Ixora Pov
"Fuck," my head throbbed, touching the sore spot I recoiled as a searing pain shot from it. Dammit, what the hell did she do? I found I was in... my bathroom? In my apartment? She actually brought me here?
**Better than in the gullet of a metal head.**
Her voice growled out inside my head.
How the heck did she even get into the market area, I didn't have any passes on me. Augh, my head. Holding my face in my hands I breathed deeply. How was it that I was still alive? Getting up, I saw black dots in my vision. Grabbing onto the sink I heaved myself up, looking into the mirror.
"Great," it was cracked, how the hell was it cracked? A giggle was my answer, by now I have gotten used to it but geez.
"You really had to attack my mirror?" I asked out loud, rubbing my still sore head. Wait, I was in my apartment. Zooming out of the restroom and into my room, I had to stop myself from jumping onto the bed... shower first.
I dug through my little dresser getting my necessities. Glad everything was still here!
Then ran over to my closet... I could have cried but I wasn't in the mood I had so much shit to straighten out. Grabbing a jumpsuit, I reached behind most the clothes and into the hiding bins. Just what I needed, quickly gripping it I flung my hand out and rolled my wrist sending the small knife across the room.
SHHWACK
It was a little off but it met its mark. In the right eye of the baron poster I had up for target practice. Fat ass was gonna get it. Then onto the small fry.
**The 'sssmall fry'sss' mine**
Nadia hissed out,
'How 'bout we both-' great now we're gonna have to take turns getting at butt wipe. Heading into the bathroom, I kept thinking about that freaky dream I had of the little person... aka me. Which brought on more questions and thoughts mostly about Jak I just hope...
The shower hissed and spurted, a mixture of water and rust shot out. How long was I gone again? As soon as it was clear, I got ready to get in.
The running water was too loud to allow me to hear a door open.
I knew Errol was lying, I was gonna race into the hideout and see Torn in his signature spot. Surprising the hell out of him.
Torn's POV
Something kept nagging at me, I just couldn't get it out of my mind. The shadow had been out for quite a while... it would just take a minute. Everyone was out on missions anyways.
Taking the zoomer out by the hideout, I made my way over to the market section. The Baron's voice projected from the holograms he set throughout the city. It made me sick, how he thought he was protecting the city when he was the one killing it.
KG patrols seemed to have slackened in some areas and doubled in others. The people of haven have long forgotten to hope, whoever did would join up for the cause.
Coming to a stop, I was here again. Ixora's apartment, ditching the zoomer I headed in the building. Before unlocking it, the keyhole was destroyed and the knob was dented. Someone had broken into the her apartment! Pushing the ruined door open everything seemed untouched, a squatter maybe?
The shower was running, grabbing the nearest blunt object- wouldn't do any good to shoot first ask questions later. I slowly got closer to the hallway. The showers knob squeaked and soon the water stopped running. Wait for it,
The door began to open, bringing my hand down to strike the person in the head. My forearm was caught, and twisted to my back- a sweeping kick knocked me over to the floor. I was dumbstruck, it would take more than that to get me down.
"Motherfucking nick knack killer, you- you- your Torn? Torn!?" I was encased with a brutal hug, that could be mistaken for a killer choke hold. I knew that voice anywhere, the same voice I thought I'd never hear again.
"Ix- Ixora?" I sputtered as she sobbed and laughed at the same time,
"They told me you- and they- I thought- I knew it!" she was sob laughing it was almost scary, but I knew better... she must have been through hell. I just let her get it out of her system. Precursors know when the next time I'll let her hug me this much... or this constricting again.
A crushing guilt washed over me, she was still alive... she was here. I had given up on her, but-
'Errol had gotten trigger happy,' that things voice echoed from the day before, I was able to get out of her hug- and stared at her. It was the same Ixora, my eyes scanned her. She wore her favorite blue jumpsuit, her feet were bare though. When her eyes met mine in question... it felt, different, like this Ixora was someone else staring back at me.
The once mischievous childish gleam was replaced by a dull cold far off emotion, she also had gotten pale- almost a sickly color. Her hair began to curl up as it dried.
"Torn, it's me..." her lower lip quivered slightly. I gave her an awkward hug, one she gave back with a desperate hold. Like I'd disappear soon, I was still shocked to see her... she had been gone for almost a year in the Baron's-
I jumped back, eying this 'Ixora' what if it was a trap... what if they were using her to spy on the-
Stopping myself from anymore of these thoughts she watched me, with a dejected look. Her face hardened, she looked far older than she really was. Her time in the prison must have really changed her.
