Step 3: Grow connections. Enjin, Rudo, Zanka, anyone. Semiu, August, and Eishia already give you support. You need more.
“Rudoooo,” Enjin groans, biting his tongue as he zeroes in on your finger. “Can you keep it down a bit? I’m kinda busy here.”
Leaning in closer, he digs his nail into the side of your index finger, meticulously cleaning up stray bits of nail polish to make sure everything looks flawless.
“Ouch, Enjin! Can you be a little gentler?” You wince as his nail digs in deeper than you expected. He lifts your finger and gives it a soft pat.
“Sorry! I just want it to be perfect. I’ll be more careful, I promise.”
Zanka hovers over Enjin’s shoulder, his eyes glued to him as he paints your nails a glossy black. Meanwhile, Rudo and Riyo lounge on the bed, bickering over the most ridiculous things.
“It’d be easier if you pushed the polish to the back of the nail and spread it forward,” Zanka mutters. Enjin grumbles, wiping the side of your nail again.
“Didn’t know you were a nail art expert,” Enjin fires back. “I’ve been doing mine for years, kid.”
“Why don’t you ever paint your pinky?” you ask, genuinely curious.
“Style choice,” Enjin replies, moving on to your next nail.
“Riyo! That’s not true! Just because you’re trash doesn’t mean you’re worthless!” Rudo yells, then winces. “Ow! I’m joking!” he pleads as Riyo swats him on the back.
You and Enjin share a laugh while Zanka rolls his eyes.
This has been your routine for weeks now. You, Enjin, and the ‘Thrashers’ have always been inseparable. Zanka, Riyo, and Rudo never strayed far from Enjin, and after that night at Dan Dulse, you found yourself sticking close to him. A heavy regret weighed on your mind for how you treated him that night, but your own anger simmered at how he treated you in return.
You never asked why. You figured it stemmed from whatever trauma he faced in the past, and you both made it clear that you were just ‘friends.’
Staying friends kept things simple. No weird feelings, no awkwardness—just the easy comfort of being around people you genuinely enjoyed.
The Thrashers welcomed you more than you expected, making August a bit jealous of your blossoming relationship. Some days, you’d drag him and Eishia along when you and Enjin went out, but they always felt like “awkward third wheels.” No matter how many times you insisted that you and Enjin were just friends, August would always retort, “Anyone with a brain can see that you’re not just ‘friends.’”
“Well, I don’t know what to tell you. We’re friends, August. Just drop it.”
Those conversations about you and Enjin were always brief and to the point, just the way they needed to be.
It was a good distraction from the storm of thoughts swirling in your head about the ‘deals’ you made not too long ago. You hadn’t dared return to Dan Dulse for fear of running into Zodyl. You worked tirelessly for Corvus, not speaking much but doing just enough to keep them satisfied. And Tamsy? Well, Tamsy was still just Tamsy.
After gathering intel from Zodyl, you passed the information to Tamsy, which in turn revealed his plans. The casual way they spoke about hurting Rudo made you feel sick—breaking him down into a “better person” for their own twisted needs. You didn’t care to learn anything else other than who brought him down and who helped him back up to the Sphere.
“He wants to collect all the pieces of the Watchman series,” you tell Tamsy.
“To destroy the Sphere, I’d bet.”
“You didn’t ask?” Tamsy sneers.
“It’s not like dangerous people just spill their plans, asshole,” you snap back. “Now it’s your turn.”
“Fine. I’m here to break down Rudo and take control of the Ground.”
“I already know that. Why are you doing it? What’s the plan?”
“Rudo is a Surebrec. The Surebrec family were Undertakers in the Ground, years ago. His ancestor, Canis, possessed all of the Watchman Series items. He was strong. Powerful. Just as I’m going to make Rudo.”
“Well, that’d be too much information for you, dear. If you can find out more about Zodyl… or even Corvus, I’ll spill more.”
“You forgot to mention one other thing. How do you get to the Sphere and back?”
“That wasn’t part of the deal, but since you’re so eager, I’ll tell you. They go by Skarmor. That’s all you need to know.”
Tamsy stands before you, caressing your cheek. You slap his hand away.
“You’re a piece of shit.”
“Rude.” He huffs, “I still expect you to keep your end of the bargain. If anyone finds out about this, I won’t hesitate to slit your throat.”
