#lxl

     I rushed them, grabbing the closest one by the collar of his clothes and yanking him off his feet. I threw him to the ground before swinging the chunk of wood for the next’s head; it knocked him out. I swung back for the last one on his feet but he’d had a bit more time to block the board.

     Startled curses fell from the lips of the remaining two as they tried to counter my assault. I swung for the head of the one trying to get to his feet to keep him down. It connected with a clonk, but the one standing was able to grab my wrist and pull me in, pinning my arms to my sides to disable my blunt weapon. I dropped the board, but I threw my head back into his face and his grip faltered enough for me to grab the multi-tool on my belt, pop the blade, and jab it into his ribs, he yelped - they asked for this.

     I heard the crash of trash from the door followed by another man’s voice, “The fuck-?!” was all I heard before darting off, and I had run most of the way to my sanctuary before I could think. Unfortunately that was also when I realized I had probably lost my shoes back there.

     If I couldn't get those back, they’d be harder to replace on my own, but I still opted to return without them.

Mood Music:

     A vehicle of some kind flew past the balcony, catching my eye as I closed the fridge, prompting me to move closer to look out, but not far enough to open the doors. There was a decent flow of traffic as far as I could tell which meant I wasn't isolated if he didn't return; a pro as well as a con.

     I didn't want to be still long enough to think about being alone so I wandered away from the door towards the previously unidentified room; the bot following along behind me, just out of reach.

     The room looked like an office on one side with a desk and several wall-mounted screens. On the other side was some mechanical equipment I inspected curiously. I figured it was for exercise but couldn’t make the mechanisms move for the life of me.

     I was grateful it wasn’t a second bedroom at first, but eventually, the cycle’s light began to fade to night and I slept alone regardless.

___

     Screens became my life for the first few cycles. When I wasn't trying to parse some societal norms from its media, I was people watching from the balcony, or rummaging through the things left behind - even the locked ones after the first handful of cycles. I found documents with conflicting information, and weapons in the weirdest of places; behind chairs, holstered to the underside of tables - I even started poking at random objects when moving a tray in the kitchen made a section of the cupboard pop down with more weapons. It wasn't the only time it worked either! a small army could have stocked up here.

     I observed traffic to identify rush times and directional patterns. I’d have to go out there eventually; the meal bars were getting low and the meat was starting to grey. I could feel time fraying the thread of hope I had been clinging to.

     Cautiously, I moved my people watching to street level with a multi-tool clipped under the button-up I'd made a dress out of. I followed the traffic, stopping to ask what folks did for fun around here on the way. I was informed of some street lined with clubs only a couple blocks away before they added that I could probably get into some for free if I flirt with the right people - while looking me up and down in the process. It sounded like some things weren’t so different here; another pro as well as a con. I, of course, pretended not to notice and they didn't push a reaction, but I still crossed the street to avoid being followed too close.

     I poked my head into a couple bars, trying not to stand out and leaving before I could be bothered about not ordering. I idled by the wall of the dance floor and ruminated on how to proceed, only interrupted by a server coming over to say someone had bought me a drink - which I accepted. I’d have to find someone to attach to if Vee had left me here; another in a history of broken hearts for all I knew. I had a sip of the drink, somewhat disappointed that it wasn't something harder. I could sense something in him that he wouldn't show though, and I wanted to draw it out. Perhaps I had already scared him off by trying. Oh how I hoped he’d show up to prove I wouldn't need another, but I was running out of time.

     Everything began to feel heavy, and the room kept going if I turned too fast. I realized quickly that I was in danger and had to get somewhere away. I didn’t know who was safe so I opted to attempt sneaking out the back, but I was met halfway to the road by a vulture of a man whom either caused or sensed my predicament. Two others came out of the door behind me and it became apparent that they were working together, and they could tell I was out of touch, making it known with the words they used to pull my attention.

     “You look lost” said the one between me and the road, all of them moving closer with unsettling looks in their eyes.

