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Chapter Text

I wandered into the trial, body aching as I pushed myself to keep moving forward. Murkoff had taken me—a seventy-two-year-old black woman—off the streets after I'd been fired from the only job I adored. My family had worked for the Kress' for generations, and now I found myself trapped in this nightmare, subjected to cruel experiments and forced to endure unspeakable horrors. The only thing keeping me going was the hope that one day I would escape and somehow find my way back to them, to the life I once knew. But as each day passed, that hope grew dimmer and dimmer, replaced by a deep sense of despair and resignation. After gaining access to to the main plaza of the shopping mall, I knew my chances of survival were slim.

The Murkoff Corporation's security forces were relentless in their pursuit, and I had no choice but to keep moving, hoping against hope that I would find a way out of this nightmare. Or at least be killed by an Ex-Pop or a Prime Asset. The thought of being caught and subjected to the Corporation's experiments was enough to keep me on high alert, constantly scanning my surroundings for any sign of danger.

As I navigated through the maze-like corridors of the mall, the sound of distant screams and mechanical whirring only served to heighten my sense of dread. Gaining access to the department store was just as easy as slipping through the cracks in the system. The empty shelves and abandoned checkout counters served as a stark reminder of the world that once was, now twisted and corrupted by greed and power. When I placed a box on the conveyor belt, I heard a buzzsaw come to life, followed by murmuring voices.

"That's not an Ex-Pop," I whispered as I quickly crouched down behind the counter, realizing a Prime Asset was approaching.

"I keep dreaming of Father. With his scalpels and tinctures," a familiar woman said, her slurred words sending a chill down my spine.

"Father's nothing but dead; he can't hurt us anymore. You held his heart in your hands," an equally familiar man replied calmly.

"That Doctor talks like he thinks he's our father. I hate him," the woman grumped, her voice filled with bitterness and resentment.

I stayed hidden, trying to make sense of the strange conversation unfolding before me. I knew then that I needed to escape quickly before it was too late. As I peeked out from my hiding spot, I saw the Prime Asset scanning the store with an unsettling intensity, his eyes glowing with a hunger for something more than just merchandise. I sucked in a sharp, quiet breath as realization and recognition dawned on me—this man, with the woman sprouting out of his back, was someone I was all too familiar with. Otto and Arora Kress, the conjoined twins I'd taken care of when they were children, stalked past me with a sense of purpose that sent shivers down my spine.

"Watch those fingers," Arora warned, her voice low and amused.

"I was only scratching an itch," Otto said, his tone defensive.

"Not every fold in your neck is yours," Arora replied with a smirk, causing Otto to chuckle.

"Every inch of my neck is yours, for that cunt yokes me, certain as the grave," Otto said, his eyes flashing with a mix of defiance and affection towards his sister.

"Keep talking, you'll make me ruin the starch in your collar," Arora threatened playfully, but her eyes softened with love for her brother.

The siblings continued on their way, leaving me with a flood of memories from our time together. As I watched them disappear around a corner, I couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia, missing the days of being their caregiver after their mother died. I got to my feet, grunting a little as I felt my bones protesting the movement. As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling of longing for the bond I once shared with Otto and Arora, wishing for just a moment to go back in time and relive those precious memories. The buzzsaw whirred again, and I looked over my shoulder just in time to see them charging at me, teeth bared in a threatening display.

"You'll be a treat for my beloved!" Otto roared, his eyes wild with hunger.

Yelping, I turned and ran as fast as my aching legs would carry me, knowing that I had to find a way to outsmart these once beloved companions before it was too late. The guilt of leaving them behind weighed heavily on my heart, but survival instincts kicked in as I pushed myself to keep moving forward. With a wild grunt, I flung a bottle at them, hoping to distract them long enough to create some distance between us. As I heard the shatter of glass behind me, I knew I had bought myself a few precious seconds to come up with a plan.

"How dare you!" Arora wailed, her voice filled with betrayal and hurt. I could feel the sting of her words, but I knew that in this moment, my own survival had to come first.

With a heavy heart, I dove under a table seconds before they walked by. I needed to do something, something that would remind them of the bond we once shared, something that would make them hesitate before harming me. As I lay hidden, I racked my brain for a solution, knowing that my next move could determine whether I lived or died. With a soft gasp, I remembered something, something that I had spent two months' worth of paychecks on. Arora's necklace with the green gem and Otto's brooch that I had commissioned just for them. These were the symbols of our friendship, and I knew they would recognize them instantly. Creeping out from under the table, I slowly got to my feet before getting closer to them. Neither of them were facing me, which was good.

"Hey!" I shouted. Arora and Otto turned around, their eyes widening in surprise when they saw me. We just stared at each other for a long moment before I spoke again.

"I see you're wearing the necklace and brooch I got for you. I hope you both like them," I said quietly. A second later, recognition dawned on them.

"Agnes? Aggie?" Arora asked meekly, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief. "What are you doing here?" I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves before answering.

"You two weren't the only ones taken by Murkoff," I explained, my voice wavering slightly. "You remember me?" Otto shrugged as best he could, given how he was supporting Arora.

"I—we remember bits and pieces," he admitted. "But it's all a blur." Arora reached out a hand towards me, her eyes pleading for more information.

"What happened to you, Aggie?" she asked softly.

"You were always good to us," he said softly. "We never forgot that." I felt a rush of emotion at his words, grateful that our bond had endured despite the horrors we had faced together.

"I was fired not long after your eleventh birthday. Your idiotic father said that I was no longer needed, that he could handle things on his own, and that it was time you two stopped having a nursemaid. But we all know how that turned out." Arora's eyes widened in realization, a mix of anger and sadness crossing her face.

"I remember now. You were like a second mother to us," she whispered.

"You always made sure we were taken care of, even when our own father couldn't be bothered. Thank you, Aggie," Otto rumbled in a deep voice, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. I smiled sadly, a sense of bittersweet nostalgia washing over her.

"You two were my whole world," I said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

"I pleaded with your father to let me stay and continue to care for you both, but he was too proud to accept my help. I never stopped thinking about you, even after all these years," I whispered as I walked toward them, my heart heavy with regret for not being able to be there for them sooner. "I tried my best to follow your careers, but it was never the same as being by your side. I hope you can forgive me for not being there when you needed me most." Tears welled up in my eyes as I reached out to embrace them, hoping they could feel the sincerity in my words. Despite the distance and time apart, the love I had for them never wavered.

"Of course, we do!" they both said in unison, wrapping me in a tight hug. "We understand, and we're just grateful you're here now." The weight of guilt lifted off my shoulders as we stood together, finally reunited after so long.

"Did you kill him?" I asked once I broke the hug and wiped away my tears. Otto and Arora grinned viciously at me, their eyes gleaming with a shared understanding.

"Oh, yes," Otto said, his voice filled with deranged glee.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Arora added, "We took him apart and stitched him back together."

I nodded sharply, giving them a venomous grin of my own. "Good. He was a monster, and he deserved every bit of it." The three of us shared a moment of dark satisfaction before an alarm went off.

"Please exit the trial," the voice said flatly.

