“God damn it, boy! Can’t you do anything?" the foreman bellowed, his voice ringing across the room. His backhand landed hard, and my cheek stung, the heat spreading as it flushed bright red. Around me, the clatter of tools and voices fell silent.
I was supposed to fix his gun, but I couldn’t help myself. Out of spite, I made sure it would backfire the next time he fired it. That’s what he gets for being a bastard.
He raised his hand again, and I shut my eyes, bracing for another blow. But it didn’t come.
When I opened them, Senna was standing in front of me, his broad shoulders blocking the foreman. He didn’t flinch, even as the foreman towered over him.
"Out of the way, Senna! Or do you want to take the runt’s place?" the foreman snarled.
Senna rubbed his face, staring him down. "I’ll take my chances."
Why is he doing this? I never asked for this.
Before either of them could take it further, Ev stepped between them. "Hey, mister. What if I fix your gun and repair your old jukebox? Will you let this go?"
Senna scowled. "What? No! I won—"
"Shut up," Ev muttered, slapping her hand over his mouth and shoving him back.
The foreman eyed them both, his lips twisting like he was chewing on the idea. Finally, he scratched at his scraggly beard. "Fine. I want both of them fixed before inspection." Leaning in close, he growled, "Understand?"
Ev smiled like she hadn’t just defused a fight. "Of course, mister. I’ll do my best."
The foreman gave us one last look before turning and shoving his way through the workers. "Fucking street rats," he muttered. "All of you, get back to work!"
I glared after him as the room slowly came back to life, the hum of machines and clatter of tools picking up again.
Senna turned to me, his face tight with anger. "Do you realize how close you were to being beaten to death?" His voice wavered with concern as he gripped my shoulders and gave me a small shake.
I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "If it's today or tomorrow, who cares? No machine rat like us lives that long anyway."
It was the truth. Kids like us were tools, patching up their poorly designed machines. Cheap, disposable, and small enough to squeeze into the spaces that adults couldn't. Spaces that claimed too many lives.
Senna scoffed, shaking his head. "If you really wanted to die, you'd have jumped into the melter. At least that would’ve been quick."
Before I could respond, he ruffled my hair, and Ev pinched my cheek. "Now I have to work the weekend, brat. You better make it up to me when we get home!"
"I'm sure he will," Ev chimed in, grinning. "Right, Jack?"
I squirmed as Senna leaned in, his expression uncomfortably close to smug. It wasn’t my fault the foreman was a jerk. He got exactly what he deserved.
Senna’s gaze bored into the back of my skull. Goddamnit. "Fine," I muttered. "Just don’t complain if it doesn’t work right."
Ev’s grease-covered face lit up, and Senna smiled, patting me on the head. "When have you ever accidentally made something faulty?"
"I—you never know! There’s always a chance it might, uh, blow up or something. You know."
"Say, Senna! Whaddya think Jack’s gonna make me this time? A new hat? Ooh, ooh! A necklace?! Wait! Maybe a gramophone!"
"You’ll find out when you get it! Stop guessing!"
"Was I close? Wait, which one? Was it the necklace?"
"No."
"Hat?"
"No."
"Gramophone?"
"For the last time, no!”
When our shift ended, we all filed into the large train that would take us home. The cargo cars filled up fast, bodies pressing together in the cramped space. The three of us stuck close as the others jostled for room. It was always like this—tight, uncomfortable, suffocating.
A station guard slammed the door shut, plunging us into darkness.
The car shuddered as the train lurched forward. I passed the time listening to the rhythmic clunking of the wheels as they rolled over rail joints. The ride to and from the industrial district was always silent, the kind of silence I didn’t mind. It lets me think—or not think.
After a while, the train began to stop intermittently. We were in the slums now. An hour and a half—almost the exact same time as always. A few seconds longer, maybe. Most people who lived here dreamed of escaping. But not me. For better or worse, this was home.
At the final stop, the cargo door screeched open, letting the orange glow of the station lamps spill into the nearly empty car. I squinted at the light, scanning the faces left inside. One… three… five. My stomach twisted as I silently prayed for the ones who didn’t make it back.
The three of us hopped down onto the crumbling train platform. Cracks lined the seams, and random holes gaped into pure darkness—new ones appeared almost every week. I grabbed Ev’s hand as we stepped into the worst place in the city.
This was Purgatory. A place where no one cared about kids like us—or anyone like us. We kept our heads down, moving quickly past shops, brothels, and street peddlers. Attention here wasn’t just bad—it was dangerous. We were offered everything as we walked from opioids to questionable “meat” skewers that I wouldn’t touch even on my worst day.
Eventually, we made the final turn into an alleyway and descended a damp, shadowy set of stairs. The air grew colder with each step, and a faint sound of dripping water echoed around us. The stairs spilled onto a winding street—a tangled maze that could confuse anyone who didn't belong here.
I gazed upon the towering structures clinging to the massive stalagmites that hung from the cavern ceiling. These were the homes of the so-called powerful of this shitty place. This was the real Purgatory, the facade upstairs was just the welcome mat.
Purgatory was built in the ruins of an abandoned mine, it seemed like the rich folk of Remfall had forgotten it ever existed. And maybe they had. Here, murderous thieves and cutthroats lingered around every corner, their eyes always watching.
And yet, somehow this was home.
We moved quickly through the narrow streets, dodging drunks and addicts slumped against the grimy walls. The air reeked of sweat, alcohol, and the faint metallic tang of freshly spilled blood. Finally, we stopped at an inconspicuous crack in the ground near the edge of the city. Senna glanced around, his sharp eyes scanning for anyone watching, then motioned for us to go inside.
I crawled through the narrow opening, the suffocating darkness giving way to a dimly lit room. It was larger than you’d expect, our little hideout. Carved out of the rock and patched together with whatever scraps we could find, frayed wires dangled from the only light source hanging in the center of the room. The floor was a patchwork of rugs and old blankets, their edges fraying but still doing their job of keeping the cold rock warm. Along one side of the room, a collection of mismatched crates of scavenged furniture. A rusted metal barrel in the corner doubled as a makeshift stove
Mae was curled up on the rug, fast asleep. She had just turned 6—or at least we thought so. Her tiny chest rose and fell with steady breaths. She looked so peaceful, so….vulnerable.
“MAE, WAKE UP! MAE, WAKE UP! MAE, WAKE UP!”
Her emerald green eyes snapped open, darting around in panic. “W-W-What?”
I shrugged. “Just letting you know we’re back.”
She blinked, then grabbed her teddy bear and chucked it at my head. It hit dead-on, making me stumble. I wasn’t strong, not even close to average. Just a scrawny, fragile kid who looked like he might keel over at any second.
Mae hummed, looking smug as she leaned back. “Gotcha again!”
I rubbed my face, glaring at her as my annoyance simmered. “Just you wait, you’ll be just like me next year.”
Her smile faltered, the shift in her expression so sudden it almost caught me off guard. She grew quiet, her long black hair falling across her face like a veil, hiding the look in her eyes.
Senna picked up her bear. “Time for bed. Come along.” His voice was soft but firm as he led Mae into our makeshift bedroom. I watched them disappear into the shadows, my stomach tightening. No dinner tonight, huh? I sighed. Wouldn’t be the first time, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be the last.
Ev’s eager eyes followed me as I turned in the opposite direction. I shook my head, brushing her off, and made my way down an old, narrow tunnel. The air grew colder as it opened into a massive crevice.
I grabbed the lighter I kept on my workbench, the edges worn soft from years of use, and struck a match. The first lamp flared to life, its warm glow spilling across the room and illuminating my little workshop.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
One by one I lit the lamps scattered around, their light casting shadows on the rocky walls. The space slowly transformed, revealing the organized chaos I called my own. Scrap metal, gears, and half finished projects were strewn across the floor and workbenches, some piled high. This was my sanctuary. The one place where I could be free from the noise of the world outside to create to my heart's content.
I plopped down at my workbench, already annoyed. Another gift for Ev, huh? Wasn’t she happy enough with those gloves I made her? She wore them every day. I sat there in silence for a few minutes, my mind blank, the frustration bubbling up.
“She comes down here often enough,” I muttered to myself. “She could learn to make something on her own.”
Still, I sighed and started tinkering. A hat, right? She’d been begging for one. Over the next two hours, I crafted a pair of identical wide-brimmed black hats. I finished hers first, adding a gold metal V to the front. As I glanced at mine, guilt gnawed at me. It didn’t feel right, only making things for us.
I rolled my chair over to the table on my right, where unfinished projects had gathered dust. Among them was a fancy box containing a pair of daggers. Ev had swiped them from some big-shot statesman in Remfall—she had a habit of grabbing shiny things and running. I picked one up, tracing a finger along the blade’s edge.
“Damn it!” I hissed as it nicked me. Blood welled up from the cut, and I quickly sucked my finger to keep it from dripping. Maybe I should give these to Mae. The thought made me smirk despite the sting. She’s been wanting her own weapons for awhile now.
Mae, then, I thought, wincing. Since she likes to drain the life out of me.
I turned my attention to another project—a weapon I’d been making for Senna. It was a long-range pistol designed for precise accuracy. I haven't tested it yet, but it should work. I gave the sleek black-and-red gun a final once-over, checking the time.
Yawning, I stretched out the knots in my back and rubbed at my tired eyes. It was late. I shuffled back through the tunnel, exhaustion weighing me down.
The three of them were already asleep by the time I slipped into bed. The moment my head hit the pillow, I drifted off.
Morning came far too soon, I had woken to the soft sound of Mae humming, her tiny hands busy doodling on my face. Groaning, I turned toward the clock. It was 1:30. I slept half the day away.
Mae frowned, frustrated as my movements disrupted her latest masterpiece. “Stop moving so much!” she huffed, her expression was tense as she continued her work.
I sighed inwardly, my entire body aching from two grueling weeks of work. “Senna?” I asked, closing my right eye as she drew around it.
“Something about meeting Frankie One-Eye,” she replied absentmindedly, her brow tightened in concentration. “All done!”
Another job for Senna? That could only mean one thing: good food might finally be on the horizon. My stomach growled, and a wicked grin spread across my face as I imagined something warm and flavorful for dinner. Mae tilted her head, confused at first, but when I broke into a chuckle, she joined me, her laughter filling the room. Neither of us had a clue why the other was laughing, but it didn’t matter. For a moment, we were just two fools, lost in shared glee.
The clock ticked on, now 1:34. I suddenly remembered the hats. They weren’t finished yet. I groaned, forcing myself out of bed. “I’m going to see the Rani twins. I’ll be back in a bit,” I said, grabbing a black cloak to cover myself.
“Jack, wait!” Mae called after me. I stopped near the entrance, raising an eyebrow. She was doing her best to keep a straight face but succumbed to giggles. “Never mind!” she managed between fits of laughter.
Was I missing something? Shaking my head, I dismissed the thought. Crawling out of the hideout, I moved carefully to avoid being seen.
Donning the cloak, I stuck to the shadows as I navigated the outskirts of Purgatory. The Rani twins were children of the infamous Rose Thorn and a man known as “The Claw.” At least, that’s what Donrani claimed.
I made my way through the grimy streets past a group of drunks in the middle of Purgatory when a familiar voice called out, stopping me in my tracks. Before I could turn around, a pack of rats darted across my feet, their scruffy bodies weaving through the gaps in the cobblestones before vanishing alleyway. I jumped, my heart skipping a beat at the sudden rush of movement.
Just then, a faint, familiar scent wafted through the air, cutting through the grime and staleness of the market. Peppermint, the sharp smell stood out against the usual smells of rust and decay
“You alright, kiddo? Splicers and Rat Catchers round these parts. Kid like you could end up missin.” a powerful, familiar voice boomed behind me. I spun around, startled, to find Frankie standing there, his single eye gleaming with amusement.
“Well, if it ain’t Jackie boy!” he said, a broad grin spreading across his face. “Ha!”
“Hey, Frankie,” I muttered, forcing a smile as my gaze darted to the empty space where his right eye should’ve been. He’d never told me how he’d lost it, and I wasn’t about to ask now.
“How’s that inventor sister of yours? Bet she’s got you running all over town collecting scraps for another one of her inventions,” he chuckled.
I scratched my cheek sheepishly. “I, um… accidentally got in trouble with the foreman, and she saved me by promising to work this weekend.”
Frankie cracked his knuckles. “What’s the name of this foreman? Perhaps I should pay him a visit.”
His friendly tone didn’t match the implication at all. I couldn’t help but briefly imagine what life would be like if the foreman weren’t around.
“Foreman Bulatta,” I said quickly.
Frankie’s face twitched. “Is that right…hmm” he said slowly. I blinked, tilting my head. Did he know Bulatta?
“Hey, Jack, did your sister ever consider my offer?”
I blinked again. What offer?
Frankie glanced around the area, then leaned in. “Y’know, considering how I took care of you kids, she should definitely accept my offer. A finder’s fee for a kid like her is quite the payday. She has a chance at a better life—something many here would kill for.”
He sighed when he noticed my increasingly confused expression. I had no idea what he was talking about, so I forced a smile.
“Look, Jack, just tell her to come see me tonight before it’s too late.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of candy. “Best be on your way, Jackie boy.”
Any lingering thoughts left my head as I greedily grabbed the candy. I popped it into my mouth, savoring the sweetness. “Okay. See ya later, Frankie!” I waved as I jogged away.
It wasn’t long before I found myself standing outside Lock&Key, a bar named after the twins’ parents. I pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with rough, dangerous-looking people. They all abruptly stopped what they were doing and gave me weird looks.
Why is everyone acting like they haven't seen a machine rat? I come here all the time—Pulling my hood lower, I kept my head down and made my way toward the back. I ignored the nasty comments some of the patrons muttered as I passed. Stopping before the two men guarding the back door, I waited as they gave me a quick once-over. Without a word, they stepped aside, allowing me to pass.
Upon seeing me, Serrani’s face lit up. “Jack! What are you doing here?”
The muffled thrum of music filtered in from the next room—probably Donrani blasting his tunes as usual. I smiled like an idiot, my heart skipping a beat. Serrani sure was pretty.
Serrani had a striking presence that was hard to ignore. Her dark brown hair framed her face in soft waves, a few loose strands always escaping whatever attempt she made to tie it back. Her sharp, almond-shaped eyes seemed to notice everything. Her light blue apron held snug on her wiry frame, practical yet somehow elegant, much like the one she carried herself.
“Are you… alright?” she asked, her voice soft as she leaned closer, poking my cheek.
I jumped back, clearing my throat. “Doing awesome!” I replied, a little too loudly.
LOSER! I screamed at myself internally. “Doing awesome?” Could I be more lame?
Serrani tilted her head, her curious gaze locked on mine. She rested a finger on her bottom lip, the sight of her mouth making her difficult to look at. “Hmm… if you say so.”
My eyes betrayed me, lingering onto her finger as it brushed against her lips. Lips. She’s definitely got really nice—Focus, Jack! I chastised myself, dragging my gaze away.
“Do you know where I can find a pair of flat steel discs about… this big?” I asked, holding my hands about a foot and a half apart. If she could point me in the right direction, it would save me a lot of trouble scavenging around. Besides, I wanted to make it back before Senna and Ev did. I didn’t like the idea of leaving Mae alone until midnight again.
Serrani stood gracefully, brushing off her pants as if the motion itself were effortless. “Come with me. I know a place.”
I nodded eagerly, Please don't be far.
Unfortunately, it was. She led me halfway across the city to a mechanic’s shop, where the owner looked less than thrilled about parting with two perfectly good steel plates. Luckily for me, Serrani had brought bodyguards. The burly men at her side ensured that any would-be thieves or troublemakers kept their distance.
We eventually stopped at a small bridge. Serrani paused there, scanning the area. Due to who she was—or, more likely, who her family was—there were certain places she couldn’t be seen. I never fully understood the reasons, but I figured it was some kind of adult rule I didn’t need to question.
I adjusted my grip on the plates, double-checking to make sure they were secure. “Alright. See ya later, Serra!” I said, turning to leave.
“Jack, wait! I have something to tell you.” I was halfway across the bridge when Serrani called out to me
Her gloomy expression stopped me in my tracks, my stomach twisting with unease. It was the kind of look people had when they said goodbye.
“I’m leaving next week.” she said, her voice quiet. “Mom and Dad are splitting Don and I up. They’re sending me to Remfall University.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Can you imagine that? Me, living it up with a bunch of Ringers.”
I couldn’t. Not even for a second. I stood there frozen, a half-baked smile plastered on my face as her words sank in. This wasn’t fair.
“W-why… why are you leaving?” I stammered, my voice shaky as I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat.
“Dad says our enemies will start becoming bolder soon,” she said, walking over to lean against the bridge railing. Her gaze drifted to the flowing stream below, her eyes glossy, lost in thought. “So he’s sending us somewhere they can’t reach.”
I didn’t want her to leave. I never told her how I felt. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to build half of the things I’d worked on. She was the spark that made everything possible.
I shook my head, trying to push the weight of her words aside. “Then let’s make it like, totally the most fun day ever!”
She smiled, her expression softening, and for a moment, the tension between us lifted. “I know just the place. There’s a concert being held at the Works. Meet me there at seven.” She paused, her eyes narrowing playfully. “You’re not going to stand me up again, are you?”
Again? What did she mean by that? Panic flared, and I quickly nodded my head. “Mmm-mmm, I promise.”
She mumbled something under her breath—something I couldn’t quite catch—then leaned in and kissed my cheek. I froze, staring down at the steel plates in my hands and cursing their very existence. My first kiss! How can this day be so amazing and horrible at the same time?
Serrani giggled, spinning on her heel. “Better be there, Jack. Oh, and tell Mae she’s getting better!”
Before I could respond, she and her escorts disappeared into the bustling crowd of civilians, leaving me standing there, rooted to the spot, with a racing heart and a million thoughts swirling in my head.
What does she mean, Mae’s getting better? I thought, turning the phrase over in my head. Her comment didn’t make sense—at least not at first.
As I was walking back—I glanced down at a puddle on the ground. My reflection stared back at me, complete with the ridiculous doodles Mae had drawn on my face.
My cheeks burned, turning bright red with embarrassment. Oh no…