Sleepwalker

Impressions

A/N: Sleepwalker has officially qualified for Round One of the Open Novella Contest. I seriously can't believe it! Thank you all for your support! I hope you enjoy this next chap!
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The SplytWyre stood exactly where Tom said it would be. Nestled between two much larger factories, the once abandoned warehouse blended in perfectly with the dingy industrial landscape. Periodic flashes of red would pierce the opaque windows lining the walls, suggesting life within and solidifying Ace's opinion that he was in the right place.

Adjusting the black ball cap hiding most of his white hair, the android noiselessly made his way to the building's entrance, grimacing as his sensitive ears picked up the blasting techno club music even from across the street.

Let's get this over with.

.............

The bass pulsed through Amber's entire being, her heart pounding in sync with the music and drowning out everything around her. Red sound waves swirled and flickered overhead, adding to the mesmerizing atmosphere as they expanded and contracted with every beat. It was impossible to hear anything over the music, making it even harder to think. And that was why she loved the SplytWyre.

When the mechs weren't duking it out in the arena, the patrons flooded the dance floor, and Amber could finally drown out her thoughts with the high-pitched techno hype and floor-shaking bass line. After Jay, she lost herself in overseeing the club. The battles, the dancing, the cacophony of over a hundred people gathered in one place—all of it kept her alive after her brother's death, and she never wanted to escape this moment.

Which was why she was more than a little annoyed when Diego clamped a hand on her shoulder, stopping her mid-jump and breaking her rhythm. The taller boy tried to shout something to her, but it was quickly lost within the cheers of the crowd.

"What?" she yelled. Diego rolled his eyes behind his thick black bangs and pulled her slightly, hinting that she needed to follow him.

"There's someone asking for you in the Box!" he replied at a volume she could finally hear.

Amber groaned internally. Not only did her night get interrupted, but it was interrupted by work. She absently carded her tan fingers through her hair to look a touch more professional, but she doubted it would help. She'd been on the floor too long.

Well, whoever it is, they'll just have to deal with it. My club. My rules, she thought and schooled her features into an unreadable blank expression.

Diego opened the side door blending into the black wall and disappeared up the stairwell, not bothering to wait for her. As soon as the door closed behind her, the music dampened to the point only the tremors of the bass could be faintly felt through the bottom of her black stilettos.

As she reached the last step, Amber easily spotted the stranger in the dim red-orange light, while Diego went to stand beside his cousin Phoenix. Cho met her gaze from behind the couch, the holo-screen on her wrist suggesting she had been playing with her mech designs again.

Lounging on the couch farthest from the arena balcony, their guest didn't look anything like her normal guests—his obviously toned body hidden by a dark pair of jeans, white T-shirt, and a black jacket that had clearly seen better days. Even most of his stark white hair was hidden beneath a black ball cap. And if his expression was anything to go by, it looked like he could care less about being in one of the most popular underground arena-clubs in the district.

So that begged the question. Why was he here, and what did he want from her?

Cold eyes flickered up to meet hers, and the stranger tilted his head curiously.

"I didn't peg you for the partying type," he commented dryly, his eyes never leaving hers.

Amber narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms over her deep burgundy dress.

"Who are you?"

The teen stood up, rolling his shoulders while never losing eye contact. One step forward, and the Garcia cousins tensed. The stranger didn't bother to hide his smirk as he stretched out a pale hand for her to take.

"The name's Ace, and I have a proposition for you."

"If this is some scam to get you money, pick another club. We don't deal with solicitors," she replied sharply, ignoring the hand.

Ace pulled back, his stance remaining casual and nonchalant. "Not that kind of proposition, Storm. I need help from the Sleepwalkers, and I heard that you're the one to talk to."

Cho looked up from her designs, sending a questioning gaze to the back of Ace's head. Amber tightened her already crossed arms.

"We aren't looking for new members either," she snapped, "Now, if you aren't here to dance or fight, Phoenix will show you out."

A firm hand clamped on Ace's shoulder, but he didn't budge. In fact, it looked like Phoenix was struggling to move the white-haired teen. Ace simply ignored the effort.

"Fine. A fight then. Me versus you. If I win, you agree to hear me out."

"And if you lose?" she asked, her poker face softening into a knowing smirk.

Ace's features sharpened into a similar gaze, knowing and predatory. "I'll never have to see you again," he replied and sauntered towards the door.

Diego frowned. "Don't you mean we won't have to see you ever again?"

The stranger paused and glanced back at them over his shoulder. He adjusted his cap and winked back at Amber. "Oh, no. You heard me right. See you on the field, Storm."

She huffed, and determined to have the last word, she called after him, "Do you even have a mech?"

The door closed before she got her answer.