Action goes backward and into slow motion.
We see behind Avey's shoulder, while she does the described action.
The guy attempted one more time to hit her but she blocked the bat with her open palm as she kick him men in his gut at full strength, making him fly a few meters away. The last men, who was hiding behind a container, pounced her, she hear his breathe as she attempted to turn and hit him, but she was too late… He stabbed her in her left shoulder and ran away, only to be stopped by a well-placed kick in the stomach by Alec.
"Avey?… AVEY!"
He saw her lying on the ground, unconscious and losing a lot of blood, her knife beside her, covered with blood. He crouched over her and quickly checked her pulse. It was low, but still there. He obviously knew that ordinaries medics will ask lots of questions so he took his cell phone and dialled Max's apartment.
" Hey", she answered.
" It's Avey, she's wounded and I need you to come by now with help. I'm in a back alley near Jam Pony. She losing a lot of blood. Hurry!"
" Logan and I will be there in fifteen minutes. Hang on."
He flip close his cell phone, pocketed it as he sit down near Avey, and ripped a large strip of his shirt, using it as a compress and squeezed the wound, which was still bleeding badly. While doing that, he carefully turned Avrianna and leaned her comfortably in his lap, but wasn't careful enough because she moan in pain and opened her eyes, she was pale because of the loss of blood.
"Hey", Alec smiled
She smiled back.
A slow music starts to play: Hold on to me love/You know I can't stay long/All i wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid/Can you hear me/Can you feel me in your arms?
" Huh.. Are you an angel? … Maybe I'm dead… And I'm in Heaven… "
He laughed softly.
"Not really. I just care about people I love."
Holding my last breath/Safe inside myself/Are all my thoughts of you/Sweet raptured light/ It ends here tonight..
He perfectly knew that she could die within ten minutes, so he silently hope for her to stay with him, so he kept talking.
"Er, when I say love, I don't mean love-love but … ah.. whatever.."
" Hey, she said softly, if you love this girl, don't be afraid of your feelings!"
"What? Max? You're kidding, right? There no way in Earth! She got her Logan and, for her, I'm just her…huh… pet?"
Avey laughed but was stopped by a wave of pain. He continue to squeeze the wound.
"Alec… I got something… something important to tell you."
He waited anxiously, thinking: "Maybe she'll told me… Nah, she can't… she's too.."
She took a deep breath.
"I… I care about you Alec, a lot…"
He smiled, but that wasn't what he was expecting.
"Yeah, me too", he whispered. "And if it's the time of an 'open-heart' chatting, you betta' not lemme down!"
" Of course not. After all, it's just a fucking wound…And I can beat it…"
He took her hand in his and she rubbed it against her cheek.
"Your hands are soft."
"Yours, too"
She tried to change her position, forgetting her injured shoulder and she winced in pain.
"Careful" Alec told her. He gently lifted her more comfortably and took back her hand, caressing it with his thumb. With their sensitive hearing, they heard the crunching of wheels.
"Here they are"
"I know"
"Hold on"
She squeezed his hand.
"Oh, I pick this up.."
He showed her the knife.
"Thanks…", she whispered. "I think I need to sleep, now. Don' worry."
She leaned back her head on Alec's chest and closed her eyes.
Logan backed up ol' Betsy near them while Max hurried toward Avey.
"What happened?"
"She's been stabbed in the shoulder."
"Just hang on", she told Avey " We brought a stretcher, go grab it while I take care of her…", she whispered to Alec.
He nod, jogged to the Aztek, opened the trunk and came back with an old stretcher. Together, they carefully placed the wounded on it and put it in the back of the car. Max sat in the passenger seat as Logan began to drove, heading for TC. She turned and see Alec sitting besides Avey, holding her hand and silently praying.
"What happened?", Max rehearsed.
He barely notice his half-bare stomach
"Huh, had to rip off my shirt… It's not important.."
"I've notice that.. I wasn't talking about you…", she told him
"I dunno what happened.. I was beating one of those idiots and I didn't notice she was hurt. They came from behind and tazed me for no reason, and they were at least five. I was lucky to be quick enough to avoid the second and third electric shocks… How do you think I can handle this? How do think I could've know she'll run into them and almost got killed?"
His face changed into a mask of sadness.
"Hey, don't feel so angry… It's not your fault…", she comforted him.
"Yeah…"
But he was still feeling guilty, despite the effort his friend has deployed.