"Oh, come on! Are you serious right now?" I shouted as the siren continued to go off.

"Go," Otto commanded, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the exit.

"We'll finish this later," Arora whispered, a wicked smile playing on her lips. With a final glance back at them, I hurried out of the trial before security arrived.

I'm never leaving those two behind ever again, I thought decisively.

On the second floor of the Sleep Room, I wandered into the cafeteria and plopped into a seat across from Dorris with a groan, who gave me an amused look. 

"I swear, I don't think I've ever been this tired in my life," I said, rubbing my eyes. Dorris chuckled and handed me a cup of coffee, saying, "You definitely look like you could use this."

"You're a blessing, Dorris," I said gratefully, taking a sip of the hot coffee.

"What do you think about the new Prime Asset?" Dorris asked knowingly. I scowled at her, finding her question intriguing yet slightly invasive.

"I'm not sure yet. It's been a long time since we saw each other," I replied cautiously, wondering how much she knew about my past with the new Prime Asset.

"So you weren't their maid?" Dorris pressed, raising an eyebrow. I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal about my past with the mysterious new Prime Asset.

"Let's just say my history with them is complicated," I finally admitted, hoping to end the conversation there.

"Complicated? Since when is anything simple with you?" Dorris chuckled, clearly not satisfied with my vague response.

"I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into," she added cryptically, leaving me to ponder her words as I finished my coffee.

"I hope I do too," I muttered under my breath, feeling a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. As I sat there, I couldn't shake the feeling that Dorris knew more about my past with the Prime Asset than she let on.

"You're not gonna say anything more, are you?" I asked dryly, trying to hide my growing anxiety. Dorris simply smiled enigmatically and shook her head, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"You are unhelpful," I snarked, no real bite to my words, and she chuckled softly, a glint of mischief in her eyes. I knew then that getting information out of her would be like pulling teeth, but I was fine with playing her game for now. After all, patience had always been my strongest suit. All of a sudden, panicked screaming pierced the calm air of the Sleep Room, causing nearby Reagents to scatter.

"What's going on?" I demanded when I stopped a young, female Reagent who was running past me. She turned to me, wide-eyed and pale, and whispered, "One of the Prime Assets got into the Sleep Room."

My blood ran cold as I realized the gravity of the situation, knowing that we were all in grave danger.

"If you can't defend yourself, get to your room and stay there!" I ordered and rushed out of the cafeteria. Following the shouting and banging of stun rigs being thrown, I made my way towards the Sleep Room, mentally preparing myself for the chaos that awaited. As I approached, I could hear the sounds of a struggle escalating, signaling that the situation was quickly spiraling out of control. Looking over the stair bannister, I relaxed somewhat when I realized that it was Otto and Arora, kicking up a fuss. Arora was flinging flasks of poison while Otto was wildly swinging his saw. Someone lobbed their stun rig at the conjoined twins, blinding them temporarily.

"How dare you touch us!" Otto bellowed as Arora continued to curse and throw vials of poison in retaliation. The chaos in the Sleep Room was reaching a dangerous level, with no signs of calming down anytime soon. I knew I had to act fast before things got even more out of hand.

"Aggie! Where's Aggie!" Arora shrieked, her voice filled with panic. I knew I had to show myself before the situation escalated any further. I bolted down the stairs and shoved my way through the crowd, finally reaching Arora and Otto.

"I'm here, Arora," I said, trying to calm her down as I assessed them. They were covered in fresh cuts and bruises, their faces pale with fear.

"Aggie," Otto breathed, relaxing slightly as he saw me.

"Aggie! We found you!" Arora slurred happily, grabbing me with her free hand.

"You can't be here, you two," I told them, flapping a hand at the exit. "This place is only for us Reagents."

Behind me, I could hear guns being drawn and shouts of alarm as security closed in on us. I knew that if they didn't leave immediately, we would all be in serious trouble.

"You have to go now," I urged, my heart racing as I nudged them towards safety.

"No! We want to stay!" Otto stated sharply, glaring at the guards behind me. I rolled my eyes, it finally clicking that sheer stubbornness was still a common trait between the twins.

"Fine, but you better be ready to face the consequences," I warned, knowing that their defiance could put us all at risk. With a resigned sigh, I turned to face the approaching security, preparing myself for whatever came next.

"The Prime Asset will make their way back to their room," a guard ordered coldly.

"They're calm, and they've got names. It's Otto and Arora. Now, if you don't let me tend to them, I will gladly let them kill all of you painfully. Besides, right now, I'm the only one they'll allow to be by their side," I said flatly, making it clear that I was not going to let anyone harm the twins under my watch. The guard's expression softened slightly, immediately realizing that I was not someone to be messed with when it came to protecting those in my care.

"Very well. I will allow you to tend to them, but do not forget that they are still under our surveillance," the guard conceded, stepping back to let me do my job. I nodded curtly and turned back to Otto and Arora, ready to ensure their safety no matter what obstacles lay ahead.

"Park it, Ott," I ordered, pointing at Otto, then to the table Reagents arm wrestled on. Otto sat down, Arora swiveling around to face me with a grateful smile, knowing that I would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

"Thank you, Aggie," Otto coughed, his voice hoarse from the recent ordeal. I simply nodded in response, my focus solely on the task at hand as I began to assess their injuries and provide the necessary care. I carefully and gently pulled broken glass from Otto's head and applied pressure to stop the bleeding, all while softly reassuring him that everything would be okay. Arora watched with a mix of concern and relief, grateful for my quick actions in their time of need.

"Your turn, Ror," I said, shifting my attention to Arora, who winced as I began to clean and bandage the cuts on her arms. As I worked, I could see the tension slowly leaving her body as she relaxed into my care, trusting me to help them both through this difficult situation. Arora rested her head on my shoulder and let out a deep sigh, finally allowing herself to release the fear and anxiety that had been building up inside her. I continued to work in silence, knowing that my presence alone was providing comfort and reassurance to both Otto and Arora.

"Are you finished, Reagent?" The guard from before asked, and I nodded sharply, glaring something fierce in his direction.

"Yes, we're done here," I replied curtly, my focus still on Arora and Otto.

"Next time, if they want to see me, just bring them here instead of having them escape," I added with a pointed look at the guard. The guard nodded in understanding, clearly chastened by my words, and I turned back to Arora and Otto, offering a small smile to reassure them that they were safe now. Otto gave me a tiny smile in return, grateful for my protection. Arora's eyes softened with relief as she whispered a quiet thank you, and I knew that they would be okay under my watchful eye.

"See y'all later," I murmured as I watched them walk away, feeling a sense of responsibility and duty towards their well-being. I knew that I would always be there to protect them from any harm that may come their way.

Chapter Text

I slowly trailed behind my teammates, wary of the new Trial environment that Murkoff had cooked up. It was clearly a shopping mall that had been transformed into a twisted maze of horrors, with flickering lights and eerie mannequins lining the corridors. The air was thick with tension and dried blood as we navigated through the dimly lit halls, unsure of what awaited us around each corner. Killing the politician was going to be harder than we had anticipated, especially with the added element of a new Prime Asset in the mix.

