¡Venganza! 【killjoys/mcr danger days fanfic】

Chapter 2: Keep your boots tight, keep your gun close

Vic slumped in the shade of a large rock, cursing how unprepared they were for the desert environment. Their boots were starting to rub on their feet- one of the old shoelaces had broken- but that was nothing compared to how terribly weak they felt. The rust coloured landscape swum and waivered before their eyes, shifting like static on a disconnected television set. Vic had found a discarded plastic drink bottle a while back, but it was now almost empty and the water was as tepid as the sweat running down the back of their neck. They desperately willed themself to get back on their feet, to keep moving until they found safety. Easier said than done. The first time Vic tried to push themself up they immediately collapsed, feeling like a pile of bricks had been placed on their shoulders. They winced as their head bashed into the rock behind them with a thump. This did nothing to help the dizziness. Vic dragged themself to their knees, gravel scraping against exposed skin. The hair at the back of their head was sticky to the touch, though they couldn't tell if it was blood or sweat. They sorely hoped it was the latter. With the last of their energy, Vic stood and stumbled to the roadside. If they were in luck someone would pass by in the next few hours and take pity on them. If not... well, they didn't want to consider that outcome.

~

Vic's eyes fluttered open to the sound of a motorcycle engine. Multiple of them in fact. They were lying in the dust again, by the road. Apparently they had passed out at some point. Realising what the noise meant, their mind snapped into alertness. They rushed onto the road, shielding their eyes from the sun to scope out the vehicles approaching.

Not dracs, that's a good sign.

As they got closer, Vic saw there were three people who looked like they could be killjoys on motorcycles. Vic stood in the middle of the road, waving their arms frantically for the drivers to slow. The two bikes screeched to a halt. The driver in front pulled off her helmet, revealing electric blue locks and an angular face. She looked Vic up and down with a mildly interested gaze, as if judging whether they were worth her attention.

"Well, you're looking a real mess aren't ya, sweetheart?" There was a hint of amusement in her voice.

Vic opened their mouth to speak but their throat was ragged and clogged with dust and the words barely came out stronger than a breath. "Who are you guys?"

"Call me Rocket Fuel. That's Sparrow and Dove," she said, gesturing to her companions. They both removed their helmets, showing off hairstyles equally loud as Rocket's. "Who are you? Never seen ya at the Nest or nothing."

"I'm Vi-" they stopped themself quickly before they said their real name. "Vengeance, my name is Vengeance," Vic said, going with the first codename they came up with. "I only left Battery City yesterday."

"City born, huh? Ya sure sound like it," smirked Rocket. "Well, you're the one who stopped the race pretty boy, how may we be of assistance?"

Vic didn't like how Rocket was mocking them, but they kept their composure. "I've been out here for almost two days and I really just need to get some food and water into my system. Can you fit me on your bike?"

"We could take you to the motel with us," piped in Sparrow.

Vic breathed a grateful sigh of relief.

Sparrow and Dove exchanged a look. "Of course," grinned Dove. "Ya gotta give us something in return though.

The hope brewing in Vic's chest was crushed instantly. "Naturally there's a price," they muttered, irritated.

"Look, we ain't gonna help you for nothing honey." Dove leaned over her handlebars, arms dangling. "Don't cha got anything on you?"

"What about their jacket, Dove? Bet black would look good on you. Real edgy and shit." Sparrow grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Yeah, that'd totally make me pop! What d'ya think Rocket?"

Rocket turned to Vic. "Hand it over, pumpkin," she said, voice sickly sweet.

Vic resisted rolling their eyes and pulled off their motorcycle jacket. "Here."

Rocket tossed the jacket to Dove and then pulled her helmet back over her head. "Dove, with me. Sparrow, you can take the city kid."

They both obliged at once and Sparrow held out a hand for Vic to pull themself weakly onto the bike. "Hold on," Sparrow said. "We drive fast out here and I ain't comin' back for if ya take a nosedive."

Vic just nodded tiredly.