Chapter Seven:
"It seems your Choomba is coming to. I'm a Ripper not a professional doctor, David." I hear a loud voice in a usual accent.
"I know, but best to keep things off the record. It's how Maine prefers things."
"My head hurts, where. Where am I?" I question loudly as I find myself reclined on a lounge chair.
"Impressive, actually didn't expect you to wake up so soon." I motion my head to hear Lucy rather flat tone voice say.
"Hello to you to Lucy." I say a bit dry, I don't understand her condescending attitude with me?
"Ryan, you're at Doc's place. He patched you up." David says leaning up against the wall.
"Ah more like draged you kicking and screaming from the claws of death." Doc laughs out.
As I try sitting up, I felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen. Shit! I cry out.
"Fuck where's Maine, crap don't tell me I screwed the job up?"
"Actually it quite the contrary." Lucy says.
"Okay okay, I'd like to close up shop, your free to take your Choomba and leave."
"Thanks Doc, thanks for saving me."
"Yeah, fine. Just get some rest and hydrate you'll be right as rain in a few days.
I slowly yet shakily stand up, everything hurts and I nearly collapse but David stops me from falling and puts my arm over his shoulder as he leads us out of Doc's place.
Santo Domingo:Heywood.
"I, I can make it from here." I say gritting between my teeth not wanting to be a burden to David and Lucy. I say breaking free from David assistance.
"Don't be a brainless Gonk, just get in." Calls Lucy from the passenger seat of a car.
I limp over sliding into the back seat of the car, resting my head against the window.
"You're a wreck, you can at least be more greatful to David and Lucy." Mottly scolds out loud.
"Sheesh Mottly." I grumble. "But like always thanks you two.
"Think nothing of it." David causally said.
"I try not to think about it." Lucy says.
I don't get it, I just don't understand why she dislikes me.
"Lucy, come on don't be like that. Give Ryan a break, he's not a bad guy. Where would I be if you didn't take a chance on trusting me." David spoke in my defense.
"Alright. If it'll get you and Maine off my ass."
Soon enough we pulled into the massive garage that was our HQ, I step out the car and stretch. The two lead the way, and walking inside, everyone was waiting as I enter.
"Ok everyone give a big cheer to official newest member to our crew, Ryan!" Shouted Maine.
"Too Ryan." Everyone playful shouts as Maine pats me on the back and hands me a bottle of Broseph Ale. I recline on the couch sandwich between Dorio and Kiwi.
Now the thing is I've drank beer before, so I was gone with the drink in a moment. Before the night was done, I ate half a pie or pizza and down three bottles of beer.
"About today, should of never let you go up alone. You weren't ready for a task that big."
"In the end it was you and Kiwi, who saved my ass. Besides I found that to he a test to prove my loyalty and commitment to the crew."
"Regardless here your cut."
Transfer-€25000
"Woah, that's way to much." I say honestly baffled.
"Your one of us now, the least you can do is look half way decent and arm yourself up." Maine says.
"Thanks Maine."
Getting up I join Rebecca and Kiwi who are talking I drink a few more bottles of beer standing between them as they talked. Next thing I know is I'm stumbling and slurring my words, the next, is my lips pressing against Rebecca's. Then there's just an engulfing fog of stillness.
Watson:No-Tell-Motel.
It's been a few days, my wounds have all but healed up and I been on bed rest. I barely touched the Eddie's expect to pay for the broken room door. I haven't seen anyone in days, just off and on calls.
Mottly been quiet lately, I guess out of curtsey to me healing. I start my morning doing push-ups and sit-ups till my chest burns and I feel the urge to collapse. I then eat a hearty breakfast of ham and cheese sandwich and cup of coffee.
Soon I'm doing pull-ups followed by one arm push-ups. With a face and body drenched in sweat I shower off and change clothes. I clean up around my room, fix my bed up. It'll be nice to return to a made-up bed tonight.
"Mottly how about we spend some money?"
"Yeah, but remember we have to be tactical about our purchases. We need new clothes and weapons, perhaps some cybernetics to help us on job's." He rambles on like a parent trying to educate their child.
"Well I think I know some savey people who can be of assistance." I say playfully as I lock the door behind me heading down to the lobby of the Motel. One day I'll be done with this disgusting death trap, I promise myself as I start walking along.
"Hmm."
"Firstly I need to make a formal apology otherwise I won't be able to use their expertise."
"Choom, after that stunt you pulled, your lucky the least she did was knock you out!" Mottly warns.
"Still it never hurts to try."
Watson: Long Shore North
It took me about an hour to get here by foot, but the pit stop along the way was definitely worth it. Up the flight of stairs and the apartment to the far left, finally made it.
Knock Knock. I knock firmly on the door. A minute passes and I get no answer. This was the right address, I got it from David.
Knock Knock Knock. Literally banging on the door this time, when it slides open and cold touch of a gun barrel touches my jaw.
"Ryan my man, what are doing here?" Rebecca says retracting the gun and opening the door completely to reveal her in nothing but her panties. My face glows red and I try turning away failing to not stop looking at her body.
"I um.. Here... To make up for the other night. I- I brought you dumplings." I say rather smitten, my face flush and red. I slowly shove the bag in her hand. "I'll come back when you're not busy." I say turning on heel.
"Come in, and thank for the grub." Rebecca apartment is nicely laid out, she once shared it with her brother who I unfortunately never got to meet, his stuff takes up half the place. We sit on her couch, she beings digging into the food as she spreads her legs and I quickly look away. "Oh my God, is this your first time seeing a girl in the nude." She accuses of me.
"Um.." My face is completely flustered.
"It totally is." She burst out in laughter, soy sauce dripping from her lips. "Relax Choom, I don't bite so ease up."
"Rebecca.."
"Yeah?"
"I am a straight shooter type of guy, so I'm lay my cards out. Truth be told, I have feeling for you. The romantic type." I bare my heart out.
"Ryan, I'm flattered. But if I'm honest with you I have feelings for David. Despite how close him and Lucy are."
"Oh..." I say my heart slowly breaking.
"If I didn't I would totally be into you, but to not make things uneasy. Can we be friends still?" She asks turning to me.
"Friends." I nod in agreement.
Rebecca crawls over to me and places a warm kiss on my lips embracing them, before breaking away.
"What was that for?" I ask softly.
"I wanted to be sure the choice I made was the right one." Her voice carry off aloofly.
"Did you?" I ask rather impetuously.
"Hopefully." Rebecca hums as she diggs back into the food.
"Well another item on my list, I figured I asked you to show me where to get some good weaponry, can you help?"
"Of course, what are friends for." She says giving me a devious smile. Before finishing the dumplings.