Hey, lovelies! I'm still here! I'm so sorry for the delay, but I've been getting so many ideas for later that I'm already working on later chapters on top of the ones I'm rewriting. So please, be patient with me. Once you see how long this chapter is you'll see why it took so long. I changed a lot, but I feel Kat and Leo need more chemistry, so I'm also extending the flashback length from how it was before. In other words, I'm going for more fluff and tender moments. Anyways, it'll make more sense with time!
Thank you Lisa Russell for the comments and JReddSSBU thank you for the PM, I saw it, and I always appreciate your support ꨄ
To those who are still here, even though my chapters are irregular, you're amazing and thank you too ꨄ
Just a little warning, there is some cursing and suggestive language, but nothing too heavy, I promise. Later, lovelies! ~OctoBoo
Initiating...
Day 1
I still remember the day we met like it was yesterday…
The sun was slightly covered by storms drawing near when he snuck inside of a discarded warehouse from its fire escape on the second floor. There was a bag strapped to the boy's back, and he wore a black hooded jacket with a light gray shirt underneath. The hood was over his head, and his faded gray cargo pants were lined with flap pockets. His white sneakers gently tapped the metal underneath him as he dropped off a window-like door.
My intention was never to get involved in anything, except for the Sherdians themselves…
Squatting down on a grated, metal walkway, he watches through the safety bars as the scene below him takes place.
But that all changed the moment I saw her.
Two heavy metal doors swing open as dull light creeps onto the floor with a feminine silhouette. A girl struts in, wearing a denim jean skirt with a white button-up shirt tucked in – the sleeves cuffed at her elbows. She wore clear rimmed glasses and white wedges — making her steps echo in the empty space.
The Sheridans' secretary.
She wasn't skinny, but she was slim and curvy. She flips her indigo braided tentacle over her shoulder, while two loose curly strands bounce in front of her.
She wasn't what I had originally expected…
He studies her, completely staggered.
But then again no one had ever actually seen her face and lived to tell the tale.
His eyes lock onto her hypnotic walk.
I did my research… but what I gathered was… limited.
His lips curve into a smirk, his eyes narrowed.
I still don't know why… But something about her fascinated me.
Suddenly he catches a glimpse of her brown eyes on him.
She was discreet, off the grid, almost like she didn't exist at all…
His face grows flush as his smirk melts into discombobulation.
Yet, she very much did, going completely against the information I read. That was hard not to be intrigued by… but she wasn't my entire objective…
There was a small smile clinging to her lips, but no sign of her ever actually looking his way.
At least… not at first…
It didn't change the fact that he felt butterflies of fear stirring up inside him.
"Don't blow this…"
He shakes his head, as if to center his thoughts.
And "stay focused," were two things I vividly remember telling myself after she entered the room.
He places his hands on his cheeks, squishing them as an attempt to rid himself of his emotions. Getting on one knee, he drew closer as the secretary began to reach her destination. She held a file of stacked papers, so high the folder didn't properly close.
My only job was to gather intel and seek out a potential "client", so to speak…
She was approaching a squad of boys, two Octolings and three Inklings.
My plan was simple… Eavesdrop on a meeting the Secretary was attending with another group – the Empire – then find a way in with the Sheridans, save the Empire for another time. There was only one problem… I had no idea what this "get together" was really about.
The boys were all wearing black and red track suits with black shades and red caps.
I pulled some strings with some past clients, but no one could verify the main intention for the meeting…
A couple of them whistled at her as she came close. She only scoffs, dropping her ears, and throwing a hand on her hip — file in the other — as she's standing before all of them.
And it turned out… she didn't know either…
"If you are all done drooling, can we get on with the important matter at hand?" She asks them, smirking, yet her tone sounded theatrical.
Because I could tell…
"Drooling is an understatement, baby girl. Besides… What's the rush~? You got a date or somethin'?" An Octoling boy questions her, leaning forward, his arms crossed. His voice is cold and calm, but in a discomforting way. His skin was dark like the bark off of a tree's trunk.
There was more to this than the naked eye could see.
She sighs with a soft smirk. "Wouldn't you like to know… I'm a very busy woman. You should be glad I even showed up, Grayson."
Not just with the "meeting"...
"Oh, you have no idea, sweetheart. We're all thrilled… Isn't that right, boys?!" An Inkling boy standing before her exclaims, his arms extended wide and open with a slight bow. He was pale like the winter snow, and rosy like bright red berries.
