Cyberpunk 2071: Never Fade Away

8 - My Lullaby for You

"..." : Speech
'...' : Thoughts
(...) : Translation
<[***]> :Scene Change

<[***]>

It's funny how life turns out sometimes. One moment you have someone strapped to a chair, the next it's you strapped to a chair. That is life in Night city, spontaneous dangerous and unpredictable. Divided into two roles, hunter and hunted. And right now, Y/n was prey.

He finally opened his eyes, feeling a splitting headache from the hit he took to the head. He tried to get up from the chair he was sat on, but he couldn't. The handcuffs around his wrists and ankles made sure of that. His mind went to Yua, who he had done the same not even twenty-four hours ago. Then with more concern she remembered Aurora. He felt the adrenaline kick in and waking him up entirely. He was breathing heavily as he searched the room for her. He seemed to be in an abandoned ramen stand, the doors and windows were all covered and locked, allowing no light in. Which is not to say the place was entirely dark, lights had been set in a couple corners of the room all aimed at Y/n.

Sat in front of him was a huge Arasaka goon. A huge Japanese man with gorilla arms which Y/n was sure would match the dent on the back of his head. He looked at Y/n as if the merc edgerunner was revolting. Y/n gave him a cocky grin and asked him.

"Hey, do you get off tying guys up or do I owe you money?"

"黙れ" (Shut up)

"You are right, let's cut the shit. Where is she?"

The Japanese goon jumped on to his feet, knocking his chair back and quickly closing the distance between the two. He grabbed Y/n by his hair and quickly shut him up by punching him square on the jaw. Y/n stifled a grunt as he glared daggers at his aggressor who let go of him and took a step back to better look at the merc.

"黙れ!" (Shut up!)

He then said again, this time slowly as he put emphasis on each syllable. Y/n's lip had been cut open, dripping blood on to the ground. He spat out some of it and looked at the goon as he replied.

"Whatever this is about. You better hope your boss flatlines me by the end of it, or I will carve my name on your forehead."

The goon cocked his arm back and jumped forward ready to strike. However, the door to the abandoned establishment slid open, letting in Arisu with her other bodyguard following closely behind. She wore a black skintight corpo dress, which showed her curvy figure. Her red silky hair was untied, allowing it to flow gracefully down her shoulders. Her mesmerizing yellow eyes locked on Y/n who stared back at her. She smiled slightly as she closed the distance between her and her prisoner, only stopping once to tell her bodyguards.

"Leave us."

"Hai, Fujiwara-sama."

They both responded in unison before marching out of the room and standing guard by the door. Arisu picked up the fallen chair and took a seat in front of Y/n, she crossed her legs and interlocked her hands. Y/n, who had remained silent as she sat down finally asked.

"Where is she?"

She didn't answer, she merely narrowed her eyes and tilted here head, making her golden earrings swing from side to side as they reflected the light in the room. Y/n relaxed noticeably and sighed.

"I didn't expect much from that gonk before. But I hoped to get some answers from the queen bee herself."

Arisu stood up and in one quick motion slapped Y/n across the face. He winced quietly in pain as he felt his lip burning. He didn't turn his head back to face her, he kept his eyes away from her as she leaned in close to his ear and calmly said in a gentle manner.