Broken pieces of glass. Everywhere, spreading across the surface of the sand.

A ceased fire, memories of it’s flames recalling as the ashes quietly dance in the air.

The morning’s polished lighting. Revealing the true natures of yesterday.

They creep on you in a subtle way, making your heart beat a little faster.

A sudden need to pretend you weren’t even drunk.

But fooling your own self doesn’t wash away the regrets.

Yeah, those kinds of regrets.

The ones you can feel in your gut, before even having the chance to open up your eyes.



Blond hair. This is the first thing Party saw as he woke up from a short, intoxicated night. A pressure in his head was pounding heavily. He struggled, as he tried to move his body, realizing he was laying on the floor. He wasn't wearing any clothes. He could feel the cold ground below him, making his skin shiver uncontrollably.

‘Mmh..morning…’ The blond nest of hair in front of him started moving, exposing a tired and very naked girl.

‘Hi…’ He sighed.

The woman at his side leaned closer and pressed her face against his neck. She slowly grabbed the side of his waist and moved her hand down his bare skin. But Party didn’t feel like cuddling. Still trying to grasp the events of the night before, he wanted to be left alone. Though her fingers had already begun to tease the length in between his legs.

‘Stella… not right now.’ He felt her resisting grip as she groaned when his hands gently pushed her away.

He got up on his feet, attempting not to fall down while a violent sensation of dizziness took over him. He grabbed the side of his head, waiting for the pounding of his mind to cease.

‘I think you should take your things and go…’ With a voice lacking from any emotion, he kept his back facing her. He then proceeded to grab his jacket and pants that were laying on the floor. Making sure not to walk on the dead cigarettes and mess that was spread all around.

‘Jesus… what happened to you? Sure didn’t want me to leave so fast last night…’ The girl shot at him. Probably hoping to get some kind of reaction, an apology or his usual playful smirk. But the answer she got wasn’t the one she expected.

‘I don’t care about last night. We were drunk and fucked…’ He turned around. ‘Now I’m asking you to leave.’ He told her firmly with a pile of dirty clothes in one of his arm, his other hand vaguely pointing at the door.

Stella groaned once more and got up to stretch her arms. Party was observing her impatiently as she pressed herself to put on her underwear with an upset look on her face.

‘When will I see you again?’ She asked as she bend over to grab her dress and shoes.

‘I don’t know…’ He told her, fighting the urge to raise his tone.

‘Alright then…’ The girl moved towards the door and stopped when she walked past him. ‘I had a lot of fun yesterday’ She whispered flirtatiously and leaned forward to press a long and sloppy kiss on his mouth. ‘You know where to find me.’ She winked at him and exited the room while sliding her dress on.

Party did kiss back. But he wondered why once the sound of the door shutting behind him left him, with the cold, emptiness of the room.

*

‘Well, if there’s one thing I can tell you, it sure does look pretty uncomfortable sleeping like that.’

Bonnie woke up when a loud and amused voice crashed inside her ears.

‘Ehh…whaaat?’ Were the only sounds she managed to speak as the bright rays of the sun violated her eyes.

‘Rough night, rough night.’ Jet Star laughed as he contemplated her. He was looking particularly good on this post-party morning.

Still unsure of where she was, she took a look around herself and realized she was sleeping in one of the booth of the dining hall. Her back was aching from the awkward position it kept during her drunken coma and her legs felt paralyzed, as they tried to fit in the small area that hadn’t been designed for sleep. She also felt the side of one of her cheeks burning, knowing she rested, face against the table.

‘We’re making breakfast this morning, got some little presents from the guys yesterday.’ Jet announced her, sounding like this was a very important event.

‘Ow, that’s great.’ She blinked once again to adjust to the brightness.

‘Don’t you smell it?’ He asked her, as if something was supposed to be obvious.

‘What?’ She looked at him confused and sniffed the air around in a hope to notice something.

‘THE SMELL, BONNIE! The smell of delicate pancakes gently frying in a pan!’

‘Ohhh. Hum, I guess? I just..’ She starting playing with her hands and shrugged as she finished her sentence. ‘Never had them before…’

‘What? You never had pancakes before?’ Jet’s eyes widened as he grabbed the two sides of the table with both of his hands. ‘Seriously?’ The impact made some empty left over cans of Power Pup to fall on the floor, causing Bonnie to jump in shock at the sudden intensity.

