(Zone 6 - 6.45am)

The few rays of light escaping from the clouds caused Bonnie to gain consciousness from her brief soothing trance. As soon as her eyes opened and took a look at the surroundings, she suddenly remembered what happened a few hours before and how she lost track of reality the second she sat on that car’s seat. Something inside of her started panicking at the simple fact that she didn’t know where she was heading and for having given her trust to a complete stranger. She tried swallowing the very few saliva that inhabited her dried mouth and reached the window handle to grasp the air she thought was missing from her lungs. The breeze coming from outside calmed her down but the lack of water was starting to decrease every second of her existence. She gasped a few struggling sounds in attempt to not get overwhelmed by the situation.

‘Hey, you’re awake. I was starting to think you might never come back from your coma.’

Bonnie heard the words coming out of the Killjoy’s mouth but was still unable to speak out of sense. She loosened her seat belt and touched her stomach with both of her hands, desperately hoping to relieve the terrible pain she felt.

‘You okay? Bonnie. What’s going on?’ Ghoul’s tone was alarmed, he reached the side of her arm and slightly gripped it, hoping i’d get her to talk.

‘…I…I’m fine, I just, I just…’ she claimed, trying to concentrate on the words she desperately wanted to express.

‘I just need water and food.’ she finally said with a sharp voice, just before giving a perplexed look at the man sitting beside her.

Ghoul could clearly see how the pale color of her skin reflected in the light of the day and her black eyes crying a thousand words, only the soul could ever hear. He wanted to help her so bad that his heart was aching, but knew he couldn’t do anything before they’ve reached destination. Four hours had passed since they left Zone 3 and the more he seemed to approach home, the more the minutes, seemed longer than before.

‘Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon. Just hang in there a little longer.’ he told the injured woman, hoping it might reassure her.

‘Do you live with anybody?’ she asked, still seeking for the wind coming out of the window.

‘Yes, I live with friends, the only ones I have.’ he replied, hoping she wouldn’t take it bad.

‘Who are they and what kind of place do you live in?’ she asked in a voice lacking of emotions.

‘What is this? An interrogatory?’ Ghoul stated in amusement, peeking an eye on her while trying to concentrate on the road. He knew they were close to home, he could notice the familiar view of the trees and the sharp rocky hills he’d seen so many times before. That simple thought made him feel at ease, knowing his crazy plan wasn’t that idiotic after all.

‘No, I just don’t think I could handle other people right now.’ she replied quietly.

‘Don’t worry, we’re almost there, my friends will help you. We have water and food. You’ll be able to sleep and rest. Just trust me and try to relax.’

‘I still don’t know if I can trust you…’ she admitted, not daring to look at him. She heard the Killjoy’s loud bitter laugh and frowned at the sound, wondering how could this be anything but amusing.

‘…What’s so funny anyway?’

‘Don’t you realize that I could of killed you a thousand times while you were asleep? I have better things to do, honey. My whole life, I thought I’d never do anything more then waking up and wandering the desert to fight some fucking Dracs to haunt down, every single day. I thought nothing would ever change. But then I heard about the brave girl who escaped in the desert because she fought for what she thought was right. That girl gave me hope, she made me think that some things were still worth fighting for. And that girl was you, Bonnie. I don’t want to hurt you, I just want to help you. I want to kill the ones who did this to you, and all of us. I believe we can make it happen, together, if only you could see what I see.’

Ghoul’s words left her speechless and caused her mind to go back to places she wished it never would.

*
She remembered the days she took the pill. The ones BLI forced on every citizens, so nobody would ever question their vicious laws. She was only eighteen when Korse found her and decided to keep her as his personal distraction. The life she had before was erased from her memory, leaving her with a short 5 years of existence, trapped, in a cold and dark room. Every other day she'd be tide down on a chair and forced to drink a disgusting white mixture. Once the drugs kicked in, she felt her body losing all sense of control. Next thing she knew, she'd do everything they told her. Everything Korse told her. He violated his mind and her body. For him, it was all a game. He used her and loved the sick feeling it gave him. Making her do horrible things to people she didn't even know. He made her forget her own existence, replacing it with someone she wasn't. Someone she would hate all her life. He kept her as a prize, an object. She was his toy and his killing robot, his sort of personal Draculoid. He used her for things he was too coward to do himself and played with her heart whenever he desired.

