Emi looked around outside the Trans Station. There were busy people walking around everywhere, who didn't seem to care too much about the people around them. Emi walked out more with her bookbag held tightly in her arms. Taxicabs came by rarely, and almost never stopped. The windows of buildings glowed neon and flashed in the night. Emi bit her lip nervously. She didn't think the Disco Zone would be quite this big. Looking both ways, she quickly crossed the street and continued on.
After walking for about 30 minutes, Emi stopped and leaned against a building. Everything was alien to her here, and she was afraid to ask some of the people for help. Every now and then, a shiny dressed female would point to Emi's clothes and laugh rudely, then continue on. Emi looked down at her clothes and sighed.
'So this is what Rage grew up used to. No wonder Izam made such a big deal out of this...' she thought.
"Hey Chickie!" a voice yelled. she looked up and saw two guys advancing towards her. "Ya lost Chickie?" he asked. Emi backed away. They laughed and came closer, faster. Emi turned and walked away, but knew they were following. Looking behind her shoulder, she saw them still following. She ran. Her bookbag was bouncing on her back uncomfortably. The two were still following her, jeering and laughing. Emi felt an unpleasant jerk as one grabbed her bookbag and yanked her back. She struggled and got out of her bookbag and ran even faster. The boys looked at the bag for a moment, then followed once again.
Emi took refuge in an alleyway to catch her breath. It came in quick, short gasps and her lungs felt like they were on fire. Her tongue was begging for water or some liquid to sooth the dryness. Suddenly, she looked up and something fell into her eye. She shook her head al looked around and a sob escaped her throat. It was beginning to rain. She cautiously left her hiding spot and left the alley, but spotted the two boys not too far away. They saw her and she ran again. It was raining harder now and her pants were quickly becoming soaked. People on the sidewalks laughed at her wet clothes and what they thought was a tacky outfit, not noticing that she was being chased.
Emi ran across the street and tried to go down a different one when she was a person ahead with spiked hair. Her eyes widened and her heart hoped against hope. She ran to the figure and grabbed their arm....
...Tracy whipped around a bit annoyed when someone grabbed her arm roughly. A shout died on her lips as she looked down and saw Emi, wide eyed and out of breath.
"Emi-chan!" Tracy gasped and hugged the soaked girl close to her. "What happened? Oh, never mind, lets get you someplace warm." She looked at the man next to her. "Boldo, I'll talk to you later, I need to get her someplace safe." Boldo nodded and walked off. Tracy, with one arm around Emi, walked her to a street corner and hailed a cab. Emi looked behind her and the two boys were at the edge of a crowd, looking at her. She sucked in a breath and turned back around and got into the cab.
Roughly 10 minutes later, or 13 creds found Emi and Tracy leaving the cab and entering an apartment building. Emi felt shabby in the apartment building, because it was relatively high class and she looked like a water rat at the moment. Tracy kept a reassuring hand on her shoulder and steered Emi to the elevator, away from the few staring residents. In the elevator, Emi broke down and Tracy quickly got the story from Emi.
"Oh Emi, it's going to be alright. I promise." Tracy vowed. Emi sniffed and nodded. The elevator light showed floor 28 and Tracy led Emi to a room. "I'm sure my dad will love you Emi. I'd bring you to my place, mom would prefer to have you there, but I don't have enough money." She knocked on the door and waited a moment. The door opened and there was a man, who looked remarkably like rage, but about 20 years older with a beard, who opened the door to them. He smiled at Tracy, but frowned slightly at Emi, trying to remember who she was, then his face cleared as he did.
"Ah...you must be Emi Toshido. Come in girls." he opened the door wider, then closed it behind them. Emi blushed, feeling embarrassed about being in the home of a man she felt who disliked her. Tracy was asking if there was anything Emi could change into when Rage walked into the apartment. He looked up first at Tracy, who was still badgering their father.
"Trace? What are you doing here? I thought you only liked mom." he said. Tracy looked up.
"Ray, look who's here." Tracy snapped, with her hands on her hips. Rage frowned at being called 'Ray' and looked towards the couch.
"Emi!" his eyes widened at her being there, then his eyes traveled to her soaked and dirty clothes. Emi blushed even redder and stared at the ground. "What are you doing here Emi?" he demanded, still surprised that she was standing in his living room in the Disco Zone. Tracy smacked Rage on the head.
"Be more considerate Ray! Emi was mugged trying to get here!" Tracy yelled. Emi shook, trying not to cry in front of everyone. Rage opened his mouth to apologize, but Tracy stopped him by continuing. "Do you have any clothes she can change into? I'll take her shopping tomorrow, but she needs something tonight." Rage nodded dumbly and went to his room. Emi followed after Tracy nudged her.
Rage went through a few drawers and pulled out some clothes, including boxers. Emi blushed and managed a weak laugh. Rage smiled a bit, then put the clothes on the bed.
"Well, I guess you can sleep in here tonight. If Trace is staying here, then I guess I have the couch." he shrugged, like her being there suddenly didn't matter much to him. He stood there for a moment, looking at her, then suddenly blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I'll let you change..." he said, and left.
Emi changed slowly, peeling the wet clothes from her skin and letting them drop on the floor, but quickly putting on Rage's clothes, feeling odd about changing in a strange place. Rage's clothes were about 3-4 sizes too large, and she had to find her belt to use on his sweat pants. Tracy knocked, then came in. She laughed when she saw Emi. After being led to a full length mirror, Emi laughed as well. She looked even smaller than usual in his clothes. Rage poked his head in the guestroom that Tracy claimed and smiled.
"Sorry, I'm currently out of stock in women's wear." he said. Tracy smirked and Emi jumped at his voice. "Ah...I'll go." he said and left.
It was 10:42 when Emi finally laid down on Rage's bed and curled up under his sheets. Rage came in quietly, thinking she was asleep and placed something on the ground near the door. He closed it softly and she heard voices immediately after.
"Sorry Rage, we didn't mean to scare her."
"Well, if she's from the Burning Zone, I guess guys like us look pretty scary." there was laughter. She quietly got out of bed and looked through the slightly ajar door. There, across from Rage, were the two who had chased her.
"I guess we were right in assuming you knew her." the first said, laughing.
"Hey, we have a spy!" said the second. Emi gasped and stumbled back. Rage opened the door and looked down at Emi.
"Ah..Emi, come on out." he said. The boys looked at each other, not knowing rage to be so strange towards a girl. Rage bought her out and introduced them all. Emi blushed a deep red when she found that they really were going to help her.
"I guess she got a little paranoid after a while. I saw her circle the same building a few times, that's why we went to help." said Flash, the one who had first called out to her. His green, spiked hair was a bit matted down due to the rain.
"Sorry about your bag, I hope it's not broken or anything." said Brock. His hair was a deep crimson and tied back in a ponytail. They two left after an hour of talking. Emi was on the borderline of consciousness and sleep, falling towards sleep. Rage nudged her awake.
"C'mon Em, time to sleep." Emi nodded and got up,, and was led back into Rage's room by him.
"Rage, do you know what day it is?" she asked. He looked down at her.
"Its Friday, at least for a few more minutes." he said.
"Mmmhmm." she muttered, and laid down on his bed. Rage turned to leave, then turned back around to look at her. She was hugging his pillow close to her, like she was holding someone. Rage scratched the back of his head and smiled. Taking off his boots, he laid down behind her and slipped his arm over her waist and under her arm and pulled her close. Emi slightly woke up and snuggled closer into him.