TV is the world’s brain rot. Since most teenagers just glue themselves to phones, nobody really watches TV. That means that they just put some weird old-people shit on there all the time. “This isn’t so bad though. Just seems to be a rerun of cartoons.” Chinese cartoons, Cube. Not even the good ones either.
The room next to me starts getting loud as I’m definitely hearing someone having a good time. Traveling along the air vents, these groans and moans just echo louder and louder. “Keep it the fuck down!” I yell into the vent. I hear them stop for a second. “Sorry!” Jesus this place is so fucking goofy.
“Well, Anna, it’s your fault for going to this place. Did you expect a brothel to be a genuinely fun place?” Uhh, yeah? “Last time we were here, they just had us take a written test on what peculiarities we liked. I wouldn’t call that fun.” Yeah, that shit felt more like a personality test, and we didn’t even get to do anything!
“So why, exactly, do you keep going to these places?” Boredom. “It always seems to be boredom when it comes to you.” Well fucking sue me then, Cube! Nerdy piece of shit! “Don’t attack me when you’re the one who ropes yourself into these messes! You still have that chip from Wan Sui!” Fuck, don’t mention that!
I open the windows for a second and look around. I’m not being followed, thank god. “You’ve noticed them too, right? Every now and then, a group of cyborgs or Wan Sui thugs spying around for you.” Cube, I don’t need to hear it. They’re probably looking for someone else, maybe some other enemy. “Like your brother?” He didn’t do anything!
“Like they’re gonna believe that. You saw the whole murder. The Chinese President is probably gonna try and blame the whole thing on your brother.” Shut up! Jesus, do you even know when and how to stop? “You’ve opened a can of worms and are surprised that the damn things can wriggle. Face it: your irresponsibility has knocked you even lower.” Oh yeah? Well, let’s see how low it can get me.
I put my hand on an intercom, the one that has a literal menu of girls next to it. “Hey, can I get a medium girl with glasses and a cute personality? Thank you!” The machine beeps and then I hear a response. “We’ll be happy to cater to you. Please wait momentarily.”
“You’re so irresponsible.” I can see Cube groaning as he’s posted up against the wall. He looks completely fed up with me, especially since he’s stuck with me. Too bad for him. I plan on having some more fun. “By hiring a prostitute? You do realize that you’re buying a person, right?” You sound like my damn brother, jeez. “So you admit that you’re okay with fucking him over?” I already saved him. He can go save himself. Now shut up, my girl’s coming.
The door rings and I open it. Standing in front of me, like a warm pizza, is the girl I requested. She’s wearing a black turtleneck shirt and a short skirt that really shows her legs really well. Not gonna lie, she’s killing that outfit. “Hey,” I say with a smile, “wanna come on in?” She nods and gets inside. I shut the door.
She lays herself onto the bed, stretched out like a package just waiting to be opened. All honest, I’m not sure what to do. I sit myself next to her. “So… what’s your name?” I ask. She stretches herself, getting comfortable as she wraps an arm around me. “I’m Caitlyn,” she says. Her voice sounds like rain hitting a window. Like a low melody that could run around in my ear drums for eternity. “You don’t have to tell me your name,” Caitlyn adds, “Richard promises confidentiality for people on this floor. If you didn’t pay so much, you’d be one of the hapless idiots on the first floor who have people watch like fanboys.”
I don’t know if I should pay attention to her pretty face or her pretty voice. Fuck. I thought I was the one who was supposed to start things out. “How about we just talk for a little bit? Kill some time while we still can,” I suggest.
I can see Cube in the corner just scoffing as he shakes his head. “You didn’t kiss boys or girls in high school and it definitely shows,” he mutters. But I’m not paying attention to him right now. I’m paying more attention to this pretty girl named Caitlyn. “I’m okay with talking,” she says, “especially when it comes to people who just can’t close their lips.”
“Oh,” I respond, “do I talk that much?” She starts laughing, her voice still sounding like a melodic pouring of rain. “I’m just saying that I know you have a lot of stories to tell. People have started to talk about you: The Girl. It almost sounds ominous.” The way she says it makes me feel weirdly warm, even though I know she’s just gassing me up.
“You work for everyone and no one,” she says, “someone who tries to live free by living fast and living hard. You think you’re immortal. Maybe you’re right.” Strangely enough, she’s getting accurate. Is she a prostitute or a damned psychologist. “Not really a difference, considering they both have experience.”
“Sadly,” Caitlyn adds, “I try to live the same. I’ve been on plenty of my own little heists and my own little assassinations since I was a young girl. I’m not as enthusiastic.” Her voice, though still attractive, has gotten cold. “Truth be told, I know that people are looking for you. Plenty of people with plenty of different… faces…”
Suddenly, her face begins to morph like a mold of clay. It’s strange, like I’m watching a black hole spiral in front of me. I jump myself off of the bed as I see the spiral create a new form. Blonde hair. Sharp face. Fuck, that looks like Evania Searcher. “What the hell are you?” I ask them.
