There are a lot of people and taxis in Kolkata. We've just exited the bus and everyone's rushing past us. It's weird how many people there are here. Bane starts walking down the street and I hurry to catch up. I would hate to get lost here. We are surrounded by old stone buildings and some newer ones. The cars honk at each other and people are talking to some sort of device pressed against their ears. We walk towards a run down building that looks like it could use some repairs. Bane knocks on the door and after a few seconds it opens a crack. An elderly man peeks his head out of the door and eyes us suspiciously.

"Can I help you?"

"Do you have any open rooms?"

Bane pulls some of the money out of his pocket and the man opens the door further and we walk in. The foyer is rather small. The floor is covered with a red hand stitched rug and a stained glass chandelier hangs down from the ceiling. A carved wooden table is shoved up against the wall and an antique vase sits upon it. The room is slightly dark and the windows are covered with thick curtains.

The man before us has a long scraggly gray beard and a beige turban on his head. He trades us the money for a key and Bane bows his head in thanks and I bow as well. The man walks up the old wooden stairs and we follow. The stairs creak as we step on them and the walls have old green and gold patterned wallpaper. We stop after the third flight of stairs and he walks up to another wooden door. Bane steps forward and unlocks it.

The room is kind of old and weathered looking. I'm relieved to see a full sized bed, covered in maroon colored sheets, in the center of the room. There's somewhat of a kitchen in the corner, with an old fridge, a rickety stove, and a sink with some overhead teal painted wooden cabinets. A matching table sits a few feet away from the kitchen and there are two chairs on wither side. An ornate rug is underneath the table and there is a chandelier hanging above it. A door is on the left side of the room and I assume that it leads to the bathroom. There are two windows, one on each side of the bed, but maroon curtains block the sun from beaming through the window.

"I hope it's to your liking and I will expect payment monthly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to return to my own quarters."

After the man closes the door behind him I jump onto the bed and sigh out loud. This bed feels heavenly compared to what we've been sleeping on. Bane tosses the bags onto the floor and lays next to me. I fall asleep and when I wake Bane is getting off the bed. I watch him as he walks towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To ask around for where I can find a scientist and work?"

He continues out the door and I close my eyes. Sleep avoids me and I huff, before hopping out of bed. I try to think of something to occupy my time with and I spot the bags on the floor. Maybe I'll just unpack. There are four bags total and the first one I open contains Banes clothes. I glance around the room and spot a dresser I must have overlooked earlier. It's painted teal too and has three drawers. I open the top drawer and I neatly place Banes clothes in it. The next bag I open has my clothes in it and I place them in the middle drawer. The third bag has our shoes, weapons, toiletries, and other miscellaneous objects and I put the shoes and weapons in the bottom drawer. I carry the fourth bag over to the kitchen and place our canned foods and water in the fridge. After I've finally unpacked everything I pick up our bathroom stuff and walk to the bathroom door. I find the light switch and the bulb flickers on. There's a toilet, a sink with a mirror over it that doubles as a medicine cabinet, and a shower in the corner. I place everything neatly into the cabinet. The shower looks very inviting and I succumb to the temptation.

I walk back to the dresser and grab some of my more comfortable clothes before returning to the bathroom. I turn on the water and step under the warm spray. My muscles relax and I grab some of the soap out of the medicine cabinet. It feels amazing to finally bathe. I take my time and enjoy it as much as I can, but soon the water turns cold. I dress in my oversized t-shirt and wring my hair out in the sink. Bane is waiting on the bed when I reenter in the room.

"How'd it go?"

"Rather well. Tomorrow we go to Jodaupur and talk with Professor Ghosh. After the professor gives me more pain medication we will work as mercenaries for a local gang."

"I unpacked our things. Your clothes are in the top drawer and our shoes and weapons are in the bottom. I put our soap and other toiletries in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom."

He nods his head and walks to the bathroom. I suppose he's going to take advantage of finally having a shower too. I go to the refrigerator and open it up. I grab a can of chicken and open the cabinets looking for a can opener, but my search turns empty. I move back to the dresser and pull out a knife. It works well and I'm soon eating chicken out of the can with my fingers. I find a trash can next to the stove and throw the empty can in. As Bane comes out of the bathroom I glance out the window. I must have really been distracted, because it is already nighttime and I've just now noticed. I crawl onto the bed and underneath the covers. Bane, who is now distractingly shirtless, gets in bed next to me. I can see the beads of water slide across his muscular chest and my stomach starts to tingle oddly. I turn onto my back and stare at the ceiling. Luckily there is a switch on the wall on my side of the bed and I reach over and turn the light off and we're surrounded by darkness.

Author's Note: I promise the action will pick up after the next two chapters, which I already have typed. Don't lose faith in me yet! School's started back so hopefully that will mean more updates.