Scene 11
Roger

"Do you know about the Ferrys' son?" she asked as she slid down the rope in the darkness.

Usually this girl had some flirty attitude that came along with her package, but today it seemed to have almost completely vanished.

"The Ferrys' son?" I repeated from above her.

Looks like she was helping me for a change; she had given me lots of information for the sake of conversation in the gloomy atmosphere, intentional or not. And I welcomed it. Sometimes it was a bit lonely being Negotiator, doing things all by yourself.

But I knew that whatever mood she was in, she was still going to bring trouble. This girl was certainly full of surprises.

She slid off the rope impatiently several meters above the ground. She landed perfectly in a squatting position with one hand touching the ground and then immediately stood up. I took a much simpler landing, lowering myself onto the ground until my feet touched the linoleum.

She took a map from her pocket and proceeded to follow it. I eyed her curiously as she expertly navigated us through the different themed exhibitory rooms. We entered an 'EMPLOYEES ONLY' doorway and arrived in what seemed to be a predominantly brown warehouse. It was not as dark and it was a fresh sight to see light bulbs again. We flipped off our flashlights.

"Right. He was used as raw material to create that kitty," she said objectively. "They somehow managed to learn how to escape from this place. And learn the whereabouts of their beloved lost son and track him down."

"But they couldn't break the spell no matter what they did," I said, my eyes narrowing.

I made my way to the last floor and went up to the penthouse. I found Dorothy sitting on one of those concrete benches, a soft furry cat in her lap. I sighed...

"Cats are rare creatures. In one sense you could say they're worth more than you and I. I doubt someone would abandon one. The best thing you should do is find its owner, because when you get too attached--"

"Oh! Dorothy sensed it... She knew! He was created just like her," I said with epiphany, bringing my walk to a halt.

Dorothy's head jerked towards me before I could finish my sentence. "When that happens you'll negotiate..."

An ear-splitting siren interrupted my flashbacks, bringing me back to the present. I blinked and saw Angel far in front of me, taking a step back in panic as red laser sensors flashed on in response to her careless trespassing.

Trespassing.

"Uh oh!" she muttered as if she was a child who just spilled some milk.

"Hey!"

"Look's like we've been spotted," she said with too eager sarcasm. I put a hand on her shoulder, patting it.

"Right. Look's like you've pushed us in the right direction. Now, where's the lab area?"

"Not too far," she smiled.

"Let's make a break for it," I said close to her ear, unintentionally smelling the sweet scent of her perfume. I let go of her shoulder and both of us raced straight forwards. I took this time to think of a plan as we ran along the length of the winding hallway. Unfortunately, I couldn't really think of anything except to run, as sirens and the potential anxieties of an incoming deranged scientists' army kind of wanted to make you start moving. Sure enough, Angel and I had to pull to a halt. A line of three brown-uniformed men appeared in front of us-- with the obvious threat of guns.

On instinct, Angel and I simultaneously dodged the bullets, ducking on opposite sides behind pure concrete columns as they began to whiz past by. I glimpsed at her a couple of meters away from me. Our eyes met for a brief moment, then she turned away. She looked very focused, using her peripheral vision and hearing to find any clues to escape. Ah-ha. She did get a haircut since the last time I saw her. I thought it flattered her facial features, but I would never dare to give her a compliment.

"Try this," she mouthed solemnly to me as she reached by her belt to pull something out of a holster.

I raised an eyebrow, catching the caliber.

"Goes against my principles!" I yelled above the gunfire, flipping the gun dextrously into position with my one hand, then cocking it with the other. "But I don't have a choice!"

The bullets stopped for a few momentary seconds. The men had to reload or were wondering if we were dead already. I took the time to peek out from my hiding spot and fire some rounds. Instead of firing the men, I took shots at the pipe above them praying for good luck. Steaming hot water poured on the men. I could see that one of the men was pushed towards the ground due to the pressure, hit his head, and immediately passed out. When enough steam had cleared and cooled, we saw that the two men were doubled over, gasping. I ran over to the nearest one and elbowed them at the crucial spot near the neck. He fell like a potato. I turned around for the other one. But Angel already got him, similarly elbowing him on the neck. Her blonde hair and toned frame was moist from the sweat and steam. And, somehow, she still looked perfectly ready for any photo shoot.

The age-old question. Who was this girl?

I gave her a questionable look then proceeded to walk down a staircase, casually throwing her the caliber.

"So, no matter what you won't shoot people?" Angel asked incredulously.

"All part of being a gentleman," I said slyly as we descended down the stairs.