhelmed. Skipping over to the elevator, she slid inside and twirled around before poking the button for the top floor. The doors screeched shut and she pulled out her flask, taking a swig of whiskey before she had to meet Heisenberg face to face again.

The doors opened up slowly and she stepped out, walking over towards a door inlaid with gold scrawlings across it. Taking the handle she pushed the doors open. As she stepped into the room she gazed across what looked like living quarters. Walking towards the center of the room, Mira jumped as slow clapping started up behind her. Spinning around she found Heisenberg leaning against the door frame. His hat, glasses, and coat were strewn on a nearby chair but he had his usual cigar between his lips.

Taking a few steps towards Mira, Heisenberg flashed her a smirk. "I must say, I didn't expect you to make it past the first Soldat but I'm glad you did. It made for a very interesting show. Especially that little twirl you did at the end there." Quickly closing the space between them, Heisenberg grasped her by the elbow. "Darling I think you've got what it takes to join up with me, even if you did get bruised and cut up." As he said cut he ran his fingers across a decently sized gash on her arm that one of the larger Soldats had managed to give her. Watching her wince at the touch his smirk turned into a grin. "Now, what do you say to my proposition? If you're a good girl and say yes, we may just have to celebrate with whatever you have in that flask. If you aren't, well it's your funeral."

Yanking her arm away from Heisenberg, Mira took a few steps back as a frown crossed her lips. "Why do you want me to join you Heisenberg, is it because I'm the new face in town or do you put all of the women of the town through this." Resting her hands on her hips, she glared at him.

"I would never dream of putting those lowly, filthy women through this. There was just something about you that caught my eye. It could be the mystery of why someone would want to move into this god forsaken village that intrigued me, or it could be something else." Easily closing the space between them again, he began backing her towards a wall. As she stumbled back, trying to get away from him she slammed her back into the hard wall.

Clicking his tongue, Heinsenberg shook his head. "Answer me Mira, will you be a good girl and say yes?" Placing a hand on the wall next to her head, he leaned in. The smell of cigars and whiskey lingered on his breath as it fanned across her face.

Darkening, her cheeks turned a deep crimson as she was once again in close proximity to this man. Her dark eyes scanned his face, tracing some of the scars that littered his flesh until her eyes met up with his bright eyes. A spark of curiosity was seen in them as he stared back. Meekly Mira spoke, "I- uh I don't really have a choice do I?" Turning her head so she no longer had to look at him, she frowned. "I guess I'll take you up on your offer, although I still don't see your reason for wanting me to be your errand runner. You've got those," she pauses, glancing out the window that overlooked the factory. "Those S-Soldats as you called them. Couldn't they do the work for you?" Shaking his head Heisenberg took her chin in his grasp and turned her face so she was looking back at him. "No Mirabela, I need someone who can think for themself. I need someone who is bold and brave, and isn't just a brainless creature." Letting go of her face he took a step back. "I need you Mira."