(Zone 3 - 2.15am)


‘So…it’s really you then…’ Ghoul asked the girl laying on the ground.

‘I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking ab-‘

‘The girl with icy skin and hair as night, the girl who burned her own city and escaped in the desert…’ His gaze could not leave the woman he thought he’d never find.

‘……What do you want?’

‘I just want to help, if you don’t try to kill me…’

‘Why do you think I want your help? How could I ever trust a man like you?’

Bonnie felt her whole body tensing up against the ground, not knowing how this encounter would end. Trust wasn’t something she was good at, and she certainly had no intentions in having friends. But she also knew how dreadful surviving in the desert was. How the heat of the sun was depleting her reality and how scared she was when darkness came, reminding her how lonely she was. Deep down, she truly craved the help of this man. The thought of a shower or even a small cup of water would wake what was left of her soul. But that wasn’t enough to make him think she could ever need him, in whatsoever ways.

‘Well, from the look on your face, and the fact that you are covered in blood, alone in the cold desert, with dracs probably on their way to execute you, I’m pretty much your only chance of surviving.’

This man was wiser than she thought.

‘So what’s in it for you, fuckboy?’ She gently shook the dust off her arms while getting on her feet, the closeness of their bodies made her uncomfortable. She turned her back at him waiting for his answer. But instead, a short sarcastic laugh came from his mouth. She heard his steps coming closer just before he grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him.

‘First of all I am no fuckboy m’lady, my name is Fun Ghoul…and I’m a Killjoy.’ He smiled widely, revealing his true nature. He did not look dangerous, more like the asshole type. The type that would take pleasure spewing his pride to your face whenever he got the chance. He did look alright though, she thought. He had dark brown hair and his face reminded her of a little boy, if not for the scorpion tattoo placed on his neck.

‘A Killjoy? Yeah right, I thought the Draculoids killed the last of you’ She said, eyes avoiding his while desperately searching for a distraction. She knew who were the Killjoys. Korse would talk about them. She also heard stories about the flamed head Killjoy, a famous rebel who lived at the end of the desert.

‘Well you've got it wrong, apparently.’

‘So what then now, what’s in it for you? Tell me.’ she replied with a low husky voice.

‘….Nothing. Well, I mean, I don’t want any favours if that’s what you think, but I’d like to work with you…’

‘…..I don’t understand.’

His words suddenly got a grip of her attention and caused their eyes to meet.

She felt a shiver down her spine. As for the first time in such a long time, she could finally look back into the eyes of someone. Eyes that did not look cold. Eyes that noticed her. At that instance, she knew the dying parts of her hope were still there, somewhere inside, she could feel them. They were dying, but still alive, she could also feel the loaded strain that she carried getting softer.

Ghoul gently lean forward her skin, inhaling the dirty strands covering her sculpted features. She smelled like dried metal or blood, with a strange mixture of dust and toxic chemicals.

'I want to finish what you started-' he whispered to her ears.

The heat of his breath against her neck was awakening her wild senses. She quickly pushed the Killjoy away, and started walking towards the damaged Trans Am placed in the middle of the road.

‘Got any cigarettes?’ she shouted before forcing the door open.

Ghoul was still standing where she left him, he stood still before running towards her side. He pressed his back against the door while slowly lighting the cigarette he had hidden on his left ear. The man took a giant puff and wore a devilish smile with teeth invaded by the smoke.

‘So you’re coming with me then?’ he asked before enjoying the taste of his deadly stick some more.

Bonnie tried not to get impress with the Killjoy’s attitude. She grabbed the cigarette that was hanging on the edge of his lips and brought it to hers, pulling on it like no tomorrow, before throwing in it on the ground.

‘I guess so…’

As soon as Ghoul heard her words, he instantly grabbed her body and invaded her space with a tight hug. Grumbling the weirdest sounds of joy she had ever heard. She tried to push him away again, but he’d already left her sight, opening the door of the driver’s seat.

‘Come on now, get in the car, and please, since you almost killed us both, be gentle with Angela.’

‘Angela?’ she asked in confusion at the woman’s name.

‘Ugh... my car. Angela is my car. Come on, we have to get back before somebody sees us.’

How strange this man was, she thought. She still didn’t know if this was the right idea, but the thought of going back in the desert alone was way worst than this strange touchy asshole she’d just met.

The night was getting shorter and Ghoul knew they had to get back before the rise of the sun, they had a long way to go and his mind was starting to weaken. The two of them got into the vehicle and disappeared from the scene, leaving a trail of sand vanishing in the air.

Bonnie could feel the warmth of the seat and almost cried when she rested her head on the leathery fabric. She took a look at what used to be her home, the never ending landscape and giant sky looked much more beautiful since observing them through a window. As for once, she didn't feel the cold wind brushing her wounds or that loneliness that would stick to her relentlessly.

'Where are we going, Fun Ghoul?'

The man had one hand on the wheel and the other hanging outside, a cigarette at the tip of his fingers.

'Home, Bonnie.'

She closed her eyes and let the sound of engine put her to sleep.


*

(Zone 6 - 7.am)

Party woke up after a short night of harsh sleep. For the first time in months he remembered his dream. He could see the girl Ghoul told him about, the lost girl. He saw her standing at the top of a cliff, holding something, a gun or a knife. He could not see her face, and no matter which angle he would try, it was always the back of her head, facing him. This would go on for awhile, 'till everything went blurry.