"Sorry to interrupt.. but we're there. We'll had to carry her to the infirmary.."
"But, how do you expect us to enter with a wounded? It won't go through!"
"Don't worry, we have some hidden entry points", Logan answered him without turning.
He pounded and Alec exited the car by the rear door. They were in an alleyway near the gates of Terminal City, surrounded by decrepit buildings. He opened the trunk and tilted the stretcher so the wheels are deployed, making the stretcher roll.
"Okay, so, where is your "secret" entrance?"
"See that building?", he pointed one with a sign that says "Marcus & Elliot, associate lawyers"
"Yeah…"
"There is an hidden entrance in it.. The bookcase which look thicker.."
"Aiight.. you guys comin'?"
"No.. we have stuff to do.. But we'll probably be back before the sun goes down."
Alec nodded and rolled the stretcher toward the designated building, which was dusty and has a lot of office supplies spreaded all over the place, as if the previous owner had to left in a hurry. He rapidly scanned all the offices and finally found what he was looking for. He pushed aside the bookcase, using practically all his superhuman strength; obviously, no ordinaries can penetrate TC here.
That reveals another office, but this time, in the enclosure of Terminal City, or Transgenic Central, like people often called it. He knows that he was close to the infirmary, due to the smell.. He exited the office, finding himself in a corridor, where a young transgenic, probably a X6, was standing. The young X6 notice the stretcher and told Alec to follow him. He lead him to a huge room that was filled with makeshift beds and medical supplies. Fortunately, there wasn't a lot of people to treat so a medic took charge of the stretcher and, with the help of Alec, he transferred Avey on an examination table.
"Sir, you'll have to wait .. Someone will told you when you could see her."
"Okay, I won't disturb you anymore", he replied while heading toward the waiting room.
While he close the door, he sees another transgenic joining the medic, with several medical supplies.
Once in the waiting room, he dropped on a smashed couch and buried his head into his hands. He thought about the last few weeks, since he met Avey. It was the most beautiful moment of his life. Even for Rachel, he never felt so… close to someone, and that wasn't just because they were both transgenic, but they have a kind of.. chemistry between them. He never feel better than when he was at her side..
Sunday,
10h30 p.m.
When Avey finally woke up, she was alone. She tried to move her arm but only brought more pain, and she let out a big groan. She looked for the source of the pain and finally remember what brought her here when she saw the big white bandage on her left shoulder. She was still dressed with the same clothes, but her left sleeve has been removed, and the rest of her t-shirt was stained with blood, now turned brown. Suddenly, a male X5 entered with a tray filled with food. He put it on the bedside table.
"Hey!", she smiled
"Good evening, ma'am.", he replied. " Your boyfriend.."
"He's not my boyfriend..", she interrupted him abruptly.
"Okay, 494 is waiting for you in the waiting room. Should I told him that you're awake?"
"Sure thing… and thanks for the food.."
"No problems"
He smiled and turned on his heel, heading for the door. She looked on the tray; there was a bowl oatmeal, a glass of milk and a banana. I wonder where they took all this food.. She took the fruit, peeled it and begin to eat slowly. While she was eating, the door opened, revealing Alec, who was carrying a black duffel, dressing with black cargo pants and a dark green long-sleeved t-shirt. He smiled at her and she quickly swallowed.
"Hey, how'd ya feel?"
"I'm not dead.."
His smile widened and he motioned for the bed, and sit on it.
"Brought you some clothes, and all you need to make yourself beautiful."
"What? You're sayin' that I'm not right now?", she replied playfully
He laughed.
"No, of course not.."
"Hey, how did you know where my crib is?", she asked him.
"Not so hard, just have to take a look at Normal's files!"
"Yeah.."
Suddenly, she looked somewhere else. He put the bag on the stretcher, which was still there and sat beside her on the bed. She took the bowl of oatmeal and began to eat, avoiding talking. He began to ran his fingers into her hair and she quickly put the bowl aside, rushing out of the bed. He look stupefy.
"Sorry, she muttered, I really need to take a long shower to clean all this dirt.."
"Okay.. I'll be in the CC…"
She took the duffel and practically ran out of the room
"Dammit, she thought, how could he do that when I'm so.. dirty? Avey, don't fool yourself up, y'know that's not why you literally flew out of that room.. Yeah.. you're afraid of your feelings.. and you're the one who told me not to… God, take that fucking shower, get dressed and go talk to the man.."
