"You're back," says Derr, "You little sweet tooth. Have you already run out? Good thing daddy got more."

"Yup," she says. "I need more."

"So, how much?"

"How much do you have?"

"Oh, so you've got the credits now? You've done your thing and got the credits. Let's do business. I have a lot of the special, and I don't know what mission you just finished or how much they paid you for it, but you ain't got the credits to buy all I have. And why would you want to? Even you aren't that fiendish."

"I've got a new mission. I'm going on a long journey and need a good stash."

"Okay, okay, you're being vague. I have what you need. Tell me how many credits you have, and I'll give you what it's worth."

She swallows. She doesn't know what to say. There are no credits or time, and she needs the drug.

"So? How much?" says Derr.

"I don't have the credits with me. Xerïon is still processing them. Give me mine today, and I give you yours tomorrow. With interest."

"No. You seem stressed. Is something bothering you? You can't be withdrawing already, can you? Hm, it's something else. It must be. Why are your hands bloody? What have you done now, Vyss? You bad, bad girl."

There is knocking on the door. One of Derr's men enters.

"Derr," says the man, "I got news for you."

"Is it something her sweet ears shouldn't hear?" says Derr, nodding towards Vyss.

The man smiles.

Her hand creeps closer to the hilt of her sword.

"That girl of yours," says the man, looking at Vyss, "Xerïon has put a bounty on her head. Ten million credits."

The bodyguard stirs anxiously.

Derr laughs so hard that his entire being jiggles. He says, "You must have really, really, like really royally fucked up."

"If you're going to try something," says Vyss as she draws her sword. "I will do my best to kill everyone in this room. Perhaps I won't succeed. But there will be a whole lot of blood on the walls. There will be a whole lot of guts on the floor. Along with your head, Derr. Your call."

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Where Derr had been a moment before there is now a small girl with pigtails. She says, "How much blood are ten million credits worth, Vyss? I sort of like you. How many credits is that worth? Think about the consequences. There are three men in the room. You're one small woman. An assassin formerly employed by Xerïon, though. But you're known for your stealth, not your fighting prowess. Still, though, you're fast, and your sword is razor-sharp. You're really fucking motivated to kill me. You've nothing to lose."

"Go. Take what supply you need," says Derr, sitting on the couch again. "Not that it matters. You'll run out in a couple of moons, and I'm the only one that got more. I'll let you out the back door, and when I've done that, I will do my damn best to collect the prize on your cute little head. See this as a gesture of gratitude to a loyal customer." he smiles and blows smoke out his nose.

Vyss doesn't know if she wants to thank him or chop off his head.

She takes everything she can fit in her satchel and pockets. One problem solved. Not that it matters. Xerïon probably did a thorough background check before employing her and knows about her using the drug and where she gets it. It's only a question of time before she's found if she stays in the slums. She can't go to the Silver Gates either. They are probably a fuckload of assassins congregating there while bickering about who gets to kill her.

She is, as Derr would have said, royally fucked.

The Abyss is her only option. No one would believe anyone going there willingly. Not even to save their life. The Grand Stairs are the best bet to get there. It will be easy to disappear into the crowd.

She takes off through the district. Zig-zagging through narrow streets. She climbs a chainlink fence and jumps down on the other side, seemingly in some apartment complex's tiny backyard where a family is having a birthday party. She yells, "Happy birthday," as she dashes past them and climbs another fence like some tiny wraith in a hurry.

The Grand Stairs is crowded as usual. She sprints down it at ever-increasing speed. Plowing through the people before she realizes she'll be harder to spot if she matches their speed. Breathe. Walk at a normal pace. It'll be impossible to spot her if one doesn't stumble over her.

She hears from behind her, "You could be dead."

Vyss grabs her sword and turns around. Raven. Another assassin contracted by Xerïon. He's the one who briefed her on the mission. She stares at him, not knowing what to do.

"Rest your sword arm, Ghost. You'll need it later."

She keeps her hand on her sword and says, "What do you want?"

"I don't know anymore. Just moments ago, I wanted your head, but I couldn't take it. Let's walk. They might spot us if we keep standing here. You can walk behind me if you feel more comfortable that way. I take it you're going to the Abyss?"

Vyss lets go of her sword and steps aside for him to pass. She follows him down the stairs. She says after a while, "You know you just threw away ten million credits, do you?"

"Yes," answers Raven. "I thought I was more cold-blooded than this. It's not often I have a problem taking a life."

"How did you spot me?"

"I've been following you since you left that drug dealer's place. You're hella fast, do you know that? And that kid, he'll remember this birthday for a while."

"How did you know I would go there?"

"It's my job to know things. Let's leave it at that. What's your civilian name?"

"If it's your job to know things, wouldn't you know?"

"Yeah, I know it's Vyss, but I thought it would be nice to ask. My name is Darian."