Vicki angrily stomped and tied her shoes in an aggressive manner.

“Hey, calm down. He doesn’t own you, he’s just concerned.” Dee said

“I know he means well, but I have to get out of here and just be away from this house. If he won’t go with me, I’ll go alone. I actually feel fantastic, better than normal. The meds are amazing on this world and aside from boredom and missing real food, I feel healthy. I just wanna meet some people and dance and stretch my legs. You know it’s bad when I, the antisocial girl, needs to get out and meet people.”

“Vicki…don’t drink or eat anything. Just eat your goop and then go have fun, but be safe. Gizzy said it was dangerous.” Said Dee as Vicki showed her the purse full of mace, protein goop tubes, her phone, a pocket knife and a bottle of sealed and approved water.

“Don’t tell anyone, I’ll be gone for like 2 hours.”

“And Jack won’t look for you?” she asked as Hyde entered the area, carrying a large briefcase.

“Well, as Gizzy recommended, he’s locked in our room while he sleeps.”

“Okay well if you need anything, we’re gonna be in the sex room, but our phones are on loud, and we’ll stop whatever we’re doing and get you. Just take it easy.” She said as they hugged and headed down the tunnel. Vicki waved them as they branched off, her heading straight and past the arcade. She got her keycard and scanned her way through, taking a nervous breath, first time alone in the depths of the tunnels and a long walk to get to the populated areas.

She carried onward as the sound of music gradually increased and finally a barricade door with a bouncer sitting in a chair, stirring awake as she approached.

“We’re at capacity. Sorry.”

“I’m alone, I walked 3 blocks to get here, and I have cancer.”

“Shit, yea, go on in.” he said, ignoring the very loose policy. Her blood-red hair glistened even in the dim lights as she explored, music changing and pockets of people moving about. A variety of little bars and food stands staring at her like a temptation, but the music drawing her ever onward and down into the depths. She reached an area that felt right, alien techno trance, dim lighting and a high-ceiling area with wide space and numerous people dancing and socializing.

Dee got out the gear from the briefcase as Hyde pounded about 5 shots of espresso in preparation for pounding Dee.

“We got everything?” she asked.

“The kit, the safety gear, phones are full power and turned up, doors locked.”

“Table.” She said, hopping up and undressing quickly.”

“This is the privacy we needed.” He smiled.

“This is the social place I needed!” Vicki hollered, sipping her water and talking to a young man and his lady friend.

“So you designed this dress?” she asked.

“I do that for a living. I gotta represent the brand, you know? The heels, the dress, the necklace, the purse, all on sale.”

“You gotta give me a discount code.” the girl smiled.

“Hey, it’s kinda loud inhere, you wanna go to a quieter place?” the guy asked.

“Actually I know a place, it’s an arcade, but it’s currently private invite.” Vicki hollered.

“Perfect. Maybe next time your boyfriend can come too, shame he’s a bit overprotective.”

“Oh, he’s just locked away with his work at the moment.” Vicki joked.

Jack sluggishly tried to open the door, unable and resorting to his bag of imaginary lock picks, crouching down and air-picking the handle, totally asleep.

They stepped into the arcade, the lights flickering up with power as the jingle of the slot machines echoed in the back rooms.

“I’m gonna use the restroom, you two just make yourselves at home for a minute.” Vicki encouraged, heading to the restroom. She checked her makeup and downed a tube of protein goop, feeling absolutely starving all of a sudden. Or was it thirst? She chased it with half the water bottle contents and shook it off, heading back out and going for the jukebox.

“So how long have you two been together? Jack and I have been dating for years.” She said picking a song and looking for them, around the corner was the young man making himself a cocktail.

“Oh, not very long. She actually decided to head home.” He said as Vicki peaked and noticed her leaving with a handful of cash.

“Oh. Well, maybe we should head back, too.” Vicki muttered.

“No, it’s fine. We’re adults here, we can do what we want. That’s the point of the club's opening. Get out, have fun, no curfew. No more rules.”

“What did you say she did for a living?” Vicki asked.

“Oh, this and that.” He answered suspiciously.

“She’s a hooker, isn’t she?” Vicki said, looking annoyed. “You think I’m a hooker? I sell clothing, but you get it in the mail, not directly off of me.”

“Well, I was looking to get some action for cash, but she wasn’t really keeping my interest. You are far more fascinating.” he smiled, in a way that may have been charming in less creepy circumstances.

“And I have a boyfriend.” she reminded.

“Sure you do, that’s why you’re here alone wearing your merch and talking to strangers. Look, I get it. You’re not anyone’s property, you’re not for sale, you’re just out having fun, that’s all we’re doing.” He said, sliding her a drink.

“Water only.” She smiled. “And I’m monogamous. I talked to you because I thought you were a couple, if I realized you were alone, I wouldn’t have brought you here. Sorry, but you got the wrong idea, slick.”

“I’m just having a drink and some conversation with an interesting person. Don’t make it complicated and sinister.”