Since she doesn't know the layout of TC, she headed to the CC, the only place where she can go without getting lost.. Knowing that Max will probably be there and could help her find a place with running water. The CC was filled with people but she rapidly found Max, who was directing a FO, a Food Operation, where a team of transgenic stole some food. The young woman notice Avey and hand-signalled her to wait.
"Okay, you got maximum ten minutes to fill up. Hurry.. and don't get caught!"
She took out her earpiece and throwed it on the console.
"Hey, careful with the equipment!", the radio told her.
"Sorry.. slip out of my hand.. I got to go for a while.."
"Aiight"
She turned to Avey.
"Hey! How do ya feel? You look… haggard.."
"I'm okay, physically anyway.. Can we go.. somewhere else?
"Sure. Just follow me.."
Max leaded her to an empty office where some chairs and a desk lied there. Avey drops on a chair while Max brushed off the dust accumulated on the desk and sat on it.
"So.. what do you want?"
"Take a shower.. get dressed.. eat some real food.. seriously, I got a problem.."
"Ya mean, a guy problem?
"Yeah, Avey smiled, you seemed pretty experienced with that kind of, huh, situation.. Am I right?"
Max smiled back.
"Not really, but I know him a little anyway. He's a good guy, even if he's really pain-in-the-ass, sometimes. But I know he cares about you, yesterday, when you were taken care of, he kept asking all the time if you're gonna be okay. He really thought you were going to die.."
"Not yet, unfortunately. Damn.. why is it so hard to told someone your feelings?"
"I don't know.. Maybe it's because people are afraid of it.. They think and act with their brain and aren't listening to their screaming heart.."
"Maybe you're right.. What about Logan?"
"He's.. fine… yeah.." After a pause "He's literally kinda zombie you know.."
"That's for his good, and you know that.", Avey comforted her, knowing all their story after Max told her some night at Crash.
Since they met, the two young women found that they have a lot in common. They go out of the office and through the corridors while talking.
"Yeah.."
"We'll found a cure for that damn virus.. And hey, you gonna change your mind, or you're gonna explode!"
"Yah.. But, lemme show you the water place."
"I'll follow you.. What happened to OC?"
"Oh.. she got herself a new girl.. and with the toxic level here, she know she can't stay.. And I'm very busy with this whole thing.. so, I don't have time to think about her.."
"At least you got the phone.. Even if I'm sure that your cell phone and your apartment is bugged with mikes.."
"Probably.. But I only call her once in a week.. Just to assure myself that she's aiight.. Here we are."
They had arrived to the bathroom which was filled with rust and was like a thousand years old.. Even if a thousand years ago, running water doesn't exist..
"There some towels in the wardrobe and some soap, too."
"Got it.. Thanks!" She added ".. for everything."
"No problems! Anything for a friend! I'll be at the CC. Oh, and I got your cell phone and wallet."
She fished them in her pocket and give them to Avey.
"Thanks", she put them into a side pocket of her duffel. Max exited the room and closed it behind her. Avey locked it and goes by the shower and turned the taps on. At first, there weren't any reaction and then, the water came out with a growl. The water was brown, so Avey let it run for a moment and it goes on clear.. She undress herself and look at her reflection, facing a broken mirror. Her body was covered with cuts and bruises, but it already began to fade out.. She had a tattoo on her right arm, covering shoulder to elbow. It was a white, red and black snake encircling a dagger. She remember when she got it..
FlashbackA dark haired, handsome men, about the age of Avey, is looking at her with a strange glance. He is shirtless and wore the same tattoo..
"This is great.. You'll love that, honey.. You know what you have to do to be one of us, didn't you?"
"Sure.. I wanna be a part of this.."
"Good.."
He took a syringe and drove it into Avey's arm, who was sitting on a chair, looking drugged. We saw nothing more as we heard a scream, obviously from a girl.
End FlashbackA spooked Avey took a soap bar, a towel and slowly enter the shower, which was covered with haze. She let the steaming water running all over her body. The hot water seeming to energize her, she quickly washed her hair, rinsed them and washed her body the same way, trying not to move her injured shoulder. Then, she took the towel she had previously put near the shower and dried herself up. She put the towel around her chest and took another one to dry her hair. She changed her bandage to a fresh one, thanks to the little first aid kit she always carried in her duffel... She rummaged inside her duffel and smile at the view of the clothes Alec brought her; he'd certainly put all her black clothes in there. She choose a pair of black thigh pants, he'd also put her motorbike boots, she put them on. She also wore a red tank top with "I rules, you're a dumbass" printed on it with black, huge letters and, to complete her outfit, she put an old leather jacket she "borrowed" from a drunken biker. She picked her toothbrush and she goes by the washbasin to brush her teeth. Then, she combs her hair until they were perfectly untangled and glossy. She picked a cinnamon gum and slowly chew it. She packs her things, put her duffel across her unharmed shoulder and headed back to the CC.
