Project Holiday

Chapter Three

I quickly ducked into a nearby alleyway, trying to lose myself in the maze of narrow passageways. My heart pounded in my chest, and sweat broke out on my brow. I was terrified that someone would find me and accuse me of murder. I had to get away, and fast.As I hurried through the streets, I caught sight of a figure darting between the shadows. It was a woman, and she moved with the fluidity of a predator. She disappeared into a doorway and I followed her, my curiosity getting the better of me. The door led to a hidden passageway that wound its way through the Underground, connecting various safe houses and meeting places.The woman was waiting for me at the end of the passageway. She had short cropped hair and wore tight-fitting black leather pants and a form-fitting top that revealed her toned arms. A long sword hung from her belt. Her face was hardened by years of living in the Underground, but there was something about her eyes that suggested she had once seen kindness."Holiday?" she asked, her voice cold and unyielding.I nodded, unable to speak."You're new here," she continued, "And you don't know how life works here. In the underworld, murder is expected, but there's a code. You don't just kill someone for no reason.""He was harassing me.""So you won't go to prison. Simple as that, but why do you follow me?"I saw you, I wanted to know...""What?" she raised an eyebrow."Look, I've got know idea what I'm doing. I have no memory of my past life, and I was tossed into this world with two metal arms and a bow.""Love that you like to assume that i have any idea what I'm doing.""But you do."

"I saw what you did with that bow. Don't lie to me."

"I don't even know how I did that!" 

"Well you did it."

"How?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"I dont know!"

"Calm down, fine. Do you remember anyone from your past life?"

"I don't know, when I woke up, my mind said a name but I don't even know if it is a name."
"What is it?"

"Victory"

"Last name?"

"Kamilia."

"Good god."

"What?"

"I met her before."

"You did?"

"Yes, I don't know if she is still alive, but I did meet her."

"Where did you meet her?"

"It was in a neighboring settlement." The woman sighed. "Why do I always get tied up with people?" He rubbed her eyes, trying to hide the exhaustion. "She lives in settlement Rose, you are in settlement Lunaris. Go to the government house, they'll give you more information."

"I was told not to go there.""Well fuck them, I don't know. Oh, and give me your dog tag.""What why?""Because I gave you information.""No,""What did you just say to me?""I said no.""That's not how things work here.""I couldn't care less, I'm not giving you it."The woman let out a sigh. "Never talk to me again then. And good luck." With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows. I stood there for a moment, feeling lost and confused. I knew I had to find my way to Settlement Rose. Victory may be my only way to tell me my life before the explosion. Turned and ran out of the passageway, making my way through the streets.As I ran, I caught glimpses of the city around me. The buildings were a mix of old and new, with graffiti-covered walls and makeshift shops selling anything from weapons to food. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat, and the sound of engines revving in the distance. It was a place unlike any I had ever known, and I felt more at home here than I ever had before.There were shops that sold severed arms and eyes clearly from a human. The owners of the shops seemed to be immune to the horror of it all. They would casually display their wares, as if they were selling apples from a cart. A woman walked buy and bought a leg and arms while her chiren begged for an eye.I walked up to a large black building labeled government building."I need information on someone who lived in settlement rose, her name is Victory Kamilia." I said to the receptionist, a tall, bald man with a nose that looked as if it had been broken several times."Victory Kamilia, huh? That's quite the name. I'll see what I can do." He said with a smirk, before disappearing into a back room. He left me standing there, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the way he said it. After a few minutes, he returned with a file in his hand. "Here you go. It seems she was an important figure in the resistance before she disappeared. There's not much else I can give you. There are no death records so either she died alone and no one found her or she is alive." "Thank you.""Oh, if you are going to Settlement Rose, you must talk to the mayor.""There's a mayor?""Of course, everyone has a leader. The mayor's name is Roman Helmfried. He's not easy to find, but he's the one you need to talk to if you're looking for information about Victory. Oh, he will also aper in random places and always seems like he is looking for you."I thanked the receptionist and walked out of the government office. I looked around and realized I had no idea what I was doing. Fuck , I don't even know what to do. I guess I'll go find this Roman Helmfried. Even if I did find Roman would he let me go, and if I did were and how would I get around?I began to walk around aimlessly, hoping to stumble across something that would help me. After what felt like hours, I came across a small café. The sign above the door read "The Black Cat Café" and there was a painting of a cat wearing a top hat. The place looked warm and inviting, with soft music playing in the background.I hesitantly walked inside, taking a seat at an empty table. A waitress, a young woman with bright red hair and piercing green eyes, approached me. "Hello, welcome to The Black Cat Café. My name is Serena. What can I get for you today?""Um, I'm actually not sure. I was just hoping to maybe, um, find someone who could help me." I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.Serena smiled kindly and gestured for me to continue. "What can I do for you?"I took a deep breath and told her my story, about how I woke up with no memories and the only thing I had was the name Victory Kamilia and her connection to Settlement Rose. I explained how I had been trying to find my way there, and how lost and confused I felt. When I finished, she sat back in her chair, her expression thoughtful."It sounds like you've had quite an adventure, even without your memories," she said with a sympathetic smile. "Now, I happen to know someone who might be able to help you. His name is Jack Marlowe. He's a bit of a loner, but he's always been good for a favor. I can take you to him, if you'd like."I felt a glimmer of hope at her words. "That would be amazing, Serena. Thank you so much." She smiled and led me through the café and out onto the street. After a short walk, we came to a small, run-down building with boarded-up windows. Serena knocked on the door three times, and a voice from within asked, "Who's there?""It's Serena, from The Black Cat Café. I'm here with someone who needs to speak with you." There was a click, and the door opened to reveal a tall, lanky man with a patch over one eye and a cigarette dangling from his lips. He peered at me through the smoke, then motioned for us to enter."Come in, come in," he said, his voice rough from years of smoking. "I'm Jack Marlowe. What can I do for you, kid?" I took a deep breath and explained my situation once again, this time to Jack. He listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each word. When I finished, he sat back in his chair and took a long drag of his cigarette."Well, Holiday, your in luck, I was told by Roman that i needed to go to Rose. He said that it would pay off all my debt so I said why not. I can take you there, but you'll need to find a way to repay me. I could use someone to watch my back in Rose. It's not the safest place." Jack said as he took another drag from his cigarette.I nodded in agreement, "Sure, so how do you even get to Rose?""That is the least of your worries, but I'll explain it later. I was assigned three other people to go with me so they will be going with us.""Who are they?""Leonard Valentin a boy with a sewing needle, and Lara Rebeca a healer chick.""A boy with a sewing needle?""He does this thing where he can take a sewing needle and flig it it can do some lethal damage."I nodded. "So, what should I bring with me?""Anything you will need for a month long trip. Also, you will go above ground.""I thought above ground was inhabitable?""It is, we are going to be the first people to go to the service since the explosion."