The red and blue police lights raced past us toward the vault while we lay trying to not be spotted the best we could, i turn to Alyx


“So why did you begin to work for them?” I ask him, trying desperately to conquer my fear of small talk. He sighs before talking - I can tell he doesn't want to be talking to someone of my status (who said I wanted to talk to him anyway!) - He speaks in a hushed tone, thinking the vigilantes of the night may just spring up and find out he's talking to a peasant such as myself (shocking, i know) “they asked me” he pauses and despite himself looks at me, “i needed the money, im strong - perfect for a guard” 


I nod and sit up enough to stretch my back but not enough to be spotted. We continue to talk for a while before


“When will the helicopter get here?” I ask him as I'm chewing on my dirty fingernails and picking at the bloody skin around them 

“they said not long after. Just… be patient” He replied but i could tell he didn't really know either


“I thought it was stupid in a way, that that was what they decided to tell us, you know? They said that all I had to do was grab the crystals, get out and give them to the guard and then I would be free from all my crimes… foolish to believe really”


The man opposite me grunted as he tried to break free of his restraints - I took the tape of his mouth with a harsh motion “p-please let me go” he whimpered as tears fell from his eyes I shouted tumultuously at him “not until i'm done with my story! I take a slow steady breath in and smirk, looking down at him from my seat, his wrists writhing against the ropes binding him against the chair 

“You, my friend, are unique in a way… the entire time I took you here” I gestured to the surroundings of the small darkened room around us “you didn’t scream… or cry… you just accepted your fate… but i will tell you one thing. Since you will not live long enough to tell this tale -  i at least thought to make it exciting for you. Did you like it? Death defying stunts, a helicopter coming to save us at just the right time, unlikely friends… I thought I did very well in such short notice, didn’t you?.”


I reach his seat and it's almost like he's frozen, not moving, not screaming - nothing. I smile, I love when people don't have any of that boring criticism. I take his neck in both hands and see him about to say something. One hard snap and he stops breathing. It's always better when they don't scream, less work i think, less…. Dramatic. 


I hoped he liked my story.

I know i did.