Slayer

The beads

Joak moved like a shadow through the narrow, dimly lit alleyways, avoiding patches of light and any potential prying eyes. The sounds of his footsteps were muffled by the cobblestone streets as he made his way toward Dr. Thorne's mysterious laboratory. Joak's heart raced with determination, resolute to confront whatever awaited him in the laboratory.
Joak reached the nondescript brick wall and gave it a careful touch. The wall shifted and opened, revealing a dimly lit passage leading down to the world below. Joak hesitated only for a moment before stepping inside.
Nervously, Joak descended the creaking staircase. The low hum of unfamiliar machinery and the subtle scent of chemicals permeated the air. As he moved down, his hand grazed the worn banister. Dust motes danced in the faint light, casting eerie, elongated shadows on the walls. Anticipation of what he might find kept his senses sharp, and he listened for any signs of movement or activity. His breath quickened as he approached the bottom door, uncertainty mingling with determination.
Joak stood for a moment at the base of the stairway, his heart pounding in his chest. His mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions and questions. Slowly he turned the knob.
Joak moved cautiously into the eerie laboratory. The room was dimly lit, the strange, otherworldly machinery lining the walls. Mysterious devices with intricate dials and gears filled the space, casting unsettling shadows in every corner.
The air had an electric charge to it, making Joak's skin prickle with unease. The room felt alive, as if it held secrets and power beyond his comprehension. He tip-toed through the mess of contraptions, careful not to make a sound.
Joak crept further into the eerie laboratory, his senses on high alert. The room seemed to close in around him.
Joak stopped abruptly. A sudden chill ran down his spine, and his instincts told him something was amiss. His ears strained to pick up any sound, his eyes darting around, searching for any sign of movement or danger.
Joak froze, his ears catching the faint sound of approaching footsteps.
Cautiously, Joak crouched behind a laboratory table, its surface strewn with a chaotic assortment of scientific tools, beakers, and half-completed experiments. The array of equipment created a makeshift barricade that partially concealed him from view.
As he huddled there, every muscle in his body coiled with tension, his senses on high alert. His fingers brushed against delicate glassware. Shadows danced and he strained to hear the approaching figures.
"Of course," Dr Thorne's voice muttered tensely. "The time gear will be done when it's done."
"Ah, but too late for us will be too late for Vanessa, don't forget," a raspy voice answered.
"You won't touch her," Dr Thorne hissed.
The voice laughed.
"We shall see...."
The two voices faded as they disappeared upstairs, and Joak held his breath, blending into the shadows. Joak waited silently until he was certain the Doctor had gone.
Joak cautiously surveyed the lab, his eyes flickering across the mysterious equipment and strange concoctions that filled the room. Joak carefully placed his pistols on one of the workbenches, the metal surfaces gleaming faintly. He traced his fingers on the small black imperfections, meticulously examining the seemingly insignificant additions.
With only a moment of hesitation, Joak lifted one pistol and slammed in into the workbench. The bead showed barely any sign of wear. Curiously, Joak grabbed a nearby pair of pliers and clamped them onto the bead. Using his own body as leverage, Joak pulled with all his might. Grunting, Joak threw the pieces onto the workbench. The bead remained attached.
Across the room, Joak noticed a large vise, its metallic claws stretched open. He headed over.
Securing the bead firmly in the vise's jagged grip, Joak steeled himself. He took a deep breath, wrapping his hands around the dangerous piece of equipment. Growling with effort, Joak pulled with all his might, his bones and cartilage crackling in reply. Slowly the pistol peeled away, leaving the small bead with a small chip of ripped metal. Joak had underestimated how firmly the bears had been attached. Shaking sweat from his brow, Joak clamped the second pistol and did the same. The Dr clearly didn't want these pieces coming off.
Joak stood in the dim light, catching his breath in the ambient glow of the lab. Off to his right in the long shiny workbench Joak noticed an array of intricate devices and machinery. Among the mess, a handle stood out. It shone with the same polished material as that of his pistols.
Joak carefully shoved the gears, wires and devices, unveiling a massive pistol blaster. Its sleek, elongated barrel gleamed with polished steel, adorned with an intricate engraving of the letter 'V'. The grip, fitted for a firm hold, boasted an ergonomic design, and a series of buttons and switches adorned the futuristic side panels. The blaster had a sense of elegance and efficiency its size dwarfing the average firearm. Joak's fingers traced the contours of the weapon, feeling its weight in the palm of his hand.
Joak flicked a small lever and a blue light glowed from within the weapon, accompanied by a faint humming sound.
With a decisive glance over his shoulder, Joak tucked the weapon into his cloak, shielding its form from view. Grabbing the ripped off beads, Joak quickly exited the room and climbed the laboratory stairs. He had one more stop to make.