"I think I've found it..."
As David cautiously pressed forward, Lucy's voice echoed in his mind.
"What?"
"There's a network tied to the production line here—totally empty.
And... I think I've found what we're looking for.
Take the next right. There's a room there, strange setup... but I'm pretty sure someone's locked inside."
Following her directions, David spotted a dim corner ahead. The walls cut straight, with a slant of red light spilling across the floor.
He tightened his grip on the gun. If this was really where they kept hostages, guards had to be nearby.
The corridor to the right was utterly dark, as if light itself refused to enter.
When David stopped before it, his silhouette sealed off the last scraps of glow behind him. His shadow bled into the darkness like spilled ink.
"These bastards... don't even bother giving prisoners light, huh..."
His voice carried a thread of anger.
"Prisoners? In Maelstrom's eyes, there are no prisoners.
Just sheep waiting for slaughter."
Lucy's voice cut through the link. David only chuckled, shook his head, and slipped his night vision goggles back on.
He vanished into the dark.
...
Night had fallen, and with it, Night City woke. The towers around City Center and Corporate Plaza blazed like daylight.
Spotlights pierced the sky, and corporate ads stretched above the skyline. Holographic goldfish gleamed brighter now, tails flicking lazily between steel giants.
Behind the bar in the apartment, Arthur sat stiffly, staring out the window. His hat rested on the counter behind him.
In the center of the room, Meredith had changed into fresh pajamas. Damp hair hung loosely by her ears—short, usually tied back at her neck.
Bending down, she picked up Arthur's coat and flung it irritably onto the shoe cabinet.
"You're not seriously planning to crash at my place... Get out."
Arthur turned stiffly. Faced with the woman's heat, he glanced awkwardly from side to side, then spread his hands.
"Uh... right... maybe...
I'll come by tomorrow instead?"
He tilted his head slightly, studying her.
"Get out. Better yet, vanish from my life for good."
Meredith snapped, irritation flashing across her face.
Seeing her like that, Arthur instinctively tucked his chin and rose from the chair.
Bruises showed clearly beneath the rolled sleeves of his shirt.
"Maybe... just remember to call if you need me."
"Get lost..."
Arthur grabbed his coat, but Meredith's voice came sharp from behind.
"Bring me something to eat!
God, you're an idiot..."
Arthur didn't argue. Instead, he turned back.
"What do you want?"
"I sent you the restaurant's address."
She shrugged, dropping into the sofa. A faint, crooked smile tugged at her lips.
Arthur set off, still carrying that lingering bewilderment in his eyes.
What the hell was that?
He found the restaurant without trouble. Paid the steep bill—nearly a thousand eddies—without hesitation.
By the time he returned, he walked the halls as if he belonged there.
This time, no need for a doorbell—the system scanned his biometrics and let him through.
Drawing a long breath, Arthur stepped inside.
Meredith sat curled on the sofa.
"If this shuts you up..."
He placed the food on the coffee table.
"If your brain isn't fried... sit down, eat with me. Then you can leave."
The air went tense for a moment, but Meredith shifted, making space beside her.
Arthur sat down without thinking.
When she finally kicked him out, the night was nearly gone.
Too bad... Night City's skyrail ran twenty-four hours. Otherwise, he might've stolen a ride.
Standing at the entrance to the upscale tower, Arthur glanced back. He couldn't see clearly, but the feeling of eyes on him lingered.
Shaking his head, he walked away.
Inside the near-empty skyrail car, the train sped smoothly, skipping stations as it soared across the city.
That was when rain began to fall—thin at first, then steady.
The drops hit the windows, only to be flung away instantly by the train's speed.
After a while, a thin film clung to the glass.
Through it, the city's neon lights stretched, blurred, and shimmered—brighter, more dazzling.
...
Back in the Santo Domingo apartment, Lucy curled on the sofa, ignoring the cooling systems.
Whenever David went on missions, her workload was light.
She idly tracked his vitals until a loud crash came from the bedroom.
"Great..."
She muttered, but still rose and walked toward it.
It wasn't crying exactly—no infant wail.
Lucy scanned the room. Nothing unusual.
Crossing her arms, she stood by the bed, shaking her head.
Then came the sound of rain against the window.
In Night City, rain almost always fell at night—cold and unwelcoming.
On the bed, Gloria, restless moments ago, slowly quieted.
Perhaps soothed by the unfamiliar sound.
...
David's vision glowed green again.
Some part of the factory had been turned into a holding cell, but the path there was nothing but darkness.
Luckily, it wasn't far. Soon he found the room Lucy had described.
A rusted iron door loomed. Who knew how many were locked inside?
Strangest of all, not a single guard stood watch.
David raised his SMG, ready.
Something tapped faintly above—raindrops on the iron roof.
It was raining.
But that didn't matter. What mattered was finishing the job.
...
(70 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser