#sirs. that is a door. it's not fuckin soundproof

[jeysuso]

#the reason they’re so close isn’t because they’re twins #it’s because they share a braincell 

[ren1327]

Screamtober Day 15 Day 15: Masquerade

Fandom: Helluva Boss/Hazbin Hotel

Another snippet of my Mimzastor fic!

IMP are hired to take out a murderous husband and his mistress during a Masquerade ball to the teams delight and Luna's curiosity.

CW: Swearing, S##ual implications, Blitz being Blitz

-----------------------------------------

"Curl of lip, swirl of gown, ace of hearts, face of clown. Faces, drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned, in the light, in the sound~"

"But who can name the face?" Millie sang to her excited husband.

"Masquerade~! Grinning yellows, spinning reds-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Loona huffed from behind them. She plucked at her black dress. "Did we really need to dress up?"

"Well, not all of us have human disguises Loony." Blitz called from the front, a gilded gold see through mask over his face.

"So why am I human?" She asked.

"Well, a wolf mask as realistic as yours is harder to explain..." Moxxie started.

"It's a masquerade, not a furry con." Millie finished. "Sorry, Hun."

Loona huffed and put on her silver half wolf mask. "Fuck off."

"Okay. We got two targets." Blitz said. "The clients cheating asshole husband and her ex-best friend who was fucking him."

"I cant believe that she was his wife and personal hitwoman and she was just snuffed out for her best friend." Millie snarled.

"She planned the murder." Loona said as they entered the gates and snuck in the back.

Blitz sighed.

"Back room, they're probably trying to get in a quickie."

"Right, Moxxie."

"Yes, Sir?"

"Get the door and Millie, the window just in case..."

Blitz and co snuck in a back room, thankfully soundproofed.

The team took out thier guns.

"Alright, Fuckers-whoa, what the fuck is this?"

"Ahh!" The redheaded woman pushed the man off her, the man who was not the husband of the client. from thier place in front of the fireplace.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Clara are you..." The Husband came in with a young caterer and both put up thier hands. "Mitch. What the hell is going on here?"

"Don, we were just..." He shrugged. "I heard her scream."

"Where's your gun?" Don asked.

"In my jacket by the door."

"Please don't shoot. I'm...I'm pregnant!"

"Clara...I had a vasectomy!" Don yelled. "That's why we got the damn dog you let die and then stuffed!"

He pointed at a taxidermized pug over the fireplace.

"I'm sterile." Mitch said.

"Oh...Oh, then I'm not." She said.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Blitz yelled. "You and he fucked."

He pointed at Clara and Don.

"And you and he fucked." He pointed to Clara, then Mitch, then looked at the caterer. "Who did you fuck?"

"Uh...I sucked off Mitch." He said.

"Logan!" Don yelled.

"I'm sorry, Dad, he's kinda hot! And that bitch was trying to convince him to kill you!" Logan said. "That's why I snuck in."

"What?!"

"Alright this is too fuckin' confusing." Blitz said. "I got a bath, warm bed and a horny husband at home, so..."

BANG! BANG!

Logan gasped seeing his father and Clara dead on the ground.

Moxxie then shot Mitch in the side of his head, putting the gun in his grip as if he had committed a murder suicide.

The three looked at Logan who held up his hands.

"He was an asshole and I loved my Mom." He said.

Blitz huffed and grabbed the stuffed dog, the four jumping out the window. Logan watched them go, then picked his father's wallet and threw his gloves in the fireplace, grinning as he looked up at his mother's photo before shimmying out the window.

Natasha Allegri-Smith.

*

"Aw, I love it!" Octavia cooed at the pug when Blitz got home.

"Successful mission?" Stolas asked, petting Blitz's horns.

"Too damn easy." He said and leaned back into his husband's slim frame.

"Oh, I'm sowwy you didn't have fun." Stlas cooed.

"Tavie cover your ears." Blitz said and she put in her head phones at max volume, walking back to her room with her new gift.

"Hot wax and a car battery?"

"Oh, Blitzy~!"

[the-lady-writes-what]

The Birthday Gift

A Belated Birthday Event for Katsuki Bakugou

Pro-Hero Au

Contents: semi-public sex, lingerie, desk sex, cream pie, neck grabbing (back of neck), pretty tame to what I usually write for him