All you could do was nod.
Everything comes at a price. As much as he was infatuated with you, he still wanted to see how far you’d go to get more information. How far would you go to get what you wanted?
He relished watching you rot, watching you decay into someone you never imagined you’d become. Ever since you confessed your feelings for him, he had you right where he wanted you—a whisper of your name, a gentle beckoning, and the invisible thread always pulling you toward him. You’d always be there at his call.
The thought of Rudo made it more difficult to continue, acting as if you didn’t know him at all. How could you tell him that you knew his father back in the Sphere? Would you ever confess that his father’s murderer was always lurking nearby? Watching, scheming, just waiting to hurt the poor kid?
Would you allow it to continue, knowing what you do?
The only way to make it easier was to treat him as if you didn’t know him. Just like he did to you. You both walked past each other, cleaned up trash, and did jobs, pretending you were just Cleaners who barely knew each other.
Those thoughts were relentless, gnawing at your mind, stirring your thoughts, your mental health draining day by day. You couldn’t go on like this, and just days ago, you’d confided in Rudo about it.
“Oh. Hi,” he replied quietly.
You settled next to him, watching as he sketched a familiar face.
Rudo sighed, covering the paper with his arm, blocking your view.
“I know who you are. You can stop pretending you don’t know me. You and your dad were the traders in the Sphere.”
“Yeah, we were. I just… I didn’t know how to talk to you again.”
“Well, we weren’t friends then. I don’t think we’re friends now.” He scoffed.
“I’m older than you, but still young enough to be friends. I could consider it.” You joked.
Rudo shot you an unimpressed look, raising an eyebrow.
“Do you know how it happened? Why I got dumped?”
“People said you murdered Regto. I never believed it.”
He looked away, returning to his drawing.
“I’m sorry, Rudo. It felt like it wasn’t my place to talk to you about what happened, especially since we only ever had small talk and brief conversations when you and Regto needed items.”
“You didn’t want to push a boundary. That’s fine.”
“Do you forgive me?” you ask.
“For treating me like you didn’t know me? I’ve been doing the same. I don’t think we owe each other an apology.”
“You haven’t been doing the same. You told Enjin that you were worried about me the night I broke down, didn’t you?”
You knew him. You knew his father. You knew his father’s killer. Yet you couldn’t bring yourself to treat him as anything but a random Cleaner, even when Rudo was there for you on the day you broke down.
How could you treat him like this?
“I did, but that's not the point. I said it because you looked like a rotting corpse.” Ouch. Did you really look that bad?
“Besides, the other Cleaners are smart. If they knew we knew each other, they’d probably question it.”
“Yeah. Secrecy is the best policy around here.” You sighed, looking down at the floor, feeling ashamed.
“Friends?” you asked, hopeful.
“I’ll repay you in sweets.”
Rudo perked up, staring at you. Even if his face didn’t show it, gratitude sparkled in his eyes, grateful for your offer of friendship, your acknowledgment.
Another sharp pinch on the side of your finger made you pull it back, flicking it in pain.
“Sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed. Zanka shoved him away, gently taking your hand and the nail polish from him.
“I’ll finish it, Enjin,” he said softly. Zanka always had a soft spot for protecting those he cared about, though he’d rather die than admit it.
Enjin scoffed, plopping onto the bed next to Rudo and Riyo, who were still bickering.
In this moment, your scattered thoughts began to settle. It felt warm. Comforting. They eased the anxiety in your body, slowing everything around you down.
August and Eishia’s presence made things better, but this felt peaceful. Slow. Calm.
You watched Zanka carefully finish your nails, lifting them to ensure he painted with precision.
“Thanks, Zaza,” you said, grinning. Zanka cringed, sinking back into his seat.
“I told you not to call me that.”
“I know, I know. I just think it fits after the ‘Jabber’ incident. He really had you tweaking out on some strong elephant drugs.”
The raiders had been invading your clean-ups more frequently, and it was easy to tell it was Zodyl’s doing. You didn’t know how they found you so easily, but you didn’t question it.
One way or another, fate would bring you back together. For now, you’d rather wait it out.
You felt Enjin’s hands on your shoulders, looking up to see him leaning over you. You craned your head back, your eyes meeting his as he gently caressed under your chin.
