My mind rattled back out of its blind stupor the more Talio curled my hair in his fingers and kept his head buried next to mine.
I could feel his body heat burning through my back, sizzling through my stale clothes.
"I'm sorry for touching you earlier" he murmered against my neck "it felt wrong when you couldn't say anything."
"It needed to be done" I tried to shrug it off "it was going to be you or Blight, and it would feel too wierd to be Blight."
Plus the fact that having strange hands on my cock made it feel too much like Solanine's disgusting touch.
"Can I touch you now?"
I gazed up at Talio in surprise.
"I thought you hated me?"
"Hated?" he breathed, squeezing me "I was only annoyed at the situation. I thought you were throwing everything away to be with the Blood Demon. The Oath you made had me thinking you made some pact to keep things between him secret by using our food shortage as a cover."
"I'm not that much of an arsehole" I chuckled back "if it makes you feel better, I haven't slept with anyone here besides Ransom. I'm waiting for you."
"And I'm waiting for you" he kisses my neck to make me shiver.
"Well... my hands are feeling much better" I smiled as I twined my fingers into his "and I've gotten really good at figuring out where everything goes now."
"You did?"
"I was kind of forced to" I replied casually "it wasn't easy, but I'm almost there. Running is still a bit tricky."
Talio frowned, pressing his head into my neck again.
"Who had you doing that?" he grumbled, nipping the skin there "someone I need to take care of?"
I snorted, giggling at his seriousness.
"No-one like that. I just wanted to get better for you."
He didn't need to know about the Wall and how I ran myself ragged trying to protect Luli from everything tearing me apart.
"If you keep getting so injured, there will be nothing left for me" Talio ran his fingertips along the torn skin on my side.
At least the old wounds had healed nicely. The melted plastic and mating marks were a distant memory now.
"I still have to teach you to dance" Talio grinned against me.
"And I know I'm going to get tangled the moment we start that" I grinned back "besides, you make it look so flawless."
"Only for you" he murmered, burning.
I swallowed down my own desire tingling through me.
I'd been waiting so long for this. With things tearing us further apart, this moment seemed so far out of reach.
"I'd still like you back with me" he kept his arms wrapped around me.
I groaned, agreeing.
"One day, things will go back to normal" I lifted to turn and face him now, sitting on his lap "for now, I'm stuck with Ransom."
I didn't hate it, but it would be easier to strengthen my bond with who I wanted to be my mate if we were together all the time.
"Forget him" Talio growled as he looked me over lovingly "I'm here."
Yes, he was.
"How are you feeling?"
"Well..." I chuckled, looking elsewhere "...better."
Talio's smile played on his lips while his hands dropped to my waist.
"I want you" his eyes flicked up to mine.
Oh, fuck.
I felt myself hardening already.
"I want you too" I gasped back, resting my forehead to his.
"Really?" he frowned.
"I've waited this long" I teased with a laugh.
"Oh, is that so?" Talio smirked, pushing me onto my back so he could lean over me "I've wanted nothing more than to have this."
"Other than having me be your hatchery again."
"That is tempting" he scoffed, nipping my skin to make me squirm and laugh "but, I don't think I could take losing you again."
"Aww. You suck-up."
His grin lingered as he kissed around my collarbone and lifted my arms above my head to hold them there.
Dragging me down the bed, Talio had the perfect position over me.
"I think" he kissed along my sides "that you" he moved to my belly "have been" his lips lingered at the base of my cock while he pushed down the top of my pants "holding out" his hand pulled my cock out "on me."
He glided his hand over it slowly to feel me jerk beneath him. Talio's eyes kept on mine when he teased me, rubbing a thumb over the beads forming on the head of my cock.
Pleasure ripped through me. It had me groaning and breathless just from the slow, sensual touch of the man I had been waiting for.
Talio grinned, throwing a pillow at my head for me to cradle and muffle myself.
I twisted under his grip when he tightened and quikened the strokes. His hand beat my body with every pump threatening to unsheath me at the base of the stroke.
I tried to grab for Talio's cock, but he was deliberately keeping it out of reach. He pulled it out himself to beat to the same rhythm.
He was so huge! Mine had to be easily half the size of his.
Embarrassed, Talio was quick to push that feeling from me for a more raw lust panting wordlessly for more.
"Do you want to go on top, or do I?" he gasped.