18+ Only, Minors DNI

Your legs were a little shaky as you trotted up to the building in those high heels. You wrapped the tan trench coat tighter around you though there was nary a breeze. You walked right through the doors without being stopped, turned into the elevator, and pressed the button that took you all the way to the top. Butterflies made your stomach flip around in your belly. You practiced breathing until the elevator came to a stop. A corridor led to a secretary desk whose occupant politely smiled upon seeing you getting off the elevator. "Mrs. Bakugou, are you here to see your husband?" "Yes, is he still in the office?" You asked. "Yes, ma'am, but he's scheduled for patrol in about an hour—" "That's more than I need," you said aloud. The secretary gave you a confused look before you disappeared behind the door. She didn't hear the lock clicking into place as you closed it behind you. Katsuki had his back turned to you when you entered. He was looking out the window with a cell phone to his ear, yelling at the poor person on the other end. It gave you time to admire him from behind. He was so much taller than when he was a high schooler. Katsuki had grown another foot by the time he graduated from the hero academy and bulked up. I mean, bulked up. He was a mountain of corded muscle, and he could lift you up with one hand if you let him. Scars littered his skin from all the battles he fought. You couldn't help but stare at how Katsuki's back muscles twitched and flexed as he continued the conversation. "And if you fuckers think—" "Ahem." You cleared your throat loud enough for your husband to finally notice you. Katsuki pivoted to the side and saw you standing there. His thick brows furrowed. "Let me fucking call you back." His long legs helped him cross the room, but he didn't stop. Katsuki walked right up to you and had your back up into the door. His arm shot out against it, fist right above your head. Katsuki loomed over you with his piercing red eyes staring at you. "Hello to you too," you said, giggling. "Somethin' wrong at home?" "No. I just wanted to come and see you on your birthday." Katsuki sighed. His face relaxed. Though his brows were still furrowed, his eyes softened. "Look, I know you probably want to take me out to dinner or whatever, but I'm on duty tonight. I can't—" "I know you're busy. You do everything in your power to protect the city," you said. "I don't do it just for that. I want to make sure you're safe too." "I know, which is why I wanted to bring your birthday present straight to you. Before you went out and risked life and limb for me. Don't you want to open it?" Katsuki looked you up and down. It didn't take him long at all to notice that you weren't carrying any sort of bag. A devilish smirk crossed his chiseled face. "Oh?" Katsuki reached for the belt holding your coat together. "I don't know if I should unwrap here. I might upset my secretary." "But didn't you get the walls soundproofed since last time?" You asked with a smirk of your own. "Goddamn, you're going to be the death of me!" Katsuki growled before sealing your lips with his. It became a frenzy of hands tugging at each other's clothes. Katsuki tore at the belt, cinching your trench coat at your waist. The moment it came loose, he pulled it off your shoulders with such violence that made you shudder with anticipation. The butterflies came back with revenge as it made your stomach turn in a good way. You dropped your coat at the door. Katsuki revealed a tight black number that clung to your curves without your trench coat and left very little to the imagination. A slit led up all the way to your hip. You stretched your leg out to show off the garter and flash Katsuki the lacey top of your stockings. "Where's the rest of it?" Asked Katsuki. He tugged at the string that held your dress up at the back of your neck. "You'll see it soon enough." You kissed him hard and began walking him back towards his desk. You smiled to yourself, knowing that you were the only one in the world that could make the pro-hero Dynamight shudder with just a touch. You were also the only one he'd let push him around. You pushed him to sit in his high-backed leather chair. You jammed your leg between his and brushed your knee against his growing hard-on. Katsuki reached up and pulled the top of your dress off. The silken fabric fell away from your chest. Beneath, you wore a black and orange bra with crisscrossing straps that were still reminiscent of Katsuki's hero costume. Losing all patience, Katsuki grabbed a fistful of your dress and yanked it towards him. The flimsy silk stood no chance against him. The sound of tearing fabric filled your ears just before Katsuki set his teeth to your neck. He pulled you into his lap after shredding the rest of your dress. You could complain to him about it later. Katsuki's large hands roamed up and down your body and left trails of lava wherever he touched. Calloused fingers pulled down the cups so that your breasts were free for him to kiss, lick, suck and touch to his heart's content. Katsuki licked your nipples before taking one into his mouth and suckled. Your fingers wove into his hair and gently pulled, depending on how sweet or hard he sucked on your breast. Rough fingers massaged your hips and urged you to grind against him by moving you himself. You got the idea and moved along his hips as if he was already buried inside your body. Katsuki groaned against your chest before pulling away with a pop. He gripped your hips and made you move faster against him. His cock pressed tight against his dark pants. "Shit, woman, you're going to be the death of me." "I hope not." You panted for breath. "At least not until after you fuck me." "Mhm? Oh, yeah?" Katsuki pulled the matching panties to the side so he could see your juices dripping out of you. He rubbed his fingers against your clit in tight circles. "You're fucking soaked. What am I going to do with you?" He asked. Katsuki slammed your back against the desk, stepped between your legs so they'd stretch all the way out, and worked on his belt. "It's your birthday. Let me," you said. You reached for his belt, quickly unfastened it, and reached into his pants. Your hand pulled out his cock and stroked it. Katsuki grabbed the ends of his desk. His guttural moans made you move your hand faster. His cock twitched in your hand before Katsuki batted it away. "I think I use my birthday present as I see fit." Katsuki licked his lips. "Now, keep 'em spread." "Yes, sir." Katsuki didn't rip your underwear to get to your cunt. He simply moved it to the side and rubbed your clit with the tip of his cock. He was lined up perfectly but didn't push it in. Katsuki stared down at you like he was waiting for something. "Katsuki, come one already! Fuck, I want to feel you inside me already!" "I thought I was gonna use my present how I like. What are you doin' bossin' me around?" There was that devilish smirk again. "But I—" "Beg like you fuckin' mean it, woman. And hurry it up! I want to hear those sweet little sounds you make when I'm balls deep inside your perfect cunt." You chewed on your bottom lip. Your hands held onto Katsuki's big, muscular shoulders, thumbing his thick neck. The tip of his cock was barely inside you, and no matter how much you wriggled, there was no chance of making him thrust it in deeper. You could feel your cunt weeping from all of his hard work, and he hadn't even touched you down there much! You moaned and whined until you pushed aside your pride. "Please, please, Katsuki. Fuck me. I need you!" "Since you asked so nicely." Katsuki grinned. With one short thrust, Katsuki was seated all the way in. He reveled in your wet heat for a moment, then grabbed your hips and runted against you like an animal. Your nails dug into his shoulders. Pens in their holder wobbled and fell off the desk thanks to Katsuki's pounding your cunt with reckless abandon. One of his hands left your hip to hold the back of your neck and forced your back to arch up like a bow. His remaining hand made sure that your body was as close to his as possible. Your legs wrapped around his lower back, letting you cling to him. Katsuki's hand on the back of your neck held you tighter. Katsuki knocked the wind out of your lungs with every thrust. Your walls stretched for him. The wet smack of skin on skin just made your cunt clench around his cock like nothing else. Every time, the lewd sound made you hornier for Katsuki. Your hips moved of their own accord and moved in time with his. "That's right," Katsuki growled against your ear. He pulled both of his arms around you and held you in a rigid hug without ever losing his pace. "Fuck me back. Fuck me like you mean it!" Katsuki's whole body encompassed you, inside and out. You did as he commanded and writhed beneath him. He buried his face into your neck, his warm breath ghosting across your skin in short, rapid pants as his cock drove deeper into your body. Holding you close to him, Katsuki pounded into you. Your chest rested on his shoulder, allowing you to scream, cry out, and moan. The desk beneath you shuddered and groaned with Katsuki's pistoning inside your cunt. Katsuki's nails dug into your back the moment his hips slammed into you over and over again at inhuman speeds. He grunted like a beast next to your ear. The wet pap of your bodies colliding filled the room. Katsuki gritted his teeth, then his body went still. He shuddered while still holding you. Ropes of cum sputtered inside your walls and filled your lower belly. Katsuki pulled away to thrust in and out of you even as he seemed to drain himself in your warm body. He rubbed your clit while slowly driving into your cunt. Your vision turned white for a split second. You came all over his cock, still painting your insides. It took the both of you several minutes before you could successfully come down from your high. Katsuki cleaned you up with some tissues, but some of his cum still trickled down your thigh. His solution? Katsuki swiped it up with his fingers and put them in your mouth. You didn't hesitate to suck on them until they were clean.  Together, you fixed your clothes, but the dress was beyond repair. You couldn't put it back on unless you had an army of safety pins. It was a good thing you remembered to have a trench coat in case Katsuki got too much of a handful. You walked about halfway to the door before Katsuki caught up to you. He grabbed a handful of your ass and squeezed. "Keep that little cunny nice and wet for me when I get off work. Okay?"

[babbushka]

The Real M(VP)

Del Taco VP x Reader 

1.7k ; NSFW (Praise kink, dom/sub undertones [sub!reader], lots of calling him Sir, masturbation, workplace relationship, secretary + boss dynamic, PIV, desk sex)

Kinktober Masterlist || Available on AO3

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The second he gets walks through the door, your whole mood lightens up. It’d been a long morning and there were too many things that they all needed his signature for, too many people to call back and too many emails to respond to.

