Hey! I know this one is slow going but I would like some replies here!
Chapter 6
“So what’s with the bandage on my face?” Scrawny asked, pointing to it, “I thought this was healed already.”
“Oh, our healer did an operation to remove the bullet that was still in there.” Zig explained, “He also reconstructed it somewhat so it wouldn’t look so ugly.”
“Oh…I still think yer shouldn’ be wasting yer time helping me…”
“Sounds like someone has doubts to his purpose in life…” a high pitched voice said. Scrawny turned toward the speaker to see a Vykker approaching them. He immediately tensed up and went on the defensive.
“If yer think I’ll tell yer anything yer got ‘nother thing coming ter yer.” Scrawny scowled.
“Whoa, take it easy Nerik.” Zig said, surprised Scrawny’s sudden hostility, “Steinix is the village healer here.”
“Uh huh and Skillya is as sweet as a daisy…”Scrawny growled, “There was only one Vykker that I have ever trusted, and he was killed ‘cause he was ‘too nice’.”
“That is a pity…” Steinix said, sympathic, “What was your name? Nerik? Now where did I hear that name before?” Steinix looked thoughtful a moment and Scrawny tensed up even more, “Oh yes, I remember now…You were Bastek’s assistant weren’t you?”
“Yah..” Scrawny said through clenched teeth, he was so tense now that he was shaking, “What’s it ter yer?”
“He was an old friend of mine. Hearing of his murder was one of many factors of why I decided to defect to the resistence.”
“Must be really bad times for the Cartel if Vykkers are starting to turn against them.” Scrawny said, starting to relax.
“Really bad times, ‘specially since the last factory that had the facilities to turn sligs into Big Bros blew up ‘bout a month ago.” Zig said.
Scrawny blinked in thought for a moment, “I remember that, my friend and I had just barely got out before it went up. It was the same day I got this…” he pointed to the bandage. Then he got depressed again. “At least my friend got ter experience what freedom was like…”
“Who was yer friend?” Zig gently pressed.
Scrawny was quiet for a long time before he answered:
“He was a crossbreed. Bastek was his creator and his last words ter me before he died was ter get his creation out of the labs so he could live a life free of the torment of that place. It took me four years but I did it. Now he’s gone too….”
Steinix looked thoughtful again, “Would your friend happened to have been Crossbreed 738? The one that was running loose within that factory, terrorizing the workers? I had heard something about that…”
Scrawny nodded slowly, “That’s ‘em, only everyone called him ‘Spider’.”
Spider regained consciousness the next morning. He weakly opened his eyes and looked around. He was still in a hut of some sort, only this time it seemed that he was the only one in it. He moved carefully, testing his limbs. His left arm, he discovered, was in a cast. His chest was all bandaged up and he could feel another bandage around his head. Something touched him lightly on his neck and he jumped slightly.
“Easy now…” a kind old, feminine sounding voice said, “There’s nothing to be afraid of here.”
Spider turned his head so he could see the speaker. He saw a very old mudokon standing beside him. Not far behind was a Big Bro, who was apparently standing guard.
“Who?” he managed to say weakly.
“I am Bea.” The mud answered, “And this is Hak.” She motioned to the Big Bro, who nodded. “He was the one that found you.”
“Thank…you.” Spider said, nodding weakly.
“Don’ mention it.” Hak rumbled.
“Now perhaps you could tell us who you are and where you came from?” Bea asked.
Spider tried to think but his mind was empty. His face twisted into an expression of fear when the realization hit him.
“I..” he gulped, his mouth dry, “don’ remember….”
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