Axel was worth 230,000… Pierce was worth around 245,000. Both had hefty bounties on their heads. All that power and money—and yet, they still ended up the same. Dead. Slain by me.
Bingo was on the road, her hands gripping the steering wheel of the black truck, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. The faint hum of music played on the radio, an unfamiliar tune crackling softly through the speakers. Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, its silver glow illuminating the empty stretch of road ahead.
She didn't know where she was going. She didn't even know where she was. But one thing was for sure: she was far from home.
Maybe there's a gas station coming up? she thought, her eyes scanning the dark horizon. I could ask for directions… maybe even make a phone call to Bluey. Let her know I'm still alive…
For the first time in what felt like days, Bingo's eyes weren't as dull as before. That bloodlust, that overwhelming hunger for vengeance, was gone—at least for now. She felt… calmer. Somewhat back to herself. But as she glanced at the empty road ahead, her frustration began to creep in.
Nobody else is on the road. Are these backroads? she wondered, her jaw clenching as the isolation settled over her. I don't know where the hell I am. Fuck, I don't know anything!
Her ears twitched as her grip on the steering wheel tightened. The red heeler cursed herself silently. How far out did those bastards take me? Damn it… maybe I should've asked one of them before I—well, before I killed them all. Her lips curled into a grimace, annoyance bubbling in her chest. No signs. No landmarks. Nothing.
The truck rolled to a stop at a lonely stop sign, the rusted metal barely reflecting the moonlight. Bingo glanced both ways out of instinct, though the road was as empty as her stomach. With a flick of the blinker, she turned right, the truck rumbling down a long, shallow road that seemed to stretch endlessly into the dark.
Bloody hell. she thought, slumping slightly against the seat. I don't even know what time it is. Or what day it is. They had me locked in there for… days, maybe? Could've been longer… I don't know.
She let out a sharp exhale, her frustration spilling over as she rapped her knuckles lightly against the steering wheel. Maybe I should've listened to Dad more whenever he was yapping about 'figuring out your surroundings.' Her voice echoed faintly in her head, dripping with sarcastic regret. Now look at me. Lost as hell.
The road stretched on, the truck's headlights cutting through the void of night. The moonlight reflected faintly off her rearview mirror, catching her tired, bloodstained face. Despite the ache in her muscles and the emptiness of the road ahead, Bingo pressed on, her resolve firm.
I'll figure this out. I've survived worse. I'll find my way back to Melbourne, no matter how far I have to go…
The truck rumbled down the seemingly endless road, the only sounds accompanying Bingo being the low hum of the engine and the faint static from the radio. Her eyelids felt heavy, but her grip on the steering wheel remained firm. The moon, now high in the sky, cast its silvery glow over the deserted stretch of asphalt. Trees lined the sides of the road, their silhouettes looming like silent sentinels.
She glanced at the fuel gauge—it was hovering dangerously close to empty. Her stomach twisted in frustration. Of course, this piece of junk is running out of gas. Just my bloody luck.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, her mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened. The blood, the bodies, the chaos—it all felt distant now, like a dream she couldn't quite shake. She shook her head, trying to focus. Focus, Bingo. Find a damn gas station, regroup, and figure this out.
Finally, in the distance, a faint glow appeared. Squinting, Bingo leaned forward, spotting the unmistakable flicker of neon lights. Relief washed over her as the shape of a small gas station came into view, its sign buzzing faintly in the quiet night.
"Thank God…" she muttered, guiding the truck into the gravel lot. She parked beside the nearest pump and killed the engine, stepping out into the cool night air. The faint smell of gasoline and asphalt filled her nose as she walked toward the entrance, her boots crunching against the gravel.
The gas station was small, its windows lined with flickering fluorescent lights. As she pushed the door open, a small bell jingled, announcing her presence. Behind the counter stood a young female mutt, her brown and white fur neatly groomed. She looked up, raising an eyebrow as Bingo entered.
"Evenin'." the clerk said casually, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Need somethin'?"
"Yeah," Bingo replied, her voice low and hoarse. "Where… exactly am I?"