Solanine always took charge when we fucked and didnt give me a choice. Even though it was a reminder of his abuse, I liked being beneath a pounding body. It made me feel like nothing else mattered. I liked being crushed by power. Talio was my power now.
"You can" I groaned, swallowing.
Was it a kink because of how much I wanted to be dominated by him? To feel his hands crush mine and his cock own me?
He smiled dangerously and moved my legs so they cradled the sides of his body as he nestled between them.
"I fucking love you" he breathed down to me, tugging harder on my cock.
"Fuck! I love you too!" I panted back, on the verge of tears from how much I was enjoying it "fuck!"
His lips crushed to mine, desperate. My arms wrapped around his back while my legs squeezed him in place around me. I kissed back, more panting and groaning into his mouth than anything.
Talio chuckled, slipping down his pants and underwear to kick them aside.
He stopped pumping so he could thread mine from my legs he pulled down, giving my arse a little slap.
I snorted at the sting, gasping when his cock rested across my own and up towards the base.
Was it going to be too big? Would it hurt?
"I won't be stuck to you, will I?" I joked.
"Oh, I'm not letting you go anywhere" Talio whispered with a smile.
Wait, was that a yes?
He kept my legs up at his sides as he probed my tight arse with his finger.
"Are you ready?" he gazed up at me.
"Fuck, yes" I gasped back, yearning.
I could feel myself waiting to swallow him. My arse gasped, ready for his massive cock he used to lube me with.
He was so wet it was insane. The precum dripped from him and slathered onto me to make his prepare me for his enterance.
I could see it pumping from him in waves. I felt it push through me in the same way Ransom had when he had made sure I was mated to him over and over again.
Pushing, Talio broke through the barrier and ring of fire to enter me. I jerked at the introduction of his size stretching me. Clutching for his back, Talio guided himself through me gently.
I could feel every pulse. His cock was like fire itself. It burned within and let me know it was ready to own me. My body clamped around it, trying to squeeze him into giving up every last drop of the heat he withheld.
Then, Talio started to pull out.
He throbbed the whole way, making me breathless. When he neared the exit, he plunged back in, dropping the gentle approach as soon as he started to slide effortlessly through me.
I could feel him somewhere higher within me. He clawed at my legs, making sure I was planted perfectly. His weight kept me pushed into the blanket saturated with our precum. He snarled as be hammered into me, pulling me against him with every forceful thrust that had me scrsaming into the pillow and bucking back from ecstasy.
Talio groaned as he fucked me like he had no time left. He tore so deeply through me, I could barely breathe. Drool escaped my lips and my eyes struggled to focus on the man thrusting so desperately and deeply through me.
He paused, letting me feel how forcefully he pumped through me without moving. I was spilling from his lube making him glide so freely through me.
"Fuck me" I begged, lifting "please."
He snatched up my hips and obeyed my yearning. The bed rocked beneath us and Talio remained determined on imprinting me into the mattress itself.
"Up" he demanded with a deep kiss that almost teased my own tongue "turn over."
I was too horny to refuse. I was on my knees instantly, spread for Talio to drench again.
His hands crushed my back to leave my arse upwards that he plunged into. I cried out in surprise at the reintroduction of the heat searing the feeling through me.
He hammered my ribs into the bed. My arse was his for the taking while my face buried into the pillow I clutched for dear life.
Talio grunted and growled as he destroyed me, slapping up my trembling legs so he could lift my upper body and plant it on the wall.
I didn't have time to breathe before he had my face pressed into it and his hands digging through my skin to make sure I didn't move from him.
He could do whatever he wanted to me, as long as he kept fucking me so furiously.
I could feel him getting close. The pulsing grew wider, feeding more precum through me to the point that I could feel it bulging within my aching body drinking it up.
"Fuck" Talio gasped when the orbs threaded vigorously, stimulating me into my own teetering orgasm "fuck!"
"Fuck me! " I whined "don't stop!"
He leant on me, plunging in for a final time as he exploded.
His arms wrapped around my chest and arse, his hands clawing the tacky skin.
His cock remained buried, still pulsing relentlessly. It was like still being fucked without him moving.
Ransom had done the same thing too. Talio bulged through me as he fed every last burning drop of desire into me.
We were frozen, taking in every stretching wave that spilled out.
"I'm sorry" Talio grumbled to me "it probably feels wierd."
"It feels like you're laying eggs in me" I snorted and moaned when another fed through to build the pressure "fuck."
