Heavy adult themes content warning for this chapter. I don't expect feedback on this one but i welcome any critiques, comments, and concerns.

Viscus steamy brain matter splattered my face as I stood there taking in what I had done. I’m sure no one had heard the altercation. Honestly, I don't give a shit if anyone did…The androids would eviscerate me with slugs, Any suped of Senate could probably snap my sword like a twig with the right CRISPR, and anyone unlucky enough to walk in would meet the same bloody death as Luca; simmering in his defecation.

I rubbed my eyes in the mirror while washing my face in the cold water. The animal felt ripping at my organs. The empty savannah watering hole of my psyche was the only trap I never escaped. My trauma the ever-looming ambush predators, each with its own set of tools to rip me from life itself. My buried personality, simple wildebeest and gazelle begging for refreshment but finding no reprieve in the fucking muddy depths.

The searing pain of the shotgun slug brought me back to my sanity as the water babbled into the smooth chrome sink. My reflection smiled back at me on its own as my quaky hands turned the water off slowly.

If Kiryi could see me right now…I doubt she would even know who I was–In truth, that text message string I obsessed over was months ago. My own ego or maybe the last shred of myself let me act as if I didn't ignore her final calls. Three seemingly insignificant calls that if I had just called back or been there for her…

I stepped out into the cool night as the lights of the pier overstimulated me, I cupped my hands to my eyes like it wasn't the middle of the night. I knew when mania was setting in because I could feel my bones rattling.

Each second felt like an hour as I stood there waiting for some sort of signal from Traygor. There were two droids at the entrance/exit of the walled-off event area. The uncanny valley those things gave me seemed to not be shared among anyone in New Angel. The celebration Luca was obviously missing seemed to go off regardless of his absence…I hate how little the rich care for each other.

I didn't know anything about this new money Senate asshole but he at least would cover this up and find me an exit. That’s when I saw Traygor's brother, the one who let me into the party talking to a young girl by the end of the dock. His same wavy black hair obscured his face making his toothy grim stand out as his only redeeming quality. I made my way silently behind a blind spot to hear them speak. I had a bad habit of eavesdropping–But now that I kill scumbags and nearly die every night I've come to terms with it.

“You aren't understanding me…” His voice sounded like a rattling key chain, His inflections gave me the impression that he had either run a mile…or was about to have to for what he was going to do.

“I don't think I really get it dude. You want to buy my digital rights for your brother…” The girl had to be no older than 15–I can't imagine this scumbag had any reason to talk to her. I felt a small ting of anger rising in my throat as I listened closely to his fucking sibilant little words.

“Let’s just say…..He has a problem only you can fix. If you can help me by giving me the rights to your digital self–No questions asked. I’ll make it worth your while. Besides…you’re not dumb Alisha. You can probably guess why a teen super stars avatar wants to be bought by a shady businessman” He seemed to give up halfway through his sentence as if he has done this so many times his lips would fall off with the sick fucking effort.

“And if I say no?” She immediately began pulling her right wrist where her chip while she trembled in the cold beach air. I recognized her now from silly ads they ran over the new sky dome. Alisha was some rich dickhead daughter turned pop star–Im guessing she came here to perform some sort of stupid god-awful song made by Ai.

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“Look you little bitch” He seemed to put his hand out to both calm himself and warn her. “If you think im a piece of work wait till Traygor finds out I only asked for virtual you instead if–”

I definitely had enough of my now ex-employers trying to strong-arm his way onto some girl. I came from behind my impromptu hiding spot. Hot blood trickled down to my left hand like I had been pissing myself. I angrily flung droplets of crimson at the back of the gang member's neck.

“The fuck…FK? What's up buddy–You look like shit…” Traygor told him my name. I felt the rising tension in his voice as he most likely realized I killed Luca ahead of schedule. His tattooed hand that was outstretched twitched naturally towards his waist.

“I fucking hate you and your shit bird brother–Everything you do is dedicated by your STD-ridden dick and money.” I wasn't going to mince words when I was about to dice flesh. The girl tried to scream but–I don't know his name does it matter?--Assface decided to sucker punch Alisha. She fell flatly out cold from the genetic freaks over muscled haymaker.

Before he could reach his gun I bum-rushed hit slamming my injured left shoulder into his throat against the sleek railing of the Santa Monica pier. My mind was racing so much I had forgotten 10 minutes before I was just in the same situation but with much more cover.

He was much–much stronger than Luca and I felt the metal plates in his forearms shift above his outer skin layer as we grappled. He attempted to pick me up by the throat But using my legs' momentum I swung forward headbutting him squarely between the eyes.

When he let go in his daze I tried to pull the Katana from my synth leather compartment in my pants. In a split second, I realized the magnetic strips microchip had malfunctioned from either all the blood or my own shitty craftsmanship. My eyes darted to him as he wrenched the gun from his waistband quickly.

The elongated silenced barrel gleamed in the moonlight as he Sneered at me. His Cheshire cat-like smile was replaced with a furious sneer. “Look FK–you obviously heard what Traygors all about. We would have left you alone…maybe even made you a capo–Why do you care what Tray does.”

“Are you fucking kidding me……Your brother’s power dynamic plus you willingly allowing his ‘problem’ to simmer is enough to almost make me beg you to kill me now.” I felt my face twitching with rage. This piece of shit budded straight from his predator brother's ballsack or something.

“ A grown man who gets off to kids doesn't deserve help not offending by indulging their own depravity bitch–your personal responsibility doesnt stop at actions asshole.” I normally don’t say shit to these kinds of scum but Traygors brother stood with what looked to be shame and guilt welling under his festering animosity.

“Fuck you FK, my brother’s sick…from what I've heard you would understand–You’re quiet the sick S.O.B. yourself. The ceremony is gonna be for another 30 minutes……” He looked down at the girl for a second before speaking again.

“You killed 13 people in a months time that just the cops know of....you're not an angel. Tray is probably trying to reach Luca to set up the deal, I’m willing to forget what just happened–if you are” He flicked his gun at me as if to make a flaccid threat. His hand seemed to be trembling with anticipation of my next response. The cold air flowed through my matted and dreadlocked hair for what felt like minutes.

“You want me to stand by while you steal nude renders of this…little girl man–For what you guys have money and access to anything. You choose to be this way and force us to cope.” His eyes flashed with apprehension again as I stepped a small step closer to him.

“FK can I ask you something?” I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The next moment could be a bullet in my brain. The air shifted from cold to red hot as I opened my mouth but just nodded.

“You ever think that we don't have a choice? I’m just a his gopher, his own flesh and blood scooping up starlets for the big man to feel powerful–This was my idea of a solution; yet i have no choice.” He looked down at the young popstar like she was his own kin. For a moment the wavy-haired asshole actually seemed human to me.

“I do think we have a choice–I dont know your name so ill keep it short…..” I felt every muscle in my body tense. I always trusted my gut feeling even though my gut nearly got me killed every day of my turbulent life. “You know its wrong, i know im wrong…”

“What–” The gun went off faster than I thought as I felt a blaring pain coming from the right side of my head. The saltwater stung every wound I had on my tired body.

I had made the takedown but was guillotine-choked as we sank to the murky depths of the New Angels ocean. I blacked out as the darkness closed over me losing my grip on his genetically modified arms.