The clerk tilted her head, studying Bingo for a moment. "You're about three hours out from Melbourne. Middle of nowhere, really. What brings you all the way out here?"
Bingo ignored the question, nodding slightly as relief filled her chest. Three hours… I can make it. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Do you… have a phone I could use? I need to call someone."
The clerk blinked but nodded, pulling her smartphone out of her pocket. "Sure, here. Just don't go running off with it," she said with a small smirk.
Bingo forced a faint smile, taking the phone. "Thanks," she muttered, stepping to the side and dialing Bluey's number from memory. Her heart pounded as it rang, each second stretching out painfully.
Finally, Bluey's voice came through, sharp and wary. "Who is this?"
"It's me," Bingo said softly, gripping the phone tightly. "It's Bingo."
There was a pause, and then Bluey's voice filled with relief, tinged with frustration. "Bingo?! Bloody hell, where the hell have you been? You've been completely off the radar for days! I thought—"
"I know, I know.." Bingo interrupted, closing her eyes and leaning against the counter. "I'm sorry. I promise I'll explain everything later, okay? I just… needed to hear your voice."
Bluey sighed heavily on the other end. "You've got some explaining to do, sis.. Judo's been freaking out too. I'll let her know you're okay, though."
"Thanks Bluey.. look.. I'm not home right now but when I get back I will explain EVERYTHING to you, okay?" Bingo reassured.
"You better.. just.. be safe okay?" Bluey's voice sounded worried.
"I will, Big sis.." Bingo hung up, handing the phone back. "Thank you.." she said sincerely. "One more thing… can you give me directions to Melbourne?"
The clerk nodded, grabbing a scrap of paper and a pen. She quickly jotted down a series of instructions, sliding it across the counter. "Here. That should get you back. Just stick to the main road when it splits—you can't miss the turnoff."
Bingo took the paper, nodding her thanks. "Appreciate it."
"No problem. Drive safe out there." the clerk said with a small wave, watching as Bingo turned and stepped back into the night.
The cool air greeted Bingo as she walked across the gravel lot. Climbing back into the truck, she paused for a moment, her hand resting on the steering wheel as her eyes drifted around the vehicle. Something caught her attention—a wallet resting on the passenger seat. She picked it up and flipped it open, the faint scent of leather wafting up.
Axel's wallet.
Inside, there was a decent wad of cash and several cards, all bearing the name of the now-dead Black Widow. Bingo stared at it for a moment, her expression blank. Money's money.. she thought, tucking the cash into her pocket.
With that sorted, she stepped back out and used one of his cards to fill the tank. The pump clicked softly in the quiet night, the sound almost calming. Once the truck was ready, Bingo headed back inside the gas station, the bell jingling softly as she returned to the counter.
"Back already?" the clerk teased, glancing up from her phone.
Bingo didn't respond, grabbing a few bottles of water and some drinks from the cooler. She placed them on the counter and handed over some of Axel's cash.
"Keep the change." she said, her tone curt but polite.
The clerk raised an eyebrow, but didn't argue, pocketing the extra. "Thanks! Safe travels!"
Bingo gave a slight nod, grabbing the bag and heading back to the truck. She tossed the drinks onto the passenger seat before climbing in. The engine rumbled to life, and she pulled back onto the road, glancing down at the directions the clerk had written.
The long and empty road stretched out before her. She followed the instructions carefully, scanning the landscape for the landmarks the clerk had mentioned. After some time, she finally merged onto the main road, the familiar feel of asphalt beneath the tires giving her a small sense of relief.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting its light across the landscape. Bingo leaned back in the seat, taking a sip of water as the truck rumbled along. Her thoughts drifted to Bluey, the Black Widows, and the mess she was now fully tangled in. But at least now, she had a direction—a path back to Melbourne, back to home.
…
Bingo had driven three long hours, the hum of the truck's engine and the empty road keeping her company until she finally made it back to Melbourne. The familiar city lights glimmered in the distance as she navigated the streets, her body running on autopilot. Exhaustion weighed on her, but she pressed on, her destination clear—home.