“Let’s head out to the city today, yeah? They’re having a fireworks show tonight.”
“Sounds good to me,” you replied with a smile. “It’s been a whirlwind these last few days.” You lifted your head and glanced over at Rudo.
“Want to come with? Sweets are on me,” you offered.
Rudo ‘smiled’ as best he could. “I’ll do anything for sweets!”
You stared at him, watching the way the corners of his mouth curled into an awkward grin, revealing the red gum of his teeth as he forced out a smile.
“Uh… huh…” You tilted your head in awe. “You’re right, Zaza… he’s really bad at this…”
Riyo snickered, laughing at Rudo. “God, you look like a gremlin! Stop smiling, Rudo, you’re scaring everyone.”
“Go get ready, meet at the entrance in an hour!” Enjin ordered, shooing them out of the room, pushing Rudo out last before shutting the door behind them, leaving you two in silence. You moved to sit on the edge of his bed, leaning over to tie your shoes.
You gasped as Enjin suddenly shoved you back onto the bed, wrapping his arms around you, snuggling his head into the crook of your neck. He inhaled deeply, sighing.
“I’ve been waiting for this all day.”
He pulled you in, the heat radiating off his body warming you as you wrapped your arms around him, rubbing your cheek against the top of his head. You were confused about how to respond.
“About… going to the city?” you asked hesitantly.
Your grip around him loosened, and you stopped rubbing your head against his. He always made things confusing.
You gently pushed him away, leaning up on the edge of his bed. Enjin frowned at you as you moved away.
“I’m going to get ready so we’re not late,” you whispered. Enjin grabbed your hand, pulling you closer.
“Why the rush? We’ve got a whole hour before we leave.”
“I just want to… you know…” You hesitated.
What you really wanted was to escape, to get out of this confined space, to avoid having your ‘friend’ snuggled up all over you.
“I just need to clean some stuff up in my room before we leave.”
“Oh, well, I can help you. I’m basically already ready,” Enjin offered.
Great. Just great. Of course, he was willing to help. Why wouldn’t he? There had to be something you could do to get him away for a bit.
“Oh! Actually, I forgot,” you said, gently smacking the side of your head. “I need to talk to August about something. Outfit… stuff.” You cleared your throat awkwardly.
“Oh, uh, can I at least walk you down then?”
You hurried over and opened Enjin’s door, and he silently followed behind you, locking his door as you walked down the hallway.
“Hey, wait up! You out here running like you’ve got places to be!”
You slowed down, waiting for Enjin to shove his keys into his pockets before joining you. He looped his arm around yours as you walked down to August’s room.
If there’s one thing about Enjin, it’s that he was physical. More physical than others. It was his way of showing affection. If you were next to him, he wanted his presence known—his knee leaning against yours, his hand gently holding on where no one else could see, his eyes catching yours in fleeting glances.
He gave you a gentle nudge as you walked quietly together.
“You alright? You’re never this quiet,” he chimed in. “Oh! Is it because of your nail earlier? I’m sorry for hurting you like that.”
“No, it’s fine! Zanka cleaned them up well anyway. I’m just…” You paused. “I’m a little anxious. With… the whole deal and everything.”
“What’s making you worried?”
You looked up at him, shaking your head. “Nothing. As long as you still protect me, that’s all I’ll need.”
You reached August’s room and knocked.
August’s door swung open, and he stared at you and Enjin’s linked arms. You pulled away, awkwardly laughing. “Heyyyy, August. I just wanted to talk about the um… lining… stuff.”
“For the outfit… you know… the uh… lining… issue.”
“The fuck are you talking about?!” August yelled. You pushed him back into his room. “Excuse us for just one moment,” you said to Enjin, slamming the door behind you.
“The goddamn lining, August!!” you hissed. “Remember our code?!”
“Ohhh… lining… lining… that was, uh… what was that again?” He thought, flopping down in his chair, snapping his fingers. “Oh yeah! H.E.L.P!”
You groaned and plopped down on his bed, holding your head in your hands. August rolled over in his desk chair to face you.
“What’s up this time, sis? Did he finally confess his undying, everlasting, eternal love for you?”
“They treated me to a spa day, did my nails, then had the audacity to cuddle with me afterward.”
