She Always Hated The Cold.

My eyes shot open. Bright, crisp sunlight filled my sensitive eyes. I felt another body next to my own, facing away from me. Slowly, I reached for my gun, just in case, and slowly turned around. Oh. Shit. Right. Gerard. He was back. I sighed, putting my head in my hands. Taking a deep breath, I got up to grab a shower in the commons. I got out of bed slowly, and rolled my head around my shoulders. I felt oddly stiff, like a rickety old board, long neglected. I strode toward the commons, and opened the heavy doors. I went to my usual shower head and stripped, tossing my clothes and gun on the designated shelf, and let the hot water pour on me, reddening my skin. I scrubbed my body with the scentless soap, and did the same with my hair, getting whatever dirt that may have been on me, off. When all of my touchups were done, I scrubbed my face, and rinsed, then turned the water off. I grabbed a flat white towel, and securely wrapped it around my body, taking another one, and wrapping it around my dripping hair. I felt so clean, so fresh.
“Hey, you can’t use two towels.” Another girl called out to me. I turned around raising my brows. “Oh! Sorry, BH. My bad.” The girl, Blasphemy Flower, I think, retracted, laughing nervously, going back to her shower.
“How’s your training going?” I asked, leaning against the wall. It’d been a while since I’d spoken to her.
“Very well, actually.” She grinned almost ear to ear. “Renegade thinks I might make Elite status during my exams!” She shut her water off, and grabbed a towel, walking over to the giant wall-mirror.
“That’s fantastic!” I smiled. “What are you thinking about choosing after said exams?” I asked curiously, collecting my clothes and gun.
“I’m not quite sure… I think I might just stay here and help out.” She said.
I nodded. “Well, it was good to talk to you! Good luck with the rest of your training.”
“Thanks.” She said, as I slipped out the heavy door, retreating back to my room. There weren’t many people out right now, and I was curious as to why until I passed the Master Clock: 6:12 AM. Oh. I made my way back to my room, and got dressed. Today’s outfit: Black shorts, black combat boots, and a tan undershirt with a black bullet-proof vest over it. I put a bright pink shirt over the vest, and a black leather jacket over that. I brushed my still-damp hair, and clipped my bangs back, curling the ends as best I could, and got my mask ready to put on. I rimmed my eyes in black, and coated my lips in s deep red. Today was Raid Day. The day we’d sneak into Battery City and get our supplies. It was a 6 hour drive to BC, and we were set to leave at 7:30. It was currently 6:45.
“Mornin’.” Gerard’s voice caught me off guard. I got up to meet him on his side of the bed. I pecked him quickly, and brushed his bed head out of his face.
“Morning, did you sleep ok?” I asked.
“I slept alright. Had a nightmare or two.” He shrugged.
“You should have woken me up, I had an… unpleasant dream myself.” I smiled softly.
“Why are you dressed like that?” He asked, voice thick with sleep. “Not that you don’t look… quite appealing.”
“Raid Day. Me and a couple other Elites go grab some shit from Battery City.” I shrugged. “We do it randomly twice a month. Only been caught once.” I grinned.
“I want to go too.” He sat up.
“You wouldn’t rather stay and train?” I asked.
“No.” He said simply.
“Ok, but just so you know… This doesn’t usually happen…” I struggled with my words. “Ducklings are never, ever allowed to go.” He nodded, and got dressed himself, and I tossed him his own vest. Once he was ready, I checked the clock: 7:03 AM. “Breakfast?” I asked.
He nodded, and we made our way, hand in hand to the Mess hall. Each grabbing a can of Power Pup, an orange, and an ice cold water bottle. There was already around ten people in here, but no one I cared to sit with. We sat at a far booth, and got started on our meal.
“Here,” I discreetly handed him a packet of salt, as he started on his Power Pup. “It makes it taste a lot better.” I smiled, adding my own salt to my brown mush, but pushing it off to the side, getting started on my orange. “The test of a true master.” I smirked, holding up my orange peel in victory.
“What’s that, if I might ask.”
“Peeling an orange in one go.” I grinned.
“No way, I can do that!” He snorted, and quickly showed me that he cannot, in fact, do that. I giggled, then we ate in silence until 7:20. We tossed our trash and walked to the backside of the facility, and approached my Trams Am (Which I’d decorated with a sick American flag paint job and a giant spider on the hood.) and Destroyer’s own beat up car that had no paint job, unless you count random patches of rust and a bullet hole here and there. Destroyer and Target were already waiting.
“Who’re they?” Gerard asked quietly.