Pulling into the parking lot of her apartment building, she parked the truck and climbed out. Her steps were slow and heavy as she approached her door. The faintest creak greeted her when she nudged it open, and her heart sank at the sight of it slightly ajar. Instinctively, her muscles tensed.
Pushing the door open carefully, she stepped inside. Everything looked the same as before—her furniture was untouched, her belongings still in their place—but the trust she had in this space was gone. Paranoia whispered in her ear. She no longer felt safe here, no longer wanted to stay in this vulnerable state.
Moving quickly but quietly, Bingo headed to her bedroom. She grabbed her essentials—a few changes of clothing, her personal and professional phones, her wallet—and packed them into a small suitcase. Once she was ready, she left her apartment without a second glance.
Back at the truck, she threw her suitcase into the passenger seat before pulling out her professional phone. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed Sevyn's number.
Ring.
Ring.
"Knives? Oh my goodness, you're okay!" Sevyn's familiar voice came through, filled with relief. "How are you feeling?"
"Miss Sevyn," Bingo began, her voice strained. "I've… I've killed Axel and Pierce. They're gone. But I—" She hesitated, her voice cracking slightly. "I don't feel comfortable staying by myself right now. I just… I just need to be around someone I know. Can I—"
"You don't even need to ask, dear," Sevyn interrupted, her voice warm and motherly. "Just get over here, right now. You're always welcome."
Bingo exhaled shakily, the weight of Sevyn's reassurance grounding her. "Alright. I'll be by soon."
Hanging up, she started the truck and drove toward Sevyn's home. The city streets began to give way to quieter, residential areas. Bingo's grip on the wheel tightened as a flood of emotions churned within her—relief, exhaustion, and a lingering sense of unease.
When she finally pulled into Sevyn's driveway, the warm glow of the porch light greeted her. Sevyn stood at the door, waiting with open arms, her expression a mix of concern and relief. The older woman didn't hesitate as Bingo climbed out of the truck. She walked straight over, her soft steps crunching against the gravel, and gently pulled the suitcase from Bingo's grasp.
"Come here, Knives," Sevyn said softly, setting the suitcase down and pulling Bingo into a firm hug. "You've been through so much. You're safe now, alright? You're not alone."
Bingo stiffened at first, unused to the comforting gesture, but then she relaxed, the tension in her shoulders easing as she returned the hug. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sevyn pulled back, her hands still resting on Bingo's shoulders as she gave her a once-over. "Let's get you inside, dear. You look like you haven't rested in days... You can take one of the guest rooms, and you're welcome to stay as long as you need. No arguments."
Nodding wordlessly, Bingo followed Sevyn inside. The familiar warmth of the home enveloped her, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness she'd felt earlier. Sevyn carried the suitcase up the stairs, guiding Bingo to a cozy guest room.
"Here you go.." Sevyn said, setting the suitcase near the bed. "Get some rest, Knives. You're like one of my own.. and you'll always have a place here."
Bingo sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at Sevyn. "Thank you.." she said again, her voice thick with emotion.
"You don't have to thank me, dear. Just focus on taking care of yourself, okay?" Sevyn offered a soft smile before heading to the door. "If you need anything, I'm just down the hall."
As the door clicked shut, Bingo leaned back on the bed, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion. For the first time in days, she felt a sliver of peace, knowing she was in safe hands.
Bingo unzipped her suitcase and pulled out her personal phone, her thumb brushing over the screen as it lit up. She sighed at the flood of notifications—dozens of missed calls and unread messages from Bluey, Lila, and even Judo. The weight of their concern hit her like a ton of bricks.
Looks like I've got a lot of explaining to do…
She began texting them back, carefully crafting her responses. For Bluey and Lila, she told half-truths, something close enough to reality but far enough to avoid mentioning the bloodshed. For Judo, she settled on a simple excuse, brushing it off as her phone being out of service.
Damn it… I've got to catch Havoc up on all of this too, she thought, rubbing her temples as she tossed the phone onto the bedside table.
