Previously: Yuri and Specter shared a tense conversation that revealed the return of Dark Fang, a notorious criminal with a knack for evading capture. Despite Specter’s nonchalant attitude, Yuri prodded at his past failures to capture Dark Fang, hinting at the mysterious figure’s skill. Specter, however, brushed it off, confident he’d have another shot now that Dark Fang is back. As Yuri left, the unresolved tension left Specter contemplating the organization’s priorities, unresolved threats, and his potential role in future events.

The heavy metal cell door slid open with a grating sound. A guard tossed three plates of food inside. “Here. Eat up.”

Lockey barely glanced at the plates as they clattered to the ground. His thoughts flashed back to the cold meals in juvenile detention. It’s no different here, he mused, eyes darkening with memories.

Across the cell, two young women snickered. “Hey, you,” one of them called. “You’ve been quiet for two days straight—missing your mama?”

Lockey’s jaw tightened. And now I have these two little nuisances testing me, he thought.

The girls giggled, one leaning in with a smirk. “What’s wrong? Sorrow mode or something?”

Lockey shot them a cold, calculating look as he rose to his feet. The temperature in the room seemed to drop, tension freezing the air. He took a slow step forward, his gaze locked on theirs. Neither girl could move, caught in his stare. Their smiles faded, replaced by growing dread. One girl opened her mouth to speak, but the other quickly covered it, eyes wide with caution.

Lockey broke his gaze, turning toward the cell door, inspecting the locks and looking for any potential escape routes.

The girls exhaled shakily. “Why did you cover my mouth?” one whispered, fear creeping into her voice.

The other replied, her tone just as shaky, “Didn’t you feel that? He was…he was serious. He wasn’t threatening us. It felt like…he’d actually do something if we kept pushing. Like he’s done it before.”

Both girls stole a glance at Lockey, who shot them a brief, ice-cold look over his shoulder. They immediately looked away, hearts racing.

They could be useful, Lockey thought, assessing them. I can break out of here, but this restraint keeps me from using my Key’s power.

Without looking at them, he said, “Hey, you two.”

The girls shivered but responded cautiously. “Yes?”

“Your names?”

“I’m Finn,” one said quickly, and the other added, “Quinn.”

Finn and Quinn, Lockey noted internally. That says plenty.

“Good. Now, what can you do?”

The two shared a glance. “Anything you want us to do,” Quinn replied.

Lockey’s expression didn’t change. “Anything, huh? Cipher users, then?”

“Yes, we are,” they both said in unison, voices guarded.

“Your abilities,” he demanded, voice flat.

“Mind control,” Finn muttered. “Illusions,” added Quinn.

Well would you look at that, Lockey thought, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. Ideal skills for a situation like this.

“But these restraints block us from accessing them,” Finn admitted, gesturing to the metal bands on her wrists.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Lockey stared at her blankly. “You think I didn’t notice?”

Finn’s face flushed, and Quinn looked away. Lockey’s eyes were unreadable, but his voice was coldly instructive. “Guess you’ll be useful anyway,” he muttered.

“Do you have a plan, Master?” Quinn asked hesitantly.

Master, he thought, the word tasting strange. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.

“Yes,” he replied flatly. “I’ll be using your powers to the fullest. If either of you slack off, it won’t end well for you.”

Both girls visibly shivered. “Understood,” they said in unison, wary but obedient.

Lockey took a moment to think. The guard always has the key to these restraints in his back pocket. They only feed us once a day, passing the food through the cell door without stepping in. To get him to enter, I need a reason.

His eyes flicked to Finn and Quinn. “There’s only one way to make that happen.”

Lockey’s voice was clinical. “Option one: create an ‘accident’ to force them inside. A chokehold or two should do the trick.” no no “That…sounds like murder.”

“Option two,” he continued “is poison. I have a connection to Pinnochi—his blood can release a poisonous bacterium. If I could use that on them, it would just take a bit of patience.”

He glanced back at the plates of untouched food on the floor. It’s been served, but not eaten yet.

A gleam appeared in his eye. Jackpot.

After some time, the two girls finished eating, even helping themselves to Lockey’s untouched share. Lockey observed them in silence, his expression unreadable. To be fair, he thought, I’ll give them this—the poison isn’t lethal. I’m not heartless enough to kill someone with untapped potential.

Still, he mused, the effects should be kicking in… about now.

Finn suddenly doubled over, her face twisting in pain. She clutched her stomach, fingers pressing hard against her abdomen. “Quinn…” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. Quinn's face filled with alarm as she knelt down beside her, hands trembling.

“What’s wrong? Finn!” Quinn called out, voice tight with panic as Finn’s breaths grew shallow and uneven.

“Stay with me, sis,” Quinn whispered urgently. Her eyes darted to the cell door. “Help!” she shouted, hoping someone was close enough to hear.

The heavy metal door creaked open a fraction, just enough for a guard to look in, his face set in a mask of boredom.

“What now?” he asked, voice dripping with irritation.

“Please,” Quinn begged, “my sister needs help. She’s in pain—she needs medical attention! It’s the food; you must have done something to it!”

The guard glanced at Finn, who writhed on the floor, clutching her stomach with a pale face. He shrugged. “She’ll be fine. Probably just some indigestion. We’ll get her medicine if she’s still in pain in an hour.”

“Fine?!” Quinn’s voice cracked in disbelief. “She’s clearly suffering! You did something to the food we ate, didn’t you?”

The guard laughed, a dry, careless sound. “Who cares? You’re both just test subjects. Bound for a miserable end anyway.” He tapped his watch idly, signaling he was done with the conversation. “Like I said, if she’s still in pain later, we’ll do something.”

From his corner of the cell, Lockey observed the exchange with cold intensity, his expression never shifting. Just as the guard turned to leave, Lockey cleared his throat, his voice commanding as he called out.

“At the very least,” Lockey said, his tone laced with deadly calm, “you could still give her medicine. Isn’t that a basic courtesy?”

The guard scoffed. “I’m just a guard. You’re nothing but test subjects. If you need a medic, call one yourself and don’t waste my break time you fucking pigs”

Quinn’s face was flushed with rage. She pounded the floor, her frustration boiling over. “They don’t even care about us—they’d let her suffer without lifting a finger!”

Lockey’s gaze flicked to her, expression still as cold as ice. “Raising your voice won’t achieve anything,” he said with quiet, steely resolve. “The only way to handle people like that is not with words, but with action.”

He moved to where Finn lay and pulled out a small vial he’d managed to conceal. He uncorked it and held it to her lips, his voice softening slightly. “This will help ease the pain. Drink it slowly.”

Finn took a shaky sip, the relief almost immediate. Her breathing grew less strained, and she managed to nod weakly. Quinn, overwhelmed with gratitude, looked at Lockey with wide eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, voice thick with relief.

“No need to thank me,” he replied, his voice clipped. “Just remember to stay useful.”

He paused, watching the guard disappear down the hall, then flexed his hand, holding something small and metallic. His lips curved into a faint smirk. It didn’t go exactly as planned, he thought, but even the most careful guard can be outmaneuvered.

Lockey glanced at Quinn and extended his hand, showing her the small, glinting key. Her eyes went wide, and she let out a small gasp.

“How…?” she stammered, staring at the key as if it were a lifeline.

“No more questions. Take it.” He held out his wrist, the restraint still locked in place. “Remove it. I’ll need your powers.”

Quinn swallowed, her fingers trembling as she unlocked his restraint. “Yes…yes, Master,” she whispered, voice filled with awe.

With his restraints finally off, Lockey allowed himself a fleeting smile, his eyes sharp and calculating as he turned his attention back to the cell door.