After a couple of minutes, they finally arrived — Silent and Black jumped off Meat's shoulder.
Looking at the outside of the territory:
"It looks normal," Black said, then quickly ran towards the gate.
He commanded Silent and Meat: "Check on the civilians and our stocks."
Black ran inside the tower.
Shit...
He kicked open the door — no one was inside. He climbed to the second floor.
There he was: Anon was sitting on a metal chair, leaning against a long wooden table. Standing beside him was May.
Anon looked towards Black, drinking a green liquid from a glass.
"Oh hey — I've been waiting for you," Anon said, smiling.
Black approached aggressively.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" His words were threatening as he faced Anon.
"Relax — I'm just here to tell you something. And about that guy — don't worry about him."
He knows? Of course — he must have eyes in the Pop Girl's territory. That's my theory.
"Cut the slack — tell me why the Pop Girl's cut their contract with you, and why we're the only crew doing the hunting." Black grabbed Anon's collar.
Behind him, Silent and Meat appeared. "They're all sleeping, Brother!" Meat said. Silent nodded.
Anon removed his black glasses. "Black, listen to what I have to say first." He spoke close to Black's ear, then grabbed Black's hands and pulled them off his collar.
"It's quite hot in here — let's go outside," Anon said, looking back at Black.
"Excuse me~" he said in a chilling tone. Meat and Silent stepped aside to let him pass.
Outside, Anon stood in the dark, looking at the massive trash-filled hole.
"Black, do you know what a man's dream is like?" Anon said.
Black stayed silent. "Get to the point."
Anon smiled. "You're still the same, huh."
"A man's dream is like that hole that separates us from the others. It might be massive, but our opportunities are small."
"So do you know why I chose you instead of contacting the other 4 crews?"
"Because we're the fittest for the job?" Black asked.
"Quite close."
"I chose you because you have the biggest dream out of all the crews I know." Anon smiled.
"That's all you need to know for now. Anyways — I'm offering you something you can't refuse."
"And don't worry about that bounty — that guy's no longer here anyway."
Anon moved closer and spoke quietly into Black's ear.
Black's eyes widened as Anon walked away, looking back one last time.
"Remember — I'm not an enemy, Black.~"
Black stood there, fists clenched tight.
He walked back towards the tower, his mind racing.
Several hours passed — the sun had set. Though parts of the Wasteland were still dark, there was enough light for some territories to go about their daily work.
Black was sitting on a metal chair in his room, his whole body wrapped in bandages, not wearing his typical black suit.
He sat with his hands clasped, deep in thought, then finally stood up, walked to the door, grabbed the handle, and opened it.
Meat was waiting outside — his size didn't fit through the door frame.
"Did you guys bring back White?" Black asked, leaning against the frame.
"Ah yes, Brother! He seems in good condition already — in fact, he said he feels even better!" Meat said.
I can't see his face...
"Good. Then get ready — we'll meet Anon near the hole."
Meat nodded. "Then I'll go get ready, Brother." He walked down the corridor, his steps making loud thuds.
As Black got ready, he started removing the bandages from his arm — it was covered in multiple scars from past accidents.
Several minutes later, Black had put on his typical suit.
He walked out the door, down the corridor, and left his room.
Outside, five of them were waiting:
- Silent
- Meat
- White
- May
- Hina
"I recovered the carriage you guys left earlier — thanks to me," Hina said, smirking.
"Thank you," Black replied.
"How's your condition, White?" Black asked.
"I'm good as ever," White replied.
I'm surprised this guy isn't talking much this time.
Black turned to Meat. "I already packed our supplies, Brother!" Meat said cheerfully.
"That's good. Then I guess we're ready to go." Black looked around.
"He still won't show up even this time, huh."
"Oh about that — I tried to wake up 'him', but he wouldn't budge," May said.
"That's normal." Black started walking towards the carriage — Silent was already sitting next to the horse.
"..."
"A new horse?" Black asked.
"Yeah — somehow our scavengers found it in the wild," May said.
"Wild, huh... Then we'll be leaving."
"We'll leave the territory in your hands," Black said as he climbed into the carriage with White, Silent, and Meat.