The ride home was going to be a quick one; Ferrus was doing his job well. He’d definitely be added to my collection.
“Base should be coming into view soon,” I said, giving the beast a gentle pat on the nape. He hummed softly, glancing back at me before turning his gaze forward again.
I’ll have to put him away before we get too close — wouldn’t want anyone catching a glimpse of him, unfortunately.
“You know,” I started, voice quiet over the wind, “when I first joined the Cleaners six months ago, I was really worried. I didn’t know much about vital instruments then, but I did know that having more than one was especially rare.”
Ferrus slowed to a walk as I spoke. He didn’t turn, but his ears flicked back toward me — listening intently.
“After what happened… after what caused my instruments to appear—” I hesitated. “I was scared.”
I clenched my fist, nails biting crescents into my palm, trying to steady my breath. My heart thudded, heavy and erratic.
Ferrus let out a low whine and stopped, turning to look at me with those dark, glassy eyes.
I lifted my mask, smiling softly as I reached up to pat his head.
“Don’t worry, I’m alright. It’s just… hard to talk about sometimes.”
I pulled the mask back down as he turned and started forward again.
“Anyway,” I said after a pause, “after that, I wandered around for a while — city to city, taking on odd jobs for cash. Until six months ago, when I ran into Enjin.”
It had been pouring that day — cold, metallic rain that turned every puddle the color of rust.
I hadn’t gone looking for a fight. The beast had found me first, all gnashing metal and malformed limbs. When it finally stilled, it was quiet again except for the hiss of steam rising from its body.
“Well, damn. Looks like someone beat me to it.”
A man stood a few yards away, hands in his pockets, blonde hair slick from the rain, sharp yellow eyes staring my way, and an umbrella tucked beneath his arm.
He glanced at what used to be a trash beast, then at me — though there wasn’t much to see. My hood was up, the long white feathered coat hiding everything else, and the black mask covered my face completely.
“Didn’t realize anyone else was sent out.”
“I wasn’t,” I said. My voice came out even, muffled through the mask. “It attacked me.”
He raised a brow, amused.
“And you killed it, alone?”
He walked closer, boots squelching in the wet scrap, curiosity written all over his face.
“You always clean up strays like this, or was today special?”
“I don’t make a habit of it.”
He crouched beside the fallen beast, prodding at its half-molten frame with the umbrella.
“Not bad work. You’re not with the Cleaners, are you?”
“I’ve heard of them,” I said. “Givers who kill trash beasts. That’s all.”
He hummed, studying me through the curtain of rain.
“So you’re telling me some masked giver just strolls in, kills one of our targets, and isn’t even on payroll.”
His grin widened — sharp, wolfish.
“We could use someone like you.”
I blinked, unsure if he was serious. “Use me?”
“You’re already doing the job,” he said, standing. “Might as well get paid for it, right?”
The rain softened, turning to mist between us. I didn’t answer — just watched him as he started to walk away, hands back in his pockets.
“If you’re interested,” he called over his shoulder, “follow me. The base isn't too far from here.”
As the rain finally began to dissipate fully, the sun peering through the clouds, he looked back, grinning.
”So, you coming or what?”
Ferrus rumbled beneath me, snapping me back to the present. The rain was gone now; the wasteland stretched out ahead.
“Right,” I murmured, patting his neck with a smile. “And I followed him anyway.”
AN: Yayyy chapter 3 is here!! I wanted to make it longer so we could actually make it back to the base lol but I felt that this was a good ending for this one, but don't worry i've already began on the 4th one so hopefully I'll have that out later today or early tomorrow! alsooo a certain someone should hopefully be making an appearance next chapterrrrr :)