But with the Secretary.
The boys erupt into a loud, but low rumble of cheers and approval, breaking their unified stillness. She scoffs once more, it was clear she wasn't amused, but she seemed to be playing it off.
As I watched, something about her had me in even more astonishment…
"You're ten times more respectable than I thought you'd be, especially with that coward for a boss you got." A different Inkling with fair, sunkissed skin adds. "The man's never even left his office, what a–"
She was calm…
"If you came here just to crap on my boss, Miles, you can go do that back in your rotting building or take that up with me on personal terms."
Even with their patronizing comments…
"Oh~! Aren't you a feisty one? You got a bite with that bark?" Another Inkling with light tanned skin interjects.
She played along in a passive manner…
"I do more than just bite, Axel. Test me, see what happens."
Almost like an improv role she had down without much effort…
The pasty Inkling chuckles, there's a bit of a nervousness to it. "What my boys are trying to say is… don't you think you could do better?"
"And by that you mean?"
"You could walk away from the lowly and come join the higher-rankings up here – on land."
Like she'd done this all before…
"I don't have time for games, Oliver. Like I said, I'm a busy woman."
"He's sayin' you should leave that dirtbag and come work for the Empire!" A copper toned Octoling burst. "You don't need that dumbass! You could do so much more under–"
"I'm sorry, Ansel, but like I've said before, I'm completely satisfied with my current position. Besides, we're here for a different reason, are we not? So speak callously of my boss one more time and I will change my justification for coming all together."
She had done this all before…
"A loyal assistant, hm? That Deadeye must really be lucky, huh?" The one addressed as Axel pipes up with a malicious grin.
"You have no idea," She trails off, with a flaunting posture and a glare his way.
And it weighed on her…
"Now, can we focus on what we came for, boys? As much as I'd love to, I'm not here to model for you all." She draws closer cautiously, but doesn't break confidence, handing the loaded folder to the rallying Inkling boy, Oliver. "Here are the files you asked for from Commander. If there's anything on the matter you'd like to discuss, you ca–"
But for someone like me…
The Inkling boy snatches the file, tossing it up, all the papers flying like falling leaves.
To stand by and watch…
Pulling her close by the hips, Oliver squeezes her body around the lower waist.
As she was harassed and ridiculed…
She places her hands on Oliver's chest desperately pushing off of him. "H-Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?! Let me go, idiot!"
Made me just as bad as the rest.
"No, I don't think I will, sweetheart." He says close to her ear.
But I wasn't sure what to do…
Her body trembles in the Inkling's grasp. The Octoling boy, Ansel, takes a quick grab at her from behind.
I was sure of one thing though…
"HEY!" She barks at him.
I was infuriated.
Ansel jumps back, snickering.
I wanted to punch every single one of them, especially Ansel.
The watcher's eyes hardened on the scene below him, as he clenched the bars of the walkway firmly.
I knew I should've stepped in at that point, but this wasn't your average secretary, she worked for one of the most dangerous Octarian gangs around. I assumed she wouldn't need help…
"What do you imbeciles even want?!" She shouts, struggling in the Inkling's arms.
This hadn't been a part of my plan either... My job is weird. I seek out people who I think need help, but I never intervene – at least not until it's absolutely necessary because if I do, I get notice… and once I'm noticed… Well, there's no turning back. I needed to stay out of the picture to continue to do what I do best; observe and understand…
"You." He states flatly, leaning in close to her face.
But at that point…
The girl moves her head back as he gets closer, but remains paralyzed within Oliver's grasp.
I had understood enough.
The Octoling boy bites down hard, gritting his teeth. He was restless and fuming, even though he's never met her, he couldn't stand to see her struggle like that.
I had decided at that very moment, whether she could handle herself or not, I wouldn't sit back and do nothing...
He rises to his feet, preparing to jump off the walkway over the railing, while the Inkling boy continues.
But I hadn't expected what happened next…
"You see, you're far more important than any of that scribbled information your boss has, and so much more," The Inkling pauses to brush a strand of her hair behind her ear.
I turned away after the Inkling brushed back her hair…
"Valuable… You are his pretty little plaything aft–"
But I heard the deafening sound…
Splat.
Of a successful shot fired.