"Well, I'm not" he snorted, shuddering as he kept bulging "we just have to wait for it to stop."
My blood ran cold at the compromising position I found myself in.
"How long is that?"
"A few minutes" he bit through gritted teeth that dug into my shoulder "you still need to finish."
The pressure still pressed inside me, dancing for the orgasm that was just out of reach.
Talio started thrusting, fighting through the waves pounding through me.
He pulled me from the wall, bending my legs back around him so he could fuck me with one arm pressing my back to his chest and another keeping my rock hard cock pointed to the wall.
He had full control of me. My weight was all his to crush to his body and keep prisoner against him.
When he sawed, his arms tightened. I couldnt move from his grunting desire.
He laid back on the bed, keeping me in the same position on him. My legs spread either side of us now, giving him even more access to hammer through me.
The pulsing tipped my own release closer to the edge. With it burning through me and spilling onto Talio, his cock threaded pressure between the waves to keep me dancing closer and closer.
I panted and arched when I felt it climbing. This prompted Talio to thrust as hard as he could to try and burst the bubble shooting raw electricity into my fingers and toes.
He tore himself free, making me whine for his return and eagerly press my arse to him when he had me on my hands and knees again.
I could feel it! It was here!
"Keep going!" I begged his grunts "T..there!"
I gasped out at my exploding release that spilled beneath me. It surged the same way Talio did, pulsing raw pain through me for a few short seconds.
Talio panted when his started to die down, barely buzzing through my exhaustion overtaking me.
His hot lips pressed to my temple when I collapsed beside the stain we had created.
My legs were burning as much as my arse was. They throbbed, screaming when I tried to move them.
Talio laid beside me, grinning.
"I'm yours now" he breathed.
"And I'm yours" I gasped back, giggling "you were.... wow."
"I waited a long time" he pulled my sweaty hair out of my face "are you ok? I didn't hurt you?"
Lust still pounded through me as it died to weariness and hunger.
"I'm fine" I lifted a hand to his face that he kissed.
"I should probably make sure that they don't eat all the food on us" Talio rolled his eyes at me "two brisket burgers with slaw sound good?"
Did it! My stomach growled at the thought of the tenderness filling it.
Talio snorted when I clutched it, patting my arse cheekily.
I squeezed his when he got to his feet to retrieve his pants and get dressed.
"Be back soon" he grinned before leaving me.
Did that just happen?
A smile bubbled on my face I laid on the bed before doubt snuck up.
What if I wasn't good enough? Not like he had been hoping for all this time? I could have done more to him rather than just take it all.
Was he proud or just putting on a smile for me? Did he really wait for me after the female while I went jumping on Ransom?
Guilt swirled now, curling my gut.
Did this make us true mates? We didn't need to draw blood or exchange skulls?
What if he was exactly like Solanine and I was trapping myself? Was he down there now, bragging about all my embarrassing noises and whines like a bitch in heat?
Burying my burning face, I kicked myself over how insecure I was.
Solanine made me doubt everything. He made it do no-one would want me. He made me literally untouchable twice over. Only this unit could be close to me. Talio was my choice, but I felt like I wasn't his because of that prick.
Why did he need to ruin every good thing about this?
I sat up and wiped my eyes that started to blur. Sniffles choked out that I forced back in shamefully.
"Philly" Talio's voice sang out from the stairs "I got food!"
I swiped the tears away and put on a smile for Talio whose happiness slipped when he saw me.
"What's wrong?" he frowned, bringing over two plates to sit on the bed.
"N-nothing" I murmered back, still wiping furiously.
"Did I hurt you?" he sat beside me with a hand on mine.
I shook my head, sobbing now.
"Its just my stupid head" I grumbled back "everything just brings me back to... him."
"Rans...?"
"No" I cut him off quickly "Solo."
Talio dropped his hand from mine to focus on sliding a plate onto my lap.
"Did I do something to remind you of him?" his voice dropped.
I shook my head, plucking at the crust of top bun.
"I just want to make sure I'm good enough" I whined to him "t-that you're not...."
I hesitated. Saying it could hurt him.
"Like him?" he finished.
I nodded, deciding not to speak.
"Philly" Talio shushed, taking the plate to place aside so he could pull me against his chest "I'll never hurt you like that."
My hands gripped at his shirt that I shuddered and sobbed into.