"Keep up, you!" A teammate of mine called flatly over his shoulder, his voice filled with urgency. I quickened my pace a little, aware of the disgusted looks the three were giving me. Being a Black woman in a predominantly white male team was always a challenge, but I refused to let their prejudice affect my focus on the mission at hand. As we approached the target's location, I knew that my skills and determination would be what ultimately determined our success in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

"Hey!" A voice snapped, and I jerked out of my thoughts to see a teammate staring at me coldly. "We need to go to the department store to get a ticket. Feel free to come along if you want."

I nodded, acknowledging his words, and followed him to the department store, determined to get this Trial over and done with as soon as possible. A moment later, we were forced to split up due to the fact that we needed fuses in order to progress further. As I searched for the fuses, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me, adding an extra layer of tension to our already high-stakes mission. An alarm blared, making me jump into a nearby trash can to hide in. Something that reminded me of a buzzsaw whirred loudly, sending a chill down my spine. I knew that time was running out, and I needed to find those fuses quickly before whoever it was caught me.

"Do you ever think Father was right?" A woman asked, her slurred words mingling with the buzzsaw. For some reason, the woman's voice was very familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place it in the chaos of the moment. I had to focus on the task at hand and push aside any distractions in order to successfully complete our mission.

"He was a cruel and stupid man," a man responded calmly, and his voice was just as familiar to me as the woman's. Despite the familiarity of their voices, I couldn't let myself get sidetracked by memories of the past. I had to stay focused on finding those fuses before it was too late.

"If I could do it without hurting you, sometimes I think I would just die," the woman moaned, her voice filled with anguish and regret.

"Even if you were standing on your own legs a mile away from me, you couldn't hurt yourself in the slightest without torturing me. Please try to put on a smile, Arora," the man said, and my heart dropped to my stomach at the name.

Arora.

It was a name I hadn't heard in years, a name that brought back a flood of memories and emotions. Despite the pain it stirred within me, I knew I had to make sure that it was who I thought it was. Taking a deep breath, I slowly peeked over the rim of the trash can to get a quick look at the man and woman, preparing myself for what I might discover. Smothering a shocked gasp, I dropped back down behind the trash can, my mind racing with questions and emotions. The sight of Otto and Arora—the conjoined twins I looked after when they were children—was like a punch to the gut, leaving me feeling betrayed and heartbroken all over again. I blinked tears away, trying to process the flood of memories and conflicting emotions that their unexpected appearance had stirred up. As I struggled to compose myself, I couldn't help but wonder what had brought them back into my life after all these years.

"Oi, where are you? We got all the fuses," my teammate said through our shared intercom, snapping me out of my reverie. I froze, well aware that Otto and Arora heard my teammate, but before they could make the first move, I launched myself out of the trash can and bolted down the hallway.

"Don't you fucking look at us!" Otto roared as his buzzsaw revved to life.

"Get them, Otto. I want their eyes," Arora commanded with a chilling calmness that sent shivers down my spine. Ignoring the aching in my bones, I pushed myself to run faster, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to escape the deadly duo hot on my heels. The only thought in my mind was survival, knowing that if they caught me, it would be the end of everything.

"Help me, Arora! Slow them! Cripple them!" Otto cried out, and something shattered beside me, which made me realize that it was one of Arora's poisons that nearly hit me.

"Shit. Shit!" Arora cursed as I slid around a corner.

"You only have to try again, love," Otto encouraged, his voice strained with urgency.

I knew I had to keep moving, keep pushing myself to outrun the danger that threatened to consume me. With a garbled cry, I ducked under a table seconds before another one of Arora's poison exploded against the wall, sending shards of glass flying in all directions. As I caught my breath, I knew that the stakes had never been higher and that my only chance at survival was to stay one step ahead of my pursuers. I could see Otto's feet stop right in front of the table I was hiding under, his heavy boots thudding against the floor as he searched for any sign of me. With bated breath, I prayed that my hiding spot would go unnoticed long enough for me to devise a plan of escape.

"We've lost again. We're too unwieldy. A godforsaken abomination," Arora whined, her voice filled with frustration and defeat. I knew that time was running out, and I needed to act quickly before Otto discovered my hiding place.

"No, Arora…" Otto refuted, but Arora steamrolled over him.

"Father was right. We're a cancerous miscarriage. We should've—" Arora complained only to be interrupted by Otto.

"Shut your delectable mouth. You're strong, fierce, an erotic miracle, and any man who says different I'll disembowel and flay," Otto declared, his eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity.

Arora fell silent, and I knew that she was finally starting to see her worth in Otto's eyes, despite her own self-doubt. Otto's protective nature was a stark contrast to his harsh words, making me realize that their relationship was a lot more than I had originally thought it to be. Otto's fierce declaration of loyalty and protection towards Arora was a revelation, showing a side of him that I had never seen before. It was clear that their bond ran deeper than just words or actions. All of a sudden, I felt a hand grab my ankle and yank me out from under the table, making me scream in terror.

"Oh, but human nature is constant," Otto rumbled as his buzzsaw revved up, a chilling smile spreading across his face.

"It endures," Arora agreed with a nod, her eyes gleaming with deranged approval.

"Not like this one," Otto added as he raised the buzzsaw. The realization hit me that I was now about to die at the hands of these two twisted individuals, and I frantically searched for something to save my life before it hit me. As Otto brought the buzzsaw down towards me, I closed my eyes and braced for impact, praying that my idea would be enough to save me from this gruesome fate.

"Otto Anthony Kress!" I screamed, and the buzzsaw stopped inches from my face. Otto froze, his eyes widening in shock at the use of his full name.

"How do you know my middle name?" he demanded, confusion evident in his voice. My heart raced as I realized that revealing this personal detail might just be the key to turning the tables and escaping from their clutches.

"Otto Anthony Kress and Arora Marie Kress. Your father's name was Anton—who was a complete and utter asshole, by the way—and your mother's name was Marie. That's where Arora got her middle name. She used to sing you lullabies every night before she gave birth to the two of you. Your mother, I mean."

Otto's eyes widened even further, a flicker of recognition passing through them.

"How do you know all this?" he whispered, unease creeping into his voice.

"Let's just say I know more about you than you think," I replied with a tiny smirk, feeling a surge of hope that my plan might actually work.

"Who are you?" Arora demanded, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"I'm your former nursemaid. Technically, I was your mother's maid, but she pretty much demanded that I take care of you as well," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady.

"But why are you here now?" Otto asked, confusion evident in his tone.

"Because I made a promise to your mother that I intend to keep. And Murkoff took me off the streets a few years after your dumbass father fired me," I said, my tone turning bitter as I recalled the events that led me to this moment. Arora and Otto shared a look, one that I'd seen so many times before—a silent conversation that spoke volumes.

"Agnes? Aggie?" Otto rasped quietly, the buzzsaw dropping to his side, and I nodded.

"Hi, you two," I greeted warmly before letting out a squeal of surprise when Otto grabbed me by the cuff of my neck, planting me on my feet, and pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel one of Arora's arms wrapping around us both, a gesture of comfort and solidarity that I hadn't expected.