The boy above freezes in motion, his leg already over the bar, and his eyes on the climax below. He swiftly back tracks his leg, dropping back into a squat, and clenching the metal bars in anticipation – wide eyes locked onto the girl surrounded by boys.
I'll admit, I kinda saw it coming…
She was holding out a gun where the Inkling used to be. Meanwhile his squid ghost ascends above the group with an echoed moan of dismay.
But that didn't waver my shock.
She was covered in his red ink as she lowered the miniature blaster-type weapon, her chest rising and falling tremendously. Everyone in the room stood motionless, except for her.
There was something that surprised me even more though…
She undoes her hair, shaking her head as her tentacles curl up. Taking off her glasses, she throws them across the spacious room onto the floor.
After she took that shot…
She turns her head towards Ansel, staring attentively, almost bloodthirsty. He flinches at her glare, light skin fairer than before. She slowly raises the black and dull indigo gun with a malicious smile.
She was like a completely different person…
The girl closes one eye aiming directly for the conniving Octoling boy's head. "Aw~! What happened~? You weren't scared a minute ago~!"
It was unsettling, but mystifying all at once…
As if on the same wavelength, all the boys below raise their firearms, pointing them at the girl in unison.
Unnatural even.
"Oh, come on~!" She coos, dropping her arm, and opening her singly closed eye. "I'm just playing around. We can have fun here, can't we~?"
I had no idea how to feel…
Ansel, with a twinkle of fear in his eyes, takes a shot at the girl. Unfortunately for him, it misses as she easily evades injury.
But I was certain of one thing…
"I guess not!" She beams inhumanely, eyes on the space where she avoided fire.
This girl…
Without a word, they each charge towards her at once. The girl swiftly sprints forward, throwing her blaster directly at Ansel's head. Then, as he's dazed, she jumps up and dropkicks him onto the floor. She controls her descent to the pavement, falling down and back with the boy, then rolling onto the tip of her pumps. With her eyes on the floor and one hand to the ground, her opposite hand shoots straight up, then reunites with her weapon as she gazes up in a wicked smirk. The unharmed boys draw closer to grab her as she tapshots upwards, never breaking eye contact with the group. Then, right before anyone or anything can touch her, she's pulled upwards by an inky rope. Her hand to the concrete grazes its smooth surface as she lunges ahead by swinging her legs forward.
Wasn't like anything I'd ever seen before.
Then she shoots skywards fast, momentarily deforming into nothing, but pure indigo goop. She was picked up by a grapplink, which hung above it all unnoticed. When the ink touches flooring — the metal walkway — she pops up out of the ink like a scene from the movies. Flipping her head back as her body takes shape once again, then her bouncy tentacles fall behind her, drenched in violet-blue. She leans on the railing flirtatiously, a deranged smile across her sweet-looking face. Winking at the group below, she begins to turn away, storing the gun under her skirt.
Honestly, I was frozen in fear with her agility…
"Later, boys~! It's been fun, watch your step on the way out!" She hums with nothing, but wholehearted innocence in her tone.
And it didn't help that she had gotten way too close for comfort…
They look down to see a single drop of black ink on the ground. Confused, they squat down to examine it. Time seemed to slow down for the boy observing as the girl was now sprinting towards a window up top. They catch each other's eyes, and she stops. Her playful expression drops as she turns her body to face him directly.
But I knew she was bound to see me eventually…
"You!" She snarls in a whisper.
And my heart dropped once she did.
Her expression seemed cold and stern as she glared at him, her body language burning to fight as she approached him.
She had to of stared at me for a good ten seconds before coming closer, even though it felt like hours to me.
He rises to his feet slowly, throwing his hands out in front of him. He leaves on foot behind him in caution like a trainer trying to tame a wild animal as he progressively steps back.
So I attempted to lighten the tension…
"Hey, listen…"
Afterall, I wasn't there to become her enemy…
"I'm not with them, I swear."
But I don't know how…
She freezes on the spot, still seeming skeptical, but considering his words.
And I don't know why…
He removes his hood carefully, then tilts his head, as if in search of ratification of his sincerity. His flipped over tentacles, crystal blue eyes, white earpiece, and creamy toned face marked with freckles finally being revealed. "My name's Leon Dour, I just came to talk to you."
But for whatever reason…
Suddenly her gaze eases up, she seems shocked for a moment as her pulled back ears fall in vulnerability. Her breath seems to halt in her chest, something that could only come from a heavy heart. Her glossy eyes scan over his face taking in every detail almost in full-fledged sadness and relief – the brown in her eyes seemed to burn less bright as she observed him.
