Lady Of The Island

Sky-High

Returning to Ruth's Workshop was a struggle, thanks to Derek's spluttering.

"Is he okay?" Ruth pondered, stubbing a cigarette.

"I'm fine! Just don't usually move this much!" He forced a smile.

"Gray." Burnett appeared out of nowhere. "Did you visit David?"

"I did" I smiled, then it turned to a slight frown. "I got information about him."

"Hm? Do tell." He sat down on Derek's bufferbeam, we both joined him.

"Well, you know how you talked about how he was oddly angry? That's because he was being drugged. His stress relieving medicine was swapped out for some kind of anger inducing one. That's why he would act all cocky and angsty, that wasn't his fault. Someone was switching it out."

"...and that's why Tasha was fired? Over a drugging....right..."

"Do you have an idea on who might have done it?" Ruth asked, wide-eyed. She seemed to be playing with her hair.

"I do. And we're going there now. We'll take the car, can't access it on rail. Go home, Derek."

Derek grinned slightly as we all got off. He rolled into the risen sun.
Ruth turned on her heel.
"I don't think we should dig into this. We've got to work on the claw."

"That's basically complete. All it needs is a new coat of paint and to be adjusted onto Kelsee. Lady's leg made it so much easier." He walked towards the car, dragging us both along.
We sat inside and quickly drove away from the windmill. Only Burnett knew where we were going.

***

As we drove, the lush countryside began to turn more industrial and compact. A thick smog laid upon the enviroment and there was an overall depressing feeling around.
We traversed through the packed city, being forced to listen to the pedestrians chatter and sing. There was a drunk on the pavement beside the police station, bruised and battered. Where the hell were we?

"So, where are we?" I asked as we continued to toddle along the road.

"Eugh...I hate it here." Ruth grumbled, burying her head in her hands.

Burnett didn't respond as we slowly came to a stop outside of a rather shabby factory building with a rotting sign that read 'Boom'em and Blast'em.'. Oh god. Boom'em. That can only mean one thing...

"Burnett!" Came a voice from inside the factory as the front doors flew open, releasing a cloud of smoke. He was greying and had quite a lot of ash on his face. A biker helmet hung around his leather waist...and his right arm was bandaged, releasing a foul smell of rotting flesh.

"Boomer." Burnett sighed, allowing himself to be hugged. "You stink of smoke."

"And YOU smell of desperation! Is that why you're here? Not just to see little old me?" He laughed with his deep voice, then walked over to us. He put his hand out infront of me.

"What's your name, kid? Loving that little notepad, jotting down drawings? Oh, I LOVED to doodle at your age, what are you - 15?" He laughed once more.

"Twenty-Seven." I shook his hand. "I take it your name is Boomer?"

"Dougie Gauld. I prefer Boomer, reflects my personality! Explosive!"

"Literally, I presume." Ruth commented, standing rather straight. I only just now noticed her red nails. 

"Oh! I know exactly who you are!" Boomer made his way over to her. "Ruth Hatt! It's been a long time! Have you been doing your homework?"