     With hominids being much smaller than Guarm, it felt a lot less imposing of an interaction in comparison, but I still felt small, “I’ve dealt with bigger things than y’all three combined,” I hissed.

     Of course, I still found myself shoved against a wall with the three of them blocking me in. “You wanna give us a demonstration?” They laughed.

     My vision flashed and spun with the impact and I found myself lagging against the vertical surface. My body was better equipped to handle filtering substances than other hominids but I still didn't know how long it would linger. I could potentially manipulate them away if I could lock onto the right emotion but with how my mind swam, it didn't appear to be an option.

     I wanted to fight. Things were supposed to be different. This wasn't what I wanted at all. I wanted to go home, whatever that meant. Or him. I wanted Vee.

     I was made to face them, one on either side gripped my arms to prevent resistance and to keep me upright. “Oh yeah, it's got her reeling” sneered the third, exposing himself just in time for my peripheral vision to fade out.

     I closed my eyes. Maybe it'd hurt less to pretend it was just a game with Vee. No strangers. Just him and me.

     And someone holding me up… to help?

     That didn't make sense.

Mood Music:

Ah omekashi o shite kawaku nodo gaman shite 0-ji doa nokku suru kimi no chi de kanpai o shiyou

Ah, getting all dressed up Enduring the thirst in my throat At midnight, I knock upon your door Let's have a toast to the taste of your blood nee nigenaide kowagaranaide kimi no sakebi de kokoro ga odoru Hey, don't run away Don't get so scared Your cries make my heart leap HALLOWEEN KISS LIPS akuma to no KISS LIPS keiyaku o yakusoku shiyou gokujō no kairaku

HALLOWEEN KISS your LIPS with the devil KISS, your LIPS make a contract Let's make a vow for the greatest of pleasures KISS EYES kuruoshii KISS EYES keiyaku o koyoi musubareru seinaru HALLOWEEN NIGHT

KISS, your EYES driven to insanity KISS, your EYES make a contract Tonight, we will be bound together On this holy HALLOWEEN NIGHT motto ajiwattetai nanimono ni mo kanawanai kimi to iu gochisou o ubawareru wake ni wa ikanai

I want to taste you even more No one else could even compare Such a delectable meal like you Cannot be taken by anyone else kimi wa mou boku no monodakarane Hoka no yatsu ni nanka agenai yo ore no mono ni natta nda zettai hanasanai kara na oide**

From now on, you're mine I won't give you to anyone else You've become mine now I won't let you go, till the end Come here. HALLOWEEN KISS EARS amai koe KISS EARS sasayaite yakusoku shiyou eien no sokubaku

HALLOWEEN KISS your EARS hear a sweet voice KISS, your EARS hear whispers Let's make a vow to be bound for eternity KISS itoshii KISS EARS kurai tsuku koisuru kaibutsu seinaru HALLOWEEN NIGHT

KISS, your EARS hear "You're adorable." KISS, your EARS hear "I'll devour you." Monsters in love On this holy HALLOWEEN NIGHT HALLOWEEN KISS LIPS akuma to no KISS LIPS keiyaku o yakusoku shiyou gokujou no kairaku

HALLOWEEN KISS your LIPS with the devil KISS, your LIPS make a contract Let's make a vow for the greatest of pleasures Ah HALLOWEEN KISS EARS amai koe KISS EARS sasayaite yakusoku shiyou eien no sokubaku

HALLOWEEN KISS your EARS hear a sweet voice KISS, your EARS hear whispers Let's make a vow to be bound for eternity KISS EARS itoshii KISS EARS kurai tsuku koisuru kaibutsu boku to ore to seinaru HALLOWEEN NIGHT

KISS, your EARS hear "You're adorable." KISS, your EARS hear "I'll devour you." Monsters in love With me With me On this holy HALLOWEEN NIGHT

* interpretation bla bla ojamasuru means to disturb, bother etc. also konoyo has a connotation that seems to connect more on being "the world of the living"