'You'll be a good girl now, Bonnie'

A girl good. She heard this so many times. But was she really?....

Every morning, a woman would knock on her cell door to give her pills, she knew they would make her feel numb and take away her sanity, but the reality she faced was so unbearable that she didn't question it. She could always remember the terrorized faces of the citizens or the droids she was forced to kill. She could always remember the feeling of Korse's hands on her thighs. Those filthy fingers, on such young and precious skin...
Until one day, she decided she had enough...
*

'Bonnie..?' Ghoul's voice stated, bringing her back from her dreadful memories.

'Yeah, sorry I... I didn't mean what I said...I know you won't hurt me.' she claimed quietly while trying to hold back the tears forming in the corner of her eye. She felt like a monster, but she never had the chance to be herself. She never had the chance to know the good inside of her. She couldn't know if it was her the monster, or if the things she was forced to do created a beast that now inhabited in the very depth of her mind.

Ghoul smiled at what she said, but he wondered what must of happen to this poor girl for ending up where she was. He desperately wanted to know what thoughts came to her mind, but was also scared to ever ask her, believing her truth might be unbearable to hear.

Both of them stayed silence for a couple of minutes before the figure of a green edifice appeared at the end of the road. The Trans Am approached the building as the sound of the engine started making noises. Few clouds of black smoke were escaping from the hood. Ghoul managed to park the damaged car a few meters away from the place.

‘Angela is starting to get pissed, good thing we’re finally here.’ He wore the same devilish smile as he did hours before, only this time Bonnie couldn't play the game. The honesty in his emotions made her feel at ease, but also uncomfortable. She took a look around her and noticed a large yellow sign saying ‘DINNER’ decorating the top of the edifice. The place looked abandoned and rust covered the blemished green color of the industrial structure.

‘This is it. Home. Now come on!’ Ghoul said, before opening the door and making his way out.

Bonnie did the same with the remaining strength she had left in her arms and stepped into this unknowingly place her new friend called home. She quickly reached the Killjoy's side who clearly looked worried she'd run away.

‘My friends will probably come around. Don’t be fooled by what they say. They don’t know why I left and will ask questions. Just stay quiet and follow me.’ He told her, reaching her skinny shoulders with one of his hand.

‘It’s all right, stop touching me. I’m not going anywhere.’ she replied while pulling his hand away.

Ghoul and Bonnie started walking towards the diner and could notice three boys standing at the entrance. Two of them made their way in their direction while the other one stayed still.

‘That’s Jet Star, and Kobra Kid. Just relax, let me handle it.’ Ghoul explained to her at the sight of his friends approaching, before anything might get out of hand. She observed the two Killjoys coming closer and hoped to god this encounter would be quick.

‘GHOUL! What the fuck? What happened to you?!’ The tall and curled hair man called Jet Star shouted out.

‘We were starting to think you’d never come back!’ The other walking Killjoy said.

Both of them seemed cheerful and excited at the arrival of the two damned adventurers. They grabbed their previously missing companion with playful hugs and punches, letting Bonnie aside, not knowing what to do.

‘It’s alright guys, I’m fine! How’d you think I’d never come back, you fuckers!’ Ghoul told them while receiving their friendly, but aggressive greetings. Both seemed to wonder who was the girl standing by his side.