‘Hey Jet, why don’t you leave her alone.’ A drowsy-faced Ghoul appeared from the back, he looked at Bonnie and playfully punched the side of Jet’s arm. ‘She doesn’t care about your fucking pancakes.’ A mocking laugh escaped his mouth.

‘Shut the fuck up.’ Jet replied, unimpressed with his friend's little mind trick. ‘Maybe she cares she just doesn’t know it yet.’ He walked back to the stove, a pitiful but sarcastic expression on his face.

Bonnie laughed at the two boy’s exchange, hiding her smile behind her hand. She was still trying to get use living with such wild and unpredictable tempered people.

‘I think I’ll take a shower, don’t wait for me, I’ll just grab what’s left in the pan…’ She told them as she got out of the booth. A shower was the only thing that would help her get through the day.

‘Better be quick then.’ Ghoul replied with a cigarette-in-mouth kind of voice, watching her leave as he meticulously searched signals from the radio.

‘Wow sorry!’ Bonnie said when bumping into someone in the long corridor, a few feet away from the bathroom. A blond haired girl with blue eyes looked at her in shock. The two of them examined each other and Bonnie was a bit intimidated by what she saw.

This girl was tall and very beautiful. Her long and golden hair fell graciously against the shape of her curves and the velvet lavender dress she wore impeccably enhanced her slender legs. Bonnie on the other hand was skinny, she didn’t have curves or a perfect voluptuous body like hers. Her hair was kind of short, ending unequally above her shoulders and her black eyes certainly didn’t reflect like the blue from the sky.

‘You live here?’ The blond woman asked, a small hint of arrogance echoed in her voice.

‘Yeah, kind of.’ She replied indifferently, trying to hide the insecurities she felt. But memories from the night before suddenly came to her mind. This was the girl she saw leaving with Party. That girl who was devouring him in such a needy way. Well, everything made sense now.

‘I see, well, I’m Stella by the way.’ She smiled poorly at her, waiting for some kind of approval.

‘Cool.’ She faked a smile and nodded her head, just before tip toeing to the bathroom’s door that was standing to her right. She couldn’t care any less, seriously. That girl wasn’t very pleasant to be around anyway.

The sound of the shower felt like music to her ears. She took off her clothes and let herself relax to the warm sensation of the water pearling on her skin.

She can’t remember how long she stayed in there. Letting the drops of water caress the scarring bruises of her body, she gently washed away the remaining dried particles of blood on her skin. After she was done, she put her jumpsuit back on and brushed her wet hair with her fingers, slicking them to the back of her head, just before making her way to the kitchen.

And there they were, the 4 Killjoys, devouring piles of pancakes like desperate hungry beasts in their usual booth. The way they stuffed their faces was quite a show. Except for Party who was playing with his fork, more focused on the cigarette placed in his right hand.

‘Bonnie!’ A stuffed-mouth Ghoul called. ‘Come and join us!’ He tapped down on the small space beside him.

She hesitated before reaching to them. She bit the inside of her lower lip and slowly walked towards the table’s chaotic pancake feast.

‘What are you waiting for? We’re not going to eat you…’ Kobra shot, sitting beside the window, making the boys share a silent laugh.

She sat on the edge of the seat, smiling awkwardly as she shifted her butt on the tiny leathery space. Avoiding eye contact as she felt their gazes briefly locking on her.

‘We have some work to do today.’ Ghoul stated, while stuffing his face once again.

‘Ow, what kind of work?’ She asked, suddenly intrigued by the words she just heard.

‘Well, the Killjoys from the northern zones have been holding the Dracs so far, but they’re coming again, stronger now. We need to keep a secured guard in the zone and get back on the watch, cos they’re not backing down this time.’

‘We also need to get supplies, there’s been a new arrival of weapons and equipment at Dr.D’s unit.’ Kobra told the group as he took his last bite of pancakes.

‘I’ll take care of that.’ Party shot, cigarette smoke blowing out of his mouth as the last word escaped from his lips.

‘You should bring Bonnie with you, she needs to meet him.’ Kobra replied to his brother, a bit of bitterness still left in his tone from their previous encounters.

The name of the girl caused Party’s eyes to switch directly on her. She looked back, fighting the usual sensation she felt whenever their eyes met.

‘Yeah, good idea, me and Ghoul should keep the guard for today.’ Jet stated in agreement.

‘And I need to fix the radio station, it hasn’t been catching signals properly the past few days.’ Kobra replied.