She believed me.
Yet the expression only lasts a moment, with the bat of her eyes, her ears perk and that golden burning hue returns to her eyes, then she smirks, relaxing her posture.
To be truthful, I still don't understand what she was thinking…
The girl approaches him slowly, a rhythm to her steps like a dance.
Although whatever it was…
"W-wait… Hold on… Just hear me out–" Leon stutters, taking cautious steps back before being quickly turned around.
I'm grateful for it.
He closes his eyes tight, then the sound of his bag being unzipped hits his ears. He blinks, utterly baffled, then pivots to face the girl, who's now holding a Splat Brella.
I still don't get how she knew there was a Brella in my bag…
She moves the umbrella's runner up, then back down in one swift motion, testing its durability and splashing Leon with purple ink in the process. He closes one eye in response, wiping away a blotch of paint that landed on his cheek – his expression is still bewildered, but with a hint of annoyance now.
I swear…
She smiles innocently, before glancing over at the group below, then quickly grabs Leon's wrist with a dire demeanor.
She just has a sixth sense…
"C'mon!" She tells him, darting down the metal walkway to a window.
For anything…
He's ushered behind her without much thought, panic settles in the closer they get to the window. "Wh– Wait… Waaait!"
Dangerous.
She jumped through the glass.
It was discombobulating…
Time seemed to slow down as they descended with the shattered glass. The girl guides her arm — with his wrist clutched – ahead of her in a swift swing, dragging her hand down to clasps his own. Their eyes meet as they seem to twist on clouds in the blue sky – gray skies heading towards them. Then, in a single tug, she brings him close like they were dancing on air itself. His eyes widen as their bodies collide and she looks into his eyes with a smile.
How could someone…
She detangles their hands to wrap her arm around his waist, then opens the Brella in the other hand. Leon blushes as she holds him close, completely bewildered by the situation. She shifts their direction, his back now to the building out of their reach. There's a millisecond of stillness as they gaze in each other's eyes, it's here he notices the beauty marks on each of her cheeks – one on the upper half, the other on the lower half.
With a face as sweet as hers…
Even though he was scared, somehow the girl's smirk was reassuring to him.
Be so bad in such a deranged way?
That's until a blast blows them forward rapidly – the effect slightly cushioned by the umbrella – sending them tumbling into mud.
To be completely honest…
Now immersed in the rain cloud heading over the warehouse, they were left in the heavy downfall of water, but it wasn't anything nobody could handle — as long as they avoided standing in it too long. Leon opens eyes as the rain stops washing the mud off his face, he's immediately greeted by the girl's radiant smile. She was hovering over him, holding the Splat Brella over his face as her legs hugged his hips. Her other hand was planted in the squishy dirt beside his head as her curly tentacles dangled in his face, dripping water onto his hot red cheeks. Her gaze was intent, but something about it feels familiar. It was a sensation he couldn't quite explain, although it was hard to rationalize when she had someone else's ink trickling off her caramel skin.
"Hey." She says in an angelic hum.
I kinda liked the risky behavior…
"Hi." He replies almost breathlessly.
It was awakening in an adrenaline rush kinda way.
There's loud groans from behind them and the girl swiftly turns her head back to the building, swinging one off him. He sits up and follows her gaze as she lowers the Brella, getting a good look at the warehouse's current condition. All the windows were now shattered and indigo drizzled from the broken shards. The squad of squids and octopuses come stumbling out, covered in inky goop and fuming with rage. They take a quick glance at Leon, then at the girl in front of him. Yet, their eyes are drawn back to him, as if they decided who to go after first. His face heats up, completely alert.
It wasn't the Empire's henchmen stirring that fight or flight feeling inside me…
"You guys survived?! How disappointing~!" The girl playfully pouts.
It was her.
"Hey! Have you guys met my buddy here?" She gestures back to Leon, then swifty cups his face with one of her hands, bringing it forward and against her cheek.
Sometimes I wasn't sure whether we were on the same side…
"He doesn't happen to be yours, does he~? I found him on the grated walkway up top."
Or if I was just bait for the squad of guys, so she could make a break for it.
He blushes immensely, giving the girl an appalled expression.