The atmosphere in here changed quickly, all of a sudden it felt like we were strangers.
We stared at each other for a good while,
"I thought you were-
We had both began, she smiled a little. She motioned for me to say my piece,
"I thought you were dead," might as well get to the point, her smile dropped as she thought about what to say.
"Is that why... no one...?" she looked like she was about to break. Why no one? She looked away as her jaw clenched.
"I waited... I waited for you or- or someone! Anyone to get me outta that shit hole!" She began to yell, her breathing deep and uneven. She had waited for help... she was waiting for me to save her.
"We had tried-
"No you didn't! You just said you thought I was dead!" her voice thundered but cracked, it made me feel like shit,
"I never gave up on you- or the underground! No matter what Errol or Praxis said!" she spat out their names like acid, her face was red and livid with anger and hurt. She was fighting it real hard, trying not to cry.
"I..." I didn't know what to say, I had left her and she hadn't given up like I had. I really had tried to get her back, but it was too late. Looks like she had saved herself. She glared, waiting for me to say something,
"They had moved prisons... we had gotten there too late-
"There never was a 'Too late' you just gave up!" she had punched the wall between her room and the restroom. She was really angry, and had taken it out on the wall- that now needed to be patched.
"I'm-
"Don't you dare fucking say it!" she growled out... she never did like apologies, from anyone. Her shoulders slumped and her face relaxed while she sighed. Falling over onto the wall she slid down onto the ground, shaking.
"I never gave up..." she whispered, looking up to me with brimming tears. I had to look away, I... didn't like seeing her like this.
"There were times I had worried... about you, the shadow... the whole underground." she continued,
"I knew it couldn't happen, it just wouldn't," she looked like she was calming down, I was too afraid to say anything. I just waited for her to calm down.
"I lived through hell, survived it but come home... and almost die by a snow globe to the head," she laughed a little while glaring my way, it made me give a small smile.
"It didn't happen though... you still got it," I tried to keep the mood up, she laughed some more, not because of the humor but just for the sake of laughing like she hadn't for the longest time.
"You butt wipe..." she sniffled, great now she'll probably be calling me that.
"I thought that was-
"He got promoted to commander ass kiss," she had a strange way of making these kind of things funny,
"and the Baron?" I remember it used to be-
"Still Baron fat ass," she got up and sighed. She was better, but I knew she wouldn't forget this. She wouldn't trust me any more, and that now made a rift in our relationship. She would see me as family... but wouldn't be as close. I could see it now, she had grown bitter and angry while away.
The wall was proof, she'd never been that violent before. Usually she'd joke or degrade someone- or even got pay back in a mission.
"So... you wouldn't mind a quick pat down for security measures?" I tried to joke, she gasped in horror and punched my shoulder really hard while blushing,
"I'm not wired ya perv!" yep, same Ixora in there. I thought while pinching the bridge of my nose.
Ixora's POV
I know I had put myself in there for the sake of the underground and Torn, but... for them to give up on me like another casualty of war. It made me feel... used? Torn couldn't even look me straight in the face while I yelled at him. I sighed, might as well just push this off a bridge.
"When do I start missions again?" I asked, he seemed taken aback.
"Missions? You just got out of the Baron's prison, your not going back," he scolded,
I glared up at him.
"What? So your just gonna take me out like that? What the hell am I suppose to do while Fat ass sits up on his throne watching the city go to hell?" this was ridiculous! There was no way he was taking me outta this fight, this, this war!
"I won't allow it," he said slowly, while he stood straight as if that made it final. I couldn't believe him, we had a stare down.
"Then I'll fucking do it by myself," I bit out. He looked ready to blow-
"and how do you think-
"I know I will, cause shit just got fucking serious!" I yelled at him,
"It's personal..." I whispered thinking about Jak. My family... my friends may have forsaken me, but I wouldn't do so to Jak. I could do it all on my own.
"You sure are being you... fine, come by the hideout tomorrow... got some rookies in the other wee-
"Just like that?"I said flabbergasted, I thought... he said?
"Like I'd really let you go out on your own," I glared at him, I could so do it!
"Then why the fuck say all that shit?" I was seriously gonna lose it. Men! AGH!
"No hurt in tryin'" I inched over to the restroom.
"No hurt in tryin'" I asked as he watched me with a questioning look,
I grabbed the item I was seeking with a hard grip.
"NO HURT IN TRYIN'! BITCH, I WAS PLENTY HURT!" I yelled chucking it at him, ha!
It made home in his face, leaving a black sole mark from my boot. He didn't look amused, he growled with a mean snarl.