‘Hum…just a question, w-who am I going to meet exactly?’ Bonnie stuttered, even though her voice was trying to play it cool.

‘You’ll see when we get there, we’re leaving in 10.’ Party crushed his cigarette in the middle of his syrup covered plate, just before jumping out of the booth. ‘Oh and, better bring your gun.’ He shot as he turned his head around. A subtle but distant smirk forming at the edge of his lips.

*


The air was dry and yellow, creating what you call a typical desert atmosphere. The morning breeze had ceased to be, and was replaced by the thick and heavy gleam of the afternoon’s sun.

The Trans Am was parked at the side of the road. That was the first thing she saw as she held her jacket and gun, kicking the front door open. The car was at the exact same spot as the first day she arrived. She remembered getting out of it, desperately shaking from hunger and dehydration. But this time the car looked brand new, it was shining and sparkling, and Bonnie wasn’t feeling weak.

The silhouette of the red haired boy was casually sitting on the trunk, his arms were crossed as he watched her approaching the vehicle. Once she was facing him, she placed one hand on her hip, while the other was pressed on her shoulder, holding her crimson leathered jacket as it hanged against her back.

‘Got everything?’ He asked her, watching her stand like that.

‘Everything.’ She answered with a husky voice. Feeling a sudden spark of confidence taking over her.

‘Well then, let’s go.’ Party unfold his arm and strolled to the side of the car. Opening the mechanic frame, he jumped on the seat and started the engine.

*

The ride had been silent so far, they haven’t said a word since entering the car. But the loud noises of the wind circling through the windows helped ignoring that fact. Party was driving fast and his eyes were concentrated on the road.

After what seemed like 15 minutes, Bonnie tried playing with the radio in front of her, the lack of conversation was slowly starting to annoy her. Not because she wanted to speak to him, she didn’t really know what to tell him. But because there was this invisible presence between them. A type of sensation that made her insides linger in waves. That type of sensation, the one that makes you play with your hair for no reason, or whistle random melodies like a total idiot.

‘Don’t touch that.’ He told her, eyes still on the road as one of her hands reached for the radio switch. She moved it back instantly and frowned at his remark, sighing out of discontent.

‘Why can’t I touch it?’ She asked, her voice sounded more annoyed than she’d hope for.

‘Coz. I need to stay focus.’ He peeked an eye on her. ‘I have cigarettes in my pocket, if the silence is making you uncomfortable.’ He smirked, again in a distant but cocky way. He couldn’t help but enjoy her small annoyance.

She laughed nervously and roughly grabbed the pack of cigarettes hanging out of his jacket.
‘I’m not uncomfortable.’ She shot, trying to keep her confident guard. ‘You’re just boring.’ She watched the flame of the lighter burning up the stick, knowing the provoked gaze of the Killjoy was now piercing right through her.

The car slowed down when they approached a weird gas station, standing in the middle of nowhere. Party parked the Trans beside one of the tanks as the clicking sound of the keys withdrew from the slot, welcoming a complete stillness all around them.

They both made their way out. Party proceeding in filling up the car with gasoline as Bonnie took a look at the surroundings.

‘Don’t go too far, it’s not a safe zone out here.’ She heard him say, as her feet were slowly approaching the abandoned station. The windows of the small edifice were shattered, dispersed in front of the exterior’s structure. She walked further, her new boots creating traces across the sand; finally reaching the entrance.

Inside, everything looked destroyed and smashed. Fragments of the walls had collapsed and you could see holes through the ceiling, letting fainted strips of lighting, penetrating the darken area.

But, something else was there. Beyond the clouds of dust floating around and the piles of debris blocking the way. Something, somehow, in between the chaos of the scene.

She walked, unable to quit the gloom in the distance.

It wasn’t a body, no. It was shining, lurking at her.

‘Bonnie?’ Party’s distant voice echoed in her ears.

But the girl ignored it, walking further into the station. The dusty air and hollow feeling of the place made you think the time had stop. Outside where cars were driving, where the birds were chirping or guns were shot, here, nothing was moving. Something happened there, causing the moment to freeze in time, stuck, in a past that no longer existed. Like it traveled between the walls, unable to escape.

The mysterious light across the place became clearer, once she stepped through the ruins of the room. Pieces of wood making creaking sounds while she desperately tried to avoid them. Her eyes certainly not quitting that thing, in the back.
….

Could it be?

No, impossible…

Not here, they don’t come here…

But, but…

And there it was, below her feet. A shiny metallic arm. A droid’s arm, covered in dirt, and rusted. Oil was splattered all around the floor.

Such a sad looking arm, despite it’s fatal faith, it still managed to find her. But, why? Why is there a piece of a Droid’s arm? In the middle of nowhere?

The Droids live in the city, they’re not free, they cannot cross the desert, they’re not allowed to.

Confusion and fear of unhealed memories raced through her mind. Back in Battery City, Droids were the only friends she had. There was this Droid, she would talk to her through the walls of her closed cell. She would listen, she was kind, and trapped, just like her.

Sky.

Sky was her name, she gave her life so Bonnie could run. She made herself explode, so they wouldn’t catch her.

The day the fires started, the day she broke the grip that kept her trapped.

But Sky was dead now.

Could it possibly be someone from the city? Looking for her?

Someone who got caught and horribly killed, in this very place.

She kneeled down as her thoughts ran inside her mind, fixing the metal figure. Feeling her past, slowly crawling back on her. Fighting the tears that burned the corner of her eyes.

‘BONNIE! BONNIE WHERE ARE YOU?’ An alarmed voice from outside woke her from the hypnotizing trance.

Gun shots started firing and a wall from the building exploded right in front of her eyes. Quickly she grabbed her gun and covered her face with her arms while trying to escape the building.

She watched the scene outside. Dracs were coming in the distance, their vehicle racing straight towards them. Party was hiding behind the wheels of his car, his gun pressed against his chest. He was breathing fast, his body tensed up, staying still. A panicking look was burning inside his eyes.

She stayed hidden against the wall beside the entrance and started firing at the dracs aimlessly. The shots caused a few Dracs to collapse on the ground, only inducing the others to attack in an even more aggressive way.

‘PARTY!’ She shouted, hoping he’d hear her voice. ‘THEY'RE COMING, BEHIND YOU!’ She howled even louder, the terror in her voice taking control.

His hazel eyes finally locked on hers. He nodded briefly just before rolling in the sand, reaching a big gas tank standing in front of their car.

She watched him from a distance as he pierced holes in the barrel with his gun. The liquid inside started pouring out of them, spilling everywhere on the ground. He gesticulated, his body telling her to reach his side quickly. She waisted no time and rushed over as fast as she could. Bumping directly into the Killjoy who was kneeled against the ground.

‘When I say we go, you get in the car, you take the wheel and start driving. But don't move till I say so. You have to do exactly as I say, do you understand me?’ He told her, his face was dead serious and she’d never seen him like that before. He was holding something in his hands.

‘Yes.’ She nodded firmly, waiting for his instructions.

The Dracs were closer now, much closer. Their bullets were falling like raindrops, echoing and exploding all around. But Party wasn't doing anything. She waited for him to speak, to move a finger or twitch one of his eyes. But nothing, he was just waiting, concentrating on the sounds. The sounds of the Dracs a few meters away, eager and ready to kill them, without any mercy.

‘NOW!’ Party finally shouted. Both of them stood up and ran to reach the Trans. Bonnie jumped inside and grabbed the keys laying on the seat. The sound of the engine muffled around. Her hands were shaking and feeling wet against the steering wheel.

The car started moving and she wondered where was Party, the dracs were just a few feet away now, shooting at her. She panicked, not knowing what was going to happen.

She then looked in the mirror, and there it was, Party’s figure, running as he grabbed the trunk of the car just before throwing his lighten up lighter in the pool of gasoline he had created, as soon as the dracs walked into his trap. She slowed down the car so he could reach the passenger’s door; throwing himself on the seat.

‘DRIVE FAST! NOW! NOW!’ He relentlessly howled at her, peeking his head outside the window.

And Bonnie drove. As fast as she could.

A giant explosion sound came from behind. She looked in the mirror and saw a huge orange cloud of fire taking place right where they were, just a few seconds ago.

Gone, it was all gone. The Dracs, the station…

the droid’s arm.

Drowning, in the smoke.

With her feet pressing hard against the car pedal, she fixed the trembling road moving at the speed of light.

She heard the Killjoy laughing out of relief when he dropped down, passing a vigorous hand through his soaked sticking hair.

As the Trans Am escaped further in the desert, they both turned their heads.

They stared at each other, once again, dazzled and overwhelmed from what just happened.

‘That was close.’ He told her breathlessly.

Notes

boom.