Command Centre,
Terminal City,
A few minutes ago
Alec was sitting on the corner of a desk, reflecting about the last few weeks and, especially about Avey and how she have reacted when he touched her. This mean two things: or she only want to be friend with him, nothing more or either she's afraid of her feelings. "With my luck, he thought, she just want us to be good friend." He raised his head to see Max joins him, interrupting his stream of thoughts.
"Hey", she greeted him
"Hey you"
"Hum.. are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, sure! I'm always okay!", he grinned but his face said longer.
With that, he exited the CC, his feet leading him who knows where, keeping his head down. He rushed into Avey's wounded shoulder. She let out a grunt, wincing in pain.
"Damn! Sorry!"
"It's okay.."
He wrapped his arm across her good shoulder, leading her to an empty living quarter. There was several cots and a pile of army surplus blankets.
"Here, sit"
She obey, because the pain was too strong.. He sat at her right side and do nothing but stare at his hands, unsure of what to do and don't want to screw everything up..
"Damn, Avey thought, clenching her jaw it's sure he's not gonna do anything after.. what happened before.."
She slide closer and put her head on his shoulder, that caught him by surprise but he dare not to move. He ran his hand into her damp hair and she sighed of pleasure.
"Mmm, your hair smells good", he whispered
"Thanks.. damn.. my shoulder hurt like hell.. do you know where I can find some painkillers?"
He didn't answer, still concentrating on the mix of odors she produce. She raised her head, looking at him.
A sound starts to play: When we're together I fell perfect /When I'm pulled away from you I fall apart/All that you say is sacred to me/Your eyes are so blue, I can't look away as we lay in the stillness
"Do you know where they are?"
"Yeah, he muttered, right here"
He leaned his head and their lips met. It was just a shy kiss and they separate quickly, Alec looking at her deep, blue eyes, expecting what's coming next. She returns the kiss, more intensely this time, her lips warm and soft. They probably hold the Guinness record of the longest kiss, thanks to their genetically engineered lungs. They broke off.
So many nights I've cried myself to sleep/Now that you love me I love myself/I never thought I would say that/I never thought there'd be you
"What are you thinking?", Avey suddenly asked.
"About you.. about the way you drive me crazy.. and, honestly, you did drive me crazy the first time I've ever see you"
"That's… that's kinda… cool.. huh.. yeah.. Frankly, I was thinking about your genetically engineered body.. and, huh.. how you look like without that sweater on you…"
He seemed shocked a little, but smiled, as she grinned ferociously and removed it, biting her lower lip as she admire his perfectly sculpted pecs.
"Well, well, well..", she said, looking at him hungrily "It's cool to be built in a lab, isn't it?"
"Yeah…", he muttered "Your turn now"
"Be careful..", she told him as she showed him her wounded shoulder
He nodded and she took off her jacket, raising both her arms in the air, allowing him to remove her tank top, leaving her only in her black bra and her pants.
"Shit.. if I knew I will wear my clothes for a big ten minutes, I came naked…"
He laughed , keeping doing his work. That done, he looked at her magnificent upper body. He decided not to go too fast, after all, it was their first time together..
"Huh, I better lock the door, just in case.."
"Yeah, hurry"
He quickly goes by the door, looking if anyone was around, quietly locked it while Avey placed some blankets on the old camp bed. She lied on it, still half naked, soon joined by Alec. He only stayed there, contemplating her and he smiled. She caught his glance.
"What?", she asked, a little bit puzzled by his look.
"Nothing.. it's just.. your too beautiful"
"Hey, it's genetic, so.."
"So what? You could be.."
"Oh, just shut the fuck off", she muttered while interrupting him with an ardent kiss while exploring his body, from the chest to, well, the rest.. he smiled into the kiss.
"I love when you do that", he mumbled
She slowly removed her pants as he does the same, tossing them on the ground. Then, they made love slowly and carefully, because they wanted to make that moment as long as possible, and because her wound begin to sore again..