They were filming the commercial today, or at least, parts of a couple different commercials for the new menu that the heads of corporate had finally approved. You knew shoot days were long, so when you see his grey blazer and those trademark yellow aviators of his, you can’t help but be glad to see him.

“Welcome back sir!” You greet him from your desk, a cheerful smile and a cup of coffee in hand for him. You cast a glance over to the frosted glass windows just down the hall, “I’ve got your two o’clock in the conference room.”

“Reschedule it.” He gratefully accepts the coffee, throwing back a big swig of it all at once, smacking his lips together and then giving you a heated gaze that only the two of you know what it means, “Then meet me in my office. It’s…urgent.”

With that, he walks past you and into the private office that’s just for him, a perk of being the Vice President of branding. You’re quick to do as he says, because you know what’s waiting for you behind that closed door.

The two o’clock is relieved for the meeting to be rescheduled, much to your amusement. They clearly could use the extra day to prepare – your boss wasn’t an easy man to pitch to, not one bit. He was particular, and vocal about the things he doesn’t like, never one to shy away from making corrections or demonstrating himself how things should be done.

You loved that about him, those…demonstrations.

Knocking twice to let him know it’s you, you open your boss’ door and quietly lock it behind you. He’s pulled his glasses off and is massaging the bridge of his nose, his leather office chair reclined back a fair bit. You don’t need to see his cock, to know that he’s jerking off.

“Oh hello, pretty girl.” His voice is deep, if a little raw. He must have been yelling then, you tsk fondly.

“I take it it went badly?” You ask, sauntering over to him, swaying your hips the way you know he likes. You love it, you love feeling sultry and special and all for him, his number one secretary.

“Wasn’t the smoothest shoot we’ve ever had.” He grunts as he watches you through half-lidded eyes. “This buck and under menu’s going to be the death of me.”

Chuckling a little at that, you make your way around his desk, your fingers trailing over the mahogany wood he sits behind. Your movements are slow, deliberate, and he has his eyes trained on every one of them.

“You’re tense sir, how can I help?” You bat your lashes at him, whispering, leaning forward so he can get a glimpse of your cleavage from your low-cut dress.

“Sit on my big fat cock, and let me see those perfect tits of yours.” He doesn’t hesitate to say, and you have to bite the inside of your cheek so you don’t grin with excitement.

The chair is sturdy enough to take you both, you’ve done this many times. Your favorite is blowing him under the desk while he takes his calls, chocking on his cock while he responds to the little notes you leave him, but this is a very close second. You climb onto his lap and shuck your skirt up, the dress giving way and revealing that you’re not wearing any panties.

“Dammit you’re real good to me, aren’t you? My good girl.” He jerks off to the sight of your pussy, his free hand cupping your still-clothed breast and giving it a knead.

“Y-yes sir.” The praise rushes straight through you, and your thighs twitch, tense up, just from those few words. Your boss grins, gives you a nod, knows how much you like it.

Easing yourself down onto his cock, you both let out deep long breaths. He hasn’t had the chance to fuck you in a while, always so busy, going out on these shoots. But he’s here now, and you’ve cleared the whole hour for him to do whatever he wants – you’re thrilled he wants to do you.

“Cunt’s so tight and hot, I could live here.” He groans, his dick worked all the way inside of your pussy, gravity letting you sink down down down onto him until your bodies are flush together.

“Yeah?” You ask, really a long drawn out moan, and not for the first time you’re grateful this room is soundproof, glad the blinds are drawn, glad that it’s just the two of you in this little bubble.

He appraises you, watches you, but he wants more. His hands caress you body as you get yourself comfortable, as you get used to the feeling of him stretching you wide open. Carefully, he pops open the buttons of your dress bodice, revealing your bra. You lick your lips, it’s the kind with the front closure, hoping he’d appreciate the easy access.

Groaning in pleasure and gratitude, he unhooks that front closure and sighs happily as your breasts hang naturally, leans in to press his face in between them and takes in a deep breath.

“Bounce for me baby, go on, be good and bounce on my cock.” He urges, and you’re eager to obey.

Gradually you work up a pace that has the both of you panting. Your hands are braced on the arms of his office chair, he can’t keep himself off of you. Kissing and licking and sucking at your tits, he grunts and huffs and moans into your flesh as you ride him in his office. The chair squeaks but it’s sturdy, and you throw your head back when he drops one of his hands to massage at your clit.

“Oh yes, yes sir, thank you sir!” You gasp and writhe on his cock, the sound of how wet you are filling the room.

The squelch is obscene, and your moans are wonton and breathy, especially as he holds your thigh steady and wriggles two fingers into your cunt alongside his cock, stretching you and putting pressure on your gspot as those fingers crook just where they need to. He presses down on your clit and rubs it back and force with his thumb, and you have to suck up the drool that threatens to spill from your mouth – it wouldn’t do to stain your dress, or his suit. Then everyone in the office would know what it is you get up to.

“Did you hold down the fort while I was gone? Hm? Answered my calls and scheduled my meetings like the best fuckin’ bitch on this floor that you are?” Your boss kisses you, open mouthed and wet, when he finally pulls away from your tits, no doubt leaving them marked and bruised.

You’ll fuck yourself on your fingers and press into those bruises later, you already know, replay the praise he showers you in over and over again.

“Uh huh!” Is all you can manage, but he wants a better answer than that, if the way he bites your jaw is anything to go by, so you muster up the brain power to tell him, “Your t-two o’clock’s tomorrow instead.”

“Thank you baby, beautiful girl, I know I can always count on you.” He pets back your hair while you bounce bounce bounce on his cock and his fingers, your tits out and chest heaving, glistening with sweat and his spit. “Fuckin’ actors, can’t take direction for shit these days. But not you, you never disappoint me. So good, you’re the best, the fucking best.”

“I’m glad, I – oh!” You come suddenly, abruptly, your whole body tensing before melting into his lap. You hope you don’t make a mess all over his nice pleated trousers, but if you do, he’s got a spare outfit and his dry cleaning guy is discreet. “Are you going to come in me? Will you? Please?” You beg, whine for it.

He doesn’t look too far behind, the way his face has gone flushed and splotchy. Must be too hot in that turtleneck, must be burning up from the inside out, into your pussy, you want it, you want him to come in you so badly, not caring about the risks.

“No baby, not while you’re wearing this dress, you know how quick it stains.” He shakes his head and you pout from the disappointment. He kisses it off your mouth until you’re grinning again, blissed out from the way he’s still fucking you through your orgasm, “Juuuust a little more – ”

He pats your thigh and you quickly hop off of him and up onto the desk, grabbing some tissues to hand him immediately so he can shoot his load into them. When he comes, it’s with a deep guttural moan that you feel in your chest. Satisfied and smug, your pleasure-weak hand reaches up to tuck some of his thick locks behind his ear.