"You were gone for so long," Arora whispered, her voice tinged with relief. "We thought we'd lost you forever." I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes as I held onto them tightly, grateful to see them after so many years.

"Like I said, your father fired me because he was too proud to admit that he needed my help," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "But I never stopped searching for you both. I promised your mother I would always protect you, no matter what." Arora and her brother embraced me even tighter, their gratitude palpable.

"Thank you for never giving up on us," Arora whispered, tears now streaming down her face.

"Of course, Ror. We're family, and family never gives up on each other," I replied, squeezing them both tightly. I broke the hug and tilted my head curiously as I noticed a glint of recognition in Arora's eyes.

"What is it, Arora?" I asked, my tone dancing with amusement. Arora smiled through her tears, a sense of familiarity washing over her.

"I remember now," she said softly, her voice filled with wonder. "You used to read us bedtime stories when we were little." My heart swelled with joy at the memory, grateful that my efforts to protect them had not been in vain.

"You gave Arora her necklace and me my brooch," Otto said, his eyes shining with gratitude. "You were like a second mother to us."

"Of course, I did! Spent two months' worth of paychecks to have those things commissioned just for you two," I replied, feeling a warmth in my heart that I hadn't felt in years. "I may not have been there physically, but I always wanted to make sure you knew how much you were loved."

"Thank you, Aggie," Otto said, his voice filled with emotion.

"Son of a bitch! I need to kill the politician!" I gasped, suddenly remembering that I was in a trial.

"Oh, him. Yeah, we killed two of your teammates. Sorry," Arora said with a grin, neither she nor Otto showing any remorse.

"Eh, it's fine. I didn't particularly like them anyways. Where's the last guy?" I said, scanning the room for any sign of the missing teammate.

"He's probably hiding somewhere, but we'll find him soon enough," Otto replied, his eyes gleaming with deranged excitement.

"Don't kill him just yet, please. I mean, feel free to do that once the politician is dead and we've completed our mission, but I want to make sure he suffers first," I said with a wicked smile, feeling a rush of adrenaline at the thought of revenge.

"Oh, don't worry. We have plenty of time for that," Arora replied, her tone chillingly calm as she fiddled with a vial of poison.

"Good. See you two later," I said before racing off. As I ran over to the area where the politician was, I saw my remaining teammate, covered in blood but alive.

"Where the fuck were you!" he screeched angrily.

"The Prime Asset wouldn't get off my ass. Excuse me for trying to stay alive," I snapped back, feeling the tension rise between us.

"We need to focus on the mission now," I added, trying to redirect our energy towards the task at hand. My teammate slapped the button as he gave me a dirty look, and I looked up at the small window above the politician to see Otto and Arora standing there.

"Stop it, Otto, nobody can hear you," Arora reprimanded as Otto fiddled with the sound system.

"Goddammit! This blasted thing!" Otto growled.

"It's an assassination," Arora huffed, dark amusement dancing across her face.

"Traitors! Judas! We'll split them, from groin to chops," Otto declared, sweeping a hand into the air, and I nearly laughed at his dramatic flair. "An election is a sacred institution!"

"They want to kill him!" Arora added, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"We may need to help our little puppet more directly," Otto said with a wicked grin, and I knew we were in for an interesting kill as Otto and Arora vanished from sight.

Quickly, I pumped the acid while my teammate sprayed the politician until he was dead and dissolved into nothing but a memory. As we left the scene with a siren blaring, I couldn't help but laugh as Otto and Arora appeared from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with satisfaction. The plan had gone off without a hitch, and Arora nailed my teammate with her vial of poison, making him vomit and allowing Otto to sink his buzzsaw into his shoulder blade, severing it from his body in a gruesome display of teamwork and precision. Otto and Arora effortlessly executed my teammate, leaving no trace of his existence behind. I just stared at them in awe, realizing the true extent of their skills and ruthlessness.

"Impressive, you two. You make quite the deadly duo," I remarked, admiration creeping into my voice. Arora flashed me a wicked grin while Otto simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"Go," Otto commanded, nodding to the shuttle, which was now open and waiting for me to board. As I walked towards the shuttle, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease at witnessing their lethal efficiency firsthand. With a final glance back at Otto and Arora, I knew that crossing paths with them again would not end well for anyone in my way.

"Get up, Reagent."

I looked up at the Murkoff guard, who stood in front of me with a stern expression on his face. His eyes bore into mine, making me feel uneasy and trapped in his gaze.

"Is there a problem, officer?" I asked mildly.

"Your presence has been requested by the Minotaur. They want to speak with you immediately," the guard replied curtly, gesturing for me to follow him. As we walked towards the Minotaur's chambers, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that hung in the air. Whispers from fellow Reagents followed me like ghostly echoes, adding to my growing sense of unease. Once we reached the Minotaur's chambers, the guard opened the door and ushered me inside without a word. Sitting at a table were Otto and Arora, a deck of cards spread across the table in front of them.

"Hi, Aggie!" Arora greeted cheerfully as she swiveled around to wave at me. Otto gave me a small smile in greeting, and I narrowed my eyes at the bandages on Otto's head and Arora's arms. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to them, but I pushed the thought aside as I took a seat at the table.

"How are you doing?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light despite the obvious injuries. Arora shrugged nonchalantly, while Otto simply replied, "We've had better days."

I snorted out a laugh and replied, "Well, at least you're still alive to tell the tale."

Arora rolled her eyes playfully as Otto began shuffling the deck of cards for our game. AS we played, I spoke of everything that had happened after I had been fired from my job, trying to distract myself from the worry of their injuries. Otto and Arora listened intently, offering words of encouragement and support as we continued our game. In turn, Otto and Arora spoke of their own struggles and triumphs, reminding me that we were all in this together.

"Your father's dead?" I clarified, and Arora cackled gleefully.

"We took him apart and stitched him back together," she said with a mischievous grin.

"She held his heart in her hands," Otto rumbled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "It was quite the operation."

I couldn't help but grin, impressed by their creativity and sense of humor. As we laughed together, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, eternally grateful that I found the two unique individuals who could make even the darkest moments feel a little lighter.

Chapter Text

"Agnes. Wait!" Marie hissed as she skittered after me.

"Hurry up, then!" I hissed back as she and I entered the newest Trial setting.

I had made friends with Marie when she arrived a few days ago, and I quickly learned that she was impulsive and fearless, making her a valuable ally in this dangerous game. As we entered the shopping mall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, knowing that the other participants were lurking around every corner. I knew that sticking together with Marie would increase our chances of survival in this treacherous environment. Or splitting up, as she suggested, might give us a better chance of finding the hidden clues to escape.

Either way, we needed to trust each other and stay alert. Feeling like I was being watched, I glanced upward to a foggy window above the main plaza of the mall, where I thought I saw a shadowy figure peering down at us. Their form was immediately familiar to me, making me faintly smile and wiggle my fingers in a wave of recognition. It was Otto and Arora Kress, the conjoined twins I had been in charge of looking after when I had worked for their father, Anton.

