Not A Haven (Pt. 4)

Haven watched what Nero was doing, realizing what he was trying to do and what he wanted out. “I can’t reach- could you sit down?” Haven asked, bracing herself. She was not used to touching others or being touched that did not involve being used.

Nero shook slightly, fighting the pain as he got to his knees and bent down enough for her to see and touch his neck. It was rare that he allowed this. “Get…get out…get it out…” He growled through the pain, tears of blood spilling down his face.

It was obvious he was as much a victim as them.

Haven gulped, touching his neck. As the latest scratched returned and reopened she reached into the wound, grabbing the chip and tearing it out.

Nero gritted his teeth and roared when parts of flesh and tendons went with the chip, but he didn’t care. The moment she had it out, he stood up again and turned his eyes toward the door. “Stay. Close.” He ordered and rushed to the door, slamming into it with all his strength and breaking it open.

“We’ve got a chance with him, Haven.” Yule said as she tugged on her new friend’s sleeve.

“They’re going to be so angry with us.” Haven whispered in fear. She was not thinking about escape, escape had been impossible for so long. She was imagined being punished for failing the experiment.

“Come on!” Yule hissed and started to pull Haven along, following the tall meta as he moved throughout the next room. Guards and soldiers were exploding in masses of flesh and bone, quickly hardening and forming a new armor around Nero’s body.

Haven snapped out of it, allowing Yule to pull her along.

As they reached the next door, Nero punched his now armor covered hand through the metal and tore it from its hinges. Taking a moment to look back at Yule and Haven, he gave them a nod and went out first to make sure it was safe.

“He’s helping us.” Yule said as she pulled Haven by her sleeve. “Come on, come on!”

“Is- is this really happening?” Haven asked, confused. She thought Nero was going to torture them to death.

“Yes,” Yule gasped as they made their way to an elevator that Nero tore open. He looked inside and gazed up.

“Ride…” He gestured to his armor clad back.

Yule grimaced and climbed up onto the left side of Nero’s back. “This isn’t living skin, so I think you’ll be okay, Haven.” She said.

Haven looked at his back, reluctant to touch him. “Uh…”

“Get. On.” Nero growled from within his armor.

“If you stay, they’ll take you back to those monsters, Haven.” Yule said.

Haven climbed onto Nero’s back, trying to not touch him somehow.

“Hold on. Tight.” Nero side and climbed into the elevator shaft. Using the hooks he formed in his armor, he began to climb up to reach the surface level.

Yule clung on tight, smiling at Haven. “We’re gonna be free.” She whispered.

Haven was careful to not get her hopes up. She clung to Nero, afraid of hurting him.

As they ascended, the sounds of an elevator would start heading toward them. Looking up, Nero would see it zooming down toward them and snarled in annoyance. “No!” He yelled as pieces of armor peeled off his arms and shot up toward it.

Yule would scream, pressing her face into Nero’s back as the armor pieces cut up the elevator. The poor guards inside would go falling past, screaming as they went.

Haven tried not to get by any bits of falling elevator. It was still better than spending time with Urbanus or Canestone.

After the armor returned to his arms, Nero started climbing again, and reached some doors. He worked them open and stepped out into a hallway, stopping to let Yule and Haven down. “We…get out?” He gestured down the hall.

“Yes please!” Haven said, cautiously heading down the hall.

Nero grabbed Haven’s arm and pulled her behind him suddenly. Turning, he held both her and Yule to him as a barrage of bullets came at them from down the hall. “Monsters…” He growled, opening the armor once the bullets stopped and had it wrap around the girls like a shield as he stepped out.

With a sickening grin, he rushed at all the guards and soldiers. “Lets play!” He yelled as he reached them.

“I…I’m glad he’s on o-o-our side…” Yule said.

Haven shivered, not liking the enclosed feeling of the armor. “Y-yeah.”