“Your hair’s getting long.” You muse, thinking he’s starting to look like a sleaze. Maybe he is a sleaze, but he doesn’t have to look like one, “I ought to book you an appointment to get it cut.”

Your boss can hear the words inside your head, and he rolls his eyes, pulling you close once again to kiss you. He’s very kissy after he comes, you’ve come to find out, and you’re not mad about it one bit.

“What would I do without you?” He sighs against your mouth.

“Starve, probably.” You wink, getting ready to stand up on your shaky legs once more – but he stops you with a hand on your thigh.

“Speaking of which, lay out. I’m having you for lunch.” He grins, those dimples of his creasing his cheeks, his eyes sparkling.

As always, you’re quick to listen, loving that this is one of the many perks of your job – being with him, with this charmingly seedy man, and you lie back happily with a, “Yes sir.”

[go-whump-in-the-night]

Backstory for my OC, Ren (back when he was still Tsubasa), about his last evening as a bunraku puppet at the Komorebi Club, and his introduction to Yuudai, the ex-yakuza who rescued him. Pretty dark whump followed by a rare comfort moment! Yay! Word count: 2641 TW: implied/referenced noncon, implied/referenced self-harm, referenced suicide attempt

  The transdermal patch was pressed into the back of the puppet’s neck, just below his hairline, and microscopic pins pressed into the grooves worn in his skin. Almost immediately, the dizzying sensation of the drug began swirling around Tsubasa’s head, and he felt himself growing nauseous.

“Lay him down. Tilt his head to the side.”

The pale young man watched as his view changed, limply slumping back on the bed’s dark brown silky blankets , then looking over to his left as large, cool hands turned his face in that direction. The light from the artificial treetops danced across the suite’s wall. He had been told by Minami-sama that this light was a simulation of the light one might see breaking through the treetops on a sunny day.

Tsubasa wondered what sunlight was like. He had been told it was warm. A warm light. He could barely comprehend that concept.

People were talking, softly, as if aware that Tsubasa listened in on the conversations of the management here as often as he could. Other than the personasofts, it was his only source of information.

He strained his ears to listen even as he felt his limbs growing weaker, even his lungs having slight difficulty expanding.

“This is not good. If Minami-san knew how close he came today...he’d have our skins.”

“Minami-san won’t know. Minami-san won’t find out. The only ones who know are you and I.”

“Yeah, but the cameras-”

“There aren’t any cameras in the suites, dumbass. Same reason he’s got that data filter in his head. “

“What did he even use? There was a lot of blood, but...there’s nothing he could’ve stabbed himself with, is there?”

“...I think he used his teeth.”

The pair of Yakuza fell silent and Tsubasa trailed his dark eyes down to look at his hand, which lay limply in front of his face. His wrist was wrapped in clean, white bandages.

After a moment, one of the guards said, “He couldn’t’ve actually killed himself, though. He’s weak, even without the Dopadrine.”

“That’s by design. But even then, him getting hurt at all is bad news, and if he was actually aware while he did it…”

“It was a glitch with the ‘soft. I’m sure it was. Don’t get so fuckin’ ominous.”

“Let’s just get ‘im put away and then try to figure out a way to explain this to Minami-san.”

Hands grabbed hold of Tsubasa, one pair under his arms, one at his legs. He felt limp and numb, nausea still swirling around his stomach. The group moved through one of the doors, carved with the shape of a maple leaf on its front, and into another warm-coloured hallway. Dark mahogany floors, burnt orange walls, and that ever-present dancing light, that dappled light of the sun through trees.

They brought Tsubasa to his room and put him on the bed. The door locked behind them as the pair left.

Darkness. Darkness. Darkness.

This room was so dark it seemed endless. Dark. An eternal blackness; no smell, no taste, no texture. Just a blackness so deep that Tsubasa could not see if his eyes were opened or closed.

Slowly, numbly, he raised a hand to his face, holding it in front of his eyes. He couldn’t see it. Then he moved it back to the back of his neck, feeling the silicone patch over his spine. He ran his fingers over its surface, smoother than the skin underneath.

Time didn’t pass here. It was soundproofed. He had seen it with the light from the hallway outside, enough to know that it would, under normal circumstances, be a nice, if spartan, room. His bed was firm but not uncomfortable, and there was room to walk around.

Tsubasa wasn’t in here enough to grow stir-crazy, but sometimes he wondered what the less-popular bunraku went through, in here for hours, even days, not even put on display so that they might have a chance to get out of the darkness.

Foolishness, thought Tsubasa. I’m always in the darkness. Even when I’m out there in those swirling, false lights, even when I’m surrounded by people, it’s dark. I can’t see anything. Nothing.

Nothing.

No

thing….

Tsubasa shut his eyes again.  He listened to the dull throb of his head, feeling it washing around his head like the ocean. He pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes, rubbing them gently. His fingers felt cold, tingly. In fact, he could hardly feel them at all. They kept this area cold, and Tsubasa didn’t know if it was to save money or to somehow keep the dolls more docile.

Maybe people are like food, Tsubasa thought sardonically to himself. Perhaps we last longer if we’re kept cold.

He regretted the thought almost immediately. Tsubasa felt sick.

Nauseous.

He felt as if his limbs weighed a million tons.

He didn't know how long he was in there for, as his thoughts spun around in his drowsy mind. Premeditated suicide was not a luxury Tsubasa was allowed; he didn't spend enough time in his own head to make those sorts of plans.

He hadn't gone into that room with the idea of killing himself. It had just happened. He had been put in one of the luxury suites, and was waiting for the personafix chip to be activated. He had felt a dull dread deep in his chest, pulling and tugging like a fish-hook.

And he had looked down at his pale, slender wrist, seeing the delicate blue veins beneath the flawless skin. A hatred had risen up in him, a loathing for that perfect skin, for that carefully cultivated body that felt as if it belonged to someone else.

He felt trapped in his skin.

He felt imprisoned here. In the darkness. In his body. He wished he could be free of it. Of all of it. Now, before his mind was entrapped in itself again. Before that cell door was implanted in his skin and he became someone else.

There was a tearing, a taste of hot coppery liquid, a startlingly brilliant red flashing out against Tsubasa’s pale arm. Red rushing out at him, washing out that darkness.

But Tsubasa was never far from one of Minami’s men, and too soon, he was being restrained, held down, the drug patch pressed into his neck. Everything slowed down, and he watched through a haze as his arm was stitched up and bandaged.

A click of the maglock on the door broke Tsubasa out of his thoughts; he looked over in the direction of the noise, flinching at the sudden light as the door slid open.

“Tsubasa. This will not happen again.”

Minami’s voice never wavered from the calm cadence that he always spoke in, the voice of a man who had flags in a lot of different mountains, and knew few people were foolish enough to try to plant their own. He was a professional, a businessman, and Tsubasa was both fascinated by and terrified of him.

