Chương 24: Cleaning Up

Jackie led me to my new apartment, which was a carbon copy of the room they had given me previously. The only difference was that I was on a higher floor, and for some reason, the door was completely removed from the hinges.

'At least the bedroom has a lock on the door.' I can't help but notice as I inspect the room for anything useful. 'They were pretty thorough in removing everything…'

"Just relax in here. You're on a higher floor than the guys so they shouldn't have a reason to bother you. I'll bring you dinner. Those three aren't worth your time." The smiling young lady hugged me close quickly before whispering, "Plus, you can just move in with me after tonight!"

I sat on the bed and waited for my dinner to arrive while planning how to address the problem of the three downstairs.

Being catered to could become addictive.

A short while passed while I contemplated how to start, 'Maybe I should have Jackie show me where their rooms are so I'm not stumbling in the dark.'

The thoughts quickly dispersed from my mind as her cheerful face returned to the bedroom carrying a plateful of bland meat and vegetables. "Sorry for the food. They didn't think they should waste anything more on someone that won't join them."

Her face changed to that of disgust as she mentioned the trio downstairs.

"It's probably best if you eat and get some rest," she added as she set my knife and bat on the nightstand next to the bed. "As much as I want to join you, I'll see you in the morning."

With a wink, she walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind her.

'Mike mentioned that he heard her getting ready before. They must sleep nearby.' I lay across the bed and begin to plan my night. Hopefully, it will be simple. I snap my fingers, ensuring I don't make any peculiar noises, and look at the knife I'm flipping in my hand, 'I can't wait to see how you perform.'

…

I shoot up from the bed, sitting straight up and patting all over in a search for my blade. 'Shit, I fell asleep!'

It was already dark.

Night must have fallen a while ago. Hopefully, I didn't ruin everything. I feel the rigid handle of my dagger in the bed next to me and pull it close to my body. After finding the beloved weapon, I jump off the bed and swiftly move toward the bedroom door, finding it still locked.

I open the door and carefully slink out of the bedroom into the pitch-black apartment. I can't afford to turn any lights on. This job was best done in the dark.

Sneaking toward the hallway, I carefully observe my surroundings as I poke my head out. 'Hopefully they aren't sitting outside of Jackie's apartment…'

The long corridor is illuminated by small lights running at the base of the wall. It doesn't illuminate the surroundings brightly, but it allows ones to pass through the hall without concern.

None of the lights are obstructed to the far end of the narrow passage, convincing me that the corridor was empty.

I grip my knife tightly as I begin walking toward the stairs.

For a brief moment, I hesitate outside of Jackie's door. She deserves to be a part of this. They hurt her, after all. I raise my hand to knock on the sturdy barrier before eventually deciding against it. 'I have to do this alone. She doesn't deserve the trauma.'

The stairwell is just as dark as the hallway, with identical dim lights guiding people to navigate the stairs. I grip the handrail as I descend the steps a single floor. If my hunch is correct, Mike should be in the apartment directly below Jackie's.

The door to the new floor creaks open as I pass.

'Should I really do this? They haven't done anything wrong… yet.' My mind begins to doubt itself as I inch closer to the closed door. A flash of Garret on top of my young companion seeps into my mind, 'Fuck them.'

Calmly placing my hand on the door, I push it open. Thankfully, they were as destroyed as the other apartments, making this infinitely more manageable.

'If I had to break the door down, they definitely would have woken up.'

My silent footsteps glide through the dimly lit apartment. Thanks to the standardization, it was the same layout as the others. The only difference was the amount of junk packed into the tiny living space.

'They hoarded everything… This will definitely help us.'

I couldn't see everything, but it was clear that all of the non-perishable foods were stored here.

I navigate the small clear path between the aisles of cans and boxes directly toward the bedroom door. Finding it cracked open with a dim red light poking out, my heart speeds up, 'What if he isn't asleep?!'

I want to avoid making too much noise and consider returning to the apartment last. I haven't been detected yet, and waking the other men would put me at a severe disadvantage. It would be better to take them out before starting a fight.

As I turn away from my target, the door eerily opens.

"Oh, you're here! I told you they weren't worth your time!" A sweet voice resonates through the quiet building.

Jackie pulls the door open entirely, revealing herself. She's wearing a dark red bra and a tight skirt, but her body is splattered in blood, and the corded-handled knife she had once given me filled her hand.

My stunned expression must be obvious.

"Don't worry, they can't hear us anymore," She chuckles as she raises the knife, "This belongs to you. I just had to borrow it."

'…' My mind is utterly lost as I approach the young lady to retrieve the knife.

Glancing over her shoulder, I see Mike sprawled out on the bed, covered in his own blood. His hands seem to be tied to the headboard. "…what happened?"

"Well, they wanted me, right? So I let them think they were getting what they wanted. The fools all let me tie them up and cover their eyes with a blindfold, thinking they would have some fun. After that, it was simple." She glances at the knife as she finishes her statement.

"You didn't have to do that. I was taking care of it!" I didn't want the young lady to slay my enemies for me.

"No, you don't have to do it. I told you, I'm yours. Use me." Her eyes wandered down her bare torso as she caught sight of the blood that covered her, "Mike here was the only one that struggled and made a mess. I must have missed. I promise I'll get better!"

I reach my arm around her as I accept that it had to be done. I need to stop pretending everything is perfect, and everyone is salvageable. Perhaps the young Jackie had matured faster than me.

'This will definitely make future cycles easier. If she can handle herself, she can come to me...'

I give her a soft kiss, "Thank you."

Her blushing returned as she accepted my praise, "Don't thank me. Come help me clean off!"

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