I came to realize though…
"A rat!" Grayson growls, pointing his gun at the boy and quickly releasing open fire.
Even with her deceptive wit on the battlefield…
Leon closes his eyes, waiting for something to hit him, but when nothing does he opens one eye nervously. The Splat Brella is open, blocking his view and the shot. The girl closes the umbrella again then pulls the trigger on the handle once, shooting Grayson, successfully splatting him.
She was loyal…
"I'm guessing he's not yours then… Cool, I kinda wanna keep him anyways, he's cute~!" She nuzzles against his cheek sweetly, her hand still cupping the other side of his face.
…in her own way…
"What is happening?!" Leon cries, his face a strawberry red in flustered disarray.
Bottom line…
"The mole has a point! Wh– What was that for?! Grayson was defending you!" Miles cries.
She defended me…
"From this~?!" She coos, tilting her head and squishing both of Leon's cheeks from under his chin. "Please~! Look at him, he's harmless~!"
In a flirty backhanded way…
"Please stop." He mumbles, drowning in embarrassment and confusion.
But still.
The girl snickers then lets him go. He swiftly places his hood over his head, his sulky face shrinking back into the dark with his arms folded over his chest and his knees tucking inward. The girl stifles a snort as she rises to her feet, her gaze lingering on his crabby mannerisms.
It counted for something…
"Ugh," Ansel grumbles, grabbing the pair's attention. "Would you two quit flirting!" He complains, aiming at the girl lazily with a scowl.
The girl sighs. "But when you do it, it's fine?" She frowns.
Ansel is taken aback for a moment and the girl slowly smirks knowing she caught him by surprise.
"She's got you there, boss." Miles remarks.
Ansel grumbles. "Ju– just kill her." Turning away from everyone with thinning patience.
The boys all fire at the girl in unison. She swiftly opens the Brella, shielding herself and Leon.
And I was awestruck by it.
"You said you just wanted to talk, right?"
By all of it…
Leon turns to her, confused by her sudden question. Their eyes meet as she glances at him over her shoulder. He's frozen for a moment as red ink flies over their heads, but quickly knocks out of his trance and nods.
By the situation…
The girl faces the umbrella again, the shield getting weaker. "Head for the old train station down the hill, there's a pavilion at the stop," She takes a quick glimpse at his face. "I'll meet you there." She smiles.
By her.
The boy sits still, even though his mind tells him to move. Then the Splat Brella breaks, and the guys stop firing with empty tanks. Ansel glances over his shoulder, heading back towards the warehouse, then groans and swiftly comes back to the scene ahead of him.
I got so lost in thought her words flew right over my head…
"I have to do everything myself." He gripes with a gruesome rumble in his tone.
Ansel cocks his gun, aiming for the girl as he comes closer. The girl swift checks behind her, Leon is engrossed in the situation, remaining in the mud, as if it were quicksand. The girl's face distorts into aggravation and apprehension at the sight of him.
Until she snapped.
"Go!" She barks.
Leon pops out of his trance and hastily rises to his feet, beginning to back away.
That's when I realized I was making her job so much harder just by being there.
"Don't let that little weasel get away!" Ansel orders Miles.
"Got it, boss!" Axel intervenes with a playful salute.
"Not you, dimwit!"
Axel runs ahead, and Ansel fires at the girl.
But the Secretary was the stubborn type…
She turns to face them, acting only on impulse.
She wasn't the type to back down easily.
She evades the assault by sliding to the side, then spinning the stick of the umbrella swiftly, she strikes Axel across the face with the impact of a wooden bat. She breathes heavily, watching Axel struggle to pull himself up out of the mud. Tossing the broken Brella, she tears her skirt off of her hips, revealing a pair of black pleather shorts and two loaded holsters tied to her legs. She hastily pulls out two identical weapons to her gun from before, flipping them by the triggers then firing both at Ansel. He just barely avoids her shots, diving into the mud.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't utterly impressed by her ability to show off and still get a job done.
The girl turns back to Leon, who's standing back flabbergasted.
She was advanced and experienced…
"What're you standing around for? Just go," she aims one gun down the hill that the warehouse sat on, her hips shifting in the direction she points. "I'll catch up." She faces the squad of boys now, wiping her nose with her thumb before tightening her grip on her weapons and darting towards them.
And she knew it all too well.
