The Good Intentions of a Cyborg Werewolf

Prophet - XIV

The initial route leaving the apartment was predictably unorthodox, but Erin hadn't expected them to get on the subway. Luke only ever walked anywhere and public transit seemed oddly pedestrian for him. Rather it seemed too confining, though it may have just been Erin's nerves after everything that had happened. The subway car wasn't very full, but there were a few individuals that seemed less than friendly. Luke didn't seem too comfortable either, and he refused to sit next to Erin as he opted to hold the rail next to the door as if keen on being near the exit.

"This friend," Erin asked as she looked up from her seat, "how do you know she can help us?"

"She's not a friend," Luke grunted. "She has information. It's kind of her thing."

"And not that I don't mind helping," Erin cleared her throat, glancing at anyone who might be listening to their conversation, "but why bring me along?"

"I want you to meet her," Luke said. Erin was about to ask further when the sudden sound of another voice distracted her. On the far end of the car a man sat with a briefcase in his lap. He was older, wearing a suit, and was presently being accosted by a younger man in a hoodie and jeans. Even without hearing his words clearly Erin could tell he was rude, demeaning, and the suited man was doing his best to ignore him.

"Come on, man, I asked if you got a dollar?" The younger individual grew louder, and the older man seemed more intimidated. Erin glanced between them and Luke emphatically.

"What's with the eyes?" Luke asked.

"Shouldn't you do something?" Erin nodded towards the altercation. "He's bothering that poor man."

"Being an asshole isn't a crime," Luke said plainly, and Erin frowned. Gauging her disapproval, Luke huffed. "I'm not wasting a shot just to beat up some lowlife."

"I'm not saying you have to transform," she rolled her eyes, "just, I dunno, get him to back off."

"You get him to back off," Luke said accusingly. "If it's such an injustice to you then do something. Just because I'm more capable doesn't indenture me to solve the world's problems." Erin was about to tell Luke off when the younger man appeared next to them in uncomfortable proximity.

"You guys talking about me?" The younger man had slightly slurred speech and swayed side to side unnecessarily. He was most likely intoxicated. "It's rude to talk shit behind people's backs."

"Back off and I'll break your finger," Luke said.

"Damn, man, don't gotta be hostile!" The younger man threw his hands up dramatically. "Also think you mean 'back off or I'll break your finger', dumbass."

"No, if you don't back off I'll break your arm," Luke grabbed the man's palm and, with a simple push of his thumb, hyper-extended the man's middle finger flat against the back of his hand. The sight and sound were enough to make Erin wince, and the younger man cried as he grabbed his hand. "That was for giving the old man a hard time."

"Man, fuck you!" The belligerent spat before he stumbled down the car, past the old man he accosted and through the joining door. The old man stayed quiet as he avoided looking at Erin or Luke.

"Happy?" Luke asked her. Erin crossed her arms with a frown. They remained silent the rest of the trip, until their train arrived downtown. Luke wasted no time getting off the car, almost forcing Erin to jog just to keep up as he exited the station. She managed to keep pace up the stairs as she huffed and passed the crowd going in the opposite direction, and once they were finally on street level Luke seemed to slow down.

"Not a fan of being underground?" Erin asked.

"I got enough of it in the trenches," Luke muttered.

"That's a joke, right?" Erin waited for Luke to answer, but when he didn't she couldn't help but be a bit taken aback. "Wow. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. How long did you serve?"