"I... I just w-want to be g-good" I mumbled against him "s-son-someone you w-want to be w-with."
"And do you think I would have done all that to anyone else?" he chuckled lightly as his nails ran down the back of my head gently "don't doubt yourself. You are perfect."
I snorted and smiled, burying my head.
"I just d-don't want it t-to be fake" I confessed "l-like that."
Talio pried me from himself so he could get me to look at him and wipe my tears.
"Nothing about what I'm feeling is fake" he gazed at me "well, except for the Skin."
We both giggled when his hands grabbed mine between them.
"I love you, Phillius. And I'll keep loving you until you get bored of me."
"I-I'll never do that, silly" I forced a smile back as his fingers kept wiping my tears "y-you're too good for me."
"And you are going to give yourself a headache if you keep worrying about nothing" he replied while returning my plate "eat. Nothing is going to happen."
We sat there, just focusing on food on our laps.
It was just silence between us. Somehow, it made the niggling worse.
"Would walking around the Base ease your mind?"
I peered at Talio who kept eating.
"Why would I do that?"
"When I'm stressed out or missing home, I take a walk" he commented "sometimes I stand outside and just listen to the quietness. It's nice to get away for a while."
"But I just got back?" I picked at the meat now.
"From there?" he gestured to the wall opposite us "I wouldn't call that relaxing at all. What do you do to distract yourself?"
I thought, chewing while I did.
"I take Missions."
Solanine had been furious too. When he pissed me off, I found Talio. That wouldn't have happened if I didn't want to distract myself or have something to prove.
Talio sighed, grumbling agreeance.
"Plague does the same thing" he shrugged "sometimes, it's better to do something that isnt written on a piece of paper."
"I can't exactly go home like you can. You're is everywhere out there" I mumbled back.
Talio blinked at me, thinking.
"How about we take some Missions and get out of here?" he smiled "easy ones. I'll get the guys to take some too so we can swap for the best one for you. No Walls, no counting dead bodies, ok? Just a simple fetch quest or bounty type deal."
I snorted, almost choking.
"Fetch quest?"
"Isn't that what you guys call something repetitive?" he smirked "grab a book, bring it back. Grab a jumper, bring it back. Fetch quest!"
"Fuck" I sniggered, shaking my head at him "you really are silly."
"Made you laugh though" Talio grinned "it'll be a fetch quest then, if you're up for it, of course."
It beat staring at these walls, wondering what to do next. There was only so many brisket burgers I could eat until I fed my boredom.
It was times like these that sitting in front of a TV and gaming console would be best. We could hide away and have fun in other worlds.
A real life one was just as good.
"Finish up, have a shower, then we'll get our quest sorted" Talio decided.
I grinned back, actually excited for the unknown.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4uz3tndDJ
"So, Noma had the best one out of six of them" Talio explained when we gathered beside the door with a backpack he slipped the Mission into "the others weren't so keen on taking another so soon after thier last ones."
"Understandable."
"It's just an easy one. The Base needs us to bring in more fuel for the cars. It's hitting three dollers at the moment, so we'll need to pool together some cash or get it the other way."
"Syphoning?"
"Rush will be joining us as a lookout. He knows how to do it."
I saw Rush wave from the stairs he was excitedly rushing down, his own bag slung over a shoulder.
"He used to work in food. He's said he's had a few times where he's had to get fuel to get there. Isn't that right?"
Rush was confused, just looking between us and smiling nervously.
"You fuel bandit" Talio winked.
"Oh!" Rush gasped in realisation "you make it sound like im some sort of thief! I used to syphon it from our cars on the farm for my work one. I didn't steal it exactly."
"But you have since you've been here" Talio nudged him and opened the door for us.
"Well...." he dragged out, closing the door behind us "they aren't using it."
We giggled and started our march for the tunnel.
"This will be good" Rush smiled "we can really take our time and take in the sights. How long do we have?"
"They want at least ninety litres. They've given us two days."
Rush choked.
"Jeez, that makes it a little less relaxing."
"It'll be fine" Talio clapped his shoulders "We can still take our time. Whatever we don't get, we can buy, no big deal."
Rush and I glanced to each other.
"You guys have money, right?"
"Well..." Rush dragged out again with a small grin "about a hundred Seitan."
Talio turned to me.
"We were getting paid?"
"You haven't been turning in the Missions?" Rush breathed, puzzled "you go to the office and get the reward stated on it."