Bonnie stayed silent at the scene, and took a look around in attempt to distract herself from the three noisy Killjoys. Her eyes drew the line from where they came from until ending up on a mysterious figure. There, standing on the wall, was the other man who decided not to join them. He had red flamed hair, just like the Killjoy in the stories she used to hear. He wore a blue jacket and the way his body was pressed against the building made her feel like she wasn’t supposed to be there. She couldn’t help but stare at him intensely once his gaze captured hers. The look in his eyes told her things she couldn’t understand. She could see the hazel color in them, drowning in a pool of darkness and broken pieces. She could also feel her blood ruining through her veins and hear the sound of her heart beating chaotically in her chest. He wore the face of the angel who’d fallen into hell.

‘Guys, this is Bonnie, the famous girl everyone is talking about.’ The sound of Ghoul’s voice made her jump and forced her to look away.

Jet and Kobra fixed her for awhile, probably wondering how on earth did she end up covered in such a bloody mess.

‘Hi, my name is Kobra Kid, just call me Kobra.’ The blond haired one told her with a surprisingly shy voice. He wore a red leather jacket and a pair of black sunglasses covered his eyes.

Bonnie gave a last glance at the man she previously spotted in the back, but he’d already disappeared, leaving a deceiving look on her face. She then tried to give something that seemed like a smile to the man who just greeted her.

‘Hi, uhm, you already know my name…’ She claimed in a pathetic attempt to sound normal.

‘Haha, yeah we actually do, a bit surprised to finally meet you I should say. I’m Jet Star, the only sane person you’ll met in here.’ The curly Killjoy said, causing the others to swear at his words. Bonnie shook his hand lightly and saluted him while trying to stay calm before feeling the need to push all of them from her sight and search for any type of liquid that could ease the dizziness taking over her.

The heat of the sun was making her lose track of what was happening. She felt her legs shaking and before she knew, her body fell on the ground while her mind fainted out of exhaustion.

‘BONNIE! BONNIE WAKE UP!’

‘IS SHE OKAY? WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?’

‘BRING HER INSIDE, FIND SOME WATER AND LAY HER DOWN! QUICK!’

‘BONNIE WAKE UP!’

*

*

She opened her eyes. Her head moved slightly to the side only to realize she was laying on a tiny mattress with a tube planted in her left arm. The tube was connected to a bag full of liquid and was suspended on a rack. She also had bandages around her legs and one on her shoulders. But Bonnie didn’t feel as bad as she did hours ago, brief images of what happened passed through her mind. Seeing how the boys took care of her made her heart feel a bit warmer than it’s usual state. She knew they had probably saved her life and that thought only was enough for her to never doubt them again. She tried to reach the small plate of food standing on the floor with the arm that wasn’t plugged, but the movement made her mourn out of pain. She’d definitely had to wait, as for once she could rest without feeling like dying. She could hear voices coming from the other rooms. Still unable to hear what they were saying, she lifted her head to look at the area. It didn’t look anything like a proper bedroom. The walls were grey and the iron floor gave it a manufactured look. A small window was at the back of the room, exposing the inevitable desert’s sky. On the ground she could see used cigarettes and an ashtray too filled for it’s capacity, with a few bottles made out of glass, emptied of their sweet nectar. There was also a pill of white box standing by the door, BLI signs covering them. There was no light apart from the moon reflecting on the floor.

The voices in the other room started to sound louder this time, like someone was shouting. Bonnie tried to get a grip of what they were saying but could only hear a few words here and there.

‘JUST WAIT FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!’ that was Ghoul’s voice, shouting.

‘IN MY ROOM? WHY THE FUCK DID YOU PUT HER THERE?’

She did not recognize the other voice. Bonnie suddenly felt the need to move. Hoping to god the fight wasn’t about her. She sat on the bed no matter how the pain in her arms told her not to. She was desperately waiting for the voices to stop. But this time, they came closer and she could hear every words.

‘I told you Party, she had to rest and your room was the only decent place. She needs to rest, just leave her alone, please.’

‘I don’t care if she had to rest, you know I didn’t want her here and you have the guts to put her in my room? In my bed? The kind of mess you get yourself into is none of my business, just leave me out of it.’

‘Party please, stop it!’