"This place gives me the creeps," Marie muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

"The chessboard in the sleep room gives you the creeps," I replied flatly, remembering how Marie had once screamed when a chess piece had been flung at her.

"Let's just grab what we need and get out of here," I suggested, eager to leave the unsettling atmosphere behind us.

"We need fuses to get to the main plaza," Marie said, her voice tinged with unease. "Let's make it quick."

"Yay, splitting up time already," I muttered sarcastically as I wandered in a side store, hoping to find the fuses quickly and without incident. Marie shot me a look before continuing down the store on the opposite side, clearly not thrilled about the idea of splitting up. I tried to ignore the feeling of unease creeping up my spine as I searched for the fuses, determined to get out of there as soon as possible. When we both met up again, we each had a fuse in hand, and Marie's expression was still tense.

"Let's get out of here," she said briskly, and I couldn't agree more as we hurried into the main plaza, eager to finish the Trial.

After a small eternity of getting more fuses and avoiding Ex-Pops, we finally got into the department store. The dimly lit store was eerily quiet, with shadows dancing along the walls as we cautiously made our way through the aisles. Marie's grip on my arm tightened, and I could tell she was just as anxious to complete the Trial and escape as I was. We glanced at each other, and we gave each other a nod before splitting up to find boxes to put on the conveyor belt. As we worked quickly to gather the necessary items, a sudden noise echoed through the store, causing us both to freeze in fear. We exchanged a worried glance before continuing our task, hoping to finish before anything else could go wrong.

"This is such bullshit!" I heard Marie whisper loudly as she slammed a box onto the belt. I couldn't help but agree, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on us as we raced against time to complete the Trial. A buzzsaw filtered through the air as we frantically loaded the boxes, the sound growing louder and more ominous with each passing second. I nearly squealed when Marie grabbed my arm and yanked me into a nearby closet to hide just as Otto and Arora Kress entered the store, their sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of us.

"What a lovely smell," Otto rumbled, making Arora huff in annoyance.

"Don't be crude. I'm freshly bathed," she replied, her voice sharp with irritation. I held my breath, praying they wouldn't find us in our hiding spot, knowing that our lives depended on staying undetected.

"I meant your potions, dearest, even if your musk leaves me ever weak-kneed and stiff-loined," Otto whispered, causing Arora to swat at him in mock annoyance. I couldn't help but stifle a giggle, risking our cover for a moment of amusement.

"I've been noodling with the formula. A little ester of amyl and nitric acid to quicken the breath and encourage the beasts to suck it in," Arora explained, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Oh, lovely. Lovely," Otto replied, the low chuckle in his voice betraying his admiration for her cleverness. Despite the danger surrounding us, I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for my former companions. I spared a glance at Marie, noting that she looked pale and tense, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. It was clear that she was struggling to maintain her composure in the face of our risky mission. Otto and Arora finally moved away, allowing us to grab the last couple of boxes and make our escape.

"Did you ever see pictures of our mother?" Otto asked quietly, and I felt tears prick in the corners of my eyes. I remembered Otto and Arora's mother. She was the kindest woman I had ever met, always with a smile on her face and a warm embrace for anyone in need. What she saw in Anton Kress was beyond me, but her love for him was undeniable.

"All burned. Mother's family deported before they could come sniffing around for money. Father was nothing if not efficient," Arora grumbled, making me scowl darkly. I knew that Arora's bitterness towards her father ran deep, but I also knew that she would never openly admit the pain he had caused her. The thought of their mother's things being destroyed pissed me off, but I knew Arora's anger towards her father was even more intense. Despite her tough exterior, I could see the hurt in her eyes whenever she spoke of him.

"I wonder what's got me thinking of Mother…" Otto murmured to himself, his voice trailing off as he stared into the distance. I could sense a mix of nostalgia and longing in his tone, a stark contrast to Arora's anger towards their father.

There was a beat of silence, and then—

"I miss Agnes," Arora said, making me stop at the mention of my name. Marie turned to me with wide eyes, silently asking for an explanation.

"I do, too, dear. Father refused to talk about her after she left, remember? Said she was killed," Otto replied, his voice tinged with sadness. Marie nudged my arm, silently demanding an explanation. I shook my head, just as silently telling her I'd explain later. I pushed forward, wanting to get this Trial finished and take a nap before the emotional weight of the situation became too heavy to bear. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel Marie's curiosity burning a hole in my side as we continued down the dimly lit hallway towards our destination. Half an hour later, we successfully finished the Trial and entered the sleep room, finally able to rest our weary minds and bodies.

"What the hell was that?" Marie burst out, making me groan.

"What do you want me to say, Marie? 'Hello, I'm Agnes, and I used to be the nursemaid for Otto and Arora Kress when they were kids.' What kind of reaction were you expecting after that?" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the lingering unease from the Trial. Marie's eyes widened in shock as she processed my words, her expression shifting from confusion to understanding. I could tell that the revelation about my past was a lot for her to take in, but I hoped she would eventually come to terms with it.

"They think I'm dead. Otto and Arora have moved on with their lives, and I have no intention of disrupting that. I just want to live in peace now," I added, hoping Marie would respect my wishes and keep my secret safe.

"How can we live in peace when we're being tortured in this shithole?" Marie asked quietly, gesturing to the sleep room filled with Reagents. "They took us when we were at our lowest, and now they're using us as guinea pigs." I raised an eyebrow and just sighed.

"And?" I asked wearily. I really wanted a nap, but Marie had her heart set on discussing our situation further.

"And I'm telling you to go find them and show them that you're alive. The Kress Twins adore you, apparently, so go find them," Marie urged. I rolled my eyes before nodding. 

"I will. After I take a nap," I said, smirking, and rushed to my room with a laugh as Marie cursed me out for not taking the situation seriously. The second my head hit the pillow, I was out.

When I woke up, I blinked groggily when I saw a Murkoff security guard standing in my doorway.

"Come with me, Reagent," the officer said boredly.

I stumbled to my feet and followed him, my heart racing with anxiety as I wondered what trouble awaited me now. The guard led me down a long corridor, his footsteps echoing ominously in the silence of the facility. I didn't dare ask where he was taking me, but my mind raced with possibilities of what could be waiting for me at the end of the hallway. The guard finally stopped in front of a heavy metal door, unlocking it with a loud click before gesturing for me to enter.

The second I entered, the guard shut the door behind me with a resounding thud, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to make sense of my surroundings and what was about to happen next. The lights flickered on, and I made a garbled sound when I spotted all four Prime Assets in the room with me, their eyes cold and calculating. Leland Coyle, Mother Gooseberry, and Franco Barbi were all strapped to chairs while Otto and Arora sat at a table.

"Hi, Agnes!" Arora greeted me, waving me over.

"Hi. You remember me?" I asked quietly as I stiffly sat down across from the pair.

"We do. We've been waiting for you," Otto replied with a smirk, making my mind churn with fond memories.

"And they're here because why?" I asked, nodding at the bound figures.

"Not enough guards apparently," Arora explained, her smile fading.

"Figures."

I glanced at the Prime Assets, trying to decide if I should trust them or not.

