Wait for an opening.

You knew that charging in wasn’t going to get the results you wanted. So, after waiting a little bit longer, you decided to wait and see what the boss man himself would do. In your case, this was a dangerous hand to play since you were pretty sure he was going to start killing the hostages. To your fortunate, he did not.

Instead, he waved at one of the others to come by and watch over the hostages. He went inside in an attempt to find something. Arabella and the other girls remained hunched over in the street, but you closed the distance at an angle while the new guard’s back was turned.

You didn’t waste a bullet. Not only would it attract unwanted attention, but you also didn’t want the bullet to possibly exit and hit some random bystander. Your alternative was a knife, which you held in an ice-pick fashion and drove the tip, top down at the base of the guard’s head. He didn’t make a sound, and the knife remained stuck in his skull as he slumped down, now heavy with ****.

Arabella didn’t notice you approaching, but she saw the aftermath of your attack. She gasped but held her voice back. Some of the other women weren’t so modest. “It’s that contract!” One of them yelped.

Arabella nodded approvingly of your praise but then glanced at the door. You shot you out at the open city. “Get out of here!” You hissed. There was a moment of hesitation, but after a couple of seconds, they did scatter. Arabella, as you expected, ran to you, though.

“What’s going on?” She said.

“A small SNAFU,” you told her. “Scarlet is back with the twins, but we really don’t have time–”

There’s a sudden bang, and a missed bullet sails short of the ground, kicking up dust, but no fragments at you. “You bastard!” The voice belongs to the bandit boss. “That bitch is mine!!”

He aims at you again, but his sidearm seems to be suffering from a malfunction, which he struggles to clear. You push Arabella behind you and start shooting back as you retreat. Your aiming is off, but the automatic fire response forces him back inside, seeking cover.

As brief as it was, the firefight is probably drawing much-unwanted attention. Ideally, you could have rallied the other hostages together to make sure they weren’t just recycled back into their captive positions, but that wasn’t even an option anymore. Having no other choice but to return to the twins, that’s precisely what you do.

Arabella has no modesty in her run, but considering the gravity of the situation, you don’t bother feeling guilty or worrying about it as you duck into alleyways and make your way back since she didn’t make any comment about her nudity. Despite that, in your final stretch back, you keep glancing in her direction.

“How’d he treat you?”

“I’m walking,” she giggles with a heavy sigh. “He honestly wasn’t the worst I’ve ever been with. He wasn’t abusive in any fashion…Until you escaped with Scarlet, at least. He didn’t hit me or anything, but he was acting crazy enough for me to think he might’ve actually shot one of us.”

“I’m glad you’re fine. Sorry for making you trek the way back in your birthday suit.”

She shakes her head. “This also isn’t the worst walk I’ve ever had,” she grumbles. “The fact I’ve got my own armed escort and guard almost makes me feel like precious cargo.”

“You’re much more than that,” you quickly say. “You’re no luggage, Arabella. You’re worth every risk and attempt I can do.”

Arabella doesn’t say anything, but you can imagine she’s smiling at your words, as she often does when you reply honestly with her remarks and increasing sarcasm.

…

…

Inside, you find Gwendolion hovering above Scarlet as she rests. Her black hair is messy now. You suspect her to be dressed, but beneath a heavy quilt, you can’t see anything else of her.

Mikko gasps when she notices Arabella, who has just stepped in without anything. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing,” Arabella growls. “I’m going to shower now. If I can?” She doesn’t bother covering herself, but you suppose she doesn’t mind showering off her body in front of you. You wave her off, though. Telling her to get cleaned up.

“Gwen,” you say. “How’s Scarlet?”

“She’s been asleep since we fed and dressed her.”

“She asked for a gun, but I kept them away from her,” Mikko follows with.

“Good thinking,” you look at Scarlet, almost childlike in her appearance now. Her features are ageless and fail drastically to complement her profession. “Anything I need to worry about?”

“We heard some people looking around a little while ago, but they never came here. Are we leaving again?” Mikko deflates.

You know you can’t stay here. Your expression is enough of a reply for Mikko, and she curses under her breath. You haven’t really heard her swear before, but you suppose your vocabulary has something to do with her expansion on adult language.

Gwendolion doesn’t seem bothered by it. You’re pretty sure she knew this wouldn’t last forever anyway. This whole event with the bandits and Scarlet has just sped up the process she knew would eventually happen.

Your eyes go to the bathroom door as you hear the shower starting. Mikko flinches in surprise but then relaxes when she hears it. She shrugs. “What now, master?”

You sit down and close your eyes. Your adrenaline is wearing off, and now you’re starting to feel tired. “How about you start packing up the equipment? And then get some rest. I have a feeling we’ll need as much sleep as we can manage these next few days.”

Both girls nod and then move away, giving you ample space for you. Your mind walks over your thoughts. Visions and earlier events play in the dark of your closed eyes. Scarlet, beside you, makes a noise as she turns over in the blanket. In the bedroom, you hear the twins getting some loose attempts put away. And then, of course, in the bathroom, you hear the water splashing…