After half an hour, in an abandoned bus in a car dump, a Mutant sat panting in the car, clutching a bag of apples. He was already hungry but seemed hesitant to eat. He stared at the bright red apple, his mouth watering as if he were searching for a plum to quench his thirst.
Suddenly, a door appeared in the air in front of him. He instinctively hugged the bag of apples tighter and watched in panic as Max and Lorna emerged from the door.
Lorna's expression was complex. "Don't worry, we're not here to take your things. We're also Mutant," she said softly.
"Did you help me before?" the man asked in a low voice.
Lorna nodded and her fingers lit up slightly. A few moments later, she demonstrated her ability by making some metal trash float and then land again. "My name is Lorna, and his name is Max. We're from Atlanta."
"What's going on?" the man continued to ask.
"Have you seen or heard of Kitty from the X-Men appearing here?" Max asked.
The man shook his head.
"Do you know of any underground organization that helps Mutants in this area?" Lorna asked next.
The man fell silent for a moment. "I know of one."
"Really? Where?" Lorna asked eagerly.
"It doesn't exist anymore! Some time ago, it was attacked by the Sentinel Secret Service, and everyone who hadn't escaped was captured. I was lucky to get away," the man said in a low voice.
Lorna hesitated to ask if it had been destroyed, but unfortunately, there was no good news. There was only one underground organization, and the few who managed to escape had little contact with each other and were in hiding.
"This is my number. If you can contact the leader of the underground organization or Kitty, please remember to call me," Max said, giving the man his number along with a few hundred dollars.
A few hundred dollars might not improve his living conditions, and it might not even be enough to change his appearance, but it was better than nothing. At least it would allow him to keep an eye on the news he wanted and notify Max if permitted.
"Thank you," the man said, taking the money and the apples Max and Lorna offered.
"Take care of yourself," Lorna said, turning to follow Max into the door.
After a long time, Max and Lorna emerged from the different space, leaving the car dump behind.
Lorna picked up a red apple and took a bite. "Very sweet."
Max took a bite of the apple, reminiscing about the internet memes mocking Apple's dominance in various aspects of human history.
"Apple; One poisoned Snow White, one seduced Eve, one inspired Newton, one revolutionized the mobile phone, one dominated the square dance, and the other took over Christmas Eve. Yet the one I just ate almost did me in," he mused wryly.
As evening approached, Max and Lorna returned to the hotel, their inquiries yielding no new information about Mutants. They hadn't encountered any other Mutants during their outing either.
Before long, Esme returned with news.
"I've found a lead," she announced upon entering the room.
Perking up at the mention of a clue, Max and Lorna eagerly inquired, "What is it?"
"It's about Kitty," Esme explained. "A gang boss runs a striptease bar where a Mutant was forced to perform. She was briefly rescued by someone who can phase through walls, but was recaptured soon after. I believe she might have information about Kitty."
"Where is this bar located?" Lorna asked.
"It's not far from here, but we'll have to wait until nightfall to visit. The gang boss changes locations daily to prevent further rescue attempts. The Mutant is only brought to the bar for performances at night before being sent away," Esme replied.
As night descended, they made their way to the bar. Country bars were popular nightlife destinations, especially those featuring live performances. The Devil's Bar stood out as the most happening spot, known for its cutting-edge entertainment offerings.
Not just a place for drinks, it also catered to various forms of entertainment, with Mutant performances being the latest craze. One Mutant, with four arms, had become the star attraction.
Inside, the ambiance was dimly lit, with pulsating music filling the air. Elevated platforms dotted the perimeter, where several dancers moved to the rhythm. In the center, a round stage took prominence, surrounded by guests sipping drinks and enjoying the close-up performances.
In various corners, the buzz of conversation filled the air.
"When is he arriving?"
Lorna, seated in a corner, asked Esme while sipping her beer.
Esme checked the time. "It should be soon."
"Hey, don't forget why we're here," Lorna remarked, watching Max's gaze fixated on the dancer on the high platform next to them.
"I'm just showing the minimum respect for her hard performance," Max casually responded.
"Then you're not bad, because she thinks you might become her guest and plans to work even harder," Esme added with a smile.
Max glanced at the dancer, and she shot him an even more intense glare.
Suddenly, applause erupted, and sharp whistles drowned out the music.
"They're here!"
The sudden burst of enthusiasm indicated the arrival of the individuals they were waiting for.
The girls on the middle stage descended, and the bar dimmed.
A beam of light illuminated the center of the stage.
A woman in a sleek dress stood there, blond hair framing her face. In her early twenties, she had an appealing figure and looks, except for the fact that she sported four arms.
The applause and whistles intensified, creating a heated atmosphere.
"Take it off!"
"Damn Mutant Bitch, take it off, I have money."
Various currencies were tossed onto the stage, accompanied by ugly taunts.
Click!
The fork in Lorna's hand bent abruptly and snapped.
Max looked at Esme, who nodded slightly. "She knows about Kitty's news. She visited Kitty's temporary residence after the rescue and didn't betray her after being captured."
"What are we waiting for?"
Max smiled, grabbed the wine bottle next to him, and hurled it towards the most obnoxious guy at the edge of the stage.
....
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