They starts laughing, their voice also changing as well. “Obviously, I’m not a social worker here.” I hold my hand out and form my pixelated hand into a sword. If this bitch wants to play, then I’ll let her play. I lunge forward and swipe the sword downwards only to see her easily move out of the way. “I never said I had ill-intention,” she adds, her smile being more like a taunt.
I try and punch them, but they dodge it and follow with a good hook to my stomach. I easily take it, since I’m a cyborg, but I can’t help but notice the incredible force behind it. I may be jam-packed with predownloaded information on fighting, but this shapeshifter’s the real deal. I step back as I retreat my sword. “Why are you here then?” I ask.
They shift back to their original form and crack their neck as if they were just warming up. “Evania Searcher is looking for you. I’ve been following her for a couple of days, and she’s obsessed with finding you. Though, that isn’t much since she’s always obsessed with finding the truth on things.”
I scoff as I lean against the wall. “Why the hell would she want me? Isn’t she busy being a detective or something?” In response, the shapeshifter smirks a little. “She wants you precisely for that reason. You were in that Wan Sui tower, weren’t you?”
Fuck. It all seems to circle right back to that. “I told you your actions had consequences.” Cube! Can it! I have to find out what this crazy thing wants! “Sure, sounds good. If you need me, I’ll just pop right back up.” He disappears into the wall. It’s just me and this shapeshifter.
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“Yeah, I was there,” I respond to them. “So, since I can put two and fucking two together, I’m guessing that she wants me to fill her in on anything I know?” Caitlyn, or whatever their name is, nods. “You are correct. I intend to bring you to her. You will be unharmed, as long as you comply.”
I scoff, standing myself back up. If I have to fight this bitch, I will. “Why the hell do you even care?” I ask. “Is she your girlfriend or something?” To my surprise, Caitlyn stats to lightly laugh. “Evania Searcher is a person I’ve been stalking for a very long time. In fact, I was hired to kill her.”
Caitlyn paces the room like an author who just can’t stop talking. “Miss Searcher is a rational person driven by something so irrational: that being the search for the truth. She doesn’t care about justice. She doesn’t care about money. She doesn’t even care about her own life. So long as she’s alive, she’ll continue searching for the truth.” Caitlyn turns to me, their face in a crooked smile only a monster could make. “I’ve killed many people. Never enjoyed it. But to see someone like Searcher do something they truly believe in? I can’t help but feel inspired.”
“Wow,” I scoff. “So you’re in love with Evania Searcher?” To my surprise, they just nod and admit it straight up. “She does not know who I am, and she has not met me face to face. But I’m sure one day, she and I will be allowed to cross paths. You will be the one to ensure that.” Yeah, fuck that.
But before I can even step back, the window shatters as something plops right into the room. Flashbang. It explodes and shatters every one of my senses. Since I’m a cyborg, the damage is multiplied tenfold as my brain feels like it’s being ripped into shreds. But since I can’t feel pain, I’m still able to form coherent thoughts.
When I finally come to, I find my body behind cover as Caitlyn shoots at what looks like Wan Sui agents. The sound of clanging metal can be heard as the bullets rip straight through their enhancements. I try to get up, but the stun grenade has made my limbs numb. I guess these Wan Sui fuckers know how to play when it comes to a cyborg.
I look at the weapon that Caitlyn uses. It’s this semi-automatic rifle that’s full of different attachments. A scope to see targets. A grip to maintain stability. A laser sight that be easily turned on and off. Even a tablet that automatically measures the distance from the target. This woman, or guy, or thing is a clear professional.
“What the hell are your pronouns?” I ask them. My brain still feels groggy, and I kinda just wanna lean back and take a nap. As they get back to cover and reload, they finally answer me. “You can call me he, she, or they. I kill people, so I don’t care much about your preference.” Yeah, fair enough.
I manage to get the coordination and energy to stand back up. Damn, that’s a whole lot of Wan Sui troopers trying to bust in. I can see prositutes and junkies being forced to evacuate the building as Richard, this place’s owner, is being held at gunpoint. He just gives me a light shrug. Business is business, I guess.
We’re making it from cover to cover as my speed’s but cut into a complete fraction. In all honest, this is my first time getting a flash grenade, and it feels like a horrid hangover multiplied with the flu. “Are you getting it now? You’re not invincible, Anna. You can still be destroyed and put into scrap.” Yeah Cube. But just shut the fuck up for now.
