Hesitation 18+🔞

Chapter 41: New friends

The ride to Ermich feels like a fever dream. Adrenaline courses through your veins, helping to paint a clear picture of your destination. As you lower yourself into the cave, the stench of rot and decay sting your nose as you inhale the damp air. You do your best to observe your surroundings as you navigate the unfamiliar path and exit onto the main road. The busy streets are filled with pickpocketers, so it's crucial to keep moving. You scan the dingy shadows in search for any sign of Gwen and your brows furrow when you land on a corner, where a sign stops you in your tracks.
It reads 'Jetted'.
You approach the glass, covering your eyes to peer inside, and make out one large figure and one small figure sitting at a table. It only takes several quick knocks on the glass for the door to open.

"Hey, you're back." Jet smiles and waves you inside, quickly locking the door behind you.

"Yes. I need to find Gwen."

"What's the rush? Come, sit down. Would you like anything? Some tea?"

You lock eyes with the young boy in the room at the table where Jet was once sitting. He looks to be about 13, reddish brown hair, and green eyes.. just like Red.

"No I'm fine. Thank you. Where can I find her?"

Jet steps in front of you, placing his arm on the wall and gives you a playful grin.
"Gwen? Not a chance she's still awake. Right?"
He looks over to the boy at the table for confirmation

"Absolutely fucking not." The boy says, turning back to work on whatever it is he has on the desk.

Your eyes widen as you tighten your lips. There's got to be an easier way to get in contact with this girl. Jet's eyes soften at your worried expression.

"I'll tell you what though, you walk this guy back home, and wake her up yourself."

"What?"

"Yeah, walk her brother home."

You furrow your brows, looking at the boy by the table. You never knew Gwen had a little brother, Gwen probably didn't even know until she got down here. I guess that's where her father went when he left them.

"Fine. As long as I get to her. How long is this going to take?"

Jet lets out a chuckle despite his face remaining confused.
"Well, it's not even 9 o'clock, shop opens at 11. We're just getting a little training in and—"

"I don't have time for that."
You cut him off, the lack of sleep is starting to make you agitated. Jet takes notice of your shoulders tensed up and places his hands on them, releasing them back into resting position. He looks in your eyes and calmly responds

"The girl doesn't wake up until 3pm. Trust me, you've got time. Don't I owe you a tattoo though?" An innocent grin teases at his lips as his gaze pierces yours.
It's important that you don't trust anyone down here but, this man in front of you is so genuine, it's hard to refuse him.
You soften your expression and follow him to the table, where he shows you a contraption that allegedly tattoos people.

"How does it work?"

"Well, you press on the pedal, and the needle that's connected to this hand piece pokes in and out really quickly."

"So I've been... manually poking myself and this machine just exists."

"Yep, and it's a lot quicker too. Do you have anything in mind?"

You hesitate to respond. Truthfully, you had put zero thought into this. With two pairs of eyes staring at you, you struggle to form any words. Jet walks over to the desk to grab a book and hands it to you.

"Thanks." Your tired eyes meet his and you sink down into the chair.

Each page you flip through has beautiful designs on it. His sketches are far superior to any of yours, it's clear that he's put a lot of time into his craft. You're taken back by a particular image, it's intricate swirls embezzle the page with its beauty. Jet goes back to the desk and continues speaking with the boy, continuing his instruction.
Your lids begin to feel heavy, but a sudden knocking on the glass brings you back to this space. Jet opens the door and lets in a frantic Gwen, who's expression immediately lightens up when your eyes meet hers.