They all scramble in fear as she approaches fast. All eyes are now on the girl, and Leon uses it to his advantage. Scampering out of the way, he glances back to see her eyes on him. She's standing over Ansel, twisting his arm from behind as he lays flat in the soggy dirt with the girl's heel pressing into his back.
If understanding how to razz up your opponents…
"Don't— Agh— DON'T LET THE RAT ESCAPE!" Ansel shouts amidst his struggle.
The girl winks at Leon playfully, then holds one gun down and fires at the back of Ansel's head, his ink spreading all over the place, and his octopus ghost floating up.
And your ally…
Another down, two to go. Leon sprints as quickly as his feet can carry him, not willing to see the rest play out, but unwillingly listening.
Was a game…
"ANSEL!" Axel cries. "You're gonna pay for that!"
"What~? You two dating or something?"
She'd take the cake… without a doubt.
"What is wrong with you?!"
"I don't judge! You do you, boo~! Tell yo man hi for me though~!"
Splat.
Tentacles dripping, Leon crouches on his own ink. His bag resting across from him, his back was to a pole on the other side of the pavement ground. He was facing away from the fight commencing behind him. Toying with his Tri-Stringer Bow — previously strapped to him under his backpack — he remains under the pavilion from the rain. All he can do now is wait.
The One-Hit-Wonder, that's what they called her. I'd heard she was a pro at Stamp shots, and a quick sharp shooter, but I didn't really believe it 'til that day. She had a good eye for a moving target, once you were in her sights there was no escape. I had no idea she'd be so playful in combat, she was probably one of the first people I'd ever met to take it so lightheartedly, and I had mixed feelings about it. As fearful as I was, I couldn't back out, this was what I came here for… Well, not get wrapped up in a kidnapping, but talking to the Secretary, I just needed to find a way in with her somehow. I knew there had to be recruits inside who were looking for a way to escape their current lifestyles, and I was going to ensure I was that ticket, but who I was really here for was her – even if she was intimidating. It was honestly spellbinding and horrifying to see how highly skilled she was, but all I had to do was stay on her good side… not too hard, right?
"Please, wait–" It was the girl this time.
Splat.
Last one down.
Leon feels his blood run cold to the sound of thunder as he slowly peers around the pole and up the hill. There's a flash of lightning, illuminating the silhouette in front of it. Leon swiftly hides back behind the pole, dumbfounded by the girl's death.
It was definitely harder than I believed it'd be.
He steadily handles the bow, listening closely to sluggy steps growing louder. He pulls back the string, closing his eyes as he locks into the noises around him. There's the pittering of rain to the ground and the metal roof over him. The sound of his own heart beating slowly in his chest, and his breath as he exhales to relax himself further. Then the sound of walking, two feet having to put in a little extra work through the thickness of the soggy dirt. He tightens his grip on his weapon, then pounces. He releases the Stinger's strings, and three arrows pierce straight through his pursuer. They collapse to the ground, and that's when Leon gets a good look at them.
Blindsighted by fear, I acted impulsively, and man…
They're on their hands and knees, a smoky aura with red electricity surrounding them — coming mainly from the bracelet on their wrist. They're face isn't visible, but their skin is a light tone of brown with long curly tentacles, tossing back and forth dangerously. Their shirt is ripped, and the sleeves are missing — but the heels they wore remained intact. Their body is drenched in water, mud, and red ink. They only had one more layer of armor left keeping them standing. Then their head shoots up as guilt rushes through Leon — he shot the Secretary. Her eyes locked onto his with blood hungry anger.
"What the hell?!" She growls.
He swiftly drops the Stringer, throwing his hand up like white flags. The bow fires once upon making contact with the wet concrete under the awning, splashing the girl slightly. She swiftly wipes her face with a death glare.
"N-no hard feelings?" He smiles nervously.
"Mmh," the girl hums and rises to her feet as her armor repairs itself. "No, only hard feelings." Her curls glow and bubble, gaining air, as if there were a gust of wind.
Do I regret it.
She pulls out a giant stamp, throwing it directly at him. Seconds felt like minutes as the illuminated weapon spun towards him.
I felt real stupid, real fast.
He jumps out of the Ultra Stamp's range, rolling into a heroine crouch as he watches it explode right beside him. He swiftly looks back at the girl, panic swelling up inside him as she draws closer with a gun in hand.