“Shut UP, August! But yes, cuddle. He just laid me down on his bed after dismissing the Thrashers and just… held me.”
August groaned, rolling back over and slamming his head against his desk.
“That’s like… the worst thing you could’ve done.”
“Why?! I’m confused, August.”
“Then make it clear!” he sighed. “Enjin isn’t dumb, but I’m sure he just wants assurance.”
As much as August seemed the type to not know much, he was right. A faint noise came from his choker, Semiu’s voice chiming through.
“August, your choker is still active.”
You yelled and grabbed his pillow, slamming it against your face. Not only did August know, but now Semiu did too. You were also a hundred percent sure Eishia would know, simply because whatever you told him, he told her.
“Yo Semiu! Go to the city with them! I don’t think our little Tessen can hold on by themselves any longer.”
“Fine. When are they leaving?”
“In like forty minutes!” you yelled back.
You pulled the pillow off your face and looked at August with tears in your eyes.
“What the hell is happening?”
August rushed over, shaking your shoulders, wiping away any tears. “Cool off, sis! It’s not too bad! Embarrassing for sure, but not bad.”
You nodded, taking a deep breath to recollect yourself. “Mhm. Okay. Thanks, August.”
You stood up from his bed and walked over to his door, swinging it open. Your eyes widened when you saw Tamsy and Enjin talking in the hallway. August followed behind you.
“What are you guys talking about?”
“Oh! Speak of the devil. We were just talking about you,” Tamsy said.
Ironic coming from him. Enjin glanced over, giving you a wry smile. “Yep. Just chatting.”
Tamsy dismissed himself, striding past you, his eyes glancing away.
“So, you guys got the outfit issue sorted?”
“Yep! Gonna fix their lining right up!” August yelled.
“Right… right… Well, let’s head to the main hall and wait for everyone,” Enjin redirected the conversation. You waved goodbye to August, watching as he made kissy faces.
Time passed, and you watched as the Thrashers made their way with five minutes to spare. Rudo plopped down next to you, and you gently nudged him.
“What are you in the mood for today? Chocolate? A lollipop?”
“Anything and everything,” Rudo replied, glancing at you before quickly looking away. Something was clearly on his mind.
You leaned in, whispering, “What’s wrong, Rudo?”
You fell silent, staring down at the floor, feeling guilt wash over you.
Just tell him. Free him from this torment. Tell him Tamsy killed his father. Tell him Tamsy’s plan to hurt him, to make his existence a living hell.
But your life, your goals—were you willing to give them away so soon? If you told Rudo the truth of Regto’s death, you’d be dead. You still needed to find a way back up to the Sphere to kill Caines, to end the cycle of violence that brought you both down here in the first place.
“I understand,” you said, smiling as you patted Rudo’s back. “It’s not easy.”
“I just wish I could talk to him. I never got to say goodbye. I wonder if he's proud of me.”
You wrapped your arm around him, pulling him into a hug.
“Under all of the anger and yelling, I've seen that there's a kid who just wants to do the right thing. I'm sure if Regto were here, he'd say the same. I know he's proud of you, Rudo. Don't forget that, okay?”
Gris clapped his hands together, smiling at the group ready to head to the city. “Let’s rock and roll!”
Riyo and Zanka groaned. Even though Gris meant well, he always sounded like a stereotypical dad.
As everyone arrived in the city, the group split up. Semiu dragged Enjin to Dan Dulse. Riyo and Zanka took off to find food. You and Rudo stumbled over to the pastry shop. Meanwhile, Gris wandered off to sightsee and to find a good spot for the fireworks later.
Semiu and Enjin settled into their usual spot at the bar, ordering their strongest drinks and sitting quietly.
“So… what do you think of the new Cleaner? You guys have been getting real close lately.”
“I wouldn’t say they’re new. They've been here for a while now. But, is it that obvious?”
“Well, duh. You’re all over her. And frankly, I haven’t seen you leaving HQ to fawn over other women lately.”
“What can I say? I’m a changed man,” Enjin joked.
“Yeah, right. No one changes that fast.”
“I know. I’m just bullshitting. They’re a good change of pace, and I enjoy being around them. We’re just friends.”
“Friends?” Semiu questioned. “I don’t see friends casually holding arms down hallways together.”
Enjin fell silent, gulping down the rest of his drink before requesting another.