“My men tell me it was a malfunction with your personafix chip that caused this little incident,” said Minami, “But I'm not a fool, and nor, do I think, are you. The chip hadn't been activated yet, had it?”

Tsubasa was silent, just lying on his side and staring at the wall.

“Answer me,” a slight edge worked its way into Minami’s voice.

“No, sir.”

“Precisely,” Minami continued, voice calm once more, “Let’s not have any reservations with each other. I am well aware of how intuitive you are, how adaptive. It’s what makes you such a valuable asset to Komorebi. None of the other bunraku have lasted as long and provided such good results. You are consistently the most requested offering in this company. You are one of our selling points, and it’s precisely because of how durable your mind is, how resilient.

You know all this, Tsubasa.”

Tsubasa nodded, shutting his eyes. This was the most he could recall Minami ever saying to him. Fear gripped his chest like a vice.

“I have offered you a certain amount of freedom which the other bunraku do not receive, because I have interest in maintaining your position as my top selling item. However, what you did this evening, and what you were attempting to do, has made me reconsider this. You are the only bunraku at the Komorebi Club to be given occassional recess from your personafix software. I believed that this would preserve you for many more years. I believed that I was securing an investment. I have decided to rectify this mistake.”

Tsubasa’s eyes snapped open, and he looked over at Minami, heart pounding.

“Your personafix chip will be activated permanently, and you will be kept on Dopadrine when not working,” Minami’s voice had gone quiet, icy, “Your body is mine, Tsubasa. Literally, legally, and up until now I have allowed you to continue using it. But I will not tolerate you damaging my property. You will continue to live and earn money for this company until I decide I no longer have need of you.”

Minami said, “It is regrettable. You had been surprisingly good at resisting the mental strain of the personafix chip. Your original personality wasn't even entirely  undesirable. It's deeply regrettable that it will have to be locked inside that mind of yours from now on. Deeply regrettable.” He took a step backwards, hands clasped in front of him, watching Tsubasa for a moment. Then, with a quick turn on his heel, Minami stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Tsubasa was shut into the darkness again, trembling, his freshly-stitched wrist tingling slightly.

As the young dark-haired man lay on his bed, he listened to the sounds of the Komorebi Club closing for the evening. Tsubasa wondered what it would be like, to no longer be himself, ever again. To think his last lucid thought and then be gone.

Was Tsubasa the body? Or was Tsubasa the mind? Will I still be Tsubasa when I’m gone? Will this body still have my name?

He looked up at the ceiling, throat burning as he tried to keep his repressed sobs silent. He had to take in as much as he could. As much sound as possible. As much smell, as much sight.

Would this be what the rest of his life was like? Locked forever in the darkness of his own mind, unable to act, only able to watch as he was used by the patrons of this business? Unable even to scream?

He felt the warmth of tears streaming down the sides of his face and into his hairline as he looked up at the black ceiling, so dark it may have been endless.

He listened to the noises of the Club’s activities slowly transition from afternoon to evening to early morning. The sounds of talking and drinking, of soft music and footsteps. These transitioned into hushed conversations in Japanese, and to Minami in particular, speaking to his men. Then, hours later, the doors of the building being closed and locked, and the very faintest noise of a car driving away.

It was still so dark. He placed a hand over his face, feeling the cool skin, shutting his eyes and inhaling a pained gasp of air. How many more movements would be of his own command? How many more thoughts would be acted on? How long would it be before he no longer could remember who he used to be?

What if this isn’t who I was born as? What if they created this personality, too? What if Tsubasa is as much a fiction as the rest of them? As fake as this skin and this damned room?

Who am I?

Who are my parents? Do I even have any? Do they know I’m here? 

Did they sell me to Minami? 

His chest hurt, as if the Dopadrine was actually impeding his ability to breathe. It hurt...his chest...his heart...he wanted to scream and claw at his skin, to rip apart Tsubasa, because Tsubasa was what Minami wanted. He wanted to destroy the body these men paid so much money for. He wanted to rip himself apart until there was nothing but his mind.

This body is just a vessel. 

My mind. My mind is who I am. I can’t lose my mind. They can’t take my mind. They can’t take it. They can’t take my mind.

 This body isn’t me. This body isn’t me. This body is a vessel. My mind is me. They can’t take it. They can’t. I can’t lose this, too-

A loud crack sounded in the tiny room and Tsubasa’s eyes snapped open. He stared at the door, around which he could suddenly see just the tiniest crack of light, as if it had been pushed slightly in. How the hell-

As Tsubasa thought this, another loud report sounded as the door visibly shook. Tsubasa shook, his breathing hitched; but he couldn’t move. The drug patch in his neck...he couldn’t even lift his head.

With one final, startling crash, the thick, reinforced door slammed open, banging against the wall as it was pushed inward. Tsubasa flinched, a brilliant blue light driving into his eyes.

Light. Light. Light.

A beautiful...brilliant blue light.

“Get up. Come on, quick, kid. We gotta go.”

A voice was sounding from the source of the light, a terse, but not frightened voice. He was speaking Japanese, very informal Japanese, and he sounded fairly young, though Tsubasa wasn’t sure how young. He blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the figure.

“Come on,”said the man, stepping into the room. Bright blue lights illuminated the tiny space; the figure was tall and lean, muscular. He was wearing a semi-opaque, skintight black mesh shirt, black PVC pants and tall, heavy neon blue boots. He was Japanese, pure Japanese, obviously, and...he was so vivid. So bright. Bright fiberoptic cyberdreads, bright neon lines running down his arms to pvc fingerless gloves. An unsheathed katana stringed with matching LEDs was on his toned shoulder, and his eyes: intent, but also excited, and a beautiful glowing blue.

“Wh...what…?”

“Are you deaf?” the man frowned, looking legitimately confused, “We’re going. I’m rescuing you. Get it?”

Tsubasa stared dumbly at the man, unable to understand his words. He was clearly speaking Japanese, but it didn’t make sense. Going? Rescue? Had Tsubasa gone completely mad?

“What...do you mean...going?” asked Tsubasa softly, brows furrowed.

The man rocked back on forth on his heels slightly, and then he grinned, and the grin was more blindingly beautiful than anything Tsubasa had ever seen. It had no malice in it, no cruelty, no lust. Just...excitement. Tsubasa would almost call it...joy.

Then he said, “Listen, I’ve been working here for a while, and I’ve decided I need some good karma. I’m breaking you out, okay, and leaving,” he frowned a bit, “What does it matter why? Just get up and come on.”

“I don’t...I mean...that is, I can’t…”

“Eh?”

“The drugs...the patch on my neck...I don’t think I can move...I’m sorry…”

The man tilted his head to the side, then crouched, glancing around at the back of Tsubasa’s neck; the younger man felt as if his skin had warmed by a good ten degrees.

