Episode 37

Helfeirch's lips met Scarlet's in a meaningful kiss, but he soon pulled away. "If you're ready, we should probably move from here."

Scarlet nodded in agreement. "I'm ready." She then turned and began leading the way. "And I think I know where Flinch may be hiding." Her hand subconsciously found its way to pat the drive as her mind lingered on the strange man they'd just encountered.

'That man is just as strong as I am, maybe even stronger. I can't afford not to know what's on this drive.'

It felt like they'd been walking for hours as they snaked their way through the tunnels. When they were finally ready to emerge onto the surface, dawn had broken. While Helfeirch had gotten more used to sunlight, it was still a hindrance to the man. His hand resting on Scarlet's shoulder, he let her guide him so he could close his eyes as much as possible.

Scarlet held in her sigh of relief upon reaching their destination, as it was no guarantee that Flinch had come to this safe house. She knew that had she taken a more direct route, she could have arrived hours ago. But she didn't want to risk being followed. Holding her breath, she gave a quick knock at the door.

'Please be here. Please be here…'

A dull buzzing sound came from the door before it popped open. Scarlet couldn't help the smile of relief that came after. The two quickly made their way inside and shut the door behind them. Scarlet felt the rest of her anxiety drain out of her upon seeing Flinch's familiar face greet her.

"Man, am I relieved to see you," she couldn't help saying.

"You, of all people, should know I'm not that easily caught," Flinch stated with a half frown, half smirk.

"It's a good thing too." Scarlet couldn't stop the swell of guilt she felt for having caused him so much trouble. "Sorry to keep bothering you, but you're the only one I can trust with this," she continued as she held up the drive.

The blonde-haired man pressed his lips together before heaving a sigh. Taking the drive from her, he made his way over to one of his many machines. He soon gave out a groan of complaint at seeing the level of encryption on the files. While some of the files had already been unlocked by Channer's people, most of the files were still inaccessible.

"Why is nothing ever easy with you?"

"Because someone has sought to make my life very complicated of late. Can you do it?"

"Oh, I can do it. It's just going to take longer than usual." Flinch pinched the bridge of his nose. "Might as well make yourselves comfortable."

"Thanks, Flinch."

"Yeah, yeah," Flinch said as he waved them away. With that, Scarlet and Helfeirch perched on a couple of stools.

Scarlet had grown silent as she stared off at nothing in particular. Her mind kept swirling with the encounter she'd had with that man.

'He was completely covered from head to toe.'

Her eyes dropped to her hands that she held in her lap, which she turned palm up. She watched the pearl scales shimmer in the surrounding light.

'What are the odds that he was covering up the fact that he's mutated like me? It would explain how he had the strength to match my own. He must be working for the lab that did this to me. I wonder if that also means he voluntarily went through his mutation.'

Her growing thoughts left a knot in the pit of her stomach.

Helfeirch had been sitting there silently watching Scarlet as she stared at her palms with a deep frown. Unable to handle seeing that expression cloud her face a moment longer, he reached out, sliding his large hand over her palms, causing her to look up at him. Their eyes only met for a moment before a knock came at the door.

Scarlet felt her body tense. 'Did someone follow me?! There's no way that should be possible…'

It only took a moment for Flinch to check his security system, which resulted in a heaved sigh.

"It's alright," he then stated.

And though he said that, his tone and expression suggested that he was greatly irritated at who stood at his door. Lifting from his chair, he made his way to the door as another knock came. The door was soon opened, and in walked two figures.

"You're early," Flinch greeted, not hiding his aggravation.

"Oh, come on. You know you love surprises," answered one of the figures.

Scarlet felt her head snap to lock her eyes on the source of the voice.

'I know that voice.'

"Moshu Shi?"

Seeming to have heard someone in the room behind Flinch, the man in question scanned the area, his eyes falling on Scarlet. He didn't seem to recognize her, and she honestly couldn't blame him, considering how much she had changed.

"I didn't know you already had guests," he then said to Flinch before his eyes fell on Helfeirch. Scarlet watched as the blood seemed to drain from his face. She couldn't help but look over at Helfeirch but felt her heart stop upon seeing his expression.

"Do you know him?" she asked quietly.

"Sure do," Helfeirch answered, not breaking eye contact with Moshu Shi.

"Well, looks like I came at a bad time," Moshu Shi said quickly.

Having noticed the odd exchange, Flinch now swiveled his head, looking from one man to the next.

"You don't need to leave on my account," Helfeirch then said in a louder voice. "Unless I make you feel too… uncomfortable." Helfeirch tilted his head slightly. "Or do you simply not wish to say hello to your latest victim?"