The conditions that were necessary for a Nawana orchid to thrive were very particular.It grew in cool climates and could only endure semi-direct sunlight for up to two hours a day.In addition, it required a strong source of calcium like that which could be found in animal bones.
Or human.
Even with all those components present, it was almost impossible to cultivate.That was why she counted herself extraordinarily fortunate to have encountered it by chance.
The orchid, and others like it, were a big part of why Gus never told Ryan to go fuck himself when he came to her with his missions.She always encountered the most delightful flora while at his beck and call.
Sometimes she wondered if he arranged that on purpose.
One of the child’s captors shoved the boy toward the other then rushed toward Gus.“What did you do to Ricardo?”
Ricardo finished frothing at the mouth.His eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the ground, finally dead.
“Not me,” Gus corrected, lifting the orchid to show him.“My new friend.”
The man’s face flushed.“You bitch!”
He barreled toward her with his head down.
Gus glided out of his way, whacking him on the back of his neck with her orchid as he charged past.She might not possess the same level of physical prowess as her siblings, but she still received much of the same training.It was enough to deal with people like this.
As they had with the first man, the second’s muscles tensed, leaving him unable to move except for the tiny jerks that marked the seizures currently wracking his body.
“Shoot,” Gus complained.“I was supposed to question him.”
Hitting him with the orchid hadn’t been her intention.It had just happened.When a large man charged at you, instinct took over.
The last human gaped, looking caught somewhere between incredulity and horror.
“Are you okay, dearest?”Gus crooned at the orchid, looking it over with a discerning eye.
There didn’t appear to be any damage, but she probably shouldn’t do that again.
Humans were replaceable.Her orchid was not.
Some of the orchid’s roots escaped the pot, extending toward the bodies.
“Stop that,” Gus scolded, slapping them away.“Wait until I get you settled.”
The roots curled back into their pot, sulking.
Seeing the look of horror on the last human’s face, Gus smiled politely.“Children.They get into everything.”
The human blanched.
Gus wasn’t sure what part of that statement scared him.
“Look lady, I don’t want any trouble,” he stammered.
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.You see—I’m not the only one whose luck is bad today.”
And theirs was far worse than hers.
The human clutched the child, his hold punishing as he wielded the boy like a shield.“Don’t come any closer.I’ll kill him.I swear I will.”
The boy struggled, flailing even as his captor dragged him backward.
Gus shook her head at the child.“Calm.”
