Her bad feeling turned out to be true when a week later she found herself having six bodyguards instead of four. Even in the streets of Heywood the fear could be read on the faces.
The word was out: a cyberpsycho.
Ten women were found in the same positions. The crime had become more horrifying when one of the victims found was her age. Rumors circulated in the neighborhood.
Was he sent by the 6th Street gang as revenge?
The Valentinos were present at every crossroads. Women were rushing home before nightfall. But that didn't mean anything when you lived in Night city.
"Not a good idea Arya. Even with your bodyguards."
"I won't go any further than corpo plaza, you know how the cops are around the rich. I'll only stay an hour at the gym. Then I'll be home." Arya promised her mother.
Judith oscillated between exasperation and hesitation. But she knew if Arya really wanted out, no one could stop her.
She also allowed Arya to have very little opportunity to go out. She didn't want to take that little freedom away from her. But her daughter would not come out helpless.
"Okay, but take your gun with you and a Max Doc."
"I never go out unarmed but fine." Arya sighed
"Don't give me that tone, young lady, I refuse to find myself watching over my daughter in a hospital bed again," Judith retorted.
Arya gave her a guilty look.
"I will be careful."
Judith then approached Arya and gently cupped her face in her hands.
"My daughter, you are gifted for many things. So much that I sometimes wonder if this is your second life. But you forget so easily that you are important to other people, to your father, to me... to the Valentinos. I'm not blind Arya. They adore you whether I like it or not they're a part of your life and one day even if it's the last thing I want for you, you'll be the boss of this group of gangsters."
"Mom.."
"No, don't lie to me and don't lie to yourself. You look so much like your father that it terrifies me. You love them just as much as he does. I have to face the facts. I'll ask you something Arya, just one thing and you will keep that promise. Don't let me bury my daughter. Do you hear me?"
"I promise Mom, no matter what I'll do my best to get back to you."
Arya took her gun and went to the restroom to get a MaxDoc. She activated the mirror and looked at her reflection. Her mother would never know how right she had been. It was her second life, but sometimes she thought it was her third or fourth. She saw so many things, horrifying things, things that would have led others to never leave their homes. But it wasn't her. Arya Stark did not give up, Arya Stark gave names to the god of death not the other way around. But she wasn't just Arya Stark anymore, she was also Arya Orta, a Valentinos.
Arya then went back to her room. The jacket was hanging on her wall. On the back of the black leather jacket, the V shone. She had never worn it before because there was a difference between wearing a Valentinos jacket when she was a baby and wearing those colors now. By putting on this jacket, she was making a choice and there was only the god of death to distract her.
She put on the jacket.
When she met her mother's gaze she saw resignation but also pride. The golden V on her back contrasted with the black tattooed wolf head on her wrist. But everything was in its place. She had never been more sure. Outside she turned to her bodyguards. Astonishment, joy and respect could be read on their faces.
"Let's go." says Arya
"Yes princesa." they said in unison.
She had to admit that these members of militech were professionals. Their expression didn't change even though she was followed by six bodyguards. The Valentinos stayed outside, but even a cyberpsycho would have little chance of getting very far into the building. After an hour, she left . She had promised her mother to come home early.
So she got on her motorbike to go back to Heywood but she had to change her mind when she saw a young woman running across the street chased by a man with too many cybernetic enhancements.
"Sorry mum" she said before speeding up in the direction the cyberpsycho had just taken.
She wasn't alone but that didn't reassure her when she saw him sink into a building and heard the cries that followed. She stopped her motorcycle and turned to her bodyguards.
"You can leave now if you wish."
"You shouldn't be here either princesa." said Gianni one of the Valentinos
"I won't turn around"
"So neither do we." he said
The others nodded in agreement.
Arya sighed before entering the building. The guards were sprawled on the ground in a pool of blood. One of them was still moaning but his lower body was a meter away from him.
The employees who did not flee had hidden behind their desks.
Bodies, screams. The same scenery greeted her when she finally reached an open space that was certainly used as a rest area for the employees because benches were placed around a single tree. The man held his prey by the neck.
A young woman who wore a face she had recognized on the street. Her previously determined clear eyes were frozen in fear.
Arya didn't like that look.
That look met hers, begging her to do something.
The scene reminded her of that night. Her defenseless brother and her waiting in the shadows for the opportune moment.
Like that night, she attacked.