"Father said you were dead," Arora said quietly, and I scoffed.

"Your father was an idiot and a liar," I replied sharply, feeling a surge of anger at the mention of him.

"But he did tell us where to find you," Otto added, his tone serious as he looked me in the eye.

"Did he?"

"Mm-hm! Father got drunk once and blabbed all about you," Arora said with a shrug.

"Well, I guess I owe him a thank you then," I muttered, feeling conflicted about the situation. Otto and Arora chuckled at my response, sensing the tension in the air dissipating.

"It's good to see you again, even if it's under strange circumstances," Otto said with a smile, and I couldn't help but return it.

"It's nice to see the two of you as well," I replied, suddenly aware of Coyle muttering slurs under his breath. Ignoring Coyle's remarks, I focused on Otto and Arora listening as they told all that had happened while I was gone. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, I was happy to see them. While they talked, I could hear Coyle continuing his negative comments, and I abruptly stood up, stalked over to Coyle, and regarded him for a moment before I whipped my hand across his face, silencing him.

"Enough. One more remark out of you, and I'll carve your eyes out of your skull with a rusty spoon and give them to Arora," I said firmly, before turning back to Otto and Arora with a forced smile. "Please continue."

The room fell silent as everyone processed what had just happened. Coyle's expression turned from shock to fear, and he wisely kept his mouth shut for the rest of the conversation. My actions may have been extreme, but I wasn't going to let anyone ruin my reunion with Otto and Arora.

Chapter Text

I sat down in the last free chair in the shuttle, not even flinching when the restraints clicked into place across my wrists and ankles. The TVs lowered from the ceiling, and I braced myself for the inevitable announcement of our destination. The familiar voice crackled over the speakers, informing us of our Trial.

"You are the cleansing flood that washes away the lies. If the people are allowed to choose leaders who poison the well of obedience with the bile of history, then we must drown those leaders in that self-same bile. Kill the politician, cleanse his bones of flesh, and we will let you out," Dr. Easterman ordered before the screens flickered off and rose back into the ceiling as green smoke filled the room.

The weight of his words settled in my stomach, and I knew the Trial ahead would be much worse than any before. I barely paid attention to the hallucinations dancing before my eyes as I tried to prepare myself for the difficult task ahead. A moment later, the shuttle slowed to a screeching halt, and I braced myself for what awaited me outside. The doors hissed open, revealing a large shopping mall that stretched as far as the eye could see, signaling the beginning of the Trial.

"We might as well do this, right?" A teammate asked, breaking the tense silence that had settled over us. I nodded in agreement, steeling myself for the challenges that lay ahead. As we stepped out of the shuttle and into the mall filled with nothing but mannequins, corpses, blood, and gore, I couldn't help but feel a need to succeed. The clock was ticking, and there was no time to waste as we navigated through the maze of shops to get the fuses we needed. After succeeding, we needed to get a ticket in order to get to the politician.

"The ticket's in the department store," another teammate said quietly.

"You've done this one before?" I asked as we walked toward the department store, feeling a sense of urgency and determination to complete our task successfully.

"Once," my teammate replied, his voice filled with a mix of confidence and caution.

"Alrighty then," I said, knowing better than to push him for more information.

As we found more fuses to use in the department store, I couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline as we inched closer, closer to our goal. With each step, the seed of anticipation grew stronger, fueling our determination to reach the politician before...something happened. Nobody knew what happened if a Trial was failed, and it was an unofficial rule to not think about it. A buzzsaw filtered through the air, making the four of us hiss a variety of curses before scattering in different directions to avoid the danger. Despite the obstacles, we remained calm, quiet, focused, knowing that failure was not an option. Not if we wanted to live. The urgency of everything only heightened our resolve to succeed, no matter what. I ducked into a small alcove under a nearby case, catching my breath and mentally preparing to run. The sound of footsteps approaching sent a shiver down my spine, but I knew we had come too far to give up now.

"You're beautiful in the shadows, my darling," a man crooned over the rumbling of the buzzsaw. I clapped a hand over my mouth to smother the garbled sound that fought its way out of my throat as the footsteps stopped a few feet away from my hiding spot, but I didn't dare peek out to see who it was. The stakes were too high, and I couldn't risk blowing our cover at this critical moment. Instead, I waited in tense silence, hoping that whoever it was would soon move on.

"Only in shadows?" A woman replied, sounding gleeful and mischievous. Flirty, even. My heart pounded in my chest as I strained to hear their conversation, knowing that our mission depended on remaining undetected.

"Under arc lights, and by firelight, and in the cold glare of a surgeon's theater. Maybe someday I'll see you in the sun and discover a whole new kind of beauty," the man tacked on, his bass voice sending shivers down my spine. I realized then that they were not just passing by but were there for a purpose that could jeopardize everything we needed to do.

"If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun," the woman quoted, and I immediately recognized it as a line from Shakespeare's Sonnet 130. I had read it before, but in that moment, her recitation took on a whole new meaning, adding an air of sophistication to their presence. Upper class, I realized, nodding to myself. 

"You know me too well, love. We'll rouge your cheeks with the blood of beasts and shame the sun," the man flirted shamelessly before walking off, leaving me with a sense of foreboding. As they disappeared into the shadows, I couldn't shake the feeling that their intentions were far more sinister than they let on.

"Agnes, where are you? We got the ticket," one of my teammates said through our shared intercom.

"Go ahead without me. I'm being followed by the Prime Asset. I'll let you know when I'm in the clear," I replied in a whisper, my heart racing as I tried to come up with a plan to evade my pursuer. I got out from under my hiding spot and crept out of the department store, careful to avoid any noise that might give away my position. The buzzsaw whirred loudly, and I glanced over my shoulder to see the Prime Asset charging at me.

"Beast," the man growled.

"We'll train you to the glove," the woman agreed as I dashed out the store, my only chance of escape.

The adrenaline pumping through my veins fueled my determination to outrun them and find a way to turn the tables on my captors. It was one thing to be threatened, but it was something else entirely to be chased by someone you knew could easily overpower you. Otto and Arora Kress—conjoined twins with a reputation, and the same twins I was a nursemaid for until I was fired by their father—were not going to make it easy for me to slip away unnoticed. The stakes were high, but I was determined to fight back and reclaim my freedom.

"Who are you to judge us?" Arora screeched, flinging a vial of poison in my direction. I dodged the vial just in time, my heart racing with adrenaline as I looked for a place to hide. With every step I took, I could feel the weight of their wrath bearing down on me, but I refused to slow down.

"They'll lick their blood from our boots, love," Otto assured her, his eyes glinting with eager malice. I knew then that my escape would not be without a fight, but I was prepared. I whipped around a corner and jumped into a barrel, seconds before Otto and Arora appeared, grumbling in annoyance.

"Ils nous posent un lapin," Otto said, and Arora giggled, both unaware of my presence in the barrel next to them. I held my breath, waiting for the perfect moment to make my move and continue on my path to freedom as I carefully peeked over the rim of the barrel.

"You'll moisten your collar talking like that, Otto," Arora cooed, her voice dripping with flirtatiousness.

