The week has been going on longer than expected. After the concert, I kept having the same image in my head. Even how hard I scrubbed my scalp and face, I could still see the moment, crystal clear. Something inside was telling me that I shouldn't have walked out of my apartment that day. The hot, steaming water drizzled down my back. The heat stung my back, but it was more calming then freezing water. The water made me forget that moment ever happened. I could still remember how sticky the substance was on my face. I didn't think I was going to get rid of that moment, ever. I kept my forehead against the wall

I started developing a bit of a tremor, I would shake ever so awkwardly. I wouldn't sleep long, knowing every time I've went back to the same moment, over, over, and over again. So many died that day, women and men who decided to have a fun time. It was their last night together.

I should of done more.

I should of done more to prevent it all.

I needed a smoke so badly. I turned off the water and dried myself off. I wrapped myself up with a fluffy white robe, before returning to my room. I walked through my apartment to my bed. I grabbed the package of cigarettes off of the table and a lighter. I sat on the end of the bed.

*Snap.* *Click.*

I flicked the lighter open.

I lit one up and watched the smoke dance in the fuelled oxygen. Blue and grey ribbons drifted off into the air, translucent, but still beautiful. I took a deep drag and felt my muscles relax. I felt horrible that I've locked myself inside an apartment, didn't request help, ghosted anyone I knew. I wasn't ready to tell them what was going on.

I knew this was selfish.

I only wanted to hide everything from them.

They didn't deserve to have a sour day, just by chatting about something that was in the past.

Ugh! I-I-I just couldn't get it out of my damn head. My heart constantly crashed against my ribcage. I couldn't stop shaking, maybe I needed my friends more than I thought...

I turned my head and stared at my charged phone. I haven't touched it in a week, since that night... I couldn't even stand wearing the same outfit. I must of embarrassed myself so bad at the concert, I must of looked like such a pussy in front of Wyatt, Elles, or even Johnny.

I haven't lost that spark, have I? That crazy and tough side. I gotta get back into that. It was like a barrier between me and reality. I had to find a way to get past that barrier. I cannot do this alone. I looked back at my phone, it was like it was calling out to me. I ignored the thought, then two minutes later, I looked back.

Screw it.

I grabbed my phone, and inhaled deeply, and swallowed thickly. I hope they weren't mad at me.

I scrolled through my phone seeing...

Nine-hundred notifications...

There were five messages from Wyatt.

Five from Elles.

And Eight hundred- ninety messages from Jackie. He asked me how I was doing? How come I haven't been answering? What happen? Something happen? Questions like that. I shut off my phone and walked to the Bathroom.

 I put out the cigarette then wiped the dew that clouded the mirrors. I looked horrible, dark bags under my eyes. A scar above my eyebrow, reminding me of the past. A purple, almost green bruise. I felt my chest swell in pain. 

My hand curled into a tight fist. I punched the mirror as hard as I could in fury. Hot tears drizzled down my cheeks. The glass scattered along the counters and the tiled floor. I felt the hot crimson drizzle down my knuckles and between my fingers. I sat there thinking on what I should do.

What would Wyatt do in this situation?

What would Elles do?

What would Breanne do if she was in my shoes?

I decided to bandage my hand up and get changed. I combed my hair in the process. Then I heard a quick and gentle knock on the door.

"Hey, Ronin. You home?" I heard a faint sound of Jackie's voice.

I opened the door quickly, not wasting a moment. Jackie's eyes lit up when my eyes met his.

"Rony, where the heck have you been?" He questioned with a bright smile.

"Here." I simply answered, I crossed my arms.

"I guess you can fill me in on the details, amiga. Come on, I'll meet you down stairs." He replied with a happy smile, brightening the sour mood. I guess he could sense what was going on.

"Ya, give me a moment." I agreed to his suggestions. I grabbed my gun from the small table next to the entrance. I put on a pare of boots and exited the apartment.

It took a few minutes to finally get onto the street. There was news about some people moving out of some apartments. I had no clue why, but I had a feeling Jackie was going to fill me in on the details why?

Finally when I reached the ground, I went past the small gym area, where other cybers would put their skill to the test. There was equitment, unorganised around the room. A small fighting ring in the middle. TJ the owner of the apartments and the landowner, was teaching this one kid how to fight. I smiled when he allowed the child to beat him the one round.

"Hey, Ronin. You wanna go a round?" JT offered, I simply smiled and declined his offer.