Caitlyn gets out her phone and presses a couple buttons. Soon after, I hear a car roaring through the streets. It rams right through a couple of Wan Sui cyborgs, crushing their metal skulls with its metal frame. Call that chrome on chrome violence. “Not very funny, Anna. And definitely not the time.” Let me laugh Cube. Let me laugh.
The car’s on the surface, but we’re on the second floor. I think you can see where there’s a bit of a problem. “Can you walk?” Caitlyn asks me. I shake my head like a baby. “Ma ma. Carry me.” I hold out my arms and they actually grab and carry me. This is so funny.
“Anna, are you okay? I’m seeing levels of strange activity in your brain?” Goo goo gaa gaa. I’m a baby. Waah! “The stun grenade must’ve done a number on you. You may be feeling the effects that one would receive from depressants.” Ken! Why are you yelling at me?
As Caitlyn puts me in the car, Ken gives me a weird look, like I’m some kind of crazy lady. “Do you still see me as Ken?” Of course Kenny! You’re my favorite person in the whole wide big wide world! “Just try and sober yourself up. You’re still in the woods and something can happen.”
You know Ken, when you said I didn’t kiss anyone in high school, it was true. In fact, I was just trying to save my first kiss to be with you. “Anna… I… I don’t know what you want me to say. Ken’s dead. You told me yourself.” Why are you talking so funny? I’m just saying you were so nice to me and always seemed to be around me. I thought you were a dweeb, but you were also so smart and so cute! “Anna. Please. I’m seeing your mental levels right now and they’re not good. Please catch your senses.” Ken, I think I love you. Why are you starting to cry Ken?
Then there’s a big thump on the front of the car. Caitlyn looks worried. Standing on our bumper is a large monster with metal instead of skin. He looks like a robot from a movie. “Anna! That’s the cyborg from Wan Sui tower! The one who killed Wan Sui! You’ve seen what that bastard can do!” I like it when you talk Ken. You’re so cute. “Damn it, Anna! You’re stupid when you’re sober, can you be smart when you’re fucking stunned?”
Caitlyn breaks the window and jumps out of the car. She’s running. Ma ma, stop running! “She’s not your fucking mother! I know I never lose my fucking temper, but you’re pushing it! Anna! Get a hold of yourself!” I think ma ma cares more about herself. She doesn’t care about me or Adam. That’s why she’s in China and not here.
“Anna. Do you remember when you grabbed me and escaped Wan Sui Tower? You had to switch your controls over to me so I could get you out safely! You got that? So listen carefully! I need you to let me take control so I can save you! If not, this guy can pummel you into oblivion! You can survive bullets, but you won’t be able to survive this metal warrior!”
Hmm… let me think about that. “He’s breaking the window! Shit! You’re lucky this is bullet proof glass! Say the following statement: I accept the C.U.B.E. to switch to auxilary controls!” Ken, why are you talking so funny? “Do it, or you’re going to die!” I wish I could’ve said goodbye to you, Ken. “Please! I don’t want you to die!” I… accept the C.U.B.E. to switch to auxilary controls.
Systems transferring. Human persona successfully transfered. C.U.B.E. auxilary intelligence properly transferred. Securing data. Checking systems for corruption. No errors. System properly switched to auxilary controls.
The metal knight shatters the glass, and I lunge towards him as soon as I can. I activate the sword and try and jam it into his armpit. But as I try and thrust it inside, the unarmed warrior launches a devastating kick that launches me into a building.
Children are screaming. Adults are running. I’m trying to regain my posture. At the very least, Anna isn’t behind the wheel with her inebriated brain. I can’t let her die. I have to find a way to escape, but the only way to do that is by getting through this big thing.
He walks into the crumbled room with his footsteps being loud and powerful. “You have the chip. The company would like its chip.” He doesn’t even seem to care that Anna was present when the assassination took place. He cares a lot more about the chip we took, more than antyhing. Interesting. I will have to let Anna know that when I let her back in control.
He punches and I barely dodge out of the way. The metal warrior creates a denting hole that cracks throughout the building. This isn’t just a cyborg, this is a complete demon put into code and machine. “If I give you the chip, can you promise to leave us alone?” I ask.
The cyborg shakes his head. “I cannot allow that to happen. You have seen far too much, and are now a liability.” At least he’s honest. We can rule surrender out of our options. Acting quickly, I grab a pole from the ground and jam it into his knee with all the power I have in my systems. Success.
It lodges a few inches inside, and I take the chance to run. I run far from the metal warrior as I hear the police on their way to the area. I climb buildings and run along them as I evade the eyes of any possible onlookers. I want to keep Anna safe.
When I finally stop, I let the body regain its energy as I sit myself on a roof. We finally made it. God, that entire situation gave me a heart attack. Well, if I had a heart I’d have a heart attack. I think Anna would find that joke funny.