I opened my eyes as I saw the ceiling above me. I was out of that bizarre dream. Claire was right next to me still asleep. Getting up, I opened the curtains. Still, the night sky taking over the atmosphere. Seems like there won't be any mornings to wake up to. I unlocked the interface of my bracelet as the time read 08:00. Glancing around, the apartment seemed to be clean. Claire must've tidied up the kitchen after I passed out. Soon enough, Claire slowly awoke as she gave a light smile towards me.
"Good morning Faust, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine Claire. Did you sleep well?"
"Not the best, the bed or the room isn't the trouble. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"This world, I saw nightmares of you killing the man. I understand you had to kill him to get more experience and to prevent us from future harm. It still eats at my mind either way."
I looked at her blankly. Was the Baron trying to say that Claire didn't have the resolve to make in here? No. She is strong enough to tackle this on. If anything, I feel she is stronger than me.
"Trust me, Claire. It's tough for me as well, but we can handle anything together."
She looked at me before averting eye gaze back at the bed, giving a slight sigh.
"I suppose you are right."
I approached her and gently wrapped my arms around her.
"Trust me. We wouldn't have been put in this situation if we could not handle it."
She offered a weak hug back before trying to scoot out of bed. Before long we both began to change our clothes back into the suits and made sure we had full clips in both of our guns.
"Claire, ready to head out?"
She gave a simple nod as we began to exit. Click on the elevator's button, a familiar voice came behind me.
"Hey, neighbor! How are you doing?"
It was the blonde-haired girl again. This time her hair done in a short ponytail. Still with her trench coat and attire that I saw her in prior. Claire glanced at her a little jealous as she did not do her hair and began to run it through her fingers. I gave her a reaffirming pat on the back as Claire fixated to me.
"Faust, who is this?"
"Oh! This is one of our neighbors. I don't think you've told me your name by the way."
She gave a light smile and extended her hand towards Claire.
"You can call me Gale."
Claire shook her hand firmly as she glared right into her eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Gale. I'm Claire and this is my husband, Faust."
I offered a little wave and a smile, as Gale smiled back. Meanwhile, I got an antagonizing glare from Claire.
"Oi, Faust, and Claire. You both happen to be bounty hunters?"
I tilted my head with a curious gaze.
"How did you know?"
"I can sense your weapons pretty easily. They aren't the worst quality, but I do know of an auction happening today if you are interested in browsing. Maybe you can find something even better!"
She gave a big grin to both of us. I glanced towards Claire as she appeared to not entertain the idea, giving a cold shake of her head.
"The Baron gave us enough equipment, we should not bother with such."
It could be sensed that she was hiding jealousy. under the guise of a real reason.
"Claire, it'll be fine and we can create a new acquaintance with this situation! I don't she has mal intentions."
Gale gave a nod. Afterward, she gasped before snapping.
"I'm sorry to say this earlier, but the auction takes place in an unsanctioned part of the city. I'll be able to protect you guys from any threats, but the auction itself is highly guarded."
The elevator eventually opened as we all walked in. Although some questions had alluded my mind about the auction.
"Gale, you've been here for a decent bit, yeah?"
She nodded with a smile.
"Been here for about half a year."
I interacted with the console for the elevator to go to the ground floor as we continued.
"Why does the auction take place in an unsanctioned zone if many people do have weapons in this world? Another thing, even though it seems everyone to have weapons, why does everyone conceal them, is there a law against open carry?"
"Well Faust, the weapon auction sells higher-end weapons that are technologically superior to basic weapons. These are scarce and go for a high amount, so to disinterest those who are incapable or cannot afford it, the auction is in a dangerous area. Some weapons are what you could consider Esper Weapons. Weapons that are affixed for certain types of espers and help them go further with their abilities."
She pointed at me with a smug look. The doors of the elevator opened as we began walking towards the entrance of the building.
"You're one, aren't you?"
I instantly gulped. How could she tell? I need to recompose myself.
"Why would you make that conclusion?"
"I left the bounty hunting tab open at the job board. When I left, I ended up gazing at you to see what you'd do, I had a hunch that I'd desire to prove. And you accepted the bounty hunting job I kept open."