Dee grunted and scrunched her face.

“Easy there Hyde, you’re getting heavy.” She said as he slowly began to slump forward. “Hyde?” she asked. His hands began sliding away as she realized he was falling sleep. She scrambled to get out of the way as he flattened out, pinning her legs down.”

“Hyde… I swear, you better not be asleep…damnit.” She muttered, unable to get her legs out. She grabbed his antler, twisting with all her might, and realizing over a third of a ton of limp mass doesn’t move easily unless it’s trying to. “Hyde, you dickhead, wake up.” She said, smacking his head with an open palm and accomplishing nothing. “Okay, calm down, Dee. He’ll wake up in like 10 minutes, and he’s gonna be on bottom for the rest of this adventure. Live and learn." She said, impatiently drumming on his head. She scooted and grabbed her phone just in case, checking the battery life and switching to Sugar Mountain Moble, figuring at least one of them could actively score and have some fun. “Oh, you’re snoring now, great.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“You really do some amazing work. That dress is stunning. Or maybe you just model it well.” Said the young man, getting awkwardly close to Vicki.

“I really should head home.” She insisted.

“I thought you weren’t anyone’s property, but you have 20 minutes of free time and a compliment and you gotta run back to the boyfriend who won't even go out with you?”

“It’s not like that.” she insisted.

“Prove it. You got what 5-6 songs on the juke box left? Finish your set, hands to myself, just talk. Here, finish your water, no booze no expectations, just two people having a conversation. Or are you so tethered to your man you aren’t even allowed to speak to people alone?” he asked. She glanced at her water, taking it out of his hand and noticing the slightest hint of effervescence to it. She was thirsty, but not thirsty enough to get roofied.

“Maybe if you sober up a little. You could use the hydration more than me.” She insisted, passing it back. He took it, looking reluctant to drink.

“More of a soda kinda guy myself.” He said, heading to the vending machine. She shook the water, clearly noticing a fizzy residue that wasn’t there before. She picked up her phone and palmed her pocket knife in the other hand.

“Pick up Dee. Hey, can you meet me at the arcade?”

“Yea, I am sort of…stuck.” Dee sighed.

“Gross, this is serious, I got a creepy guy I think might follow me.”

“No, literally stuck. Hyde blacked out on my legs, I can’t budge or feel them. Just leave and keep walking, you got mace and a knife.” And when you get here, help roll this heavy bastard off me.” She insisted. Dee’s stomach gurgled harshly. “Oh no…maybe powerwalk down here.” She said getting nervous. Vicki turned and headed to the exit, the young man rushing in front of her and blocking the way.

“I gotta go. Friend emergency.” Vicki said sternly.

“Now, I’m trying to be nice about this. But you just keep lying and refusing to even give me a chance. That’s just rude.” said the stranger.

“I’m not lying, my friend is stuck, she needs help.”

"Well, your friend may have to wait a minute because we got 5 songs left, and you made a deal. Don't give me the bullshit excuses about your fr-" he said as she clicked the knife open.

"Move the fuck out of my way, asshole." She said darkly.

"Oh, you wanna play like that, bitch? You could have just insisted. But you pulled a weapon on me?" he said, stepping closer, and Vicki held the knife out just as a sudden rush of heat hit her face, her eyes burning and dropping her purse to cover them.

"You think a guy doesn't carry pepper spray too? There's a lot of dangerous shit on this moon." He said as she waved the blade blindly in the direction of his voice. A hand grabbed her wrist and control of the knife as she stumbled and fell, pulling him down beside her. Without warning some form of instinct kicked in, and she flipped him like a rag doll into the door, rolling to all fours and letting out a growl, as she forced through the pain to find her blurry target.

"Strong little bitch. Fine, there's the door. You should have no trouble patting your way home without your purse or phone. He scoffed.

"You're not going home." She growled, her eyes turning a shade of red to match her hair. She let out a salivating hiss and lunged at him, raking her nails over his face and scratching him like an animal, overpowering his struggling and barely feeling the punch to the ribs he feebly delivered. For some reason, she dropped down and sunk her teeth into his neck as he yelled for help.

"HELP! I'm stuck under a thousand pound cow and I have to shit!" Dee barked loudly. She frantically texted Nicole and waited for a reply, she texted Mel and waited. Oh my god, Vicki, move faster!" she frantically hollered, punching Hyde's head like a pumpkin with a similar thump.

Vicki sat against the wall, shaking and confused, covered in blood and still blurry eyed. She stumbled to the bar and began drenching herself in club soda, trying to get the stains off her skin and rubbing her eyes. She grabbed her purse and phone, scrambling to the exit and turning around, kicking the key card lock to break it, so nobody could go inside and find the dead guy. She darted down the hallway and stumbled past the sex room, getting back up and opening the door with her card.

"I'm here, hang on!" Vicki yelled.

"Little late, actually." Dee said, sounding defeated.

"I can't see, I got something in my eyes.