She was pissed…
"I'm sorry!" He stumbles backwards, into the rain. "I didn't mean to do that! I swear!" He cries, scrambling back onto the train tracks to keep his distance, stumbling over the metal in the process, he clumsily plops down on a piece of wood between two long rods of track.
It was understandable though…
She follows him, holding him at gunpoint from the rocks along the metal railroad, breathing rapidly at a rhythmic pace. "'You didn't mean to?' How does someone 'accidentally' hit someone else with a full," she takes a step closer, clenching her gun and teeth as she speaks, "direct," she takes another step closer, "shot?"
And she made a fair point…
He sinks back with a flinch. "I thought you were one of the guys, I thought—"
But I felt nothing, but dread and guilt at that very moment…
"That's the thing, Leon." She interrupts.
She wasn't having any of it though.
"You didn't think! You don't think. You see how well your little plan to talk to me worked out? You made my job ten times harder just being here because I had to defend your cowardly ass on top of keeping myself alive. If you weren't here I would have left way before my bomb even went off, but you didn't think about that, now, did you?"
The truth was, I had thought about it, but I had up a certain facade at that point, and I couldn't break character.
Leon scans her face for a sliver of compassion, but all he sees is that familiar burning amber. The horn of a train echoes, and the stop they're beside is no longer its destination.
Now, not all of my behaviors were staged, I was terrified, but I wasn't usually the kind of person to cower…
Leon swiftly glances down the foggy never ending tracks, a bright light is becoming visible in the distance, fear gives him a wind of adrenaline as he tries to get up, but his foot is lodged in between the metal of a rail.
But at that moment, I wished I could've…
He gazes back at the girl, she's staring at the incoming train on the horizon before returning his gaze.
My life was literally in her hands…
Her face was in deep thought, as if she was deciding what to do with him. She slowly lowers her weapon, and a small sensation of relief hits Leon's heart until she speaks.
And to be frank, I had hope she'd just cave and help me out…
"You never should have come here, Leon. You shouldn't have come to find me, you know what they say about me," she smiles sadly.
But I was wrong…
"I'll leave you high and dry or six feet under." She spreads her arms out wide as she begins to take steps back. "I choose six feet under." She smirks maliciously, then turns her back.
And I know it may sound crazy, but with that comment alone, I knew full-heartedly who my next client would be…
Leon struggles in urgency, the train's horn playing once more, closer this time.
Even if I wasn't sure I'd make it out alive.
He looks up quickly to see the girl is under the pavilion, heading back towards the warehouse.
My mind was conflicted and scrambled…
He draws his eyes back to his foot and yanks his leg with all his strength, but the draining action is fruitless as he releases his breath in a heavy sigh.
I was getting desperate…
He glances back at the girl, she's in the rain again, further away now, while the train light is getting brighter.
I could have tried to wait it out a little longer…
He groans and tosses his head back, weighing his options before losing patience.
But eventually…
"Kamari!"
I cracked.
The girl freezes on the spot.
I did the one thing I was never supposed to…
"That's your name, right? You spent three years in juvie for an attempted murder at the age of eleven, a little miss Thana?" Leon shouts.
Stepped out of line.
The Secretary flinches at the name.
It was too late to take anything back though…
"Joined the Octarians Army after dropping out of high school, then disappearing for over a year, presumably kidnapped and trafficked? Right around the same time the Sheridan's got a new faceless lieutenant?"
I'd already broken my cover.
The Lieutenant turns around slowly, a dangerous expression across her face.
But I was helpless…
"And now you're in the dark about what your Commander is really doing and why the Empire is after you, right? I can help you!"
I had to at least try to gain her attention again.
The girl glares at him intently.
Like I said though…
The train blares at Leon, heeding him to move from the tracks at the impact of the trains speed begins to shake the ground with its proximity. Leon glances to the side, the light is close, too close. He fumbles to untie his trapped shoe, losing all hope in changing the Secretary's mind.
She was the stubborn type.
His eyes glance up once more as the light touches his face, illuminating his blue eyes stricken with dismay.
Time had never moved so slow for me in my life…
The only noise he could hear was the chugging of the train as it headed straight for him.
But I wasn't feeling pitiful…
It sounds the horn one last time as the smell of smoke and sparks reaches Leon's nose — the train was attempting to stop, but not soon enough.
Nor was I regretful…
Leon manages to loosen his foot, but with the amount of time it'd take him to get out of the way he might as well have still been stuck.