“Or friends who are always touching each other.”
He sipped from his freshly filled glass, ignoring Semiu’s teasing remarks.
“Or… friends who make promises they can’t keep.”
He slammed his glass down on the bar, making a few onlookers jump and stare in their direction.
“I told them I’d protect them.”
“But can you? Really? Enjin, for all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never done this for anyone. You know Corvus’ rule: ‘Never grant protection because it’s never guaranteed!’ And yet here you are, denying everything because you can’t come to terms with yourself!”
The restaurant fell silent, and Semiu poked at her food with her fork.
“Just talk to them about it.”
“About what, Semiu?” Enjin asked, irritation laced in his voice. “That I like them? That with every passing moment, I wish I could just tell them that I physically cannot pull myself away from them?”
“It’s not like they’d ever listen.” He rambles on, “They hate me. I treated them like shit. Deep down inside, I know I’m just trying to make up for it by spending time with them and the kids, but it’s not like that’s just going to fix everything!”
Semiu stared at him and shook her head. “It fixes more than you think, Enjin. If you weren’t so obsessed with knowing if people like you or not, this wouldn’t be an issue. You quite literally have been changing them for the better, do you understand that?”
“And how the hell would you know?”
“Because she’s getting stronger. She’s growing connections. They’re living. They’re not stuck in the endless loop of grief and guilt anymore, and they don’t look like a rotting corpse just walking around mindlessly.” Semiu stops and shakes her head, “It’s like Delman. Taking in a dead flower and watering it back to life.”
“Don’t fuck this up, mophead.” She walked away from the bar, leaving Dan Dulse and Enjin in silence. He tapped on his choker, calling for you.
“Hello?” your voice chimed through.
“Meet me at Colosso before the fireworks show.”
“I’m with Rudo, though. He's had a rough day.”
“The kid can survive. Just tell him to find Riyo and Zanka. You can continue your little kiki with them later.”
“Fine… I’ll be there in a few.”
You dropped Rudo off with Zanka and Riyo, politely excusing yourself. You told them you’d be near Colosso in case they needed you.
As you approached the building, you scanned the area, searching for any sign of Enjin.
“Rah!” A voice yelled from behind you, making you yelp as you turned around, playfully slapping Enjin on the shoulder.
“Goddamn it, you asshole! Don’t scare me like that.”
“I had to get your adrenaline up. C’mon, follow me.”
Enjin led you into a nearby alleyway, grabbing onto a ladder and motioning for you to follow. Reluctantly, you climbed after him. When you reached the top, he held out his hand, and you took it as he pulled you up. He walked over to the side of the building, sitting on the edge of the rooftop while you settled nearby.
“This is the best view. The fireworks show will be just ahead, over there.”
You looked where he pointed, admiring the scenery. The city walls were adorned with graffiti and art, stunning portraits of those who lived before you.
“This is beautiful,” you said in awe.
Enjin glanced at you, gently leaning his shoulder against you.
“Can I talk to you about something?”
“I’m sorry for earlier. Hugging you and everything. I… I don’t want to send the wrong message, you know?”
“I’m just…” Enjin hesitated. “I’m glad to have you as my friend.”
You offered him a smile. As much as it hurt to hear, it was for the best.
Enjin slumped over, staring down at the ground, watching the crowd below.
“I’m not good with this stuff, you know? I’m more of a one-night stand kind of guy. It’s easier that way.”
You stayed quiet, taking in your surroundings.
“I’m also not one for relationships. I don’t like needy women… or kids… they’re just off-putting. I don’t think I could ever commit to someone. Not yet.”
“It’s because you’re scared, isn’t it?”
“I’m terrified,” he admits.
You nodded in understanding, gazing down at your feet.
“I do like you, Enjin. You’re handsome, compassionate, and obviously being a jokester to hide whatever trauma is deep down inside of you.”
“Damn. Didn't need to call me out like that.”
“But, I get it.” You continued, ignoring his remarks. “It’s a lot to deal with, and I figure that you have your reasons as to why you do what you do.”
He stared at you and sighed, “To be honest, you’re exactly my type. Beautiful, smart, strong. I just, I… I can’t force myself to be in a relationship. I’d need someone forgiving, which I know you are… I just…” He rubs the back of his neck. “I can’t bring myself to do it, knowing that there's a possibility of hurting you. Which is why I’m solely offering my protection.”