"That's probably for the best." Dee said, fading to a sniffle as they both grabbed Hyde's horn and yanked enough to get her loose.

"Um..." Vicki said awkwardly,

"Don't say it...are you covered in blood?" she said, changing tones.

"No, it's red wine, there was a fight that broke out, and I got...just don't say anything."

"So you're okay then, you're fine?" Dee asked skeptically.

"Yea, I'll be okay." Vicki blinked.

"Maybe just...head on out. I got it from here. Let's not even talk about any of this."

"Great idea, nothing happened, nobody even left."

"Fantastic. So bye." Dee said insistently as Vicki shuffled away, glad she couldn't see much of anything. She closed the door and slowly walked her way back to the mansion. She almost made it to the junction between the homes as a blurry figure came running towards her. She didn't even need to see, to know if was him. She ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"Jack, I need help." She sobbed.

"Oh my god, are you hurt?"

"No," she said, closing her eyes. "It's not my blood. But we have a problem, and we need to go to the arcade right now." She insisted.

"Let me get some supplies." He said, oddly calm, turning back and double-checking to see if she was okay, assured with a nod.

She sat on the ground, dressed in casual clothing, next to a bucket of soapy water, her hair freshly sink-washed and a bottle of water in her hand as Jack paced the bar area, phone in his hand.

"Yea, I got a situation. It's under control, but I need a delivery to pick up a cooler containing...medical supplies. They need to be iced immediately." He insisted. "Thanks. We'll wait."

"Jack, I'm so sorry." She said in a daze.

"Don't apologize for defending yourself. I'm just glad you're safe. Did he hurt you...in any way?" he asked.

"Just the pepper spray and what I did to my nails" she said, holding up her hands to reveal several broken nails and both hands shaking.

"You did good, Vicki. You're a tough girl. I just don't know why you snuck out without me."

"Because you would have said I'm too sick to be out. Clearly, I didn't need to be out alone for different reasons, but I'm not too sick."

"How do you feel?" he said, finishing the mopping.

"Shaken up but physically okay. Jack, I killed someone."

"Welcome to the club." He sighed.

"Jack I'm not a trained professional. Shooting bugs and targets is one thing, I killed a human being."

"That wasn't a human being, Vicki. That was a predator that fucked with the wrong prey. If you didn't kill him, I would have. And your way may have been sloppy, but mine would have been slower and just as messy. Things happen, and you survive, you get used to it. You did what you had to do, and I'm proud of you and so glad you didn't get hurt. Obviously, the meds are working well, and your training soaked in, otherwise this could have been a lot worse."

"What do I do now?" she asked, looking ghostly pale and lost on every level.

"Well, you do what I do. You go home, you shower, you...fuck you can't have a drink. So I guess you're just...I don't know. My usual solution involves bourbon and meditation, but that's not gonna be an option. I guess you just do whatever you need to. You didn't eat or drink anything tonight, did you?"

"No...I brought my own stuff. Otherwise, no food or drinks." She said, debating on the technicality, still trying to wash the metallic taste from her mouth.

"That's good. I think you'll be okay. You just need some time. Now let's head home. The delivery service will take care of the cooler and the rest of the cleaning.

"What would I do without you?"

"You'd stop talking and learn to become a parrot who answers every question with the word "lawyer" and then hope the process works like it should. Vicki, I am so proud of you. You didn't do anything wrong. You did something a little untrusting at the beginning that lead to some bad luck, but I forgive you, and we learn and move on. All you did was get scared and cooped up and make a lapse in judgment. We all do that under pressure, and you have been under a ton of pressure and some serious shit."

"Maybe still less than Dee." She muttered. "Never mind, I didn't say that. Ignore the nonsense. Hey Jack. Let's; not mention the details to Gizzy. I would prefer this stay quiet as possible."

RoboGizzy sat in the combination Confessional, Interrogation and therapy closet with Jack in the other chair.

"So...fun night?" she asked.

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

"You say that, but you called me."

"Well, I can't access the surface for body disposal, so I guess I needed you for that part. It's nothing serious."

"Details, motherfucker." she yawned.

"We went to the club, we brought back a friend we met. He locked the bathroom door on me and tried to roofie Vicki. She fought him off, I kicked the door down and he drew a knife. After that, it was standard operations and cleanup. She's fine, I'm fine. And some shitbag won't be assaulting anyone tomorrow. Case closed.

"Boy, it's weird how people get cooped up and go nuts, break quarantine and try to go to the surface. Poor bastard didn't stand a chance up there. Didn't even have a buddy with him. That's why we stay under the surface. Gonna be a very sad 3 second news report. Another human got snagged by the bugs. That's 3 this week. This guy must have run into a hive queen or something to get tore to pieces like that. Talk about unlikely."

"It happens, though, doesn't it?"

"To the best and to the worst of us. His funeral will be moving, I bet."

"Well, you never know. Some people aren't what you think they are. Some people live and die, and you never really know them. Shit happens."