Before she could spiral further, there was a knock at the door.
"Knives?" Sevyn's voice called from the other side.
"Come in," Bingo said, her tone tired but inviting.
The door creaked open, and Sevyn stepped inside, her presence warm and grounding. The husky woman looked at Bingo with a mix of relief and concern, her arms crossed but her expression soft.
"Knives… what happened during those four days you were gone?" she asked, her voice gentle but laced with worry. "If you don't want to talk about it, I understand, but I was worried about you. Your little buddy Havoc was worried too. Hell, even your Japanese friend Kuroha somehow found out and was losing his mind."
Bingo sighed, her eyes dropping to the bandages on her arm. For a moment, she was silent, the words struggling to form. Finally, she looked back at Sevyn, her expression grim.
"It's… honestly a lot to unpack right now," she admitted, her voice low and heavy. She hesitated before continuing, her gaze shifting to the floor as she spoke. "Long story short, Pierce and Axel found out where I lived. They ambushed me—shot me full of rock salt, dragged me about four hours out, and kept me there. For nearly four days, they tortured me, Sevyn. They…" Bingo paused, swallowing hard as her voice cracked. "They made me want to kill myself."
Sevyn's face tightened, her worry deepening, but she didn't interrupt, letting Bingo continue at her own pace.
"I don't remember everything. At some point, I just… mentally blacked out. I killed them—both of them—and twenty-eight other men while I was at it. And now, here I am." She gestured around the room, her voice tinged with bitterness.
Sevyn's eyes softened as she stepped closer, pulling a chair over to sit across from Bingo. "Knives," she said gently, leaning forward to place a comforting hand on Bingo's knee. "You've been through hell. You don't need to unpack all of this right now. Just know that you're safe here. You're not alone in this, alright? And don't for a second think you need to carry this weight by yourself."
Bingo met Sevyn's gaze, the older woman's steady presence grounding her in a way she hadn't realized she needed. After a long pause, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Thanks, Sevyn."
"Anytime, dear," Sevyn replied softly. "Now, how about I get you something to eat? You need to keep your strength up."
Bingo gave a small, grateful nod, watching as Sevyn stood and left the room, the door clicking shut softly behind her. For a while, Bingo remained seated, staring at the door, before leaning back into the bed. The mattress was soft, far more comfortable than the one in her apartment. The faint scent of lavender filled the air, calming her nerves.
She shifted, turning her gaze to the ceiling. Her body felt heavy, but her mind wouldn't rest. Memories began surfacing—images of her old mentor, Sabre. Sabre's voice echoed faintly in her thoughts, sharp and calculating, yet tinged with the rare warmth she reserved for Bingo. Sabre had always told her to stay sharp, to never let her guard down. But now… Bingo wondered if Sabre would have been proud of her.
Or disappointed.
She hadn't thought about Sabre in a long time. Not since the day she walked away from her teachings, determined to forge her own path. Yet, lying there now, the lessons came rushing back. The drills. The precision. The way Sabre had pushed her beyond her limits until Bingo became the warrior she was today. But Sabre had also warned her about the toll this life could take. How it could eat away at her soul if she let it.
And maybe it already had.
Bingo closed her eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, but her mind kept racing. Her body might've been safe here, but her thoughts were anything but. She was tired of running. Tired of killing. Tired of wondering if the person she was becoming was someone she could live with.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Sevyn's voice, calling from downstairs.
"Knives! Food's ready! Come eat!"
Bingo exhaled slowly, her chest rising and falling as she pulled herself up from the bed. Her muscles ached, her arm throbbed beneath the bandages, but she managed to stand.
"Coming.." she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
She glanced at the bedside table where her phone rested, the screen dark now. For a moment, she hesitated, her mind flickering to the people waiting for her replies—the people who cared.
Bingo shook her head. She'd deal with that later. For now, she needed to keep moving forward.
She stepped out of the room and made her way downstairs, following the smell of warm food and the comforting hum of Sevyn's voice as she worked in the kitchen. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
Enough to keep going.
And for tonight, that would have to be enough.