When Sarah opened her eyes, the first thing she felt was a cloud of smoke blowing in her face.
Hearing the coughs, the girl sitting next to her on the couch smirked. "Took your sorry ass long enough to wake up."
Sarah blinked. "Where am I? And who are you people?"
"Yup, she's one of us. Naive and good-looking, you can always tell."
"What do you mean, I'm one of you?"
"She means you're a replicant, love. You were grown in a test tube in some dirty little factory to be worked to death. We're the lucky ones. Well, if you count having to sleep in your clothes and eat every other third day lucky..."
"What Jess here means is that you're a slave. Nothing more, nothing less. At least that's what your purpose was. But now that we've found you, you have a chance. You can choose your own destiny."
"She can find her "destiny" after she pays me back for those threads."
"I saw you throw them out, Nia!"
"I ain't talking' about those, limey! She's wearing my best nylons!"
The girl in the bright coat took a ring from her left index finger and tossed it to Nia.
"That's worth double what those cost. Leave the poor thing alone."
Nia shrugged and left. The girl quickly took her seat.
"I'm Mariette. I've been here as long as anyone else, so you can trust me to help you. Now, how'd you end up in those alleys?"
"I don't quite remember, to be honest."
"Well, I suppose that's because you still don't fully trust us. That's understandable. We don't get to learn how the world works the way they do, as children. Either we figure it out, or we die. Simple as that."
"Can you really help me?"
"Of course. There are others, hidden in the shadows, who want to make the world safer for our kind. They're always looking for new faces..."
"Mary! Cops!"
At the sound of an approaching siren, most of the girls seemed to melt into the walls. The few who were left shoved Sarah under the bar just as two male replicants in uniforms entered.
Mariette stepped up. "Is there a problem, officers?"
The taller of the two, a heavyset type with a graying mustache, spoke first. "The Wallace Corporation has authorized us to track down missing subjects and return them to custody as soon as possible. We've been advised that one has been seen in the general area. Can you tell us anything?"
"Well, I know these streets better than anyone. So I can tell you with confidence that I've haven't seen anything."
His partner, who had a similar, yet younger-looking, face, swept the room with his gaze. "You are aware that sheltering a fugitive is a violation of the law, ma'am? We could turn this place upside down if we wanted to. After all, you technically have no rights under the law."
Mariette gave a cheeky smile. If they were trying to intimidate her, they'd have to try a hell of a lot harder.
"I may not have rights, but I've also done nothing wrong. A lot of people come here for pleasure and company, including some very rich and influential ones. I'd hate to see what might happen if they learn we won't be around to comfort them anymore."
Suddenly, the tall officer changed his tune. "Sorry for the disturbance, ma'am. Enjoy the rest of the evening." With that, the two officers left.
Sarah popped her head out. "Are they gone?"
"Yes. And you need to be as well."
That was the last thing she said before the bullets started flying. Sarah suddenly felt a warmness coming from just above her thigh. The last thing she remembered before she fell into unconscious again was the sound of voices yelling: "We have to save her, grab her legs, get to the Surgeon..."