I hadn't done that for the Wall one. The one before it was Talio, wasn't it?
No. Was it really that long ago? When Talio still went by his actual name?
But, everything I had was lost in the fire he created saving me from Solonine. I wouldnt have anything left to claim.
"I'll make sure to check it out when we come back" I just pushed it aside.
It would have been better if I didnt claim them before it was burnt down. Maybe I'd have something to keep me going now.
Sighing at my misfortune, I put on a smile to the familiar faces around the Base.
Oxalis gave a little wave from the opposite side to me that I returned. Agnosia and his twin were too busy talking at the tables to take notice of anything around them.
I saw The Second shuffling his way towards us, then past us with a grumble. He looked exhausted.
Talow was around here somewhere too. I wheeled around to catch a glimpse of him dissapearing into a staircase with someone else.
Luckily, I didn't see Solonine, but that didn't mean he wasn't here. My eyes searched for him still, finding Poison instead who was coming our way.
"Hey" I mumbled hopefully to him that he ignored.
Still mad about the jacket?
He passed, huffing when our eyes met briefly.
Rush snorted, nudging me at his reaction.
"Alright, let's be quick through here" Talio caught our attention while we rounded to the stacked common area beside the tunnel "you don't know who you'll see here."
His eyes dropped to me and I understood.
If I hadn't seen him, he must be here.
"Rush, on the left, I'll stick to the right."
They glued to my sides as we quickly darted out.
We couldn't stick to the walls since they were speckled with chatting groups.
The tables were stacked with papers and food, everyone talking over each other or leaning close to be heard.
It looked nice. The food really was inviting being spread across the tables amongst groups.
I smiled at it all, heading between the two tables for the exit.
Maybe it was all good? I didn't see him here.
I grew giddy at the thought of an easy escape until something yanked on the back of my shirt.
I lurched back from the force, turning to instantly freeze.
It was him.
Solanine rose from the bench that had hundreds of eyes instantly glued to me. The chattering droned through the air, forcing Solanine to come close to make his statement.
He looked me up and down while Talio and Rush guarded me from behind.
"Phillius" Solanine dragged out "fancy you."
Fuck. His words were being lost in the chatter swarming my ears. I'd really have to read his lips to understand him.
"Solanine" I bit back.
I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be shaking as badly as I was or having my mind so scattered. I didn't even want to rely on his lips since it made me look too focused on him.
"Phillius" Talio leant forward, breathing in my ear "let's go."
"No no no!" Solanine laughed, tugging me towards him by the front of my shirt "where are to?"
Where was I going. OK. Simple question.
"A..." I choked, swallowing and straightening "a Mission."
"Show me" he held out his hand.
I heard Talio grumble and go through the bag to hand it to me so I could pass it to him.
His eyes ran over me again before he flicked open the folder and flipped over the page.
"Seems a easy, you?" he sneered "of someone talents?"
Talents? Was he complimenting me through that tone? I had no idea what he was even insinuating.
I kept my mouth shut. The easy route.
"You're a liar and a manipulator" Solonine breathed near me so I heard every word "you used me. No-one tried to hurt you at all."
"You hurt me!" I flared up "you used me!"
Be brave. Don't let him see how scared you are. You know he's too ashamed to reveal his true self to you in front of all these people.
Everything was shaking from the adrenaline. I felt like I was being choked just by being near this arsehole.
"We need to go" Rush spoke beside me now to Solanine "we don't have a lot of time."
"We all world!" he took a few steps back, spreading his arms wide "Don't you?"
Shit. What the fuck was he saying?!
He saw my struggle and laughed at it, advancing.
I stood my ground, leaning back instead.
"What? Can't hear me unless i'm nice and close?" he sneered, grinning coldly as he leant towards me "that's the way you like it, huh Philly?"
"I'm not that to you."
"What? I can't use your name? I'm the third in fucking command, I can use whatever name I want for you."
Talio grabbed my arm to pull me away, but I kept my ground.
He wasn't going to win. Not this time.
Fuck, I was terrified.
I was starting to get looks and attention from nearby Souls. The drumming in my ears seemed quieter.
"You beat me."
"I didn't hear you complaining" he jeered, getting laughter from some others at the table.
"You fucking raped me!" I growled.
"Phillius" Rush grabbed me, but I swatted him away.