“Other Elite’s.” I answered. “There’s one more group who’s going to meet us there, but they’re closer to the city. Zone 4.”
“You ready?” Destroyer asked in a bored tone. He was tall, and lean with dark brown hair and green eyes. His arms held slight (although noticeable when he flexed) muscles. His hair was a little on the shaggier side nowadays, which, in my opinion, fit his face better. His eyes flicked back and forth between Gerard and myself, and our interconnected hands. “Oh,” He said bitterly. “So you found yourself another one, eh?” He practically spat. Gerard looked down at me with confused eyes.
“More like the original, and you were just the, now evident, temporary replacement.” I said nonchalantly, sort of irritated he would even bother. “He’s from The Before. And don’t give me that look; Jealously doesn’t look all that great on you.”
“Can we just get this shit done?” Target huffed, tapping his foot. He was shorter than Destroyer by about 5 inches. His hair was jet black by nature, and he had a bit of a feminine aura to him. Day after day he smeared eyeliner around his chocolate brown eyes, and pinned his shoulder-length hair back.
“Of course.” I replied. “We’ll reconvene at Allie’s for a power up in Zone 3?” I confirmed. I got two curt nods back. “Alright, then. All guns are loaded and both cars are equipped with 2 backup loaded guns?” More nods. “Ok.” I sighed. “Let’s get moving.” Destroyer and Target headed to their designated car, as did Gerard and myself. As soon as we were both buckled in, engine roaring to life, he asked me: “So what the hell was that all about?”
“I’ll tell you if you really want to know.” I said simply, following Destroyer’s car onto Route Guano, the only road leading directly to the city.
“I want to know.” He said, opening to window to let the dry wind run through his wild locks. I noticed his roots growing in badly. I’d have to make a Kool-Aid run to fix that.
“Ok.” I nodded. “Right. So,” I gathered my thoughts. “Destroyer stumbled upon Ben relatively soon after he’d been founded.”
“Who’s Ben?” Gerard cut in.
“Ben is the facility. I kind of gave it a nickname. Stupid, I know.” I giggled from embarrassment. Gerard cracked a grin.
“Not stupid, just weird. But please continue.”
“Ok. So like I said, he was in like the first 50 or so to come train and stay in Ben. That was back when I personally helped Ducklings train. So I helped him, and one night he joined me for dinner in the mess hall. We got to talking, and man was he charming! Before we went our separate ways for the night, he reached under the table and touched my thigh.” My cheeks heated, and my eyes glassed over. “He told me, and I quote ‘You’re so closed off… but I can tell you have certain needs that’ve been unfulfilled… You know where to find me. Maybe we could help each other out.’ I was glad for the offer, because he was right. So I said, ‘No. The beds for you Ducklings fucking suck. My bed is much better.’ And so every time from then on when one of us had a craving, or an unsated need… You can infer. But it was a little more than just sex. We’d talk about The Before, and the future. Our hopes and whatnot. Fears. But we never went too deeply into detail. The last time we fucked… about three weeks ago, I want to say… He told me he loved me,” I shuddered.
“What did you say?” Gerard asked, engaged in my story.
“Again, I quote ‘It’s not love if it’s just fucking.’ He left without another word, and has only just now started speaking to me again…”
“Ah.” He said quietly.
“You wanted to know.” I reminded him.
“I did.” He agreed. “I just feel bad for the guy.”
“Oh.” I said curtly, disinterested as to why. “So tell me, did you not have a fuckbuddy of your own?”
“Uh, yeah…” His cheeks reddened. “Frank.” He admitted.
“Frank!?” I giggled. “No way!”
“Yeah…”
“Ooh,” I couldn’t stop giggling. “So who takes it and who dishes it?”
“That’s enough.” Gerard’s voice was stern.
“I’m sorry.” I tried to stop giggling. “Just curious.”
He reached over and turned the radio on to shut me up. Good Ole Dr. DeathDefying was on the air. “Look alive, sunshine.” He began. “109 in the sky, but the pigs won’t quit!”
I shook my head in disgust. “109 degrees out and those poor junkies are still out looking for us? Does BL/ind simply have no soul?”
“Or do the pills make them not care?” Gerard chimed.
