DESTRY

I should have known better than to trust the sense of a prisoner, and I cursed myself for underestimating his desperation as I heard the roar of an engine through the earpiece before it was shattered. Looking out the window, I could see the neon lights of the motorbike Luko had stolen as it sped away from the prison. My chest constricted with fear for a moment; Ash would have been unsatisfied if the mission had failed, but if Luko escaped…I shuddered to think of my fate.

Gritting my teeth, I allowed anger to filter through my dread as I focused on the prisoner who had the sheer brainless gall to act against Synchro. Though he’d thrown away the earpiece, the device I had attached to his collar was still in place. A map of the local area bloomed in my vision with a few keystrokes, my gaze tracking the blinking green dot of the device as it moved quickly through the streets.

“Not today, asshole,” I hissed under my breath as I scrambled to my feet, racing down the decaying flights of stairs. Dashing out through a dusty, cobwebbed lobby, I hurried to round the building; one of Ash’s motorbikes was hidden carefully in the alley, the engine purring as I started her up. Glancing up at the map again, I grimaced, seeing the distance Luko had already put between us.

Scowling, I turned my attention down to the bike for a moment; fail-safes were built into the programming, limiting the vehicle’s speed in the city where streets were narrow and high velocity accidents could be lethal and disastrous. A keyboard opened beneath my fingertips, my gloves shedding neon light over the bike’s handlebar as I turned the limiter off. Gripping the clutch, I let the engine roar as I sped out into the streets.

The map of the surrounding area stayed open in the corner of my view as I raced down the streets, following Luko. Catching up in small increments, I took advantage of side roads and narrow alleys to cut corners and close the gap between us. My heart raced as I found a way to get ahead of him, stopping my bike just past the curve of a long road as I opened my keyboards again with a gesture of my fingers.

Hacking into an unprotected motorbike was nothing compared to Purgatory’s security system. I waited until I could hear the sound of the engines before I entered a command to slow the bike’s speed; smirking as I imagined Luko’s outrage and confusion. The motorbike’s headlights flooded the buildings in front of me, bright against the dark buildings and hazy neon lighting. As Luko slowly turned the corner, finally coming into view, I stalled the engine of his bike completely.

I watched as the bike tipped sideways, skidding along the concrete street with a shower of sparks as Luko was dragged alongside it. I could hear him swear, the momentum finally coming to a stop as he lay scuffed and bleeding beside the bike on the side of the road. As I dismounted my bike, I could see his gritted teeth shining red, long purple hair in sweaty strips that were matted with blood from his forehead. His hands were in fists as he lay flat on his stomach—he had barely enough energy to raise his head and glare at me with weary golden eyes.

Pacing across the skidmarks the bike’s tires had left on the pavement, I crouched down a few steps away from him- just out of reach. “Did you really think it would be that easy?” I asked, my tone dripping with scorn. “I hope the few minutes of freedom were worth the road rash.”

His face was crumpled into rage, a snarl in his throat as he spat, “Fuck you, Synchro.” He tried to push himself up—perhaps to attack me or to try and outrun me—but the rage in his face dissipated, taken over by exhaustion as his arms trembled and buckled. He groaned, falling to the ground in defeat as he closed his eyes, swearing again in a huff as he grimaced.

Looking him over, I wondered how long it had been since he’d used his biotech; it had clearly drained him, and the fact that he had made it out of the prison—even with my help—was impressive. Sighing heavily, I softened my tone as I tried to appeal to whatever reason he might have left. “Look, this isn’t what I wanted either—but the guards will be after you soon, and you’re in no position to fight. If they take you back to Purgatory now, you won’t survive it—and failing my mission won’t end well for me, either.” Pausing, trying to sound sympathetic, I offered my hand to him. “So come with me. We can help each other.”

There was defeat and reluctance in his gaze as Luko pried his eyes open to meet my own stare, smirking coldly. “You sure know how to sweet talk a man, baby,” he muttered, coughing as he winced and gripped the collar around his neck as if it were choking him. Finding the strength to push himself up, he took my hand, his large palm meeting mine with a strong grip. “Can’t believe you fucking crashed my bike…but I guess I have no choice.” He sighed, his expression full of thoughtful worry as he uttered, “Alright. Take me to Synchro.”

A relieved smile curved my lips as I helped him to his feet, huffing as I struggled against his weight. Pressed against his side, I felt small and fragile compared to his height and thick muscles, grateful that he seemed too exhausted to take advantage of the situation. “It’s your fault for trying to run away. Listen to me next time,” I grumbled, pulling him toward where my own motorbike waited. Glancing up, I winced at the sight of the ring of metal which encircled his neck. “We’ll have to take care of that collar first. Did you even have a plan for how you’d get that off when you ran?”

He was taciturn for a moment, his muscular form weighing on me as he grunted, slowly moving forward. “I have connections. I may have been incarcerated for five years, but some bonds can survive even that.” He winced, gripping his side as we made it to the bike, bracing himself against that instead.

