Genetic Perfection ( Repo! the Genetic Opera Fanfiction)

Hope

Chapter 33 - Hope

I gazed up at the Knife, my longtime residence, now feeling like a mere memory from a different lifetime. This place had molded me, shaping me into the person I had become. It had exposed me to horrors and made me endure them firsthand.

"I'm here," Henna uttered, her grasp on my arm firm. She had insisted on accompanying me, understanding the impact this place had on me. Having faced similar trials in the adult film industry, she was the one person who could truly empathize.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded at her. Together, we entered through the doors to find all the girls, Lieah, and Madam Pink waiting for us. The establishment seemed frozen in time, as if the girls had been there for weeks without any customers. But they hadn't left.

"Hello, everyone," I greeted them awkwardly as we walked in. Their faces lit up upon seeing us, easing some of the tension I had felt. I didn't know what to anticipate from this meeting, but their smiles were a comforting sight.

Lieah hurried over and enveloped me in a tight hug. Despite the pain in my body, I ignored it, savoring the happiness that hug brought me.

"We thought you were gone," Lieah remarked, examining me from head to toe. "You look incredible, considering you were shot."

"It's amazing what a coma can do," I quipped, letting out a chuckle.

Turning to Madam Pink, I saw sympathy and guilt in her eyes. I knew she regretted what had transpired, and I was surprised the girls hadn't turned against her after Pavi's disappearance.

"Malta," Madam Pink began, her voice tinged with regret. "I am so sorry."

Her words reverberated through me, her sincerity evident.

"I had no other choice... Pavi," she faltered, tears welling up.

Approaching her slowly, mindful of my unsteady legs, I embraced her.

"I understand," I reassured her, holding her tightly. "None of us did."

Madam Pink clung to me, her body trembling with silent tears. The weight of her remorse hung heavy in the air, the room tense with emotion. Lieah and the other girls shared knowing looks, their expressions a mix of sadness and empathy. Henna stood by my side, offering silent support as she observed the emotional exchange.

After a while, Madam Pink regained her composure and pulled away from the hug. Her watery eyes met mine, whispering, "I will never forgive myself for what happened to you. I should have protected all of you better."

I reached out, gently touching her hand and offering a reassuring smile. "We were all just trying to survive in this place, Madam Pink. None of us could have foreseen what occurred. We need to stick together now, more than ever."

The tension in the room eased a bit as Madam Pink nodded, gratitude evident in her expression. The other girls gathered around us, forming a circle of support and solidarity. Despite the dark past we shared at the Knife, there was a glimmer of hope for what this place could become.

Henna clung tightly to my arm noticing my body unstable, I hated my own weakness.

"I want to express my gratitude to all of you for standing by me that day," I smiled at them all. "I know I may not have been the most approachable or friendly person, but your support meant the world to me."

The girls met my gaze and nodded in understanding, aware of how appreciative I was for their solidarity.

"When I was here, I was consumed by fear and solely focused on survival. I believed that distancing myself and avoiding connections would protect everyone. But over the short time, I learned the value of friendship," I declared, giving Henna's arm a gentle squeeze. "I want to truly get to know each and every one of you."