"You naughty rabbit," Otto rumbled, his voice equal parts amused and flustered.

"This naughty rabbit needs a thumping," Arora said with a mischievous grin.

"When the work is done, she will get it," Otto promised, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. I knew then that their playful banter was more than just a facade; it was a reflection of the deep bond they shared, built on nothing but trust and understanding that no one else had given them. After a moment, they wandered off, and I finally joined my teammates.

"Oh, thank fuck, you're still alive. We got the water pressure fixed," one teammate exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.

"Yeah, but we still have a long way to go before this place goes to shit," another teammate added, a hint of exhaustion in his tone.

"Let's get this done," I said with a nod. Fifteen minutes later, the politician was dead, and we were racing toward the shuttle, adrenaline pumping through our veins as we made our escape. The mission was a success, but the insertion gate next to the shuttle opened up, releasing Otto and Arora. We all swore loudly, knowing that our escape had just become much more complicated. I could see a flicker of recognition flitter across Otto's face as Arora flung poison at my teammates. I shrieked when Otto grabbed me by the arm, his grip surprisingly strong.

"You're coming with us," he growled, his eyes filled with intent. I struggled against him, knowing that our mission had just taken a dangerous turn.

"Get on the shuttle! Go!" I screamed, ignoring the cries for my safety as I tried to break free from Otto's grasp.

"Let her go!" One teammate yelled, lunging towards Otto in a desperate attempt to help me. But it was too late, as Otto dragged me towards the insertion gate with Arora laughing, leaving my teammates behind in a cloud of uncertainty and fear. Unable to fight back any more, I allowed myself to pass out, knowing that when I woke up, I would be facing whatever fate awaited me on the other side of that gate. The last thing I heard before losing consciousness was the sound of the shuttle doors closing, sealing my fate with a finality that sent a shiver down my spine.

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Otto's face directly over mine. He was smiling, a glint of mischief in his eyes as I squealed in surprise.

"Welcome back, sleepyhead," he chuckled, helping me up as I realized that I was safe.

"You, sir, are an asshole," I grumbled, swatting his hand away playfully. Otto just laughed, clearly pleased with himself for scaring me. "Where am I?"

"Our room," Arora said, swiveling around to see me.

"We brought you here after you passed out in the gate," she explained, handing me a glass of water. "You had us worried for a moment there." I took a sip, feeling grateful for their concern and relieved to be in familiar surroundings.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to cause a scene," I apologized, feeling embarrassed by my own weakness. Arora smiled warmly.

"Don't worry about it, darling. Just glad you're okay now," Otto said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder in a comforting gesture. I couldn't help but smile back, leaning into Otto's side for support. It was comforting.

"Thank you both for taking care of me," I said sincerely, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me.

"It was the least we could do. You took care of us for years. Let us return the favor," Arora replied, her eyes filled with genuine concern.

"We're just glad you're safe," Otto added, squeezing my shoulder gently. Pleased, I felt a wave of warmth and appreciation for the twins. They always made me feel loved and protected, no matter what.

"You do realize that I'm going to get in trouble the longer I stay here, right?" I asked, a hint of worry creeping into my voice.

"We'll figure something out," Arora reassured me, her determination shining through.

"Just focus on the moment for now," Otto chimed in, his smile reassuring. I trusted them, warmth curling in my stomach as I leaned into their comforting presence. Otto let out a thrilled rumble as he nuzzled my cheek, his affectionate gesture making me feel safe and cherished. Arora leaned over and placed her chin on my head, her silent support speaking volumes.

"You have no idea how long we've dreamed of this moment," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

"We've searched for you for years, dearest," Otto agreed, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"But now that we've found you, we'll never let you go," Arora added, her words wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

"We'll protect you with everything we have," Otto vowed, his deep voice resonating with determination. Arora nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting unwavering loyalty as she squeezed my hand gently.

Chapter Text

It was the growl of a buzzsaw that alerted my three teammates and me to the approaching enemy. We all froze, staring in the direction of the sound, all of us knowing that Ex-Pops didn't have that kind of weapon unless it was a Prime Asset.

"Did anyone get a good look at the Prime Asset?" I asked quietly, my voice barely audible, but my teammates heard me loud and clear.

"I only got a glimpse. It looked like she was riding on his back," a teammate—Eric, I think his name was—said just as quietly. The buzzsaw revved loudly, and we all scattered into different areas of the department store, not wanting to get caught. I ducked into a small crevice under a case—which made my body ache in protest—but it was the safest spot I could find at that exact moment. I could hear the buzzsaw and footsteps approaching, and I held my breath, hoping they would pass by without noticing me.

"Something is provoking you, dear?" a man asked, sounding like he'd stopped a couple of feet away. I didn't dare peek, but I could practically feel him standing there.

"Did I say something?" a woman responded, her voice amused and playful. I stayed silent, trying to control my racing heart as they continued their conversation, completely and utterly unaware of my presence.

"Your heart is beating. I can smell the tang of your sex," the man teased lightly.

"The hunt gets my blood up," the woman replied, her tone low and seductive.

"Me too, my love, and soon as the day's labors are done, I'll give you the thrashing you deserve," the man said, his voice filled with promise and desire.

I made a face as I felt a rush of intense heat flood through me as I realized I was eavesdropping on an intimate moment between two total strangers. I leaned out of my hiding spot, only to immediately duck back as the man's gaze swept in my direction, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. I held my breath, hoping he hadn't seen me. I felt tears burn in the back of my eyes as Otto and Arora Kress—the adorable conjoined twins I had promised to look after—slowly wandered over to my hiding spot.

"Could I ask you to play barrel man, dear?" Otto asked, and I could nearly see the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I'm not putting anything up your ass," Arora said immediately, her tone deadpan.

"No, no. As in a crow's nest. I hear somebody creeping about," Otto explained, and I could hear a grin in his voice.

"So just say that. Jesus," Arora grumbled, but the faint amusement in her voice was there. I wanted to laugh at their banter because I was the only one who saw how well they complemented each other, but I stayed quiet. I had encouraged them to be curious about everything and explore, and it seemed now they were doing just that. I knew that they would have some kind of relationship due to the fact that they were conjoined, but I had never expected them to act on it entirely.

"Disgusting. And tiresome how the wretched classes make us work for them," Arora said with a sigh.

"It's the burden of wealth. And it gives us the grand tradition of the hunt, preserving our comely physiques," Otto responded, and I peeked again just in time to see him adjust his bifocals.

"You taunt me with those strapping and unreachable thighs," Arora flirted, and Otto chuckled, a twinkle in his eye.

"Tantalus beneath an arbor of lust," Otto murmured, and Arora blushed when she swiveled around to look at him.

I quickly averted my gaze, feeling like an intruder. Carefully, I maneuvered out of my hiding spot and crawled away, not wanting to push my luck of not being found. As I crept away, the thrill of listening to their flirting made my heart race, but I knew better than to linger and risk being caught eavesdropping. After meeting up with my teammates, I found myself going through the motions, my mind still on the tantalizing conversation I had overheard. It was hard to focus when my thoughts kept drifting back to Otto and Arora's flirtatious banter.