I watched him through slightly narrowed eyes, biting my lip against any mocking statements. Watching his hands to make sure he didn’t try to bolt again, my gaze caught on the scars which crossed his thick forearms. New burns surrounded them, following the paths of the wires I had seen glow under his skin through security cameras; I felt my stomach twist as I wondered how painful the biotech must be when it heated enough to sear his flesh.

Swallowing, I tried to shake the thought away as I swung my leg over the seat and settled onto the motorbike before looking up at Luko. “You’re not the only one with contacts; there’s a mechanic in Synchro who can help us. Get on, I’m sure we don’t have long before the guards are on our tail.”

Luko settled on the bike behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, as I powered the electric motor. Speeding through the streets, signs and storefronts a neon blur, I could feel Luko flinch at every dip in the road. His grunts were quiet under the roar of the engine, but I was keenly aware of his pain as his hands curled to fists against my stomach. Racing through the expanse of Synchro’s territory in the city, it was a relief to see the massive main complex come into view.

Slowing down to get through security, I coldly brushed off their questions before following the paved road to the underground garage. We passed the pillars of concrete and sleek vehicles, all bathed in bright fluorescent light. Down the ramp, the motor echoed against the walls and low concrete ceiling; we slowed and I parked near a thick metal door that would grant us access to the compound.

As I parked and we dismounted, Luko groaned, looking around at the fine cars and bikes, his gold gaze shifting up the ramp to the entrance of the garage as the automated gate slowly sealed shut. “So,” he murmured, his voice deep and rumbling, “this is Synchro’s headquarters.” I could see him swallow past the metal collar, eyes locking onto me as he asked, “What next? Am I your prisoner now? Property of the faction?” He smirked harshly, eyebrow twitching upward as he sneered, “Or am I to be a pet like you, baby boy?”

I sucked in a breath, unable to help the flash of irritation despite knowing he was trying to get a rise out of me. “I don’t decide that—the leader of my faction does. And I’ll take you to see him as soon as we have that collar removed.” Striding to the door, I pressed my palm to the scanner, a faint buzz in the back of my mind as a familiar code ran; a flash of green light granted me access as the locks came open with a heavy click. Pausing with my hand against the door, I gave Luko a slow, considering look. “Though I don’t think you’re pretty enough to be a pet…I’m sure Ash will find a good use for you.”

I heard him smirk as leaned down over me, whispering in a huff, “You don’t find me pretty? Well, that’s a real shame.” He grinned through his exhaustion, a look of playful arrogance in his eyes as he winked.

Scoffing, I shoved the door open and entered the long hallway which led into the compound; putting distance between us as I shook my head. “You’re covered in sweat and grime, and you stink of the street you rolled in. I doubt anybody would find that attractive. Take a shower, and maybe I’ll reconsider,” I suggested as I led him a short distance down the barren hall, to the door of our mechanic’s workshop, opening it to a haze of smoke.

I could hear the grumble in his throat like a soft growl, muttering under his breath, “Whose fault is that?”

“You shouldn’t have made me chase you down,” I said with a shrug, my gaze searching the various tools and machinery to find the mechanic bent over a heap of mangled metal, a face shield drawn down as the torch in his hand spat sparks over his workstation. “Jett!” I called out his name over the din, seeing him flinch slightly before he set down his tools.

Pushing the mask back over short brown hair, Jett’s gaze met mine, his dark eyes lighting up as he grinned at me. Though most mechanics handled electric motors, Ash’s hobby of collecting gas operated cars had Jett’s workstation far from pristine. Wiping his hands against his shirt left smudges of grease, adding to the layer of grime which covered most of his workshop; it smudged his face, streaks of oil harsh black against the dusky skin of his arms as he folded them over his chest. “Didn’t expect to see you so soon, Destry,” he said, a light cheer in his voice as he looked at me. “What did you crash this time?”

I stiffened, my gaze flashing to Luko for a moment in a silent warning; though it wasn’t faction property this time, I didn’t want the lecture which was sure to come. “Nothing, the bike is parked right where I found it,” I answered, his eyebrow lifting in silent disbelief.

Luko seemed to take all too much pleasure in saying, “That’s because he crashed my bike. And me along with it.” He narrowed his eyes at me as he snapped, “Thanks again for the road rash.”

Jett’s eyes widened slightly before he gave a heavy sigh of disapproval. “It’s not my fault,” I protested, my hands held up defensively, “Ash sent me to get him, and the bastard tried to run away. I didn’t have any other choice.”

“Right,” Jett said, the word full of skepticism, before he looked over my head. “And who are you?” His tone was far less friendly, cold and distrustful as he eyed Luko.

Luko smirked, crossing his scarred arms across his broad chest as he said, “I’m the convicted felon Destry just broke out of Purgatory.” His gold eyes flashed as he looked down at me, adding slyly, “By your master’s order, of course.” My jaw clenched, meeting Jett’s gaze and giving a slight nod to confirm Luko’s words. He stepped forward, outstretching his hand to Jett as he said with an air of confidence, “Luko Wescoff,” he pointed at his collar, “I’m told you can help me get rid of this.”