This chapter is Reader PoV

I just plug back the last vertebrae wire when my brother arrives.

I stand still to hear if they need me but all I catch is that they are already working together on the parasite.

I relax a bit knowing the threat is now handled by him and get back to my patient.

The operation got quickly executed but it became a huge mess.

Revenant is oddly silent and i realise that i got more affected by his suffering than i thought. My heart beats hard, my throat is tight and my eyes burn like fire would come out of them. I've always been pretty emotional and empathic but my mental health got very low with my workaholic habits and i'm now very sensitive.

I try to restrain myself and not bother him with my emotions:

" Hey, Revenant. How are you feeling right now?"

He just grunts at me.

It didn't even sounded like a grunt but more like a tired sigh expressed by a cracked voice.

Seeing how broken he is makes me feel even worse and i need to take a deep breath to not break down. I still need to engage the vertebras back together and i could hurt him if i'm not focused.

I give him a soft pat on the shoulder while I say:

" I've finished fixing all the wires and I ckecked the rest of you back. Everything is good and you should be able to move again once your spine is locked in place. But... "

" But I will be painful. I know. Just do what you need to do, so we don't talk about it again."

I pat him again and let my hand slides on his back to the lowest part of his spine.

" I will start from the bottom and go up to your neck."

I grab the two sides of the vertebrae and :

" Ready? Inspire deeply... Lock it.. And... "

Clack!

He groans loudly. I grab the next one and repeat the process.

Again.

And again.

Three minutes later, the last vertebrae is tucked between my fingers:

" Last one my friend. This one will be the strongest since it links all your body to your brain. Inspire deeply... Lock it..."

The clack is followed by a static noise confirming that all the connexion are coming back to normal. The sim muffles a scream:

" Fuck this! She will pay for that one!"

" I'm sorry Revenant but no need to threaten me. "

" Not you, stupid skinbag! The thief will pay!"

The... Thief ?

" Who is that thief?"

" The one that did all of this to me."

" Wasn't that the harvesters who did it?"

" She called them but SHE is the one in charge! "

Someone apparently as deep grudge on him to call for the haversters. I don't know who that girl is but she must be a bad person to work with gangs like this.

While we are talking, I soon realise that I'm caressing the back of his head.

I briefly put my hand away and blame myself for not controling my emotions. It already happened twice and i'm pretty surprised that he didn't grumble about it... yet.

Come on (y/n), you have to admit, he was right when he called you stupid.

I let a frustrated sigh invade the silent room and start unstraping him and turn him on his back.

" I know you may want to rest but I first need to check that everything is fine and you can move properly."

He doesn't answer my request and just silently follow my instructions. He had no trouble wiggling and turning on the sides but the curling and stretching seems to be jammed.

" I see. Everything is fine, but you might need some oil here and there to ease your movements. Since we already did a lot with your back, i'll oil it up later."

I carry him back on his bed and make sure he is comfortable.

" I'm gonna see how they are dealing with the Harvesters little spy. Use that time to rest before we give you your new eye."

He hums:

" Careful with the gang girl. Don't want to rot here forever after your death."

I can't resist smiling and repressing a laught at his remark. I know that he is mostly concerned by his own situation, but i can feel that he also is a bit worried for us. As i thought, he can be something else than a mean jerk.

Once in the living room, the mod is more agitated and everyone is looking at the screen of Sid's computer.

" So, what's the deal?"

Sid gives me a look mixed with angst and euphoria. I already know what that means.

" They upgraded their parasite again."

He is now smiling like a child who just got a new toy for Christmas. The look of a man appreciating new challenges, as I call it.

" But nothing I can't handle. It will just takes me a bit more time to destroy it."

Myriam grabs my shoulder:

" How is he?"

" He is fine. I'd like him to rest for a bit and us to relax before we fix his broken eye. I will also need you to leave some oil here. His spine is a bit rusty but i don't want annoy him with that now. "

" You did an amazing job sis. Sad thing that you're not working with us anymore. "

I gently smile at her when Sid call us back:

" Well, that's new!"

" What's happening?"

His screen is showing an error message with the following entry:

**Put the target where you found it and nothing will happen**

" At least, they clearly said what they want."

Paps is now more agitated than before:

" I'm done. I'll ask for help."

" Wait dad! You know what will happend if the police try to helps us. It will just make it worse."

" If they decide to attack, we have nothing to defend ourselves! "

Sid grabs his arm:

" Roy wait. They know that the simulacra has been found and the parasite got pull off but nothing tells us if they got our location. The parasite as been damaged, meaning their GPS might be broken. Let me check the GPS data first. If our coordinates got cracked, you can call your friends."

Paps stays silent, concidering the pros and cons. He finally sigh:

" Do this quick. I don't want to know the answer by them knocking at the door. "

Sid takes a bit more than five minutes to find the GPS program and uncrypt it.

" The GPS as been damaged when the girls ripped it of his spine. If I destroy the datas ASAP, they won't be able to find our address or ID in the previous recording."

" What are you waiting for? Kill it!"

While the boys are getting rid of the spy, Myriam and I sit on the couch and ease up for few minutes before preparing the equipment for his eye replacement.