“You’re here with me, Dr. Deathdefying. I’ll be your surgeon, your proctor, your helicopter. Pumping out the slaughtermatic sounds to keep you alive. A system failure for the masses, empty matter for the master plan! Louder than GOD’S revolver and TWICE as shiny! This one’s for all you rock-n-rollers! All you Crash Queens and Motorbabies, listen up! The future is BULLETPROOF, the aftermath is SECONDARY. It’s time to do it now, and do it loud! Killjoys, make so noise!” A rad-ass beat started blaring from my speakers, and I turned it up so that I could feel the beat through my bones, and let out a victory cry. I couldn’t help dancing in my seat, and loudly (And quite badly, might I add) singing along to the words. I was feeling absolutely electric, and I guess it radiated off of me and seeped into Gerard, because he randomly pulled me into a deep, delicious, distracting kiss. I wrapped my free arm around his neck and pulled him closer. I craved his closeness. I bit a little roughly on his bottom lip, and he moaned throatily, which hit me right in between my legs. I vaguely noticed my foot slowly lifting off of the pedal, but couldn’t find a way to care. The aftermath was secondary, right? I grabbed his hand, and put it where I needed it, and he wasted no time in setting a slow rubbing motion. I moaned quietly, our tongues dancing together. He broke away for air, and I covered him in kisses: His nose, his forehead, his stubbly chin, all mine for the taking. He reconnected our lips, and rubbed faster. “Geraaaard.” I whisper-moaned, knotting my fingers in his hair. I took one of my hands away from his locks, and ran it down his torso, and to the bulge in his pants. I palmed him agonizingly slowly, causing him to moan into my mouth, and rub me harder. I threw my head back, relishing in the simple contact when we hit something hard, sending us flying against the front of the car.
My ribs solidly hit the steering wheel, causing it to honk, and me to cry out in surprise and pain, although thankfully the pain was significantly less than it would’ve been had I not had my vest on. We came to an abrupt stop, and all was silent for about two seconds. The sound of a ray gun firing made my eyes shoot open, and automatically grab my gun. I quickly detected where the dracs shot came from, and shot him in the head, right as his laser just barely missed my temple. My eyes were wide as he hit the ground, and my hands started to shake uncontrollably. Gerard leaned back in the car from out the window, apparently shooting two of his own targets.
“Whoa, whoa, baby, whoa. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He apologized, taking me into his arms. I started to hyperventilate, and had to slow my breathing to calm myself down.
“He-nearly hit my- face!” I said hoarsely. Destroyer’s car pulled up next to ours, and Target rushed out.
“Are you guys ok?” He asked, checking for signs of blood.
“I think so…” I looked over to Gee.
“I’m fine. Thank you.” He nodded to Target.
“What the hell happened?” He demanded.
“I got distracted, and the next thing I knew, I hit-I hit- Wait! What the fuck did I hit?” I questioned, looking out the window. I wish I hadn’t, all I saw was a slew of brains.
“Well, I hate to be insensitive, but if everyone’s ok, we really need to get going. We’re on a schedule.” He reminded me.
“Poison, can you drive? I’m a bit shaken…”
“Sure.” Target retreated back to his car, and Gerard and I switched seats, and on our way we were. Two hours of pure silence, and keeping our hands to ourselves later, we made our way off of Route Guano and into an area of giant rock formations. Nestled deep inside was Allie’s, a quaint diner for Killjoy’s. We all exited, and made our way inside.
“Bandit Hunter! Is that you?” A joyful woman in her fifties greeted, scooping me up into a warm hug. I hugged her back, and inhaled the scent of coffee.
“It’s me.” I confirmed. “You look good, Lot, how’ve you been?”
“Oh, honey, we can talk about me in a second, let me get you kids some coffee!” She dismissed, rushing off behind the counter. “Havva seat wherever you like!” I strode to a booth in the back left corner, scooting all the way in. Gerard sat next to me, and wrapped his arm around my waist, kind of leaning onto me, showing a little exhaustion. I hugged around his waist.
“Can you guys fucking stop it with the PDA?” Destroyer rolled his eyes.
“Can you please just shut up?” I asked as Lottery Liberator returned with four steaming mugs of coffee, and some creamer. We all needily grabbed a mug.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Take it easy guys, I have more!” She cautioned. After three gulps, I turned to her.
“So. We were talking about you.” I reminded her with a soft smile.
“Right!” She said animatedly. “So nothing has really changed… Just some new faces, and always some news of people being dusted.” Her face fell.
“I know what you mean.” I said quietly.
“But what about you kids? How’re you all?”
“Quite well.” Target smiled warmly. “Just preparations…” His voice dropped in volume.
“When?” Lot asked, matching his volume.
“As soon as the next Ducklings have finished their training. About 5 weeks.” He replied.
“What about whatever Ducklings find you in between now and then?”