“What about all of the physical stuff? The knee touches, the hands, the glances…” You ask.
“I can’t seem to pull myself off of you.” He smiles. “Maybe that's my way of protecting you. I’ll just smother you until you’re sick and tired of being around me.”
“You’re weird, you know that? And this… all of this is confusing. You’re a confusing man, Enjin.”
“How so? Are you seriously asking? Well, let's start with first, you touch me anytime that you get, which, obviously, makes someone feel a certain type of way, right?”
“Second, you cannot stop flirting with me. Inviting me to the city in front of the kids, caressing my chin, almost kissing me when you wanted me to admit that I’ve known Tamsy. Seriously? That was a low blow.”
“Did you actually want that kiss?” he asked teasingly.
You continued, ignoring his comment.
“And Third, you’ve been so good to me, Enjin. Understanding, caring, compassionate. I didn’t realize how bad I was down here until Rudo admitted that I looked like a rotting corpse.”
“And now you’re like a flower in full bloom.”
“Yeah, I suppose you could say that.”
“You never answered my question,” he pressed on.
He wasn’t going to let this down. He needed to know if you wanted it just as much as he did in that moment before it was ruined.
You lean in, placing a small kiss on his cheek. Before you could pull away, Enjin's hands grasped the side of your face, pulling you in, kissing you deeply.
This kiss felt different than the others. Tamsy was harsh and demanding, uncaring if he hurt you or not. Zodyl’s felt clean and precise, like a liar covering up their tracks. Enjin’s were sloppy, but fervent, kissing you like you were the oxygen he needed to breathe.
He pulled you closer, the low sounds of his groaning filling your ears. Your hands roamed his body, holding on to his forearms for support.
You tried to pull away, “E…Enjin.”
He shook his head, “Not yet.”
His hand found the way to the back of your head, firmly grasping it as his own desire rose. He wanted to savor every moment of this. Wanted to remember your taste, your scent, the way your lips felt against his.
“Yuck!! Others can see you, you know!” A voice from the crowd below yells up to both of you. Some onlookers whistled, and you ripped yourself away, throwing your body back to the rooftop where you couldn’t be seen.
You lie on your back, your mouth and eyes agape. “Oh… my… heavens…” You cover your face in embarrassment, laughing at the situation. “There’s no way that happened, right?” Enjin tried his best to hold back a laugh until he burst and fell over, kicking his feet in amusement.
You both continue to laugh, tears flooding your vision. As you gasp for air, you wipe any saliva off your lip, slowing your laughs as you calm down. Enjin looks at you, offended. He leans in to place another kiss on your lips, renewing his mark on you.
“It’s no worries. I’ll just keep giving you another kiss if you wipe it off again.”
You leaned up, feeling the cold pavement on your palms. Enjin mirrors your movements, sitting next to you.
“Since we’re laying it all out here, I might as well just keep going.”
“I knew Rudo and his dad when I was in the Sphere. We acted like we didn’t know each other because he didn’t want to push my boundaries. I didn’t know how to talk to the kid after seeing him get dumped. Yet, he helped me when I was at my lowest. I think we're cool now.”
“Was it odd seeing a familiar face down in the Ground?” he asks.
“It was. I didn’t know if he was alive or not, and knowing what happened to Regto… I just wanted to be there for him. I really did. I just didn’t know how to go about it. It’s been eating at my conscience for a while.”
"What happened to Regto..?" Enjin asked. "He told me that he was accused of murder. He didn't do it." Your words made his head scramble for thoughts. It wasn't normal the way you spoke of Regto, "Do you know who actually killed him?"
You stay silent and nod. "I can't discuss it."
“It’s not uncommon, you know. People get dumped down here, know each other, and act like they’ve never seen each other before.” Enjin continues, dismissing his previous question. They weren't going to forget about it, but knew for your safety that if you couldn't discuss it, neither would he. Not now, but definitely later.
“Mhm. It takes time for the bond to grow again, though. In all my years down here, I’ve seen it countless times. Bro and Dear Santa. Gris and Corvus. Hell, even Semiu and Delman.”
“What?! But Semiu hates him, always says he’s too loud.”