"NO!" I snapped to him, then turned back to Solonine "you ruined me, you fucking cunt!"
"Woah, language!" he gasped sarcastically.
"You made it so no-one else could be near me!" I took a step towards him "you kidnapped me and burned everything I had!"
"To be honest, I was doing you a favour" he smirked, getting more chortles "it wasn't much."
They were loving this. The buzz died more as people found something new to focus on.
"You tried to kill my mother!"
Another step. Solonine noticed, scoffing.
"Everyone has had to kill someone they love. I was doing the hard part for you. Ungrateful."
He was batting everything back at me. I was fumbling for something to hold over him; something that hurt the mother-fucker.
His biggest fear was everyone seeing who he really was. He also snapped back when I dug into him not being able to have children of his own.
Alone and afraid. He deserved it.
"Why don't I get you some chicken nuggies to make it all better?" he taunted "that always puts you in the mood to ride my cock, you slut."
Snorts and roars of laughter made me burn with embarrassment. I shook from the anger and shame of it all.
Solonine mimed fucking me, moaning and groaning.
I heard Talio snap and start to barge for him, but I did instead.
"You're just trying to fool everyone but yourself!"
My hand slapped Solonine across the face with so much force, his head recoiled to the side.
He dropped the smarmy act to hiss and touch his cheek.
I couldn't have him hit me. It was all or nothing now.
I shoved him back, making him stagger. My hands balled into fists that tore at Solanine's hair and bashed into his rough face.
"FIGHT!" someone screamed in joy.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
The chant filled my ear, fuelling me.
I took a fist to the stomach, being thrown down onto the ground. My head hit the side of the bench that Solonine used to forcefully smash my head into as I grappled for his eyes.
Solonine was ripped from me by Talio who brought a swift knee into Solonine's gut, pummeling his back.
I staggered to my feet, feeling someone push me back towards the fight.
Talio looked like he was winning, until he started to choke and wavour.
Solonine used the weakness to charge Talio and throw him onto the ground, bashing him brutally.
Talio was still alive. I was no longer affected by Solanine's tricks like he would be.
I could hear the cracking of his bone beneath Solanine's anger. He tried to shield himself while gasping for breath.
I bolted for them, throwing myself onto Solonine to force his attention on me.
Talio sputtered on his hands and knees, bleeding and drooling as he tried to suck in the air he was now allowed to.
Rush stayed by his side, trying to haul him up while everyone else kept chanting. Only a few others had been wise enough to move away from the danger.
"You're a fucking fake!" I snarled to Solonine as I threw myself onto my back, snapping my legs around his waist and my arms up to his face I clawed at.
I had to find the seam. Expose him for what he really was. That would ruin him. It would shatter him entirely in front of everyone.
The Flawed kid on the Mission had one down the middle of his face. He was the same species as Solonine. It would be there.
Solonine couldn't drain me of life. He could only elbow me in my ribs furiously as my nails stabbed along his forehead and nose and wriggled into his skin. I threw all my weight back so he couldn't get to his feet.
Give, damn it! Give me something!
"Get off me, fuck you!" Solonine snarled, lifting himself up a few inches to throw himself back down to try and break me beneath him "get off!"
"You'll fucking pay!" I growled at the final blow, constricting him tighter.
He wasn't dead. He would feel every part of me hurting him. If only it was equal to the same way he hurt me.
I felt the skin start to part under my fingers. Solanine grew irrationally desperate now.
Instead of trying to crush me, he threw himself forwards to shift me enough to cover his face on the ground and wrap an arm around to rip me off.
His legs kicked me away so he could check himself and stand, panting.
The seam was gone. Only his murderous glare remained.
He'd kill me if he could. I watched him look around to the crowd, spotting The Second hovering nearby.
For him, no doubt. The black eyes waited to see if I would return.
I spat a glob of bloodied saliva at Solanines feet and turned from him to walk to the tunnel. Talio and Rush were already inside, peering up when I revealed them sitting there.
"Let's go" I simply said, wiping the blood from my head with my shirt while helping Talio to his feet "let's syphon some fucking fuel."
The nervous, anger-fuelled energy I had bouncing around me was insane.
It made me jittery and pumped all at the same time.
I barely felt my bleeding head. I didn't even know my tender skin was broken from the fight until it stained my shirt. It looked like it was going to bruise badly.
But, I had done it. I stood up to that mother fucker and made him panic. I heard it in his breath and the way he grew so desperate when I had him in everyone's gaze.