Sounds at the end of the hallway forced him to open his eyes. He painfully turned his torso before yawning and shaking both of his hands through his hair. Trying to forget about his dream. But thoughts of the night before suddenly violated his mind. He knew he had nothing left to tell his brother, only shame and anger. And that scared the hell out of him.

Party Poison got up and didn't bother to change his clothes, he kept his blue jacket and grabbed his boots and gun before heading towards the main dining room.

He noticed the two guys sitting at the booth, gorging on some Power Pup Can, one of the only sources of food they could find. It tasted bad but after awhile, you’d get used to it. After awhile, you could always get use to something. No matter how bad it was. Time makes you accept anything. You renounce to your ego, and face up the reality. Try to make the best out of it.

But time is a double-edged sword, as it can also make you weak when endured for too long with no significant change, until it sucks the remaining strength you thought you had left.

Kobra immediately threw a sinister look at his brother, still chewing the distasteful paste that filled his can. The red haired man grabbed a cigarette and sat in front of him. Facing his relative, clearly wanting to provoke him. He knew that was something he was good at, and he could still do it. A subtle smirk forming at the edge of his lips.

Jet Star, the other Killjoy, the one with massive hair, could clearly notice the tension between the two brothers. He decided to break the silence, being the elder one, (or the wisest one, he would say) this was no time for a fight, the conditions in the deserts were harder these days. The Killjoys needed to stay united and strong, now more than ever. No matter how much they wanted to rip each other’s faces.

‘Alright, the two of you, I see where this is going, you’ll end up outside, desperately tryin’ to kill each other. Now before any of you two make a move, I am telling you, stop acting like fucking babies and talk like the two grown men you supposedly are, for this one fucking time.’

‘I’m not doing anything, I’m just eating my breakfast and this fucking prick thinks he can blow his cigarette smoke in my face. He forgot how sad and miserable he looked yesterday. I guess sleeping gave him fuel to act like a fucking idiot.’ Kobra shot at his brother, gaze not leaving the white of his eyes.

‘It’s alright, Jet. Don’t worry.’ Party reassured the other Killjoy, still keeping an eye at his pissed blond haired brother.

‘Yes, it’s perfectly fine, right? Did you know Ghoul hadn’t come back yet? Everything is perfectly fine isn’t it? You don’t even keep an eye on your team.’ Kobra replied.

‘Ghoul isn’t back yet?’ Party did not understand. He thought his friend would of tried to find that lost girl he told him about, and give up after a couple of hours. He clearly thought Ghoul was just acting like he always did, doing crazy stuff and believing stupid shits, literally.

‘No, the last time he was here, you were with him, that was yesterday. I checked on the radio the whole night and Dr. Death was still reporting on the incident that happened in Battery City a few days ago. This girl who used to work with BLI, a former Korse assistant I believe, she made this plan and teamed up with a couple of droids in order to destroy the headquarters. But it didn’t work as planned, so she escaped in the desert. I know Ghoul, I know he is out there, somewhere, looking for her. We should of helped him, we should of done something. He might be dead by now, who knows…’ Kobra’s tone was softening at the thought of losing one of his friends. He knocked his fist unto the table before his emotions would take over. He was still mad at his brother, for caring so little.

‘He’ll be back, I am sure of it.’ Jet Star stated, noticing how upset the blond haired Killjoy was getting.

Party on the other hand, was lost in thoughts, the image of this lost fugitive, that Bonnie everybody talked about, was starting to invade all of his thoughts. He passed a hand on his face, trying to get ahold of the situation.

‘Why does everybody cares so much about this girl? Why should I ca—‘

The sound of an agonizing engine caused the red haired boy to go silent.

The three Killjoys got out of their abandoned diner and stood at the entrance, watching the scene as the Trans Am slowly parked at the side of the road. The car was damaged at the front and black smoke was escaping the hood. The driver's door opened and Ghoul made his way out.

Relief sounds escaped Kobra's mouth. But before anybody could move, the passenger's door opened and the figure of a girl appeared. She made her way to Ghoul's side, both of them were talking. Ghoul looked like he was trying to calm her down, he placed a hand on her shoulder but nobody could hear what he was saying. The girl pushed Ghoul's hand and nodded a few times, before facing the three others.

'Who is that?' Kobra asked, still looking at the two arrivers.

'I don't know but let's find out.' Jet stated, walking towards the car, Kobra followed, giving a last glance a his brother.

'This is your chance, Party. Ghoul is back, don't be such a coward.'

But Party didn't move, body pressed against the wall, his eyes couldn't leave the girl. Just like his dream, only this time he could see her face, she had dark hair ending above her shoulders, her clothes were ripped apart and the length of her thighs were exposed, revealing numerous bruises. She had delicate features but those were hidden by the mess on her face.

All he could feel was confusion and anger.

But something inside of him also felt compelled to her, not knowing why.
Party felt the look on his face hardening at this very thought.

He watched as the Killjoys were greeting each other with warms hugs and a few crazy laughs.
The girl never left Ghoul's side, looking intimidated by the welcoming of his too enthusiastic companions.

The happiness of the scene made him sick. He decided to make his way inside, but before turning away, he caught the girl looking at him.

Party's gaze got confused and he could feel hers deepening as the two of them didn't break the contact. The look on her face was troubling him even more, it was soft, but so empty.

Ghoul finally got a hold of her attention, making her turn away.

He didn't even realize he forgot to breathe

The broken Killjoy then left the scene, he grabbed the gun he previously dropped on the table and walked out the back door. Strange emotions he never felt, invading his soul.
*

Notes

pieces r comin together kinda