Not On Mode < Jaime Reyes >

-| Chapter Nine |-

When I reach my destination I lay back on the grass and slide my headphones into my ears, pressing shuffle on my music listening to whatever came through the speakers. I close my eyes and tried to listen to the music..

Winter.........Dorris.........

Ignoring the scarab I try to fall back into the comforting sway of the music. It doesn't last long.

...Winter.....

"Oh Dios mío, ¿qué es?" I say getting into a sitting position, ripping my headphones out of my ears in the process.

I sense a hostile scarab approaching from the left.

Shoving my cellphone and headphones into my hoodie pocket. Getting up to my feet, an energy blast is shot near me causing me to get thrown back. After the smoke clears I see Black Beetle walking towards me. Khaji makes my armor cover every inch of my skin, protecting me from any attack Black Beetle might throw at me.

I quickly move back but stop when I run into something hard. Looking up I see a giant thing in green beetle armor. "Hello, Silver Beetle."

How many beetle people are there? This one doesn't look human or like the Reach. Get away from the beetles, Winter Dorris. This battle will end in our capture.

"There's no point in running, they'll follow me anyways," I say to the artificial intelligence connected to my spine as I move away from the green and black beetle.

"Smart, little sister. So why don't you just willingly come with us and go on mode." Black Beetle says his voice creeping me out with every passing word.

"Well, I can't go on mode so that's going to have to be a no go, uglies." I cross my arms and keep my distance, my body stayed on alert.

Black Beetle was completely unfazed by my comment. They both seemed unfazed. They must really be on a mission. That mission is to probably capture me again and relentlessly try to put me on mode which will probably kill me.

"Join us, little sister, embrace your destiny." Black Beetle's voice was so persuasive, so compelling. But she knew she couldn't.

"I would rather die than go on mode." My words came out so venomous and cruel. At this point, I didn't care. I was so tired of the Reach. They've put me through so much pain and who knows how much they've put Jaime through or the beetle before me.

Black Beetle's arms fuse into swords and my arms mimic his. His lips turn into a creepy grin, "Then die you shall."

He charges at me and doesn't hold back. I put my arms in front of me and try to block his attacks. He swings with brute force and knocks me to the guard. I understand know that he was going easy on me, I wasn't even able to get a hit.

Winter Dorris, you need to get up.

My arms shake as I try to get up from the ground, everything hurt. I try to get to my feet but Black Beetle lands a punch to my jaw. Before I hit the ground, Black grabs me and holds my back to the Green Beetle. Leaving me open and exposed.

I was too weak to fight back, they finally had me.

Green Beetle's antenna reaches to the back of my armor and digs in, trying to get to my scarab. I could feel my scarab taking defensive measures and I grab ahold of black beetle and try to conceal the scream of pain that threatened to escape my lips. Not being able to hold to hold back the scream, I let it out and I feel my body starting to emit a coldness.