They stepped out together. Gunner took the lead and her excitement fled as she watched him walk away from her. Sweat beaded on her brow as he moved steadily further ahead. She knew he did it for her but it wasn’t helping. The gap between them widened. They were vastly different but she felt connected to him, now more than ever.
I don’t want to say goodbye to the only true friend I’ve ever made. The only person who sees me...And each residing step onward brought the possible inevitability closer.
Because Elodie knew, once they were out of this hellhole, life would return, and with it, their very real differences.
***
GUNNER MONITORED EVERYfootfall behind him, listening to Ely following the path he set out for them through the rigs. She was at home within the machines and although he wanted to turn around and help her, he didn’t. He needed her to follow him of her own volition and he didn’t want to make her appear weak or feel unprepared with his newfound obsession with her well-being. He gritted his teeth and continued forward.
She was in her environment even if it was an unsafe one, but knowing that didn’t make it easier for him to not want to turn around and shield her.
“We’ll be rejoining the other prisoners soon, are you prepared?” he asked instead, adding to the distance she’d already created. He wasn’t an idiot.I know why she pulled away.
It was also so he would not turn around and press her into his side.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Was he prepared? The question made him scoff as they ducked under a railing, dodged a steam vent, and turned the corner. Even now, with the barrier still between them and the others, he could already begin to sense the activities of the prisoners. They were preparing.
“If you get hurt...” He hated the silence. “They die. If you die, theyalldie. You’ll be safe.”
Elodie made a humming sound. “I’m not that worried. Not anymore.”
His jaw ticked. “We’ll be moving fast.” The door that led them to the rest of the ship came into view. Gunner stopped before it and turned around. “It’s time to uphold my end of the deal.”
Sweat dripped from her hairline and caught in her eyebrows. He wanted to lean down and lick it clean off her.
“So we’re finally heading to the escape pods?” Elodie lifted the sleeve of his jacket and wiped it off.
His fingers twitched.
“No. We’re not.”
“We’re not?” She tilted her head. “What’re we doing then?”
“We’re taking over the ship,” he answered and already his mind filled with the images of finally breaking into the bridge and confronting the captain. Worry clouded Elodie’s features and he raised his hand to cup the back of her neck. Her pulse thrummed and he ran his thumb over it, petting.
“You still want the ship they stole from you back? Is this for your ship?” she asked.
“No.” Gunner smiled softly. It was the truth, the realization wasn’t surprising. “I’m going to bring them in.”
“Who? And inwhere?”
“I work for the EPED, Ely. Like I said before, I’m a retriever. AMonster Hunter.And I found some fucking monsters the EPED would love to have.” He leaned slightly back and smirked. “See, I’m not such a selfish prick. Although, they’ll owe us a fortune for my lost vessel.” The corner of her lip twitched. It wasn’t quite a smile but he would take it.
“I never thought you were. I guess unless you’re an adorable prick.” She laughed.
He grumbled, “Not this Cyborg, and despite my fucking tattoos, Iama government employee. It doesn’t sound so badass when I say it but maybe after all this, I’ll tell them to change my title from acquisitions specialist toheroor I won’t take any more jobs.”
Elodie laughed some more. The sound was addictive. If she continued, he was going to be coming back for seconds. He lightly squeezed her nape.
“You’ll always be Gunner to me.” Her expression abruptly sobered. Her eyes drifted from his to the door. “The others may not agree, though, and it’ll be dangerous.”
“Everything is dangerous. But you’ll follow me?” His other hand cupped her chin.
Her eyes were back on him now but they looked distant and glazed, like all emotion had seeped out of them and vanished into the ether. Gunner knew that look, knew how far away and searching it could be, and wondered if Elodie might be, once again, receding back inside herself.