"Maybe another time, TJ. I have some stuff to work out..." I simply answered.

"Alrighty, see you around." He responded with a Cheshire smile, ear to ear. I made a quick pace out the door. I saw Jackie's jacket from the distance. He sat at a food-cart, probably a sushi and Japanese food. The name of the cart was 'The White Dragon.'

"Woman of the hour. You took long enough! I grew an appetite while wait'n. Sit down and tell me what's going on." He said with a positive attitude. While he was trying to finish up noodles with a pare of chop-sticks.

I took a seat next to him, on a green, torn leather, stool.

"So what's going on, amiga? I sent you like eight-hundred or more messages." Jackie said in a calm voice.

"Became a bit of a smoker after the night of Samurai's last concert." I replied, Jackie was still clueless what was going on, but continued to ask questions.

"Let me guess, you got a kiss from Mr. Silverhand-"

"Jackie! Th-" Instead this time he interrupted me.

"Hey, I was only kiddin'. I heard about the assassinations at the Red Dirt." He simply replied.

"A corpo next to me, his blood splattered onto my face. Then the fight was on and more gunfire continued." The second I finished my sentence, he spat his food across the street, some of it disturbingly landed on a couple of people.

"You could of warned me their would be details!" Jackie yelled.

"Sorry..."

"No worries, I was only joking. Is that what's gettin' to you?" His eyes travelled from my face to my hand.

"Oh no...amiga. Please don't tell me you did that?" He pointed at my bandaged hand.

I didn't answer. I simply didn't want to tell Jackie what this smashed hand did. Or what object...

"So, this is a trauma thing? Or what's happening to promote this?" He questioned in a concerned voice.

"I knew I shouldn't of walked out my apartment door that day-"

"Ronin, every day we step out our front doors is a chance anything can happen." I knew Jackie was right. I was grateful to have someone to chat with about this.

"I know. I just see that moment every time I need to rest my eyes-"

"As a cyber, you don't need to rest your eyes. Eating, going to sleep, and anything else is considered is usually a Human effect. We all wish we were Human again, but we're even better." He smiled, placing an awkward hand on my shoulder.

"I don't have much suggestions for trauma, besides visiting a Councillor or a friend. A friend would be the best choice, because all of the Councillors are a bit creepy in Night city..." Jackie finished his sentence with a cringe.

"Or maybe just get a guy of your own. You know..." Jackie added.

"I'll think about it. But what did you want to talk to me about?" I answered, keeping my eyes to the hands that were rested on my lap.

"You've noticed how people are moving out of the apartment complex you're from?" He questioned in a concerned tone. I looked up at him and gave him a strange look. I did notice that. 

"Right, spit it out." I replied.

"Well I think somehow the assassination at the Samurai concert are linked to the kidnappings of your apartment complex." He explained, he made an exellent point. But we don't exactly know that yet.

"Great, I'll just kick down each and every door until I find the guy-"

"I've already found out were they took them. Here." He handed me his cellphone. It had pictures of the three girls. One had brown hair tied back in a bun, the second had a military cut, the third...

The third had purple, pink, and a bit of blue in her hair. The same women I met earlier before the concert. I growled, I knew I shouldn't of went to that concert! Maybe if I heard the struggle I would of been able to prevent miss Sullivan from getting snatched.

"Wait, the third one. I know her! She's my neighbour." I said in worry.

Jackie shook his head and patted my back.

"That's why we're going to where they're being held."

"Fricken A, locked and loaded. Lets go get this son-of-a-bitch. Besides I'm not gonna wait here any longer." I said enthusiastically. Jackie burst into laughter and held out his fist.

"Back to business like the ol' days, Ronin." Jackie laughed. I dug through my pocket and found my keys.

"You're diffidently correct on that, Jackie. We have some uninvited guests to kick." I replied with a smug smile.

"That's what I was praying to hear from you today. I guess you're back to your ol' self."

"We're taking my vehicle this time, Jackie. We don't know how much time they have left." I replied in a shaky voice. He knew I was right, we really didn't know if those girls were alive or worse: dead.

 That was worse case scenario, we had to get there before something does happen. I will be letting Thomas know on the details because we may need him if there's an ambush. We're walking into hostile territory, with no knowledge on every corner of where they're keeping them. I'm going to trust my instincts on this one and allow Jackie to show me the location on where this Bunker is.

Time was running out. 

We were now running on the clock...