The wind howled as Shilo made her way down the footsteps of the Wallace Residence. She grabbed as much provision as she could and stored it in her satchel knowing that she wouldn't come back ever again. She pressed a button that triggered the front gate to open. She took a deep breath. "God, Eric. I hope you're there." Shilo whispered under her breath. Her skirt fluttered and she was thankful that the fall season wasn't too brutal on her skin. Panties, blouses, skirts, and socks were stored in her bag just in case she'd find a place to crash and change. A crow flew by. What if I was hallucinating the entire time? What if Eric's a figment of my imagination? This wasn't the time to doubt. Ever since the night of the opera and her dad's passing, Shilo changed for the better. She was free at last and at liberty to do whatever she pleased. The medication was a scapegoat for her illness. She never had anything. "Damn bot," Shilo ripped the beeping bracelet off her wrist. "You're going to give me away," she thought to herself. "Wait a sec," it suddenly occurred to Shilo that her only friend in the world was within the city's limits. She'd seen him when Rotti told her to meet him to find her cure and that her friend taught her how to use the Zydrate gun. The only problem was, the victim was her mother's corpse. She vowed never to approach the Graverobber again, but she figured she could use his help since he knew the streets like the back of his hand. Plus, she could use him as protection, and protection wasn't meant to be trifled with during the late hours of the night. She could use a high for once, and Zydrate seemed good right about now. "Sorry Eric, but you were never real," Shilo thought to herself. Footsteps gently pattered against the cement as her hair whipped left, eyes looking for a familiar scene. "Where can I find him?" She thought. "BOO!" Shilo spun around ready to smack the being in her way until it latched onto her wrist, catching her midair. "Oh my God... Eric?!" Her blood pounded. "Get away from me, you're not real!" She struggled to loosen his grasp. "Shy, I'm right here, nothing's going to harm you," Eric pacified. She blinked. Nothing but the air was her company. "Oh God, I need my pill," she scrambled into the contents of her bag and raked her nails until a bottle could hit her fingers. "Shilo, no, reconsider. You don't need the damn meds anymore. But... what if I relapse? I'm already going through withdrawal... aren't I?" She couldn't breathe. "Eric, where are you?" Her body collapsed to the ground.
Slowly, Shilo was coming to. "Ugh, where am I?" She mumbled. "Don't worry, you're safe here." A voice rang out from among the shadows. A flame flickered inside of a trash bin. "Hey Graves, get your ass over here!" The voice called out. "Graverobber?" Shilo rose from the ground; nothing but darkness. "Hey, stranger," the girl broke the silence. "Out from the night, from the midst steps the figure," a deep voice resonated between building walls. A girl about Shilo's age sauntered near the light and made herself known. "Who are you? How do you know the Graverobber?" Shilo interrogated. "I'm Jessica. Pleased to meetcha!" Jessica extended a hand. "Graverobber's my boss," she explained. Shilo took her gesture and lifted herself up from the cold concrete. "We found you knocked out on the sidewalk," Jessica continued. "Ugh, my head," Shilo complained. "Hey, kid." A familiar voice came within earshot. "It's really you," Shilo stared at the colorful being. His hair was a dirty blonde with different pigments of color as strands for hair. "Looking to take a hit of the Z?" Graverobber offered. "No, I'm just trying to find my place in the world." She responded. "You're always welcome here," Jessica added. She had blue eyes that shamed the embarrassed sky and pull a blanket of darkness over itself at night. Her hair was an electrifying purple that glowed brilliantly in the light. She had violet tunnels in her ear as if it were an homage to an infamous black hole. "What are you looking at?" Jessica questioned. "Nothing, it's just that I haven't seen a girl dressed like that before. Not even on tv." "Girl, you need to get out more often." "Shut your mouth, Jessica. Can't you see we have a guest before us? Kid, what was your name again?" Graverobber asked. "Shilo. My name's Shilo." She spoke sternly—a shadow flashed by. "What?" She whispered; something caught Shilo's attention. She paid no mind to it. "What does that stuff do?" Her curiosity was piqued. "What? Zydrate?" Jessica asked. "Glad you asked! See for yourself. First time's... free." Graverobber offered once more. "Sure... as long as it can take this pain away," Shilo replied. "Give him your arm," Jessica instructed. "Like this?" Shilo turned her arm face-up. "You'll feel a buzz, but trust me. It's for a better cause." The Graverobber smirked with inconspicuous intentions. A rush flooded her veins as Shilo tilted her head back and closed her eyes. "Shit, I needed this," she smiled. "Graves," Jessica shifted. A black figure could be distinguished in the background near a streetlamp. "The fuck is that?" Jessica thought to herself while Graverobber administered more Zydrate to Shilo's incapacitated arm. Shilo giggled and leaned in to Graverobber's face for a kiss. "Graves!" Jessica flinched. Graverobber reluctantly turned around only to be met with a fist in the face. "Time to haul ass! It's GeneCo!" Jessica panicked and grabbed Shilo by the hand. A crow cawed in sight. "Fuck face! Who do you think you are shooting my girlfriend up on Z?" "Eric?!" Shilo gasped. "I'm real, Shilo! What more proof do you need?!" He hissed as Graverobber recalibrated himself. The Crow grabbed Graverobber by the collar and spat on him. "You touched her!" Eric yelled. "You drugged her!" The Crow smacked Graverobber. "You don't know who I am, do you?" Graverobber intimidated. "Worthless druglord!" The Crow punched Graverobber square in the face until he landed on fours. "You can't run away!" The Crow threatened. Graverobber eyed Jessica and winked. She knew exactly what to do. Jessica grabbed the Zydrate gun and leaped onto The Crow's back ready to stab him in the neck. "Stay out of this!" He pushed her off. "No, Jessica! He's my friend, leave him alone!" Shilo clawed at the air trying to snatch the Zydrate gun from Jessica's hand. Jessica lost her leverage and slid off his back. Graverobber made a fist and landed a punch on Eric's face as he bounced back and met him deadpan in the eye. The Crow was slightly disoriented but didn't lose his target. Graverobber unveiled a knife from beneath his fur coat and slashed Eric's arm till a fountain of blood sprayed around. The Crow fell on his knees. "No!" Shilo screamed. Jessica stood frozen. Eric lunged at Graverobber and brought the both of them down. He had Graverobber's face glued to the ground. "This one's for my girlfriend," Eric stood and dropped a roundhouse kick into his back. Graverobber winced and feigned KO. "Come on, Shy. Let's get out of here," Eric ushered. "But you're bleeding all over the place!" She panicked. Graverobber lifted his head to see the vigilante getting away; the world turned on its axis in his disoriented state. "Damn crackhead, you'll pay for this," his vision faded to black. "Jessica, are you coming?" Shilo enquired. "It'll be better than this lifestyle, I guarantee it!" She pleaded. "Graverobber needs me," Jessica reasoned. "He's a grown man, he can fend for himself," "Listen, you're in or out," Eric intervened. "I'm in," Jessica ran to the couple.
