Hello again! I really appreciate all the follows and favorites so far! Puts a big smile on my face every time I get that e-mail.
As an FYI, if you read my first chapter before this was posted on June 5th, I'll just let you know that I changed a few of the year details, such as when Ripley and Aiden last saw each other. It confused me that Watch Dogs is supposed to be in a near-future setting, but it takes place in 2013. I get that the game was supposed to release in November 2013, but that's still present time! Haha, but I get it, it's fine. Anyway, no need to read the whole chapter again if you don't want, just the last couple pieces of dialogue I suppose. Or just take my word for it that it's a little different. Still doesn't really matter for this chapter. I'm rambling.
Thanks again, everyone! Enjoy! :)
-Blink
There's days where I wish I would've grown up in a less hostile environment. What kind of person would I be then? Sometimes I'm more comfortable with what I already have than imagining the other possibilities. Which scares me.
...
"Jordi please leave Aiden alone. I don't want him doing things for me," I said over the phone.
"He does things for me, dear"
"Ew"
"Right. Listen, you should probably stay inside today…and maybe tomorrow,"
"Why?" The other day gave me a very welcome confidence boost that Jordi seemed to be taken off guard with. Normally, I would question the 'when' and 'where' -Never the 'why'.
"Oh. Why? Beccaauuuuse there was security footage of you speaking with Aiden. The last thing we need is to have you associated with the Vigilante," He sounded like he made that up, but I played a long.
"I can just tell the paparazzi or whoever you're worried about that I don't know him,"
"He never lingers for people he doesn't know, Rip" He said matter of factly.
I sighed, "What am I supposed to do for two days?!"
"I'm sure you'll think of something. Later!" And he hung up.
…
It was 6 pm on a Thursday that I finally decided I had enough of being inside. I have nothing, what am I supposed to occupy my time with? I don't have cable, I don't have video games, no Bluray or DVD player.
"Fuuuuuck this," and I stormed out.
I called up Jordi. If he so desperately wanted me to stay inside then he's going to have to give me something to do. He didnt answer. "Hey Jordiiii. I'm getting restless so I'm doing exactly the opposite of what you told me to do. I think I'm going to the theater to see a movie so i'll kind of be indoors! If you want to stop me, call me back!"
I hung up my phone and went to the ticket booth. "Hi, one for whatever the next showing is," I really didn't care what I saw. The Lighthouse. What? As I walked to the usher, I almost ran into someone.
"Excuse me, miss" he said politely and let me walk in front of him. He was kind of handsome. Blonde, though. Not into blondes. I smiled and went ahead. After some time I turned my head to look behind to see the same guy heading in my direction. What are the chances that people actually want to see a movie called The Lighthouse by themselves? Apparently 2 other people did. They were making out so it doesn't even count. I had a whole row to myself. Sure enough the guy I ran into sat two seats down from me. Did he not see that he could also have his own row and sit in the middle? I started feeling uncomfortable so I brought out my phone and started pretending to text someone.
"Looks like we meet again," The man smiled, trying to make small talk. I looked up from my phone, smiled quickly, then looked back down. "You looking forward to seeing this movie too?" He asked.
I smirked for a second before looking up at him, "What movie?" I asked playing dumb.
He looked confused, like he didn't even know what movie, "Uhh this one we're seeing?"
"Ohh I'm not sure what movie ticket I got to be honest, I just felt like going out. What movie is this?" I had my phone on Jordi's contact info and my thumb was hovering over the call button just in case.
He laughed, "No way I did the same!"
"I thought you said you were looking forward to seeing it," I had him.
He didn't respond for a bit and started to look nervous, "You know, just making small talk." and looked ahead.
I looked ahead too and immediately noticed that the couple making out weren't there anymore. Who the hell knows where they went. Probably on the ground. As long as they don't make sounds during the movie... But then I heard something behind me. Before I got a chance to turn around, I felt something wrap around my neck, choking me. I threw my hands up to try to pull the fabric away, dropping my phone to the floor in the process.
