Chapter 10- The Dead Drac

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Battery City was dead quiet, except for the low hum of the city's underground power grid. Cassadee and Jet Star snuck through the dark alleyways to the South End, where all the underground Killjoy trades went down. They followed Mikey and the Party Poisons's directions to an underground bar called The Dead Drac.

"You sure you're ready to face this guy?" Jet asked.

The images of Alkaline facing him back in Zone 6 flashed through her mind. That psychopathic thirst in his eyes made her sick. She shook it off and pulled her beanie closer. Jet Star pulled up his bandana over his mouth and nose to hide himself. He kept his gun close as the two made their way into the underground bar.

The intoxicating stench of alcohol filled Cassadee's nose the moment they stepped inside. She and Jet made their way to the bartender, who was serving a pair of slightly intoxicated killjoys. The brightly colored tattoos on his arms have off an odd color in the dim lighting of the bar.

She stepped up to him, completely intimidated by his muscles, tattoos, and the permanent scowl on his face. But part of her, the part she guessed was Alkaline Army, told her that she didn't have to be afraid. "I'm looking for Jack Carraway."

The bartender glanced her over, then to Jet Star. "He's right over there." He said in a gruff voice, pointing to the pool table on the other side, illuminated by old neon signs from before the wars.

"Thanks." Cassadee nodded.

Jet Star grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "I'm gonna stay here and keep an eye on you. If things go costa-rica, get down and shoot."

Cassadee understood and kept a hand on her ray gun as she made her way to the pool table and Jet Star made his way to the bar, ordering some kind of drink to try and blend in.

"Hey Jack." Cassadee nudged him.

Jack was pulled out of the trance he was in from the game he was playing with another off the clock BLI worker."Cassadee! it's great to see you could make it."

She nodded and faked a smile. Although he seemed harmless in his appearance, she saw him for the psychopath that sent her life into chaos. She could see the wild hunger hidden in his face, studying her like a science experiment. Did he know about Alkaline and the Fab Four?

"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" She wondered, leaning against the table and pretending to play dumb.

Jack smirked, glanced to the bar, then back to Cassadee. "Follow me, there's someone wishing to speak to you." Jack motioned for her to follow him to one of the back rooms, away from Jet Star and any help.

Cassadee shot a scared look to the killjoy. After everything she saw as Alkaline Army, she was terrified to be alone with this monster. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a simple silvery ring, her good luck charm. Mikey had given it to the night before the country went to hell. He had promised her that whenever she had that ring, he would always be there with her to keep her safe, and for the past four years, that promise has been kept.

Cassadee slid the ring on and kept running her thumb across the smooth surface as she followed Jack to a room marked "VIP". He held the door open and ushered her in. Once she was inside, she froze in place out of fear.

Korse was sitting at the other end of the round cherry wooden table in the center of the room. "Miss Barnes, I presume?"

Cassadee nodded nervously. "Y-yes." The words could barely reach her mouth.

"Come sit, Miss Barnes." He offered the seat across from him. Cassadee accepted the Scarecrow's offer and sat down in the large plushy chair opposite of him. She had only came in contact with Korse one time in her life.

-----flashback---------

Cassadee was home from work, sick as could be. Mikey was out on a mission in the zones with Frank, so she was home with her best friend and Frank's wife, Jamia, insisting in taking care of her.

"Jamia, I'm fine." She coughed fitfully into her pillow. "See?"

Jamia laughed and shook her head. "Of course Cass, but you're staying home Boyfriend's orders."

Cassadee groaned and flipped back down onto her bed. Every muscle in her body ached and her head felt like she had been hit over the head with a ray gun. "I feel like shit." She mumbled.

Jamia rubbed Cass's back to try and make her best friend better. Cass began mindlessly running her thumb across her lucky ring. She had a bad feeling something was going to happen.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Jamia leapt up to get it, insisting that Cassadee stays in bed. A few moments later, Jamia comes back as white as Cass's bedsheets.

"Cassadee, there's someone here to see you." Her voice shook. A sinking feeling grew in Cassadee's stomach as she pulled herself out of bed. She shuffled to the front of her and Mikey's small apartment and came face-to-face with the gigantic Scarecrow they all called Korse.

"Are you Cassadee Barnes, partner of Michael Way?" He asked, his voice demanding and hollow.

"Yes I am." She answered. "Is something wrong? Is Mikey okay?"

Korse's expression didn't change. "Miss Barnes, I have been told to inform you that Mr. Way has been admitted to the Battery City Medical Hospital. He is in critical condition and had multiple fatal injuries after an ambush by the killjoys and their leader. You are requested to come at once." He spilled out the orders like she was a common soldier. He turned on his heel and walked away, like it was nothing.

Cassadee's body went numb. She leaned against the now closed door and slid to the ground. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, then she broke. Her tiny body tacked with sobs of sadness and fear, crying out for the one person that she had to be strong for, praying that Mikey would be okay.

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The memory came running back to Cassadee, sending that same black hole-like feeling to her stomach. "Hello." She found the words. "Jack told me that you wished to speak with me."

Korse nodded and leaned back in his chair. "Yes I do, Alkaline Army."

Cassadee's eyes widened in shock as she reached for her gun. But before she could fire, her arms were restrained behind her by Jack, who had that same psychopathic expression he had back at the diner. She tried to scream to alert Jet Star of her situation, but the moment she opened her mouth, Jack pressed a cloth up to her, forcing her to inhale the chemicals that dulled her senses until she fell from consciousness.

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Guess who's baaaaaack!

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