‘I told you, I don’t want her in my room.’

Bonnie’s breathing was loud and the conversation she just heard suddenly made her feel she shouldn’t be there. The stranger’s step were approaching and caused her body to stand out of fear.

This was all a mistake, all of this

The tube connected to her arm fell on the ground while her feet stepped on the crushed cigarettes at her attempt to reach the window. Her hands grabbed the small lock and she tried to pull on it, no matter how every move she made was hurting her. She pulled, and pulled….But the door at the other side of the room brutally opened. Exposing the red haired Killjoy, she previously saw.

He had the same look as he did when she first saw him. Only this time she could see it clearly, the small space separating them grew even smaller when the loud noises of his boots entered the room. His hazel eyes were almost devouring her out of need for answers, causing her thin legs to tremble.

‘PARTY WHAT THE FUCK?’ Ghoul appeared in the back, but the man closed and locked the door before anyone else could interrupt. The Killjoy on the other side of the door continued banging, but Party couldn’t care less.

Bonnie’s hands were still on the window’s lock, but they’d stop moving. Her body stood still as she watched the man getting closer. She closed her eyes, afraid of what was going to happen. But instead, the sound of a lighter came from the middle of the room. She waited a few seconds before opening her eyes. The Killjoy was smoking a cigarette, not moving and fixing the window’s view right behind her. His red lips caressed the tip of the stick just before roughly inhaling the nicotine it contained. The lightings of the moon reflected on his face, once again revealing to her the sick beauty of his physiognomy.

‘What do you want?’ Bonnie asked, the silence between them starting to be unbearable.

‘The question is, what are you doing here?’ he asked her, while blowing a tiny cloud of smoke, his voice sounded rough and husky.

‘I didn’t want any of this to happen, your friend came to find me, he brought me here. I never asked to be put in this room.’ she replied quickly, not knowing how to handle this stranger.

The Killjoy walked slowly towards her, closing the gap that was between them. His tangled hair fell against the side of his mouth. He rested his body against the window and reached Bonnie’s hands that were still standing on the lock, causing her to jump and step back at the heat of his touch. Party then pulled the handle and opened the window, letting the cool wind of the night invading the surface of her shivering skin.

‘I can explain, please.’ Bonnie cried out, trying to catch his eyes. The Killjoy turned his face and looked at her, she gasped a few times before their eyes finally made contact. But she could now see how much sadness they held, the man in front of her wasn’t angry, but simply scared and heartsick. She kept on looking at him, she could see his bitter expression fading away, revealing a part of him she desperately wanted to reach. The noises of the banging door were softly vanishing away, even the pain she felt in her body started feeling numb, all she saw and all she sensed was the presence of the broken man facing her.

‘You’re just like me, broken, and hurt. I can see it.’ she whispered while his eyes pierced through her more.

‘Get outta here.’ He told her firmly. But Bonnie didn’t move.

‘GET OUTTA HERE!’ He shouted again, turning his head away.

Bonnie immediately stormed out of the room, feeling all of her soul being crushed. She hated this man, she hated him. The way his stare was trying to take something out of her, the way his voice was nothing but a sound ravaging her entire being. She ran down the hallway to reach the back of the diner, opening the door that led to the everlasting landscape. Her feet caressed the sand while she escaped to find a place where no one could ever tell her she wasn’t welcome.

*

‘WHERE THE FUCK DID SHE GO?’ Ghoul rushed to the room, shouting at Party as soon as he saw Bonnie was gone.

‘I don’t know.’ he told him, his voice sounding crushed when it escaped his mouth.

He heard the steps of his friends reaching out the back door while he kept a look at the moon gleaming through the pink clouds. He felt a burn in his chest as the words she had told him minutes ago still echoed in his mind. He couldn’t recognize the man he had become and a part of him was frightened, knowing his life could never be the same, the second he laid his eyes on this girl.

*

Notes

yo. thanks again for reading this twisted tale . xx em