“Crazy, right? I don't think they’ll ever form that bond again. Apparently, she used to buy flowers for her girlfriend from his wife’s flower shop in the Sphere. He knew her name and everything. Now, they don’t even talk anymore. It's sad.”
“But people want a fresh start, to move on. Seeing others from their past can hold them back,” he continues.
“Yeah… that’s what it felt like for me at first, too.”
Silence enveloped you both until Enjin spoke up first.
“I used to be in a gang. It’s how I got these tattoos.”
You scoffed, laughing. “What? Were you part of the Azukay?” You paused as Enjin remained silent. “Shit, are you serious?”
He nodded, extending his arm. You touched his tattoos gently with your fingers.
“I was in it before I got dumped down here. Accused by some asshole named Seniac. Real powerful dude up in the Sphere.”
“Seniac? That’s an odd name.”
“Mmhm. Worked closely with the Azukay. Practically ordered them around.” He pulled his arm back, pointing to the side of his head. “And this? Got it when I landed down here. Bad, gnarly scar, huh?”
You nodded, pointing to your own scar. “Same here.” You giggled. “Who saved you?”
“A good man. No, a great one. He took me in, practically raised me down here.”
“Is that why you collect strays?”
“Probably. I was just a teen when he found me. I owe him that much. It’d be nice to carry on his legacy, but… I don’t know if I’ll ever amount to that.”
“Comparison is the thief of joy. I hope you know how much everyone here appreciates you. Even when you can be irritating, the Thrashers see you as their dad.”
Enjin stayed silent, a smile creeping onto his face. In the distance, a loud explosion echoed. You both turned your gaze to the fireworks.
As you and Enjin sat on the rooftop, you stared into the distance. “My father’s name isn’t actually Illarion. Well… it was a name given to him…”
“How’d he get it? Names that cool aren’t just handed out,” Enjin joked.
“From his best friend. I never met them, but he always spoke highly of the man. Iron.” You spoke quietly. “Iron Horse.”
Enjin tensed, confusion washing over him.
“He always spoke of Iron Horse as the heart of the party. So humble and caring. They grew up together as friends. Iron was like… really rad. You know… any time my dad had a fit, guess what he’d do?” You glanced at Enjin, who remained silent.
Tell him to ‘Just make sure to be happy.’
“And always told him to ‘just make sure to be happy.’ How crazy is that?”
You sighed, continuing to gaze up at the sky.
“I never got to meet him, though it felt like I did, considering how much I heard about him. They had such an impact on my father. When he started getting better, that’s when he gave him his name. My father wasn’t exactly… stable growing up. But he helped.”
“He helped him get better. Calmer. Iron had a far different upbringing than my father; that’s why he was so mature and understanding. Then, as they grew up, my dad met my mom and had my sibling and me. I don’t think Iron ever had kids, though. Ever since, my dad was always the happiest person I knew, even if he didn’t show it all the time,” you continued.
“My father said he was banished down here when I was young. Accused of shoplifting or something.” You paused and thought to yourself. “I wonder if he ever lived. If he ever found peace down here…”
“I’m sure if he did, he lived a good life…” Enjin exhaled. He had his own limits to what people could know about him, but this wasn’t one of them. It was still a sensitive topic, one he wasn’t ready to fully discuss.
“Those fireworks were alright, I guess,” Rudo said, munching on a chocolate bar. You all sat in the jeep, Gris and Enjin occupied the front, and the rest of the group squished together in the back.
“It was the best thing I’ve ever seen! So pretty! Did you see all those colors?!” Riyo exclaimed.
Semiu rubbed her head. “They were cool, but man, they were loud. I think I have a headache.”
“You sure it wasn’t from all the drinks you had earlier?” Enjin chimed in, grunting as Semiu kicked the back of his seat.
You stared out the window, gazing into the open wasteland. As disgusting as it may seem, it was beautiful. Different trash sprawled out; you couldn’t help but wonder the stories behind all of the items down here. As you look around, you squint, spotting a figure in the distance.
You rubbed your eyes, seeing a bright, glowing light as the figure vanished.
Rudo tapped your shoulder, drawing your attention back to them. He offers you a piece of his chocolate, and you accept.
“Thanks for today. I feel better,” he whispers to you.