"What the fuck" I managed to choke out
The man seated two seats next to me sat up and walked to my phone picking it up. "No way, Jordi Chin? This guy still around?" He laughed.
"What.. do .. you want?!"
He sat in the seat next to me and got close to my face. I tried to swing an arm out to hit him in the neck, but he caught my fist too fast. He started twisting my arm, causing me to yell out with air I didn't have. Everything started to get fuzzy..."You have some things of mine," Was all I heard him say before I blacked out...
...
I woke up to a dark room. A basement? It took a while for my eyes to adjust but there was a light source a bit ahead of me. People were there, talking, but my hearing was fuzzy and I couldn't focus. That's when I remembered that I blacked out. I gasped and started coughing. My senses all came back and then I realized I was tied to a chair. How fucking typical.
"Oh good, you're awake!" I heard a voice say. I looked up to see the blonde man at the theater walking toward me. He looked like such an asshole with his frosted blonde hair, his faded jeans with a dumb almost bedazzled shirt under a red blazer. I take back the handsome comment. I glared back at him, "Watch that look you're giving me. You're in no position to look down to me" He laughed.
"Hilarious" I finally said.
"If you're trying to get under my skin, it's working," He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up. He pulled a phone out of his pocket - my phone. "Let's seee. 7 Missed calls. 6 from Jordi Chin. 1 from Aiden Pearce. You got two boyfriends, sweetheart?"
"No. Do you?" I said with a straight face.
He let go of my chin momentarily to punch me hard across the jaw, making me yell. Totally worth it. He then roughly grabbed my chin again and only this time he knelt down to me at eye level, "You are not to say a fucking word unless I ask you a question. You lost all Mr. Nice Guy privileges. You understand?" He asked menacingly. Mr. Nice Guy? Seriously? I just nodded. "Good" he pulled out my phone again and started reading my text messages. "(Jordi Chin: Go back home. Answer your phone.) yadda yadda. Next text message, (Jordi Chin: You're in danger.) No shit, China Man. (Call me right now). Man, lady, this guy is such a drag. Now why would he say you're in danger, huh?"
"I have no idea what he's talking about" I said calmly and truthfully
"Oh yeah? You don't? Well let's ask him, why don't we?" He let go of my face and started to dial Jordi. "Whoooaa calm down there old man. The girl's busy" He said through the phone. "No, she's here. She's alive, if that was going to be your next question." I could faintly hear Jordi yelling on the other line, but I couldn't make out words, "Miss Parker here is going to stay until she gives me what is mine and then everything will be okay." How does he know my name?
"I don't have anything of yours" I said
"Quiet!" He yelled at me. "She's being a terrible hostage, let me tell you, Mr Chin" he laughed. Silence, "She's either going to give it back, or you're going to do it. You'd be a very annoying hostage though, no offense. I didn't even know you two were affiliated. But I guess that just makes getting my stuff back even easier. Go ahead and trace this call. But if you show up empty handed, neither of you are going to get out of here alive," and with that, he hung up. He threw the phone on the table and he looked over to me. "I'm not messing around, Miss Parker"
"Look, did Jordi steal something from you? I have no idea what you're talking about, and I don't give a shit about your stuff. I don't have anything!"
He leaned down and said barely above a menacing whisper, "You. Have. Everything"
I heard two more footsteps walk down the stairs. An African-American male and a pretty brunette. Something about the guy looked familiar. And the girl. The guy had a bandage on his forehead...right where Aiden hit a guy with a gun the other night. Oh shit. "You!" Was all I could say.
"Hello again," He smirked.
I looked over to the girl and she was leaning on one hip, twirling her hair around her finger, "I tried to help you..." I felt stupid.
"Yeah, well, I didn't need any help." She said.
"There has to be a misunderstanding. Why are all you people after me?," I tried not to panic.
""You people" is so impolite," Blonde man said, "Let me refresh your memory. Your dear ol' pa stole some information from me. He did a really good job at hiding the fact that he had a daughter. But we found you, and we know you have the data, so give it up,"
I said nothing, "I swear to you, there is no data in my possession," There was no point. There weren't going to believe me anyway, so I'm as good as dead.