I would have liked to have exposed him for the monster he was, but having him cower on the ground was close enough.
I did it! I fucking hit him!
And for good measure, I also stole his precious car.
I wasn't going to let it hang over me and scare me. The memories in this would always haunt me, but the first step of trying to lessen the emotions tainted into them was to create more.
Right now, this was exhilarating. I bled on his seat. Talio bled in the passenger's. Rush nestled in the back, thankful to be away from it all.
This was fine. Don't think of anything else. This is your moment.
I forced in a shaking breath, blowing it out.
"I can't believe I did that."
"I can't believe you did either" Talio tried to smile but groaned.
"You're both insane" Rush muttered before leaning between us "seriously."
We chucked, wincing at our pain.
I wouldn't have that bravery again. Once was too close to suicide for my liking.
"How about we pick up some ice-packs on the way through?" I offered "get some strong painkillers and a few bandages."
"You're going to need more than those" Talio snorted "get a couple of boxes. Rush can syphon while we shop."
"Hey!"
"Do you think fire and fuel are going to mix?" he shrugged "I might blow the car up if I try."
"Oh, I get it" Rush squinted back, annoyed "you just don't want to do the work."
"Dude, I'm literally seeing double" Talio grumbled back "i can't focus on sucking tubes right now."
I shot Rush an appolagetic smile that he huffed at.
"I'll do a few, but it's way too risky in a car park near shops. Plus, I need something to put the fuel into."
"You can't just take it from one car and put it directly in another?" I frowned at the fuel guage.
I should have checked it before my confidence overtook me. We were dipping below a quarter.
"If only. I need fuel cans. The proper red ones."
"Shit. That'll cost us too" Talio voiced what I was thinking.
This was becoming too expensive far too quickly.
And this was an easy Mission?
"Why don't we split up?" Rush suggested with a gasp "we fill a car each and bring it back. If we use a little to get back, we should still have enough for the Base. All we'll need is three cans. We can share my hose."
I looked to Talio who turned to the smiling Rush.
"How much is a full tank?"
"Well, mine was a shitbox and a full tank was about fifty litres."
"That could work" I smiled at the road.
That'd be more than enough to make this Mission happen. Eagle would be happy, I'd get paid, and we wouldn't have to spend a cent if we played this right.
Rush gasped loudly, leaning forward again.
"We can go to Hugebies at South Side shopping centre! I used to work there years ago. I'm pretty sure Marie still works there too. She's amazing."
I blinked back in surprise through the rear view mirror.
"You were a checkout chick too?"
"God, no!" Rush giggled, waving a hand "I used to work the carvery. My specialty is meats, hence the bomb-arse brisket burgers."
So, we were both grinding our bones as workers before this life. We had something in common now.
"I worked that food place for a good six years before I was bagged and tagged" Rush smiled as he leant back in his seat smugly "the benefits were pretty good too."
Benifits. I snorted at the word.
My benifits were a measly five percent off selected items and a pizza party if it was in the company budget. Sometimes, there would be doughnuts too, but that was out of everyone else's pockets.
The thieves were treated better than we were.
"We can drop by" I agreed "get our fuel cans from the hardware section."
Rush squealed in happiness.
"You guys are going to love it. Trust me."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsHSzaF40E
We were grateful to get out and stretch our legs after the long drive, slowly bleeding over the car seats.
We wiped what we could on a shirt I found in the boot, using several water bottles from the opened case in there to really make sure we were presentable for the public.
We didn't need unwanted attention. Our plan was to lift the cans ourselves.
I'd never stolen anything before. I felt sick just thinking about it when we rounded in on Hugebies and it's bright lettering.
A woman with grey hair on the door greeted us so kindly on entry. Her blue uniform and black pants were so neat and tidy for someone who looked like they were long overdue for a break.
"MARIE!" Rush squealed, running for the woman with his hands up wide.
The woman looked him up and down, her face brightening when she realised.
"Winnie!"
Rush hugged the woman tight, breaking apart quickly as they giggled.
"My God, you've changed" Marie beamed, glancing at receipts as they passed her "so tall! And you cut your hair too!
Rush glowed, drinking in the compliments.
"These are my brothers in arms" he swept an arm to us "Talio and Phillius."
"Where do you find all these tall men, Winnie?" Marie smiled, nudging him "I thought Stealers were supposed to be frightening?"