I was in denial, there was no way that'd be the end for me, right? Not when I felt so strongly that I had some kind of purpose I needed to fulfill, a purpose I'd finally found – Kamari. For once in my life that void I've always carried felt closed, like I finally figured out what I started my agency for – people like her. People who've walked a dark path, and have never truly seen the light. That's why I do what I do… That's why I did what I did. That's why I went to that warehouse.
He rushes to his feet, his eyes glued to the train as something rushes him forward.
And I was right to go.
He catches a quick glimpse of indigo on the opposite side of him as he's falling forward.
Stubborn…
Something swiftly grabs his hand and spins him around, shoving him onto the rocks on the other side of the tracks.
She was so stubborn…
His back aches upon harsh impact, and his breathing catches in his chest leaving him breathless.
She always was the kind of person to do what was right, even if it burned her up inside…
Then he sees her, Kamari, swiftly pouncing on top of him and pinning his hands down by the wrists.
If it weren't for that headstrong mentality I probably wouldn't still be here today.
His eyes darted to them hastily before being drawn back to Kamari and the train zooming by behind her as they're both hit with the gust of wind it brought along. The boom of the train's tires rolling over old metal is deafening, the smell of dense smoke is overbearing, and the feeling of the heavy train's speed against the rocks makes it hard to tell if the quaking is Leon's own body or the shaky ground. Kamari's eyes were on the passing carts over her shoulder, she was out of breath and squeezed him hard with her hands and her legs — which hugged his hips — as they trembled just the slightest. She didn't look mad like he would have expected, she looked petrified, an expression he'd yet to see on her. Then she gazes down at him, her concern seems to melt into a relieved, but straight face. Her curls blowing in the wind and eyes seeming a deeper, more thoughtful brown. The rain had passed, but dark cloudy skies still lingered behind her, and her skin still dripped with rainwater. He couldn't speak — even if the train was out of sight — he was breathless, not just because the wind's been knocked out of him, but because she saved him.
She could have left me to die, she was going to leave me to die, but she didn't, she changed her mind. I had figured something I said got to her.
Finally the train passes, and the pair is left in silence with the faint sound of the train.
But in reality…
"What exactly do you want? How'd you know all of that about me?" She questions in a cold tone.
She did it for a different reason…
He simply remains silent, eyes wide, yet weary as he struggles to catch his breath, wheezing to steady his breathing. She scowls at his silence, lifting his torso off the ground by the wrists before abruptly dropping them back down to the rocky ground. She's leaning in close to his face as he gasps, fully retaining air again.
A reason she hid from me pretty well…
"Now speak, boy. Where'd you get that information?"
He swallows hard. "I'm— an agent… figuring people out… is what I do best." Leon tells her between breaths.
"Who do you work for?" Kamari asks with a hard glare.
"M-myself." He chokes out with a slight hiss in his tone.
"Why do you know so much about me?"
"Look, I'll answer all your questions, but can you get off of me first?"
"We're not going anywhere 'til you tell me everything." Her grip tightens.
Leon groans, then uses his legs to push her up off of him. She stumbles back on the elevation of rocks, surprised by his strength. He stands up dusting himself off, his ears perk at the sound of a click of a gun and he sighs. He looks up at Kamari in exhaustion, almost disappointed by her lack of trust. He steps back cautiously, away from the tracks and she follows him.
But if I'm being honest with myself…
"Talk." She warns.
"Can you put the gun away, please? It's unnecessary, I told you I'll talk."
"You expect me to just believe you won't run away?"
"Uhm, yes?"
"You're cute, stupid, but cute."
"Ouch, rude."
"Stop playing games, Leon, or I swear to cod I will not hesitate."
"I'm not playing games, I'm trying to rationalize with you."
"Well, you're doing a sucky job."
"Again, ouch."
"Tell me what I wanna know, Leon. How'd you find out?"
"Like I said, it's part of my job."
"And what is that job?"
"Uhm… agency stuff?"
"Bzzt, wrong~!" Walking towards Leon, Kamari pulls the trigger, knocking his last bit of armor clean off.
I really wasn't thinking anything through when I was with her.
It brings him to his knees, and she kicks him in the shoulder once he's down, knocking him onto his back again. She applies pressure to his chest with her foot this time, pointing the dualie-like blaster type weapon at his head. He winces, closing his eyes and turning his head. He knew what was coming next.