"Fontaine, I think I heard something," The girl said looking upstairs.
"Whatever. Les, go with Maria upstairs,"
"Fontaine?" I asked
"Name ringing a bell? From the data?!"
"Nope. Just want to know the name of the guy that kills me,"
He pulled out a knife, "Your fucking attitude is really bringing me down, girl!" He raised his arm up and used all his force to stab the knife into my thigh, creating the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I tried to hold back the tears, but the screaming couldn't help itself. "That's what happens when I lose my patience. Don't let it happen again. I just want my data and i'll let you go" He started to sound desperate.
We heard a radio upstairs go off. The wacky radio show hosts were a perfect kind of annoying to try to get my mind off my thigh.
"Where is it?! In a computer? On a hard drive still? At the bottom of a river? Tell me and I'll find it!" He pulled the knife out roughly, my screaming almost drowning out his own yelling.
"You're crazy..." I said softly through whimpers. The radio was still going off.
"Mother fuuu- Wait here. Oh wait, where else can you go? Hahahaha!" He headed upstairs. "LES. MARIA. You idiots can't hear that thing or - what the fuck?" He asked.
Suddenly, all the power went out. I was trapped in a dark basement, by myself, unknown of what was going on around. Somehow, being in total darkness in this whole situation made it that much worse. I heard Fontaine coming back down the steps.
"Ripley!" I heard a voice call. Only it wasn't Fontaine's.
"Jordi?" I almost wanted to cry, "To the right, i'm over here!"
Jordi's eyes adjusted to the dark quickly and he found me, "How the hell did you manage to get in this situation?" He asked.
"Apparently there's something you're not telling me," I almost glared. "Untie me".
I tried to stand up, but there was no way with my thigh, "AH!" I fell over against Jordi. He helped me stay standing.
"What what?" He asked quickly
"My... leg... just help me. Please."
Jordi pulled my arm over his shoulders and we headed upstairs. It was still dark. Either the blackout was awesome timing, or it was Aiden's doing. He's got a knack for that. "How many favors does he owe you?" I asked
"Not enough,"
The girl, Maria, suddenly came out from hiding and held a knife in one hand, and a gun pointing at us, "You're not going anywhere!" She yelled. Her hair was messed up and she had blood on her face. What happened up here in 5 minutes? She pulled the trigger but the gun only clicked.
Jordi sighed, "Safety's on,"
She looked at the gun for a sec and then angrily threw it to the side before she held the knife up and started running towards us. Jordi turned to protect me, but he didn't need to. Aiden already showed up from the side and hit the girl in the knee with his baton. She screamed as she fell down onto the ground. He picked up the knife that she dropped.
"Your timing is kind of comical, Aiden," Jordi said, leading us to his van parked outside
"Did you find Fontaine?" I interrupted, but continued walking along.
"Wait, wait. Fontaine? Why does that name sound so familiar" Jordi asked himself.
"Of course you fucking know him. Aiden, he's blonde and was wearing a red blazer," I said quickly
"I know a lot of people," Jordi said.
"We have to get you somewhere safe first," Aiden said
I stopped walking and Jordi stopped with me, "I'm not leaving until I know he's arrested or dead," i said seriously. I didn't wish death upon anyone, but this guy was not only a danger to me, but who knows how many others.
Jordi tried to get me to continue walking again, "Rip, don't worry, you're the top priority right now. We can talk...later," He said.
"He kidnapped me and stabbed me and you want to let him go," I stated more than asked.
"You gotta trust me on this one," Jordi whispered to me.
I finally gave in. I knew Jordi would find him. But not knowing where Fontaine was made me more uncomfortable than I trusted Jordi... And I trusted him with my life. He finally guided me to the backseat of the van and was careful to get me in there while being careful with my bleeding leg. Aiden was keeping watch in case someone decided to show up.
