Lolita and Max
...
Lolita rose, her movements deliberate and cautious. "We're almost there. Stand up," she said softly.
Max followed suit. He rose slowly, his focus on maintaining his balance.
With a sudden jolt, the elevator came to a halt, its doors sliding open to reveal the 67th floor.
They peaked from top to see two robots efficiently unloaded trays, while Lolita extracted a knife from her pocket. Skillfully, she wedged it between the doors of 68th floor, using it as leverage to pry them apart. With a swift push, the doors swung open.
Lolita effortlessly leaped out onto the 68th floor, her movements graceful. She glanced back to see Max hesitating inside the elevator. A subtle wave encouraged him to join her.
Max's gaze shifted from her to the busy robots and the now nearly vacant elevator. The contrast was stark.
Stepping into the dimly lit room, Lolita took in her surroundings. Amid the quiet, a distant machine hummed softly in the background.
A casual sweep of her hand brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before she extended her hand to Max.
He reached out, gripping her hand as he attempted to climb out of the elevator.
Suddenly, the lift jolted and descended, catching him off guard and causing him to lose his footing.
Lolita's quick reflexes saved him, her grip on his hand preventing him from falling completely. Suspended in mid-air, Max couldn't help but let out a startled "Ooooooo!"
Lolita's gaze met his. Max quickly covered his mouth with his free hand, attempting to stifle his exclamation, his heart racing.
"Keep your voice down and come-" Lolita advised calmly, resuming her attempt to pull him up. However, her words were halted as the door to the 68th floor abruptly closed, trapping her hand.
"FUUUUUCKKKKKK!!" Max's fear was evident as he let out a loud exclamation of exasperation.
Max's grip on Lolita's hand tightened, his palms growing clammy as they clung to each other. His heartbeat resonated loudly in his ears, a rapid rhythm that seemed to echo through the tense air.
Despite his racing thoughts, Max noticed Lolita's other hand struggling to pry open the door. She exerted herself, determination etched on her face as she pushed against the stubborn obstruction.
Responding instinctively, Max lunged forward, grasping the edge of the door to assist her. His fingers found the door's edge, and with a determined push, he managed to help her open it.
Their combined effort caused them to stumble into the room, with Max inadvertently ending up on top of Lolita. Both were breathing heavily, the intensity of the situation palpable.
Surveying the dimly lit room, his gaze wandered down to her face, illuminated by a faint light.
Her red hair framed her features, and her dark black eyes and fair complexion captivated him. The rapid thud of his heart intensified as he absorbed the closeness. Her unimpressed expression, complete with an eye roll, snapped him back to reality.
"Are you done?"
Max, his face flushed, quickly retreated and scratched his head. "Haha, yeah... I mean, thanks," he stammered.
Lolita rose gracefully, tucking the dagger back into her pocket. She leaned in, her voice a hushed whisper. "Lower your voice."
Max nodded in response, his voice dropping to a near-whisper as he asked, "What's the plan now?"
"We need to go to the next room where the items are kept," Lolita replied, her wristwatch casting a soft glow as she activated its light. "Just be careful."
Max followed her carefully, his steps measured in the darkness. But then Lolita suddenly stopped, causing him to bump into her. She swiftly retreated behind a nearby wall, and Max mimicked her movements.
Confused, he whispered, "What happened"
Peering around the corner, he saw a woman dressed in a sleek black suit, accompanied by a man in a matching uniform. The two were fixated on a machine that was slowly lowering items.
.....
While Aaron and Serena
....
"What are you doing?" Aaron's voice cut through the tension, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the gun Drake had on Serena's neck.
"Did Jester send you?" Drake's gaze locked onto Aaron's, his expression unyielding.
"W-We're only here for the money, not working for anyone," Serena stammered, fear evident in her voice. The cold touch of the gun's muzzle sent shivers down her spine, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
"Lower the gun, Drake." Aaron's words were ice, his demeanor chilling. Drake met his gaze, sensing the intensity emanating from Aaron.
BOOOM!
And then suddenly a blast startled them all
As Serena's eyes gently opened, they beheld a scene of desolation.
The stage lay shattered, and the roof crumbled into ruins. Max knelt nearby, overcome by fits of coughing. To the left, two colossal humanoid shapes loomed.
"Get down!" Aaron shouted, as he shielded Serena, narrowly evading a swift beam of light that sliced through the air at their direction.
Glancing back, Aaron's gaze found Drake huddled behind the cover. Aaron inquired, "Is your army behind?"
"No. Looks like we were set up"
Drake retrieved two small sticks, which with a swift twist transformed into twin swords.
"And if you don't wanna die, take her and go away from this city and... Don't trust anyone." Drake warned, before dashing towards the humanoids on the stage.
Aaron looked down and saw Serena, his eyes on her as she lay there, her hand over her head, sweating and breathing heavily."A-are you okay, Serena?" Aaron's concern was palpable
"I... feel strange," Serena's voice trembled weakly as she met Aaron's gaze.
Aaron shifted his attention to Drake, who was charging into action where Max and the humanoids clashed.
"What do you mean? How do you feel?" Aaron's worry deepened, seeking to understand.
"I don't know... UGHHH!" Serena's sudden scream pierced the air as she collapsed against him, her head finding refuge on his shoulder. Concerned and puzzled, Aaron's hand touched her forehead, noticing its unsettling chill.
"Serena?" Aaron's voice carried unease as he observed her pallid, lifeless expression. His gaze flicked to Max, who was retreating from a towering humanoid that closed in on him, evident trouble in the making.
"Serena! Aaron! Lolita Heeelp!!"
Max's desperate cry for help reached Aaron's ears, but his focus remained on Serena.
"Serena, can you hear me?" With her head nestled against his shoulder, Aaron's hand found its place on her back, searching for any sign of life. But her stillness persisted, her heartbeat still.
Gently pulling away, Aaron's gaze met Serena's eyes, a haunting whiteness dominating her gaze, devoid of life. Then, with a sudden jolt, she returned to the realm of the living, drawing sharp breaths.
"Oh," Aaron's sigh of relief was a gust of tension released.
Serena's eyes locked onto his, her words weaving an enigmatic thread, "Hah... Aaron... Someone's going to die today."
"Huh?"