"So uh tomorrow, at the hideout? Got it, yea bye Torn!" I ran into my room- locking it up behind me. He grumbled to himself then threw the boot at my door and made his way out,
"Be there at five," he yelled,
"In the morning?" I could see the 'no-shit?' face on him in my mind, he grumbled some more then left. I just sat at the side of my bed, everything being replayed inside my head.
**Your a weird one**
Nadia butted in, making me squeal in surprise.
'Agh don't do that!' I hit myself in the face embarrassed of the strange noise I had let out in my surprise. She giggled her creepy laugh, goosebumps still rose on my skin when she did that. It was soooo creepy.
I sighed, I hope Jak was okay... I wouldn't wish this on him, but I didn't want him to die in there. I needed to get him out before he had prolonged exposure to dark eco... if he made it-
Shaking my head, what am I talking about of course he made it. I just had to get him out!
With my new resolve I knew I would get him out. I had to get the right connections though, and unfortunately I knew the right one. Grimacing I really didn't wanna talk to him.
**Who isss thisss, him?**
I threw up in my mouth just thinking about him.
'Don't worry about it,' I thought as I ran to the toilet.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Okay, I'm here... I'm waiting... still waiting, good god where is he? I fiddled with my suit, then started tinkering with my gun.
**You named it?**
Nadia asked in distaste. I gasped,
"Of course I named him, he's my baby!" I said out loud,
"Who the hell are you talking to?" someone asked, I didn't recognize his voice. I whirled around, it was some tall guy wearing some plain brown haven garbs. A platinum blond with dull green eyes, My own had narrowed at him,
"The fuck you doin' here princess," he had nice hair... therefore he was princess.
"Who the hell you calling princess?" he said turning red,
"The hot head with hearing problems apparently," I retorted, he just glared. Neither of us moved as we stared down at each other.
"What are you doin' here anyways, this ain't no place for little girls." he huffed out his chest, little...? A facial tick went off under my left eye.
"I ain't no little girl Sasquatch, I happen to work here!" he gave me a strange look, I thought about it... and thought...
"Not that line of work ass hole!" I screeched aiming Big Red at him.
"Ixora! Not one day and already... Brad?" Torn barked at me but does he bark at this Brad no. Crossing my arms I just waited til he was close enough. It was time for business,
"Been waiting for ya," I said monotonously, Torn just tilted his head at me in greeting. Tough guy act nice.
"Good, everyone should be here soon," He announced,
"Everyone?" I asked, he better not have made me wake up at the ass crack of dawn for nothing!
"Yes there are-
"Who the hell is she? Don't tell me she-
"Another word and you'll be eating sewage!" Brad's mouth clamped shut as his mind registered what I said.
"Bitch, don't tell me what to do I been here longer than you have!" Torn was rubbing his temples, I bet silently praying for us to shut up.
"Well I've known the shadow long before you, bet you haven't even met the guy!" I bit back, at this time everyone that Torn mentioned appeared- it was like... six guys. All checking me out, my cheeks burned as I glared at them.
"Take a picture boys it lasts longer," most of them averted their eyes mumbling something like, not another one.
"This, is my best agent-" My head shot up making it snap from the fast movement, I wanted to have a moment to myself but I had to be tough. I just stood up straight and.. well, as tall as my boots allowed.
"-Ixora, Ixora here will be your sparring partner today." he continued, I could feel all of the scrutinizing eyes on me.
"There's no way she could be your best, I've never even seen her before!" Brad had spoke out with a bitter tone,
"Alright pal, that's enough. Come on, outside the walls nice and clean." Brad's eyes grew large, everyone taken aback by my challenge or more like where it would take place.
"Out-Outside the walls are you crazy," he sputtered,
"Hell yea, I'm the crazy bitch- metal heads are a bonus" that was just a plus, kicking some newbies but into place and killin' some metal heads.
"I've already done my part to prove myself... what have you done?" Brad shot back.
"I been in prison for the past year for the undergrounds cause, what about you?" I darkly whispered into his face. He paled in comparison to the others who hadn't heard- they were only surprised at how fast I had grabbed Brad by the shirt and drug him over to me then down to the ground.
Torn was the most surprised, seeing his face had made me realize what I was doing...crap. I had to stop and breath, this wasn't me.
"I'll be waiting," I said while shoving him away.
**Why mussst the fun end?**
Nadia sounded forlorn, I stood a little ways behind torn. Glaring at nothing in particular.
"Report to me when and if y'all survive your drill training." torn had said... drill training? I thought we were sparring? Theses guys were still training?
As soon as they left, me receiving a glare from Brad. Torn rounded on me, a frown on his face.
