Corruption

Part 13 - Paradox?

GLaDOS sat down, leaning against a wall. She had a plan that probably wouldn't work but what else could she do? She closed her eyes, blocking out the harsh fluorescent light from somewhere above her. They were hiding in the walls, avoiding Wheatley and all cameras." Hang on, let me get this straight. We walked through hell and you didn't break a sweat but the second we get up here, a nice safe ledge away from the ground and cameras, that's when you choose to freeze? Wait..." She said, pausing before a smile played across her lips and she struggled not to burst out laughing. She failed.

"HAHAHAHA OH MY GOD, NO. YOU...BAHAHAHA!" It took her a few minutes to calm down before continuing." That, actually explains a lot. Now I think about it, how well can you see?" Genuine concern flitted across her face when Chell held her forefinger and thumb close to each other to indicate her poor vision. Somehow, running through Hell with someone really makes you trust them a bit more.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Chell stood up, ignoring the aching in her joints as she gritted her teeth and jumped off the ledge, bracing for impact. She landed almost silently and looked up at GLaDOS, sticking her tongue out before clambering up the wall of wires and metal. She was going to face Wheatley head on and probably die but who cares. Carpe diem etcetera etcetera. A thud and a muffled moan of general 'I've-had-a-shitty-day-leave-me-the-fuck-alone' ness informed her that GLaDOS had decided to follow her.

"Whatever you're planning, it won't work." She mused but Chell ignored her and continued climbing. When she reached the top, she pushed open a loose panel and walked confidently into the chamber. She immediately dropped into a defensive stance as she looked around the corner to survey the potential threats. Her eyes were drawn to the monitor and what she saw genuinely scared her. It looked like Wheatley, it sounded like Wheatley but something was wrong. Wheatley hated the colour red. Passionately. Chell ducked back behind a wall when it turned around and scowled.

Suddenly it's voice echoed from everywhere at once. "Come out, come out wherever you- oh. Hello "luv". Its nice to see you again." Chell froze and tried to run. She choked slightly as the claw wrapped itself around her waist before yanking her into the air. GLaDOS, who had crept up behind her, screamed and thrashed as she too got caught up in wires. Chell just let herself be carried to wherever it wanted, a blank look on her face.

The claw set the women down in what looked like an empty room. The claws unraveled then retracted into the wall, leaving the two completely alone.