Jordi gave me a shirt to tie around me leg, "I'm losing a lot of blood. If I die, are you going to get revenge?" I asked
"No one's dying right now" He said sounding annoyed, as he got into the passenger seat and Aiden began to drive.
"Normally, I hate guests, but I have no choice. Take us to my place, it's the closest," Jordi offered.
"How kind of you to invite us in," I mumbled from the back seat, vision starting to get hazy... again.
"You're lucky you're about to pass out!" Jordi joked.
I laughed. Even in the worse situations, Jordi doesn't give a shit. I love it.
"That's what it takes to get the house tour? Someone bleeding out?" Aiden asked
"Nah, just her. Aiden, if you were on the verge of dying, I probably wouldn't let you in. No offense, you're a great associate, but I don't mix business with my personal life," Jordi responded.
"Bullshit, you're making him follow me everywhere!" I piped up.
"Rip, save your energy,"
"You're such a schemer," Is what I said before I drifted off. Or at least what I remember trying to say. I might have stopped talking midway. The car stopping and the door slams is what brought me back to consciousness...slight consciousness.
Jordi helped me out of the car. I heard voices, but couldn't focus on what they were saying. I think I responded with 'yes' or 'no's despite not even being asked a question. We eventually got to Jordi's apartment and he led me to the couch. He brought over his first aid kit and set it on the table. "Alright, we have to clean your wound. Take your pants off"
That woke me up, "No way!"
"Well it's either the pants or probably your leg, if you want to take that chance," He said flatly
For once I couldn't think of what to say, "wha... I..."
"Running out of time,"
"Fine, oh my god," I started to unbutton my jeans and Jordi walked over, "DON'T help me!" I stopped and held a hand up, "And turn around or something. This is already awkward enough,"
"Do you want to clean it yourself?" Aiden asked.
I looked over startled. I didn't even know he was still here, "Please. Can you guys leave the room? I'll call if I need anything,"
They left the room and I was left with the first aid kit in front of me. This wasn't the first time I had to take care of my own injury. It's been a while, though. After I cleaned it out, I numbed my skin and started to stitch the cut closed. I hated stitching up wounds. Especially my own. I'm not squeamish, but performing any sort of surgery on myself always makes me nervous. I got it over with and was proud of my own work, even though i was very rusty. I wrapped it up with bandages and didn't feel like putting my bloody, dirty pants back on. I just layed on the couch and put a blanket over me. I let out a deep sigh.
"Still doing okay in there?"
Aiden? "Yeah I'm done," I said lazily. It just dawned on me how tired I was and how i can't believe I was able to stay focused on patching myself up. Losing blood, in pain, tired... Today was horrible.
Aiden walked back in and sat in a chair across from the couch, and let out a breath of air. He looked exhausted.
"Where's Jordi?" I asked.
"He's getting some things. Asked me to stay here until he gets back," He responded, looking around.
"Making you babysit again... You can leave if you're busy. I was just going to fall asleep probably." I said.
"Trying to get rid of me?" He joked.
I chuckled, "I've only seen you once a year lately. I'm not trying to get rid of you. But the Vigilante sounds like he's got a lot to do."
"He's doing something right now," He said in his usual low voice. It always sounds dangerous, even when he's being... nice, or whatever Aiden is.
I closed my eyes and smiled, "You said something like that last time. Jordi has to give you better jobs,"
"Only if you stop getting yourself in trouble," He joked
"It's like every time I see Jordi, something happens"
"Yeah, I know the feeling" He said.
I wanted to call him out, "He says the same about you!"
He chuckled, "Guess that's why we work well together. We never run out of things to do,"
I smiled, "Well thanks for staying. I miss seeing you around. In person, I mean. Not on the news," I don't like talking about my feelings, but it's probably just the loss of blood and the sleep deprivation that made me so honest. I couldn't see it, but I could feel his eyes on me and I drifted off to sleep.
Okay everyone, exposition is pretty much done, and the fun begins in the next chapter! More Aiden after this, I promise.
Thanks for reading! :)
