Basically Strangers (revised)

[15 - Stranger Without Morals]

[15 - Stranger without Morals]

You carried a small paper bag as you rushed back towards the house. You had as many condoms and as much lube as twenty dollars could get you. You knew that you would be using them all. You rushed back into the apartment complex, taking a moment to flip off your father’s apartment. You excitedly ran up to your apartment.

You froze in the hallway. The door was open slightly. You slowly began approaching the door. You opened it in a stilted manner to make sure that it didn’t creek open. You could hear the noise of shuffling coming from Arkin’s office, which was wide open. Arkin never let you have a weapon. He kept his on him at all times. You grabbed a knife from the kitchen as you wandered past the bedroom.

You pushed into the office, knife ready to attack. Adilia looked up at you, pausing from rifling through Arkin’s drawers like a raccoon.

“Jeez, kiddo,” she said. “He trained you good, didn’t he?” She resumed ransacking Arkin’s drawers. You dropped the knife to your side.

“God damn it, Adilia. What are you doing here?” She shrugged, not looking up at you.

“Looking for drugs,” she said blatantly. “Since he’s gone, I gotta get my own now.” You cocked your head to the side.

“What do you mean gone? Arkin was here less than ten minutes ago.” Adilia rolled her eyes, smacking her hands on the desk. She glared up at you, almost mocking you for being an idiot.

“Look, it doesn’t take long for someone to leave. I was in the bushes when I saw you leave, then he ran out and got into some car. So I picked the lock now I’m here.” Adilia went back to tossing papers and shit out of the drawers.

“No, he wouldn’t have left. We… we had plans.” Adilia laughed loudly.

“Well, your plans weren’t nearly as important as Postle’s.”

“What?” She looked up at you tiredly.

“Dude, Arkin turned himself in. Not to the cops, though. Cops let you live. Postle doesn’t.” Your stomach dropped to your feet.

“Wait. What?” Adilia groaned and tossed her hands in the air.

“God, you’re an idiot. All this training and shit, and you don’t even realize what he’s been prepping you for.” She stood up and clicked a few buttons to let everything pop up. “Can’t believe I gotta help out here.” She motioned you over to her, and you stepped close. She hit the spacebar, starting a video. While it played, she continued emptying the drawers. It was young Arkin.

“My name is Arkin DeMeo,” said the young man happily. The burning building was horrendous. “8077-2950. Under the direction of my employer, Vincent Dawn, I took part in the burning of this meat packing company in Sungye, China. 247 casualties.” The screen switched to a girl who looked just like him. You assumed it to be Adilia.

“My name is Adilia Demeo. 8075-2945. Under the direction of my employer, Vincent Dawn, I took part in the burning of this meat packing company in Sungye, China. 247 casualties.” She disappeared off screen. Another girl took her place. She was well built, strong beyond all belief. She had dark skin and black hair pulled into two braids.

“My name is Meredith Span. 8060-2940. Under the direction of my employer, Vincent Dawn, I took part in the burning of this meat packing company in Sungye China. 247 casualties.” She skipped off screen and was replaced by a boy who was horrifying. He looked nearly seven feet tall, and his pale skin almost glowed in the darkness.

“My name is Postle Darby. 8050-2890. Under the direction of my employer, Vincent Dawn, I took part in the burning of this meat packing company in Sungye, China. 247 casualties.” Every word sounded like it was said by an AI. He stepped off screen, being replaced by a curvaceous girl with short black hair and pale skin.

“My name is Quinn Darby. 8055-2935. Under the direction of my employer, Vincent Dawn, I took part in the burning of this meat packing company in Sungye, China. 247 casualties.” You tapped the space bar before it could continue.

“What’s the point here?” you spat at Adilia. She rolled her eyes.

“Look, child. The point here is, we were never ones to leave survivors. And Arkin just waltzed right into the lair of Postle. Postle wants him dead, hon.” 

“So where did they go?” you said urgently walking towards the door. Adilia snorted loudly.

“Ya kidding? Postle’ll tear you to shreds, honey bunch.” You pounced on top of Adilia, forcing her against the wall with your hands on her throat. You saw something flash in her eyes. It was fear. This killer feared you.

“I said where the fuck did they go?” you hissed. Adilia laughed lightly.

“You think you can save him? My brother is as good as gone, and now he’s leaving this little psychopath in his wake. You think you can hurt me, whore? Go ahead and try.” You pressed your thumb on her windpipe, cutting off her air. She choked, letting her brave facade flicker.

“I think I can make you talk,” you muttered, pressing a little harder every second.

“Stop!” she gasped. “Stop! Please stop!” You eased up ever so slightly as she coughed.

“Where would Postle take Arkin?”

“Probably somewhere broken down and empty. Is there anywhere like that in the area?” You cast your gaze to the side, letting go of Adilia’s throat. She took a deep, ragged breath. “Jesus.”

“Angel something,” you said, turning to the computer urgently. “There was a hospital or something, I don’t remember. It was on the news the same day Arkin and I ran our first mission.”

“Mission?” Adillia asked. You ignored her as you googled it.

“Angelstone,” you said, pointing to the screen. “Angelstone Disease Control Center.” You turned to Adilia. “Where can we get weapons?” Adilia sighed.

“I’m not helping you, YN.” Filled with anger, you grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head down onto the metal desk. She yelped in pain.

“You know, you’re a shit mercenary,” you spat at her. “Now you’re going to help me save your fuckign brother. Cause last time I checked, he has a pardon and you don’t. I don’t think you want me to tell the authorities where to find you.” Adilia glared at you. “Now. Where do we get weapons?”

“Let go of me. There’s a truck parked outside down the street. I put it there when I came the first time. We’ll go to Angelstone, but I’m not going in. Arkin is your person.” You pointed the knife at Adilia once again. “Really?”

“Don’t think I’m stupid, bitch,” you hissed. “I’ve learned better than you fucking monsters.”

“Us monsters?” she asked with a chuckle. “Oh, you child. You’re one of us now.”

*****
1157 words total.
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