“Dopadrine?” the dread-locked man sounded dismayed, “They give you guys Dopadrine??”

Tsubasa shrugged, frowning lightly.

“Fuck, they give that crap to orcs. I’m surprised you’re even conscious. Alright…”

He crouched, and in a swift motion, lifted Tsubasa onto his back, hooking his arms around the young man’s legs and draping his arms around his neck.

“I’m Yuudai, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Tsu…”

“Huh? What?”

“No, I...I don’t have one.”

Yuudai fell silent for a moment, then laughed lightly, looking over at the boy and grinning. That grin made Tsubasa feel like he was flying.

“Well, why don’t you start thinking of one?” asked Yuudai, “A new name. A new start.”

[fatalezr]

A form of justice - part 10 continued...

There was still silence as Mulvaney surveyed the room. "As you were" he said simply and wandered back to the private room. When the door shut the men in the room resumed their whispering and drinking.

"What the fuck?" Rebecca whispered to Kate.

"Just focus" she whispered back but Rebecca found her mind wandering. Now the pressure to finish the investigation had taken on a new life. It had been Locke who was shutting it down for his friend Kieran Mulvaney. He was a traitor to the force. Rebecca remembered the respect with which she had approached him during the interviews to become a Constable. He was unworthy of any of it. Another auction started up and another innocent woman was sold for the night for £57,000. Locke knew, Rebecca thought. He was here. He could stop all of this and yet he hadn't.

"And that concludes the first half of our auction" the butler announced loudly. Most of the men started up conversation again, returning to the bar and keeping the drink makers busy. The butler started to escort the remaining women out of the lobby.

"Precious, come with me" Madame Rouge said to Kate. Her partner's finger briefly curled and squeezed around her own before she was led off. It appeared Kate was being introduced to one of the men at the party. She noticed her flirtatious manner with the gentleman and very soon he was heading up the stairs with her. "Harmony" Madame Rouge called to her and beckoned her over. Rebecca re-focussed her mind. Her job now was to impress the man and take him upstairs. She walked over, smiling. Madame Rouge took her past the crowds of men near the bar and she felt their eyes wandering over her body as she walked. She kept her poise and supposedly flirtatious nature throughout until the Madame led her into the room next to the bar where she had seen the guards gathering earlier.

The men inside were all wearing the black suits the other guards were wearing. Some were smoking, some were playing cards and others had a drink with them. She noticed an array of weapons around the room. Pistols and handguns on tables, a couple of shotguns by the wall and even a couple of automatic rifles and submachine guns by some chairs. She tried to take it all in. It was a scary team and arsenal to be having to face. A head to head fight would not end well. "Gary?" called Madame Rouge. A tall man with brown hair stood from the chair and Rebecca recognised his face. She had been typing a report on one of his activities in recent weeks. He was Gary Kavanagh, one of Mulvaney's enforcers. A couple of the guards clapped as he stood. It appeared that Rebecca was to be his reward. He walked over to her and inspected her front, his tall frame allowing him to stare down at her breasts.

"Good evening" he said finally, offering his hand for her to shake. She took it and looked deep into his eyes.

"Good evening sir" she said, making sure to flutter her eyelashes a bit.

"Well lads" Kavanagh said and she recognised him as having a true East End cockney accent. "Don't wait up for me". His joke was met by laughter around the room. "Shall we?" he asked Rebecca and she took his hand to lead him out of the room, into the lobby and up the stairs towards her room. He said nothing as she led him to room number 9 and let him in. "Oh very lovely jubbly" he said, inspecting the room and in particular the mirrored ceiling. "I do love seeing my face whilst a beautiful pair of tits rides me"

Rebecca giggled. "Is that what you'd like from me sir?" she asked, running her hand over her breast in the colourful bra she was wearing. She walked around the side of the bed towards the draw where the sex toys were kept.

"No need to rush this just yet, darlin'" he said.

Rebecca had a thought and picked up a whip from the draw. It was time to take charge of the situation. She cracked it down hard on the bed. "In this room, I'm in charge" she said in a commanding voice. Kavanagh was startled.

"Alright miss, just let me do sumink first" He walked over to the corner where Rebecca's coat was and for a moment she was scared he was about to search and find her gun, but he reached up to the security camera and pulled a wire out of the back of it. "No need for the lads to see this". He winked at her.

Rebecca kept her dominant tone. "On to the bed now. It's time for your punishment"

Kavanagh grinned and took his shirt off. "Oh yes darlin, I been very bad". He went to lay down on the bed and patted the space next to him, inviting Rebecca to join.

"How bad have you been?" she said, pulling out a blindfold and some handcuffs from the draw.

"Well for starters I 'elped smuggle some of those whores here, and they're not nearly as pretty as you".

Rebecca hid her disgust at his remark and climbed on to the bed. She straddled Kavanagh. "Put your hands up" she commanded him. He did so and she handcuffed him over the top of the bedframe. He writhed in pleasure and she put the blindfold on him.

"Oh you are a tease" Kavanagh said, grinning. "'Ey, where you off to?" he said as she climbed off him.

"I've got a special punishment for you Gary" Rebecca said seductively as she crossed the room to her coat. She picked up her gun and checked the suppressor. "Trafficking women isn't very nice".

Kavanagh sensed in her tone that she was serious. "'Ey now, leave that out. Get back 'ere and give me a good time. That's what the boss fuckin' pays you for".

"Oh yes he does?" Rebecca replied sarcastically, "well my boss pays me to deliver justice". She raised her gun and fired. Pfft-pfft. Her shots hit him in the head and he went limp before having a chance to react. Blood spilled on to the bed sheets. She wanted to shoot him more for the horror he had inflicted onto the women he trafficked but knew it was prudent to save ammunition. She took a second to compose herself and then picked up her coat. She hung it over her arm and hand to conceal her gun and then opened the door to the corridor. She quickly checked left and right and saw no-one. She heard music and talking from downstairs at the bar area but headed to her right towards room 12. She knocked.

Kate answered the door breathing heavily and pulled Rebecca inside. The room was as blue as Madame Rouge had described, and the bed was inflatable. A man was lying on it, naked, tied up and still. Rebecca quickly looked around the room for the camera and saw that it was in a similar corner to her own and had also been disabled. "Who is he?" she whispered to Kate, pointing at the man.

"Financier" Kate answered. "Some twat from the city. He's not dead" she added quickly, "I just tired him out".

"In ten minutes?" asked Rebecca.

"What can I say? I've got skills" Kate winked at Rebecca with a devious look in her eye. "He'll have a hard time getting out of those restraints anyway". She had her gun in her hand. "And you?"

"One of the guys who does the trafficking. Gary Kavanagh. Dead. Kate...Nadja's with...she's with..." She couldn't quite bring herself to say it.

Kate nodded again. "And Mulvaney's here too. We've got to go for him Bec. We have to".