“Shields.” I said with an edge in my voice.
“Bandit Hunter-“
“We have no choice, Lot!” I whisper-yelled.
“There’s always a choice.” She said sternly.
“Then please, tell me what the better option is.” I challenged.
She paused. “You kids look like you could use some more coffee. And perhaps some hot Power Pup?” She said quietly.
“That’d be lovely, Lottery, thank you.” Destroyer said. She nodded, and rushed off. “Feel good about yourself?” He sneered.
“It’s kind of funny how every time I look at you, I subconsciously reach for my gun.”
“Oh, I bet.” He rolled his eyes. Lot returned with our steaming hot food and refilled our coffees, then retreated once more. We all ate in silence, and were soon done. As we made our way to the exit, Lottie handed us all a water bottle, and I slipped her 50 carbons.We got back in our cars, and finished the drive to the city in an hour and a half.
We took our secret entrance, and went our separate ways, except for Gerard who stayed with me. He didn’t know the city as the rest of us did. We made about 5 trips and then we heard the alarm.
“Fuck!” Destroyer cursed, gripping his box tighter as we now ran back to our vehicles which were parked right outside the city. 10 or so dracs started chasing us, with 12 or so a few feet behind them. Lasers flew, a few of them hitting my vest, and one barely skimming my arm. I nailed two in the head, and kept running. We were nearly to the exit, but they were catching up fast. It was now a decent 30 to four, and shrinking, about 5 on their side per minute, but we needed to get out, and now.
Gerard stopped firm in his tracks, blasting with precision and determination.
“Party, LET’S GO!” I yelled, shooting another one down.
“Save yourself, I’ll hold them back!” He yelled in return. Target ran to his aid, and as I was making my way to join them, Destroyer grabbed me around my middle, pulling me straight off the ground and yanked me away toward the exit.
“STOP IT.” I screamed. “I’M NOT LEAVING THEM!” I struggled against his hold, but he held tight. Heavy tears streamed down my face. “PARTY, TARGET, STOP FUCKING AROUND! COME ON, COME ON!” I kicked wildly to no avail. Damn Destroyer, I taught him well. My throat was burning, and I could barely see. Target and Party didn’t even react to me, taking cover behind buildings and cars to protect themselves. Destroyer slipped out of the gate, and tossed me into the backseat of the Tans Am, and started the car, speeding off back to Route Guano. “HOW COULD YOU LEAVE THEM, DESTROYER? HOW? THAT’S. NOT. WHAT. KILLJOYS. DO.” He just kept driving, and once I could no longer see the city, all of the fight left my body, leaving nothing but sorrow, and depression, and defeat. I cried and cried in the back seat until everything very slowly faded to black. I woke up in my bed, shooting straight up, giving myself vertigo. I struggled not to throw up.
“Hey there, soldier. Heard you had quite a ride.” Renegade said. “Glad you’re awake.”
“Where is he?” I asked brokenly. It sounded pathetic, even to me.
“There’s no word yet, I’m afraid.”
“Please just leave me alone.” I said, laying back down miserably.
“Oh, honey.” Renegade frowned, kissing my forehead.
“I can’t handle this, Renegade. I already thought he was dead once, and now this time it’s my fault, and what if he doesn’t come back to me?”
“He will, he will.” She assured, holding me. We sat like that for hours and hours, Renegade shifting between sleep and attentiveness. The door opened, and in stumbled Gerard, visibly worn out, and wearing a determined look on his face. I shot up, rushing over to him, and slapping him hard across the face. “How. Fucking. Dare. You?” I spat. Renegade looked at me as if I were crazy. “Renegade, please leave us alone.” She practically ran out the door.
“What the fuck was that for?!” Party yelled.
“Why would you do that? Why?”
“I was making sure you made it out alive!”
“By taking yourself away from me?!” I screamed.
“Yes! I didn’t see all of us making it out, so I wanted to at least save you!” I shoved him against the wall, and slapped him again. He slapped me back, and I grabbed his face, crushing his lips to mine. “You’re.” Kiss. “So.” Kiss. “Fucking.” Tops removed, and disregarded on the floor. “Stupid.” Ditto jeans. “But.” There goes my bra. “I.” His hands are everywhere. “Love.” Hello, bed! “You.” Bye, bye, boxers. “So.” He’s driving me crazy. “Much.” Holy crap, he just took my panties off with his teeth. “It.” His mouth is everywhere, drowning out my senses. “Hurts.” And for the next few hours, everything is as it should be.

Notes

Sorry this isn't spaced out, there's just so much content!