“I’ve got your back from here on out, Rudo.” You take a bite of the bitter chocolate, gagging from the taste of it. “Ugh, dark chocolate? Seriously?”
Rudo holds back a laugh and takes another bite, filling his mouth, “Wha? Ish good.”
In the rearview mirror, Enjin glances at you and Rudo in the backseat. Your eyes meet his, and you look away, smiling.
“Zodyl,” Cthoni spoke, emerging from her pothole. “The cleaners are currently leaving the city. Shall we start preparing the trash beast?”
Zodyl stared blankly at a television screen, the slight buzzing of static and his crunching the only sounds filling the room. He picked up another roach, biting its head off.
He hadn’t seen you, but he needed a way to draw you in. To figure out who you’d told about the Watchman series and to snatch the gloves away from Rudo. One way or another, he was going to complete his plan.
“Father,” Tamsy spoke as he approached Caines, dressed in a white, silky suit, waiting for his response. Cyrus stood at the door, bowing as Tamsy entered the room.
“Tamsy,” Caines spoke firmly. “Speak.”
“The man named Zodyl wants all parts of the Watchman series to destroy the Sphere.”
Caines sighed, leaning back in his seat and motioning for Cyrus to refill his cup. While Tamsy was down in the pit, he wasted no time savoring every moment his son did his dirty work.
“So? What are you going to do about it?” Caines asked, taking a sip of his wine.
Tamsy cleared his throat, lowering his head in shame.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t complete his task.”
Caines stood, swaying over to Tamsy, gripping his hair and forcing him to meet his gaze.
“Look at me when you speak, boy,” he spat. “What about Rudo?”
“I’m still working on it. There are liabilities.”
“Such as that little trader girl?”
Tamsy’s eyes widened. He backed away, ripping away from his father’s grip, his body faltering as fear and anxiety flooded him.
“How do you know she’s alive?”
“I’m not stupid. You don’t think I knew you’d save her?”
Caines huffed, returning to his desk, flopping down in his chair with crossed arms.
“You don’t think I’d know that my own pathetic son would go out of his way to save the only person who ever made him feel wanted?” he seethed. “I know you better than anyone, Tamsy. I know you’ve told them your plan. I know you’ve been fucking them senselessly.”
Tamsy kept his head raised, though shame swarmed his body.
“Do you love them? That piece of shit trash?” Caines yelled.
“NO!” he yelled, “I don’t love them!”
Caines leaned back in his chair, amusement crossing his face.
“You’re a terrible liar.” He laughed, his expression shifted, focusing on his desk. “What else does she know?”
“I’m shocked you haven’t ruined the surprise that her father was a Giver. That damned Illarion. Such a talent he was. Being able to produce any item with that worn-down bag he always carried around. ”
“It’s not my place to tell them. Not yet.”
“Mmm,” Caines responded, running his finger across his desk, flicking away the dust that collected on it. “How kind of you.”
“Don’t ruin this for me now, boy. I’m close to becoming the owner of Yamaka. I don’t need loose ends ruining this for me. For us.”
Caines stands up and walks towards Tamsy, pulling his son in for a hug. “I love you, Tamsy. You need to do better.”
Tamsy nodded, hugging him, “I understand, Father.”
Caines stared at his son with discontent, anger, and frustration. He knew Tamsy would betray him and act on his own interests, but saving a piece of trash like you? It was a blow to his ego.
He thought he had raised his son better than this.
“You’re dismissed. Come back when you have more information.”
Tamsy bowed, turning to leave. He glanced at Cyrus as he opened the door for him, exiting his father’s office. Everything was falling into place, but fear still lingered. He should just kill you now, to prove to his father that he was better than this. Better than clinging to a piece of trash.
Or, he could make a spectacle out of you. If you changed just enough, you could prove yourself worthy of being brought back up to the Sphere. To work for Caines, to overcome the Ground, and live a happy, normal life.
Tamsy dreamt of it. You and he, living in the Sphere, wealth and riches to your liking. Living with love, growing a family, until your dying breaths.
He exited his house with a smile on his face. If there’s one thing Tamsy was confident in, it was this: he recognized his own failure and needed to make up for it. He needed to prove himself.
You were just a flicker away from being broken down, and Tamsy was going to be the one to ignite it.
A/N: I wanna give Rudo a hug.
I also wish I was as delusional as Tamsy