"But how? This place is swarming with his guards. How long before they come investigating the cameras?"

"OK here's the play. You go get Nadja. I'll create a diversion and get the girls this side. We'll meet downstairs. And Rebecca" she added "kill that treacherous son of a bitch". Rebecca nodded and Kate handed her a small earpiece. "Stay in touch. Good luck".

"You too". Rebecca wanted to say more, to tell her that she had no regrets and that if this was the end, she was proud to have stood by Kate for it but she could not. Mindset was important and she was not resigning them to defeat just yet. The two embraced tightly and Rebecca left the room putting the earpiece in as she did.

There was still no movement from the corridor. She walked to the end and crossed the top of the lobby quickly. A couple of men catcalled from by the bar but she kept her poise. There was another man in a black suit guarding the rooms to the left of the stairs who stopped her as she approached. "Where are you going?" he asked her.

"Special gift from the boss for room 3" she answered, running her finger on the guard's chest. "Don't want to keep him waiting now". The guard nodded and allowed her passage. She found herself in a corridor that matched the one to the right of the stairs where her and Kate's rooms were. She counted the door numbers and arrived at number 3. She steeled her nerves and opened the door.

The room was dark and had a dim red hue from the lighting. Nadja was lying tied up on the bed and crying. She had been gagged, with her hands tied to the top of the bed and her feet to the bottom. There was a sound of a thud as she was hit by Locke, who stood by the side of the bed with a paddle and facing away from the door. "Now then, don't cry pretty one, you know that just makes this better" he said. Nadja looked like she wanted to scream.

"Get your hands off her!" Rebecca cried, shutting the door as she did so to soundproof the room. She dropped her coat and raised her gun. Locke turned and looked at her in astonishment. He stared at the gun and laughed.

"Or what will you do?" he asked arrogantly, that annunciated English voice cutting through the air in a mocking tone. "Do you know who I am?"

"Oh yes" Rebecca said, "I know exactly who you are, you treacherous scumbag. How long have you been informing Mulvaney?"

Locke looked surprised at the question but then seemed to look at Rebecca again, as if seeing her for the first time. "Miss....Davidson?" he asked.

"Do you remember what you asked me?" Rebecca continued in her fury. "About what was the most important characteristic an officer could have? It was a moral compass. Where's yours pointed to?"

"Now Rebecca, don't...don't do anything stupid" Locke said. He edged towards where his jacket was on a chair.

"Well you know what else is an important characteristic to have" she said, and looked down the elongated barrel of her gun, "a steady aim". Locke lunged for his coat and ducking as Rebecca fired pfft-pfft, but her shots hit him in the side. His hand went inside his jacket pocket and Rebecca continued firing pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft. He gagged and cried out as the shots hit him in the chest and he collapsed on the floor. He looked up at Rebecca and opened his mouth to speak as she strode to his prone body. Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, click, click. Rebecca emptied the rest of her bullets into his chest before collapsing backwards on to the bed, the mix of adrenaline and fury overwhelming her. Her breathing was heavy and she took a few seconds to control herself.

"Bec" came a voice in her ear from Kate. "Bec, can you hear me?"

She touched her ear back. "I'm here. Locke's dead. I'm with Nadja now". She picked herself up and began untying the knots around the bed.

"Roger that. I've got one of the girls from room 11. They had candles in that room and a lighter". Rebecca looked around her room. There was a full bottle of whiskey on the bedside table.

"I've got a bottle of scotch here" she told Kate.

"Burn the fucker down?" Kate asked.

"Burn the fucker down" Rebecca agreed. It would hopefully create their diversion and destroy a valuable business for Mulvaney. Rebecca freed Nadja from the gag and the young woman hugged her and thanked her for saving her.

"Thank you, thank you" she kept repeating.

"Nadja, we need to move now. Your friend is in room 1?" Nadja nodded. "We'll go get her then the others". Rebecca picked up the scotch and tore some cloth from the bedsheets. She picked up a lighter that was by the bed too and then stuffed some of the cloth inside the top of the whiskey bottle to create a makeshift Molotov cocktail. "When I tell you, you're going to light that cloth" she told Nadja, handing her the bottle and lighter. She stood up and reloaded her Glock with another magazine in the back of her suspenders. She chambered a round and headed to the door.

She cracked it open and immediately heard a commotion. There was the faint smell of smoke and she guessed Kate had already started a small fire. There was shouting from the bar area from guards. The guard at the end of the corridor saw her put her head out and walked towards her. "Stay inside, now" he ordered. Rebecca did not move until he reached the door. "Go on - inside!" he said but she only responded by jamming her gun into his chest and pulling the trigger twice pfft-pfft. He fell to the ground and she quickly fired -pfft- into his head.

"Follow me" said Rebecca, and she led Nadja over the dead man's body. "Kate?" Rebecca said, touching her earpiece.

"I've got the girls on this side" her colleague replied. "There's a fire in room 11. Don't worry, I have a plan".

Rebecca tried to put her concern for Kate to one side as they reached room one. She did not bother to knock but instead quietly entered the room. The man in this room was sitting on the edge of the bed, forcing Nadja's friend to go down on him. Rebecca coughed to catch the man's attention. He turned his head and cried out in fright when he saw Rebecca aiming down her gun. "The fu-" he started to say.

"Keep quiet and keep your hands up" she commanded him and he complied. The woman did the same but stopped when she saw Nadja. They exchanged a few words in their native language. "Nadja, tie him up" Rebecca said. She indicated for her to grab some rope and a gag from one of the drawers in the room and within a minute the man was suitably restrained. "Kate, I've got the girls" said Rebecca, touching her earpiece.

"OK, time to go start the fire downstairs. I've got them trying to break into this room. Go! Now!" Kate sounded urgent and Rebecca hurried out of the room, keeping Nadja and the other woman behind her. She spied three of the guardsmen in the opposite corridor, knocking on the door of one of the rooms.

"Nadja, light the bottle" Rebecca said, and she did, handing it to her. She reached the landing above the bar and saw the crowds of men beneath her crowding round the bar. "Time to go" she told herself and she dropped the lit bottle from the landing to the bar area. It smashed and caught fire and she heard men shout as the flames spread and started to hit the carpeted floor and rest of the bar. The men in the corridor opposite turned towards the shouts and saw Rebecca. She raised her gun as they did with theirs but saw them crumple to the floor as Kate came out of the room, firing into their backs. They caught eyes and nodded.

Beneath them in the lobby there was chaos. Men were running out of the club, some clambering over fallen bodies to reach the door. One bartender seemed to be on fire, the other was running. There were a couple of guards attempting to get extinguishers and fight the flames. All around was smoke and Rebecca kept low as she hurried to the top of the stairs and met Kate. She had two women who had been sold in the auction earlier following her. "We've got to move! Quick!" said Kate and she led them down the stairs. The smoke was now disguising their movements. As they reached the bottom, they saw a guard. Before he could say or do anything, Kate fired pfft-pfft and he fell.