"What was that about?" he incredulously asked, even I would ask myself that.
"He was-"
"Never mind, it'd be pretty amusing to see you beat the hot head into the ground bloody." I guess this guy gave Torn more problems than I thought. Yet, I knew he noticed the same changes in me that I had noticed.
**Dark eco will affect you in many waysss**
Nadia chirped,
"Oh, and the shadow wants to see you," Torn waved me off heading into the hideout. My shoulders slumped, now of all times?
"Yes Sir," I slowly followed him, the shadow stood staring at the wall full of posters. There by his feet was a kid,
"Sir... Kid?" I greeted, the small child smiled up at me... he looked... so... cute!
"Ixora! My it's good to see you," the shadow turned towards me but as soon as he spotted me, his whole demeanor seemed off.
"Outta prison and well," he finished still looking at me strange. The kid fidgeted in his spot looking around at all the surrounding things that seemed interesting.
"Yea, it was a painful wait... who's the kid?" the shadow only nodded at my words,
"Ah yes, the boy was just wandering the streets when I had found him," said boy just listened to our exchange of words. Bending over to his level I smiled as he shrank back, he sure was timid.
"Hey there, what's your name?" he peeked at me threw his hands, but didn't answer. I gave a small chuckle,
"That's alright kid, I'm Ixora- and if you ever need a baby sitter I'm up for it," I nodded over at the shadow, while the kid slowly relaxed and smiled at me shyly.
"Well, yes I'll keep that in mind Ixora," he seemed to genuinely think it over with a small smile. Torn just watched the whole scene silently, before clearing his throat.
"Ixora I got a job for you, looks like we have two information brokers with some very valuable
information, before you ask there's Him, and then there's this new guy- which do you want?" I shivered, I needed to talk to Him... but the new guy looked like a much better route, I didn't really want a repeat of the last meeting with Him.
"New guy," I said without hesitation, Torn just huffed out a small laugh.
"Said he'd meet over in one of the crop fields at noon," he said making me stop at the first step,
"ONE of the crop fields? Not which one?" how was I suppose to find the dude before he left?
"I'd hurry if I were you, already eleven O' eight," he said with a hint of smugness.
Waving a goodbye to the kid, and an exchange of nods with the shadow I was off. Taking a deep breath of the rancid haven city odor as soon as I was out,
"Feels good to be home," I mumbled under that breath, there wasn't a zoomer in the corner... looks like I'm hitching a ride. Walking over to where the zoomers flew over I waited. Lets see, purple? Nope, yellow? No. Ooh blue? I think yes, jumping at a nice blue and yellow zoomer I hung onto the vehicle. The poor guy didn't know what was coming. Grabbing his leg he landed butt first onto the ground, got up and ran off yelling thief.
Ignoring the stares and panic I raced off, crops... crops... how many crops did haven have? Reaching at my waist- I forgot the communicator! Oh well, I can find it later.
Torn's POV
It was a good few minutes after Ixora left, the shadow had given her a strange look as soon as he saw her. The kid looked happy to have met her, who knew she was a kid's person? Maybe cause she still acted like one at times... a very foul mouthed temperamental child.
"Ah, Torn, tell me- have you seen anything different about Ixora?" The shadow asked, worry laced in his voice.
"Only that she wanted to rip one of the new guys' face off, prior to ten minutes just meeting him... yea," this only made him look more worried.
"The kid seems to like her," I offered, he nodded at that but still seemed worried.
"I could also use a great baby sitter from time to time," he said in a light thoughtful tone. His previous worries most likely forgotten at the thought.
The kid wandered over to the stair well, signaling their leave.
"Until next time Torn," the shadow called back as they left. Maybe I should check up on her.
Pshhht
"Ixora, report. Any problems?"
Pshhht
No answer. Maybe she's still looking.
Back at Ixora's apartment
In the closet
pshhht
Ixora? This isn't funny, report!
Pshhht
….
[5 minutes later]
Pshhht
Ixora this better not be a joke, answer!
Pshhht
[10 minutes later]
Pshhht
Dammit Ixora answer the communicator or else...
Pshhht
[20 minutes later]
Ixora you better answer your god damn communicator, or I will-
Outside the building
Many passerby's froze at the yelling of obscenities, most women gasped with their hands over their mouths. While others hurried on about their business.
Back in the closet
-Pshhht
The clothes that hung rattled by their hangers, as the yelling stopped.
Ixora's POV
Finally! I had tried three crops and finally found the one with a man hiding inside it. He was dark and kinda burly- but not as horrifyingly bulky as... Him, his ears looked clipped; and his black hair was pulled back. This was the informant?
