Madly

Chapter 7

France

In the early afternoon we ventured into the red-light district where we hoped to find a hacker that would decipher the data-chips we had discovered from those we were sure were agents. We knew there was a chance that there might not be anything of use or related to us but we had to know and we had the credits. We went to the bar to a bar where we managed to get an address to a den that would be able to hook us up with who we needed. I was surprised at how simple it seemed to be however I didn't want to declare that too soon. As we walked short bursts of unrest were heard around us but we were lucky enough to evade any conflict. Eventually we were outside a large alleyway in-between several old large dirty buildings. The entrance had a stand set up that was peddling bootleg electronics to those in the busy street and a group of men that were heavily armed and smoking. They had machetes and pistol holsters on their belts and bullets across their chest. After several glances towards us one man approached us, when we explained we were looking to employ a hacker and he loosened up and led us down the alleyway. The sun disappeared as we made our way through the unkept corridor that was strewn with sleeping or crashed out bodies. Eventually we turned a corner and we met a doorway where guards were stationed lazily outside. A man with a limp in a black sleeveless leather jacket came over and spoke to our guide before looking to us.

"Only one of you please." He stated. "You must understand we want to out man you if you should want to start a shoot out. One of you must stay outside. You need not give up your weapon for your own assurance."

I nodded to Max and silently said I was going to be fine. As the door closed I felt an overwhelming sense of dread overcome me. A shirtless guard that was positioned near the door stared at me with bloodshot red eyes like I was a piece of meat. I tried to avoid his eyes but didn't want to turned my back on him or move too far from the door.

"You know you are kinda hot." He said in a slurred voice.

He grabbed my arm and gripped me tight. I froze, and I was suddenly stricken with fear. His touch was cold and thick with sweat and his stench seemed almost toxic. He forced his mouth on my cheek and I wanted to edge away from him, but his cold steel of his gun at my side stopped me. A woman entered the hallway and he didn't seem to notice the woman was also armed and mean looking she sat on a crate and watched us. After a moment she shook her head and stared at into my eyes, she appeared to mouth words to me that I could not deceiver, I felt helpless and continued to cringe at his mouth upon me. She brandished a blade from her boot and began cutting at her messy dark hair, she then flipped the knife in her hands and called to the man now groping me. Suddenly she threw the knife and I closed my eyes and felt my body tense up. The man's grip fell and I heard him tumble to the ground, I opened my eyes and she was grinning at my in a shy but insane way. I looked to my side and stood with my back to the wall; his body laid flat, the blade between his eyes. She jumped off the tall crate and retrieved the blade laughing maniacally, cutting a rag off his shirt and nearing me with it held out, I froze again and she hesitated but staring at me with crazed eyes wiped my cheek with the rag before throwing it aside.

"Eyes." She said tilting her head and opening her eyes wider looking almost as though she searched my soul.

She slowly backed away still keeping my gaze and returned to her position on the crate.

"I look, but do not touch." She told me.

I felt glad for her intervening and felt slightly safer but not at all comfortable. She rolled up her sleeve and began scratching herself feverishly, up on her arm I noticed a tattoo of two female symbols interlocked surrounded by a heart.

"I must know your name pretty eyes." She said.

"France." I told her after a moment of hesitation.