Shit, she was good at getting information in subtle ways. She motioned towards us to follow as we began walking in a direction that led out of the sanctioned zone, I instantly started to get uneasy.
"No new person around these parts would instantly pick a job as a bounty hunter first. So, I deducted that you were an esper for that fact. And also cause of one word Claire slipped from her mouth."
Claire instantly stood in place as we were already out of the sanctioned boundaries. She was shocked and frightened as she began to gaze at Gale.
"You mentioned The Baron, didn't you. You're both parts of his rat pack."
She gave a confidant grin before pointing towards herself.
"Not that bad of a guess, huh?!"
Claire instantly lost her temper as her hands shook. Not in fear, but out of anger in some sort. I stood there, not knowing what was exactly gonna happen, but I knew nothing good would come from it. I looked around, seemed no one was nearby even if we were on the main sidewalk. Claire instantly took out her Submachine Gun as she began to angrily fire at Gale.
"We're no one's rats! Don't you even dare and try and guess shit about us, you fucking whore!"
The bullets all began to instantly fall as Gale stood there undisturbed. I began rushing towards Claire as I tried to grip her wrist and prevent her from continuing to shoot. She instinctively pulled away as she aimed the gun towards me. I quickly focused at the gun's chamber and imagined the bullet causing a jam cause it wouldn't fire. This quickly thought was only a second before she pressed the trigger at me. No bullets came out as empty clicks could be heard. She unloaded the full clip at Gale prior.
Before long her eyes began to widen as she stared in shock as her gun continued to be aimed at me. Claire dropped the gun, trembling as the gaze remained on me.
"W-why would you even try and stop me from killing another female like that Faust. I thought you wanted me to fucking kill when it came to it! This is that time! What? Did you grow some compassion cause you fucked her while you were out?!"
Gale winced at that comment as the comment stirred in my stomach unsettlingly. She didn't mean that, did she? She knows I'm loyal to her.
"C-Claire. If she kn-knows about the Baron, then maybe she is one of the people who got transported here as well, she could be a potential ally!"
"Stop making such fucking retarded excuses Faust. Just admit it, you're a fucking manwhore who'd go after any woman who could get you. But I was the only one who went to your side and was nice enough to stay. I pitied your fucking lonely lifestyle and wanted better for myself. You just seemed to be an obedient dog who would take care and feel compassion with me. I know how men truly are, you guys are all fucking disgusting pigs. I bet you wanted to fuck me, but I didn't allow you to get close."
I felt like I was going to throw up. Why was this happening? This isn't Claire, she would never say anything like this. We lived together for three years. Did I miss any signs of me being manipulated?
Gale glared at Claire, her hand slowly extending towards Claire. Palm facing her as an aura began to radiate from it.
"I may not know anything about your husband, but don't assume I'm easy to get with. I'm going to ask you to politely leave before I do something drastic."
Claire took out her tanto blade as she pointed it towards Gale.
"Fine then. I can beat up another woman who thinks she is so self-righteous and a detective genius."
Claire began to advance towards Gale. Before long, Gale put down her hand back to her side as she looked at the blade. It instantly snapped in half right before Claire swung as Gale took a step back. Gale then began looking at Claire's hand that held the hilt as a crunch began to be heard. Claire began screaming as her wrist was now disfigured.
"Fuck both of you! Your choice to not help further fuels my guess! It was a mistake ever meeting you Faust, I hope you die here all by yourself."
She began to run as Gale's composure eased up before looking at me.
"Yes."
I looked directly at Gale as she stared in my eyes.
"The Baron sent me here as well. In a similar situation as you most likely."
I just stood their silent, not knowing what to do or say anymore.
"I was with my boyfriend when I entered, but he wasn't as strong-minded. Just like Claire. I can only guess what happens next, but note that you shouldn't see her for a while."
I began to involuntarily shake.
"I need to fix this though, Claire's all I have."
Gale shook her head. Giving an exhausted sigh.
"You don't have an option. Trust me, I am speaking from experience. We need to get moving. If you stand there like a sitting duck you'll get killed."
She grabbed my wrist as she began to drag me towards somewhere else. Did the Baron know the entire time? Does he know what this world does to relationships? Or does he pick his victims to destroy in this world?