"You the agent," he whispered as his eyes shifted over to the left and right. His voice was laced with a heavy accent, one I couldn't really identify. I looked around too, it was surprisingly empty in this area.
"Yea?" I answered, this was the guy right?
"Boss wants you to retrieve a few payments before meeting 'em, get them before they're missed." really I wasn't some debt collector, before I could say anything more he walked out of the field and left. Well that was helpful, if I were leaving some money around where would I put it?
Hopping onto a zoomer, the engine revved as I thought. I had to hurry too, before taking off I caught sight of a small brown bag a few feet over. No one was here right?
Oh well makes my job a lot easier, and that's how it began racing around the city- hunting down a max of twenty one bags filled with money. I had a feeling I should of brought my communicator with me.
Now where was I suppose to go?
"Oof, hey watch where you going buddy! oh- it's you," it was that guy from the crop. He hit my zoomer with a double seated zoomer- I didn't like this, I barely met the guy and therefore didn't trust him.
"You coming or what? Got the goods?" his thick accented voice asked. I just knew I wouldn't like this,
"Yea got them, where we going," I asked as soon as I sat down as far as the seat would allow me. He smelled like liquor and cigars.
"Going to the shop," was all he gave me, shop?
"Tha's a nice gun you've got, none like it I guess?" he said eying Big Red. I shifted over uncomfortably.
"Yea, it's a custom," he nodded then it was silent. We came into the industrial section of the city, Passing by all the familiar sites until we came to a small beaten up building with a faded sign on it.
It read,
"The Munition Dump?" I gaped at it, it wasn't really much.
"Home sweet home," he chuckled. Parking the zoomer at the side of the building. It was a small two story but still seemed questionable. The big guy lugged all the bags in one arm and led me in,
"Ah Ivan, our guest find things well?" another strange accented voice called out from inside, it was a woman's voice.
She stepped out from a door behind the counter. She looked middle aged, but had a good build as well as the big guy- Ivan, had. She had dark brown hair in a messy bun, and was also dark skinned. She wore an ammo belt on a shoulder and her gun clipped to the back of it.
"I did as you asked now where's my part?" I didn't like their shady stature.
"Ah, ah, ah, all must be accounted for- Ivan!" he dropped all the bags onto the floor and the woman's eyes skimmed over it, her face grew delighted.
"That was fast pick up, and not one bag missing! The underground truly is one of the finest, no- Ivan?" she glanced at a nodding Ivan, it felt so weird being here... but it had guns! Some had caught my attention, but I'd never replace Big Red.
"Now, in return for your service I relay the information you seek," she nodded over to Ivan, who strode over to the door and covered it with the curtain hiding beside it.
"My name is Camila, I have few ears within the Baron's KG reserves- something you need yes?" it could be beneficial, I knew Ashelin was one of the undergrounds ears but maybe a few more wouldn't hurt,
"Yes," I slowly said still unsure if I should... it was for information wasn't it? The underground needed as much as possible.
"Word is the Baron, has been plucking many off the streets-" I held my breath, this I knew but to have the people notice this? Praxis was getting sloppy... or desperate.
"Metal heads are gathering in numbers in... dead town? Yes, dead town. Whatever the Baron is doing has to do with eco." I already knew this, I lived threw it. Dead town must have been the Barons personal dump, and the metal heads feasting on his eco infested trash.
"They say the Baron is going to crack down on the people of this city soon, the worst is soon to be coming as long as the metal head threat continues," she continued, her accent got easier to follow as she continued to speak,
A thought had come to me,
"Say, when you say few, how few?" she blinked at the question,
"About three o four I'd say, why?" she crossed her arms,
"and of these four do they work in the fortress' prison hold?" she wrung her hands,
"I have two in the inventory cellars, one in the palace and I am sure one is in the prison hold." she said thinking hard of her connections' positions.
"Can you have him report the cell holds contents and any information he can gather to me next visit?" Jak's gotta be there! Maybe with enough time I could sneak in unnoticed, and-
There was a small screech, Ivan and Camila quickly began firing in random areas. Until an agonizing noise was made and a pop of a metal head skull gem was heard.
"Damn those metal bugs!" Camila growled,
"Would that be all Camila?" I said as I inched towards the door, Ivan just watched in amusement.
"Yes... ahm? Well, I never did get your name dear," she said undoing her bun and fixing it.
"Names Ixora, I'll catch you guys later," I waved then rushed out the building, it smelled like a bar in there. Only without the sweat.
I smiled, I was much closer to rescuing Jak.