"That's how they steal you away" Rush winked, giggling again "we aren't here to cause trouble. Only here to pick up an order."
"You know the drill. Down the back and to the right."
"You're a life saver, Marie."
The woman waved us off. Rush beemed, leading the way to the hardware section.
"Were you named after the bear?" Talio asked when Rush lifted off three cans, checking them for thier attached hoses.
"Hmm?"
"Winnie" I jerked a thumb back towards the direction of the front "after the book."
Rush blushed, continuing to focus on the cans he scuffed on the ground, kinked the hoses on, then pushed into our arms.
"Something like that."
He took the lead again, heading for the service desk to the right.
"What are we doing?" I whispered.
The front was in the opposite direction. How were we supposed to get out three bright red cans without smiling Marie noticing?
"Just stay quiet. I know the system."
We lined up, Rush leaning out to check the staff behind the desk, lightening again when he did.
"Oh, good!" he whispered to us "Claire is on with Mike! We used to hang out around work."
I just stood there, clueless while we advanced the line.
The red head with the plait, Claire, looked far too optimistic to be handling Services. Mike, a scruffy brown with glasses, looked like he wanted to dive into anything more forgiving.
When it was our turn, Rush greeted both of them in the same way. Claire was more receptive than Mike who was wary once he saw the Bands on all of us.
"Holy shit! I thought you died or something!" Claire gasped to Rush.
"Was there cake?" Rush snickered.
Claire nodded, laughing.
"And a big speach too! How life isn't fair and all that."
"Aww."
"So, you really did end up as one of them" Mike's eyes dropped again "and here we said you'd never be better than us."
Rush snorted, grabbing the cans from us to place on the desk.
"This higher-up needs to look at getting a refund" he started sincerely "they've been beaten up a little, but I think they should still be good enough for resale?"
The cans were inspected and deemed OK after a few unsure noises.
"Thing is, I think I left my receipt back at you-know-where" Rush lowered his voice with a cheeky giggle "would you be able to check my benifits card to see if I scanned it when buying them? I can't remember. It's been a while."
Rush pulled out a wallet from his pocket and produced a silver card for them to scan the barcode of.
There was some clicking and scrolling, furrowed brows and concerned noises.
"How long ago are we talking?"
Rush groaned as he put on a display of thinking.
"I don't know. It's not there? I'm sure I scanned them. I'm usually really good with that sort of stuff."
"Usually, but I'm not seeing fuel cans on here. Sorry, Winnie." Mike sympathized.
Rush sighed, smiling as he took his card back.
"It's OK. Maybe I did forget. It has been a while since things changed."
More sympathetic looks were given as Rush collected the cans, making an effort of trying to juggle them all.
"Could I buy one of your thirty cent bags to put these in? Save me trying to carry them back to the car?"
Claire chuckled, grabbing out one to scan for Rush to pay.
The cans were piled into the bag that was promptly passed to Talio.
"I'm sure some of the others will get more use out of them than me! Thanks anyway."
"Anytime."
"Have a good day!"
"And don't forget to smile!" Rush pointed back at both of them to make them smirk.
We all marched back to the front. Rush slipped out his wallet again as we neared the exit.
"All done! I bought those up the back" Rush grinned to Marie, making the huge bag known to her "I've got my receipt if you want to see it?"
"I should" she grinned "you never know who is looking."
Rush smiled, fumbling to pull out a receipt and unfold it.
"Here you go" he showed it to her, keeping his fingers across parts of the front of it.
Marie studied it, ignoring the fact she couldn't see the whole thing.
"You have a wonderful day" she grinned "and stay out of trouble!"
"We will!" Rush hugged her quickly again "and you too."
Marie grew bashful at the comment, pretending to shoo us out the door.
Rush waved and grinned until we were out of sight around the curve of the shopping centre.
"And that's how you do it" he said smugly "three cans for free."
"What was the receipt?" I tried to peer at it.
"It's an old one for a few clothes I got before the Base. If I hold it up and conveniently cover the front of the item name, it still passes. You can still see the total and the branding up the top. Marie is sweet, but she's never thorough. They don't want to deal with more bullshit than they have to."
"You're a genius" I admired.
"I know too much about how everything runs" he tried to act humble as he led us back to where the car would be parked.
"Now, let's see how much we can get away with."
ns 15.158.61.17da2