"Keep low" Rebecca told Nadja and the group hurried to the corridor that led to Madame Rouge's office and beyond. As they rounded the corner they saw the Madame herself barking at a guard.

"See to the girls, don't let them escape" she shouted at him. She caught sight of Kate and Rebecca leading the women behind them. "Fucking slu-" Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft. Kate unloaded three times on to Madame Rouge whilst Rebecca hit the guard with her shots. Both fell to the floor, Madame Rouge still wheezing and her blood almost blending in with the rest of her red dress. Kate stood over her. "Fuck yourself" Madame Rouge said defiantly. Pfft. Kate's gun replied by burying a bullet in her head. She saw a bunch of keys in her hand she was evidently handing to the guard and took them. Rebecca led them again to the room where they had met Nadja and the other women earlier. Kate tried a few keys before finally finding success. She unlocked the door and the women awaiting auction still were inside. They cried out at one another, shouting in confusion as they saw Rebecca and Kate, both of them still in their lingerie but carrying guns and darkened by the smoke they had passed through.

Nadja shouted to the room and the women listened to her as she explained what was going on. As she spoke, Kate reloaded her gun. Rebecca listened at the door. She heard shouts coming from the corridor. "Kate, we've got company" she called and her partner joined her at the door. Rebecca kept her gun raised but sheltered herself behind the door. As soon as she saw the black suit of a guard, she fired pfft-pfft-pfft. The cry of pain she heard told her she had hit him but she ducked behind the door again as another man came into view. BAM-BAM. The loud shots of a gun were almost deafening and she saw the bullets hit the wall near where her head had been. She ducked low and stretched along the floor. The man firing had no chance to react to her position as she fired pfft-pfft and he fell.

"Take them - now" Kate told her, giving Rebecca the keys.

"Nadja, show me where they hold the rest of you" Rebecca asked and Nadja led her through some small passages as Rebecca reloaded her gun. She heard a gunshot in the distance, followed by a pause and then the cry of a man again and she guessed Kate had taken out another guard. Nadja led them to a heavy door in a dimly-lit corridor. Rebecca quickly tried a couple of keys to open the padlock that kept a heavy bar in place. She got lucky with the fourth key and she heaved the bar away from the door and opened it.

The room contained dozens of bunk beds. It was poorly lit, with only one small window letting the light from outside in. She saw a multitude of scared faces of women and children, most looking emaciated, several sporting bruises or cuts. Nadja addressed the room who looked afraid of their new visitor. "Momma" Rebecca heard a cry, and she saw an eight year old girl run to Nadja who picked her up.

"We need to go - now!" Nadja finished by speaking in English. The women and children started to put shoes on, some grabbing coats where they had them. Rebecca turned to see Kate jogging up the corridor to see them.

"There's more coming" she warned. "But I saw an exit - back this way". She kept her gun raised high and Rebecca followed suit. Her heart was racing. "This way" Kate told her. Smoke was starting to enter the corridor and they heard the roar of flames. Kate led them down the corridor they had come through before taking a sharp left. Rebecca saw some stairs up to a fire door and sprinted up the stairs. She pushed at the door and it moved slightly but did not fully open, as if being blocked. She took a few steps back and charged at the door with all her weight directed to her shoulder. The impact was painful but the door burst open and she saw she had pushed some bricks holding it closed aside with her force. The night air was cool and refreshing against the smoke from the corridor. She saw the lights of the city.

"Nadja!" she called, and the woman ran to her carrying her daughter. "Get into Stratford. Find a police station. You're free now". She pointed in the direction of where she knew the high street to be. "Go! Quick!" Nadja had tears of joy in her eyes and through an arm around Rebecca. She kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you. You are an angel" she told her. There were shouts from inside and she heard Kate firing her pistol. Some of the women escaping screamed.

"Go!" Rebecca said to Nadja, who ran in the direction that had been pointed to her, the other women and children running up the stairs and following her. Rebecca headed down the stairs. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta. She heard a burst of automatic weapon fire and saw Kate ducking behind the wall. She returned fire, her pistol stil; spitting pfft-pfft and a man cried out. There was a loud BOOM sound and bits of wall flew off as a shotgun was fired in their directions. BOOM it roared again.

"Mick, finish them!" a cold Irish voice said and despite the chaos she still recognised it as Mulvaney's. BOOM-BOOM. Mick's shotgun fired twice more and Rebecca hid with Kate. As soon as the firing finished, Rebecca kept low and rolled into the corridor. She fired up in the direction of the shots pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft. At least two of her bullets hit the man who was reloading and he fell. Pfft-pfft. Kate rounded the corner and shot twice as another guard rushed in to view.

"Rebecca, get out of here" she said, helping her get up. "Get to safety"

"What about you?" Rebecca asked.

"I'm going after Mulvaney" Kate said, a serious look in her eye and she sprinted towards the heavy smoke that now engulfed the corridors. Rebecca coughed as she inhaled some smoke. Her back and arm hurt through charging down the door. Fight through it, she told herself. She ejected the nearly-spent magazine from her gun and found her final one still in the back of her suspender. She jammed it home and set off in the direction of Kate. She headed back in the direction she had come, covering her mouth where she could with her hand. She could feel the heat as she approached the lobby - it was evidently still on fire and as she rounded the corner she saw flames all around her, some on top of burning bodies. The door that had been marked private was open and Rebecca slipped into that room. The heat was intense and there was fire around her but she picked her way around bits of fallen timber in what appeared to be a private office. There was a door to the outside that she saw. She could feel herself suffocating and ran towards it, spluttering and coughing as she did so.

She was in a private courtyard amongst some expensive cars. She ducked behind a black Bentley just as a hail of gunfire from automatic weapons shot in her direction from the opposite side of the courtyard. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta it rang above her, hitting the wall and the car that protected her. She looked to her left and saw Kate sheltering behind a silver sports car.

"Get the fuck out of here, go" she heard Mulvaney shout and she rounded the corner of the car to see him and and the two guards with machine guns getting in to a black Land Rover. A window above her exploded sending shards of glass into the courtyard. She fired in his direction pfft-pfft-pfft but only hit the car. A guard aimed his gun in her direction and fired a volley of shots ta-ta-ta-ta-ta.

She felt a searing pain and collapsed as a bullet hit her. Her head hit the concrete of the courtyard and the world started to spin. She heard a cry of "No!" from Kate and the pfft-pfft of her partner's pistol. Tyres screeched. The sky was lighting with the orange of the fire from the warehouse. In the distance she heard sirens. "Bec! Bec!" she heard Kate cry again, from closer this time. She felt Kate grabbing her hand, and then all went black...