The Collector and Her Steed

Chapter 20

Grumbling, Mira slowly sat up after what felt like a fever dream. Stretching, she winces at a sharp pain in her side. Looking down, she realized she very much was no longer in the clothes she was in when she was attacked by the soldats. Lightly feeling where the wound was, she was surprised to feel plates of metal welded together around that side of her torso.

Looking around her, she realized she was still in the factory and that Heisenberg must have found her. Everything after the initial injury was extremely blurry. She barely remembered patching herself up but everything else was blank. Looking to the chair beside the bed, she frowned seeing Heisenberg slumped over the hard metal back. His eyebrows were furrowed, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead as he muttered. Whatever he was dreaming about seemed to be troubling him. Slowly reaching out a hand, she rested it on his knee and gently rubbed it to try and soothe him.

As soon as she moved her hand Heisenberg woke up with a startle, grasping onto her hand tightly with terror filled eyes. Focusing his eyes on her, his grip lessened and his demeanor calmed. "How are ya feeling butte- darlin?" He leaned forward, rubbing her knuckles with his rough thumb.

"Ah w-well, I have some questions." Mira motions to the large button up shirt. "Firstly, why am I wearing your shirt and not the clothes I had on before? Also, did you see anything cause I'm assuming you put me in this." She cocks an eyebrow up as she watches him.

"The clothes you were in were soaked with blood and since I knew you didn't want me seeing you, I put one of my shirts on you before removing the bloody clothes. I did go to the pub and grab you some clothes and comfort items because you can't fuckin move much with that injury." Heisenberg motions to where the metal plates were.

"Well thank you for being considerate." She taps on the metal plates lightly. "Now what the fuck is up with these? Am I like a cyborg now or some shit?" Mira frowned as Heisenberg chuckled.

"No Mira, they're just there to give you some structure. The wound goes through your torso. It'll also help keep the wound from getting shit in it. Once I'm certain the wound is at least mostly healed I'll remove the plates." He reaches over with his free hand and lightly taps the metal. "It'll also protect your side from hits, so even if you bump your side it won't do damage."

Nodding she looked around her to take in what he had brought for her. There was a half-ass stacked pile of shirts and pants on an old dresser, her blankets and pillows clearly were around her, and on a little table next to the bed was the horse statuette. Grabbing the statuette, she looks at him. "Why'd you bring this? Finally taking it back?"

Shaking his head he let go of her hand, "No, I brought it here so I could actually give it to you since it was technically a stolen item. You'll appreciate it more than me so I'd say it's going to a good home." Raking his fingers through his hair, he frowns down at her. "Why did you sneak in, wait no. How did you sneak in Mira? You knew this place was dangerous. You clearly knew you were probably going to be hurt considering the stuff in your pack."

"Well if someone wasn't so keen on ignoring me despite me trying to make it up to you, I wouldn't have had to sneak in." Squeezing his hand reassuringly she continued, "I found a weak spot in the fence at the back of the factory and you left the main doors open. It wasn't that hard to sneak in. I was doing fine until I went into the factory looking for you." Frowning at the memory, she looked down at their hands. "I just wanted to know if you were alright Heisenberg... Why weren't you here? Why weren't you there to stop them?"

Seeing her eyes tearing up, Heisenberg stood up and sat on the edge of the bed so he could pull her close. He didn't know why he was doing this but he just knew he had to hold her close. "I was at a family meeting with the other lords and that bitch." Pulling her tightly against his chest, resting his chin on top of her head. "I wish I was here. I wish I had came back before you got hurt darlin." Sighing, he rubbed her upper arm as gently as he could. "When I found you laying there in a pool of your own blood, I had a rage fill me like I have never felt. I fucking felt so fucking useless seeing you lay there. I ripped the soldats apart before I went in for you." Growling softly, he lightly gripped her arm. "I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found you in time."

Gently setting a hand on top of his, Mira pulled away enough that she could turn to look at him. "I know I shouldn't have snuck into the factory but I was desperate to see how you were doing. Don't blame yourself for not being there. You made it in time. I'm still here." Hesitantly, Mira leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for saving me, Heisenberg."

Looking into her dark eyes, Heisenberg frowned. "I shouldn't have ignored you, but the rejection I felt wasn't like anything I've felt before. I'm used to people fearing me or hating me, but you... Fucks sake, for some reason you don't see a damned monster."

"I don't see a monster because I see a broken man that was forced into this life. You just want to be free of this shit, which I don't blame you for. While you do live amongst monsters, you use corpses to make them instead of living people. It's fucked up, but not the worst thing you could do." Gently squeezing his hand, she smiles at him. "I want to be able to help you get out of this life so you have a chance of getting to live a normal life, or at least as normal as life can be for you."

Moving back to where he had placed her, Mira leaned back against his chest and sighed. "I just think we should slow it down so Miranda doesn't get suspicious, I don't want your plan getting ruined because of me." At the mention of Miranda, Heisenberg gripped onto the blanket tightly. Seeing this Mira takes both of his hands and wraps his arms around her.

The two sat there like that in silence for an hour before Mira started squirming in his arms. Raising an eyebrow, Heisenberg looked down at her. "Are you hurting?"

Mira let go of his hands and sat up. "D-do you have a bathroom here that isn't going to give me tetanus just from looking at it? Or anything else for that matter." Pressing her legs together, she looked at him expectantly.

Standing up Heisenberg chuckled softly. "Well, I do have a bathroom but it uh. I can't promise you won't get tetanus from just looking at it." Holding out a hand to her, he helped her stand up gently. "It needs work but it'll be better than nothing. Are you sure you can walk? I can carry you if you can't." Shaking her head, Mira took some shaky steps forward with the help of Heisenberg.

Slowly guiding Mira through the factory, he brought her to the one solid bathroom in the place. Helping her inside, he shut the door and let her do her thing. Opening the door for her when she was done, he scooped her into his arms despite her protests. With one hand cupping the underside of a bare thigh and his other supporting her back, he carried her back to the room. He really didn't mind the sight of her wearing his shirt, which reached her mid thigh. Setting her back onto the bed, he tucked her in. "I have to go do some work, if you need anything just yell out that window and I'll come. Don't try to wander out into the factory, I will find you and bring you back here for a punishment." Winking at her he chuckles, "I don't think you'd mind the punishment though." With that he left the room, leaving her to herself.