"Agnes, look out!" My teammate suddenly screamed, making me snap out of my thoughts. My teammate was pointing behind me, and I whipped around only to be punched in the face by a Big Grunt. I crumpled to the ground, dazed and disoriented, as the rest of my teammates sprang into action and led the Big Grunt away from me. Unable to fight the blurry pain in my head, I allowed myself to pass out, hoping that I was still alive when I woke up.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in a low-lit room decorated for someone who was obviously rich. The sound of hushed voices reached my ears as I slowly sat up, trying to piece together what had happened. I remembered my teammate telling me to look out before I got punched by the Big Grunt, and then everything went black. As I listened to the voices around me, I realized that I was safe, but that still didn't tell me where I was. I turned and gawked when I saw Otto and Arora nearby. Otto's back was to me, which meant Arora was facing in my direction. Arora immediately brightened when she saw I was awake and reached for me, making Otto wobble slightly.

"Easy there, darling. You'll lose your balance," Otto warned lovingly.

"I was born into the equestrian class. This is only natural for me," Arora huffed, before nudging Otto with her other hand. "Turn around, Otto! Aggie's awake!" Otto turned around quickly—which made Arora squawk in offense—his face breaking into a relieved smile when he saw me.

"Thank goodness you're awake," he said, reaching out to help me sit up. "We were starting to worry." Unable to help it, I wrapped my arms around Otto, squeezing him in a fierce hug. I could feel Arora's arm patting my back as Otto returned my hug.

"Why are you in this place? You should be out there, exploring the world and experiencing it all," Arora said, her voice filled with concern. I let out a bitter laugh into Otto's chest before pulling away slightly to look at Arora.

"I wish it were that simple," I replied shortly.

"Your idiot of a father fired me a few weeks after your sixteenth birthday. I found a variety of work for a few months afterwards, but that didn't last long. Nobody wanted to hire an old Black woman with no college degree," I explained, my anger simmering.

"So here I am, stuck in this place, just trying to survive," I finished, feeling resignation at the fact that I was doomed to die here.

"Absolutely not," Otto growled, and I nearly trembled at the power in his voice. "We have looked for you for too long for you to just give up. You're ours, dearest." I let out a laugh, patting his cheek fondly, not missing the way he leaned into my touch, and I suddenly remembered why I adored the twins to a terrifying degree. I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at my lips.

"How long have you felt this way about me?" I asked, my heart fluttering at the thought of being loved so fiercely by them.

"Since the day you were fired. We heard you raging at our father, defending us," Arora admitted, her voice quiet. "We knew right then that you were someone worth fighting for, someone we couldn't let go of. Always."

I burst into tears, hugging Otto again, clinging onto his suit jacket as if my life depended on it. I knew that leaving them again would be next to impossible, that I had finally found a place where I truly belonged. As I sobbed, I felt Otto nuzzle my hair, his arms wrapping around me in a steady embrace, and Arora lean over and rub my back soothingly, their actions speaking louder than any words could.

Chapter Text

All I had wanted was some time to think—and a nap, but that was lower on my current list of priorities right now. Ever since I learned that my former wards had become a Prime Asset for the Murkoff Corporation, I was consumed by a sense of guilt and responsibility. The weight of their fate now rested heavily in my gut because I had been the one who had welcomed them into my care, promising to protect them from harm. Now, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had failed them in the worst possible way. There was a soft tap on my cell door, and I grunted in acknowledgment, allowing the person to enter.

"You need to see this," the familiar voice of Marie said as I sat up.

My eyes sharpened when I saw that Marie—fearless, resilient Marie—had tears in her eyes. Dread settled in my chest as I followed her out of the cell, my mind racing with all the possible outcomes of what she was about to show me. As we reached Marie's cell, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as I fidgeted with my E.S.O.P. device, trying to calm my nerves. Marie gestured for me to enter, her expression grave, and my heart nearly stopped when I saw the familiar form of Arora Kress sitting on the edge of Marie's bed, a glazed look in her eyes, and a vial of her infamous poison—with her own legs and definitely not conjoined to her twin brother, Otto.

"She wandered in here about twenty minutes ago? She kept babbling about not being able to feel Otto and finding you," Marie whispered urgently, her eyes darting between me and Arora. 

"Arora?" I called gently as I crouched in front of my former ward. Arora didn't respond, her eyes fixed on some invisible point in the distance. Concerned, I reached out to touch her hand, hoping to bring her back from wherever her mind had wandered. But as soon as my fingers brushed against hers, she recoiled violently, a flicker of recognition passing through her vacant gaze. I didn't flinch, just held her hand gently, waiting for her to come back to reality.

"Ror? Arora, it's me, remember? You're safe now," I reassured her softly, hoping to break through whatever barrier was keeping her trapped in her own mind.

"Agnes," Arora mumbled, clarity returning to her eyes as she finally recognized me, and I nodded.

"Agnes, I can't feel Otto anymore. He's gone," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

Suddenly, an officer spoke to me from behind and said, "Reagent 9216, the other one has requested your presence."

I glanced over my shoulder at the guard, then at Marie, who still looked concerned. I nodded imperceptibly, making her relax slightly, and I stood. Immediately, Arora panicked, reaching out to grab my arm.

"Don't leave me, Agnes," she pleaded, her grip tightening as if I were the only lifeline she had left. I gave her a reassuring smile and helped her stand.

"Come on, Ror. Let's go find Otto, shall we?" I said, wrapping my arm around her waist as we walked towards the other room. Arora nodded, her expression grateful as she leaned into my side for support.

"I woke up, and neither of you was there. I got so scared," she admitted softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I'm sorry, Arora. I won't leave you alone again," I promised, squeezing her hand gently as we continued on our way to find Otto. I was so focused on making sure Arora was alright that I flinched when a door hissed open, revealing a nice room fit for a rich person and Otto, pacing back and forth with a worried look on his face.

"Otto, we're here," I called out, relieved to have found him safe and sound. Arora let out a sigh of relief, her grip on my hand tightening as we approached him.

"Sister dear, I was so worried!" Otto rumbled, the bass of his voice making my chest feel warmth and comfort. I could see the tension in his shoulders release as he embraced Arora tightly, relieved to see her unharmed.

"Agnes, it's wonderful to see you again after all these years," Otto continued, his eyes filled with gratitude and affection.

"Right back at you, kid," I chuckled, feeling nostalgic as I stared at him fondly.

"We're not children anymore, Aggie," Arora complained lightly.

"Need I remind you that I'm twelve years older than you two, so I am well within my rights to call you kids," I teased, earning a playful eye roll from both Otto and Arora.

"We missed you. A lot," Arora admitted, her voice softening as she spoke.

"It's been too long since we were all together like this," Otto added, a hint of sadness in his tone.

"Yeah, well, it seems we're all in here for the long run," I said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"But at least we have each other," Arora said, her eyes meeting mine with a sense of comfort.

"Of course, we do! Always," Otto agreed vehemently, making me laugh at his enthusiasm.

"No matter what," I added, feeling pleased that our relationship remained strong despite everything.