#liminality.

Eevee exhaled deeply, eyes trailing over the half-broken and worn down Walmart sign before returning their attention to Rothchild. RETRIEVE A CIVILIAN. They’d be lying to themselves if they didn’t question this task; it definitely seemed like a much easier job than it most likely was. The serum was held super close to the chest, and they knew the executives would never just hand it out to anyone who asked. No, this mission had to be life or death-- or as close to it as it could be. These agents’ loyalty meant too much for their lives to just be discarded like paper in the wind... RIGHT?

Pounding of feet against the pavement cued the beginning of the mission, Eevee taking off to keep pace as they all pushed through the glass doors. Slowing to a jog, they instantly scanned their new surroundings, watching as a few other agents simply ran full speed with no regard for examination. It honestly looked like a Walmart. But there HAD to be more to it. With knitted eyebrows, they decided to take the route that had yet to be traveled, keeping a silent note of the agents who followed behind at a distance. Did they think Eevee somehow knew where to go? Maybe they had a reassured expression?? After all, this whole mission was far less about the opportunity to be injected with the serum and completely about validating themselves-- a little to Hellfire as a whole, but most importantly, for themselves. With or without abilities, they could prove they were a legitimate asset.

Swerving around a corner, they were met with their first long-- irrationally long-- aisle. Their jog slowed even further, hand instinctively wrapping around the flashlight that hung off their waste. Though the harsh store lighting flickered above, a stout, blunt object was nice to have in situations where they might have to defend themselves. Pushing forward at a cautious pace, they kept an eye out for any sign of life-- other than the few tailing them or a couple of other agents that ran by. The overhead lights eventually diminished, however, dropping the temperature and adding to the ‘CREEP’ FACTOR.

After about their sixtieth, or so it felt, turn, they were no longer met with an empty aisle, but one with a group of people huddled in the middle. Spotting them hopefully before they’d spotted Eevee, they quickly backed up and out of their view and switched off their flashlight. Stealthily arching their neck to try and peek back over at the group, they counted eight, maybe nine-- all adult aged. Rothchild had said a civilian... not a troop of them. As Eevee spied and evaluated them, their tail caught a glimpse of life and like he’d been rejuvenated with life, gasped excitedly and rushed forward. “I found them!” he yelled, his voice echoing as they all turned to him in unison. Within seconds, they lunged at him, mumbling inhuman growls as some form of communication. It all happened far to quickly, Eevee frozen in terror and surprise, their eyes growing wide as Agent Starbuck was ripped to pieces with an ease that seemed impossible.

Allowing themselves a few seconds of shock, they then shook off the paralysis before retreating at full speed. The nipping cold pushed back by the adrenaline that now coursed through them as they ran. Was there even a civilian to save? Was all this a fool’s errand; a way to lead the agents to their death? After the attack, maybe the executives wanted to start fresh and no longer believed they could trust any of their agents. A million thoughts raced through their mind as they darted down halls and around corners. Left, left, right, left, right. Slowing slightly, not even remotely ready to just stop all together, they glanced around in confusion. Wait-- were they supposed to take a left or right?

Biting their bottom lip in thought momentarily before pulling out the compass they remembered they’d been given, they mumbled obscenities to themselves as the arrow spun in never-ending circles. Of fucking course they’d give them a useless compass. Tugging at their sleeves as their air puffed out into a warm cloud, Eevee racked their brain. Okay. They could do this. 

After taking a deep breath, they drove themselves forward with purpose. Was this the way? They weren’t sure, but going somewhere was better than sitting still. It felt like HOURS. Aisles followed by more aisles. But still, they persevered, eventually stumbling across one other life-form and quickly covering their source of light to make it dim. This ‘person’ seemed to be like the ones they’d found earlier-- but alone, and that meant Eevee had a far better chance. Is this who the executives were referring to? And if it was, how were they supposed to bring them out-- would they be willing?

ACT FIRST, QUESTION LATER. At an agile speed, Eevee took off towards them, uncovering their light in an attempt to blind them. They were met with similar growls as the other recoiled from the light, Eevee taking the opportunity to pounce with a swift smack with the flashlight to the back of he head. Almost as if they could see the stars around the others head, they wildly lashed out in a dazed state. Nails connected with Eevee’s arm, raking deep and hard. Wincing, Eevee kept hitting them over and over in the same spot-- careful not to kill but rather to render unconscious.

After what felt like a few agonizing minutes, the other body fell limp in their arms; their crimson soaked arms. They could feel the multiple bruises forming, probably a black eye and definitely more deep cuts. But at least they weren’t dead. “This is for Agent Starbuck,” they spit at the knocked out body.

What now?

Taking even more time to even out their breathing and recharge their muscles, they counted to themselves. 3, 2, 1. With a grunt, they slung the other over their shoulders in a fireman’s carry, exhaling sharply as they were a lot heavier than they looked. Now it was time for endurance, to not only be able to find their way back but to also lug this piece of shit with them.

Legs turned to noodles, over time, BUT THEY PUSHED ON. It became incredible hard to breathe, BUT THEY PUSHED ON. They weren’t sure if they were going the right way, BUT THEY PUSHED ON. Bitter cold nipped at them, threatening to slow them to a frozen halt, BUT THEY PUSHED ON.

Slowly but surely, they repeated ‘you can do this’ like a mantra, even if they didn’t actually believe it. Hours passed, and every inch of them threatened to shut down in exhaustion when they caught a glimpse of faint overhead lighting. Exhaling a loud and furious groan, like their own personal battle cry, they forced themselves on in desperation. The end, it was so close. THEY COULD DO THIS.