The desert dawn cast a melancholic hue over Neato's modest shack, as he stirred from restless slumber to face another day. Weighed down by the burdens of solitude, he reluctantly rose to prepare a meager breakfast, the tasteless fare doing little to lift his spirits.
Amidst the quiet solitude, a sharp knock shattered the morning calm, sending Neato's senses into high alert. With pistols in hand, he cautiously approached the door, heart pounding with apprehension.
Upon opening the door, Neato was met with the sight of a figure clad in a sleek suit, a stark contrast against the barren landscape. Roman, as he introduced himself, bore the insignia of The Union, an organization known for its ruthlessness.
Fear crept into Neato's voice as he questioned Roman's intentions, his grip tightening on the pistol. Roman's calm demeanor offered little solace as he revealed his purpose: recruitment.
Refusing to entertain the notion, Neato prepared to defend himself, but Roman's swift movements disarmed him, plunging them into a frenzied clash of wills. Furniture crashed and the air crackled with tension as they fought, each blow a testament to their determination.
In the end, Roman emerged victorious, leaving Neato unconscious on the floor, his world spinning into darkness. As consciousness slipped away, he felt the cold touch of metal against his lips, a bitter reminder of his defeat.
When Neato awoke, Roman stood over him, the cruel reality of his situation sinking in. With a sense of dread, he realized he was at Roman's mercy, a pawn in a game he didn't understand.
As Roman fed him the pill, sealing his fate, Neato's world faded into darkness, his destiny now intertwined with the enigmatic figure before him.
END OF CHAPTER 2