Chapter Text
A loud screech of tires could be heard on the wet asphalt concrete road. Rain pattered down on Till’s helmet, clinking every time a droplet hit. The dark alleyways acting as his own personal shield from any Seygein eyes. Only a few cracks between the buildings provided Till an outside light source.
He kept his lights low when driving near the main city, not wanting to alert the Seygein. It was best to lay low in these areas, other than that it was a free game everywhere else. While driving, sharp eyes landed on a poster. “Wanted” was what read on it, along with a picture of Till, wearing his helmet of course. He reached his hand out and tore it off the old brick wall, soon shoving it into his jacket pocket.
Till quietly drove his motorcycle farther from the center of the city. He parked it behind some old dumpster, using beaten up parts of boxes as a way to hide anything that wasn’t covered. The silver-haired man made his way to a ladder, kicking the side of it to make it clatter before the whole thing fell down. Till caught it before it made a loud crash to the ground however.
Gently, he set the rusted metal ladder down on the ground and began to climb up. It creaked and squeaked under Till’s weight with every step that he took. Sparkling city lights below began to show the more he climbed. Once at the top he pulled the ladder back up so as to not be followed, an extra precaution he had learned to take.
He walked over to another ladder, this one being connected to a pole. Carefully, he climbed up the slippery wet handles, not wanting to slip and bust his head. Already escaped death once, why bother trying to escape it again? Till grabbed the railing and yanked himself up, now on the balcony of a billboard. Till clenched his hand into a fist and hit the screen three times. Soon enough the board flicked on with a slight shock to one of the lights above it.
Till took off his helmet, shaking his head slightly as he ran his hand across his head and down the back of his neck. “Hey Ivan.” Till signed, looking up at the giant photo above him. The bright light always managed to make his eyes dry but he had gotten used to the feeling.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out the wanted poster and holding it up the screen in front of him.
“Look, I got another wanted poster! Still surprised they managed to get another picture of me this time.” Till signed, a slight smile on his face while he looked up at Ivan’s eyes beaming down at him with that well practiced smile on his face.
Till blinked a couple of times before lowering the poster down. “This is pathetic, sad and pathetic.” Till told himself, as if he hadn’t repeated the same statement every time he drove to his billboard, climbed up those ladders and stood in front of it.
The man crumbled up the poster and stuffed it back into his pocket. “You look dumb, they made your posture look worse than mine.” Till signed, his hands fast while he eyed at the billboard above him. The photo on display was from one of Ivan’s fashion deals, out of the many he landed while being under his guardian.
Till remembered when he used to see Ivan’s face plastered around billboards anytime he went out. He couldn’t escape the guy even when he was out of Alien Stage. His dumb perfectly well practiced smile plastered on his face. It would annoy Till to no end, but now? Now it just made him feel empty. The man walked over to the ledge, sinking down so his feet could dangle off the edge. Till leaned against the bars, his gaze lingering below.
“I still don’t understand you,” Till thought, his head turning over his shoulder. “And I don’t think I ever will” Till thought once more solemnly. The billboard flickered again, Ivan’s image becoming distorted. Till’s eyes widened, quickly coming back onto his feet, nearly tripping in the process while trying to make his way to the power switch. “No, No, No.” Till thought urgently, turning off the billboard before it could fully burn out.
Till’s forehead rested against the screen, his hand gently resting upon it also. “Dang it…Dang it all.” Till thought, hitting the screen softly with his hand, not nearly as hard enough to make it turn on.
Suddenly, a large bright light flicked on from behind Till. The man straightened up immediately, whipping around to see what was in front of him. However it was more like what was above him. Till’s eyes squinted slightly, the blinding white light doing a number on his eyes.
He was able to figure out it was a blimp, a type of aircraft that would promote news, it also had a giant screen on it similar to the billboard. “It’s probably just promoting some dumb news.” Till thought, whipping his eyes with his hands as he decided to make his way back down the pole.
However, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. That’s funny, he thought he saw Ivan, but that’s impossible since the anniversary of the “Great Tragedy” was two months ago. Which was the only time they ever showed pictures of them to try and get Seygein to come to that horrendous museum. Despite Till’s skepticism, he turned his head and sure enough a giant picture of Ivan was there.
But it wasn’t an old picture, no, this was new.
Ivan was hooked up to some weird machine, a tube of sorts, only his head to his bust was showing, his dark raven hair floating slightly and his eyes shut loosely. Wires floated with Ivan, connecting to his heart and a few in his neck.
“Auction: Ivan from season 50! Ready for your home!” The blimp read.
Till’s stomach dropped, his gaze stuck onto the floating aircraft, his eyes following it until it was out of sight. His body grew limp, slipping against the billboard as he clutched his chest. The world grew silent, any sound that could’ve been made was merely white noise to Till.
“He’s alive.” echoed through Till’s head, his grip on his chest tightening. He accepted Ivan was dead. No, he saw Ivan die, not only that he was dragged away from his bleeding corpse. Till watched with his very eyes as the light left Ivan’s.
Calloused hands made their way around Till’s neck. Till’s sight grew dull, his hands shook, his breathing became heavy. Everything felt like it was spinning. Till wanted to scream, to yell, to cry but all he could let out was some raspy choked out noise that sounded like he was being strangled.
He slumped to his knees, his hands bracing the steel floor beneath him. Till shook, he continued to shake for a good while. Until he shot back up, grabbing his motorcycle helmet and yanking it back on his head.
No time was wasted as he made his way down, not even trying to be careful of the wet bars anymore. His boots stomped against the hard concrete, the lights from the city outside reflecting off his helmet, showing his burning gaze through the visor. Till kicked off the boxes that hid his bike, yanking it by the handles out of hiding. He swung his leg over, kicking himself a hard start before he drove off.
Till leaned to the side sharply, pushing himself and his bike into the main city. Well, not exactly the main city, Till could be rash but he wasn’t a mad man. It was still dark enough to hide him from any Seygein but not as hidden as his spot before which ensured he wouldn’t be spotted. The meter on Till’s bike started to increase, his hands tight on the handle bars. The lights were a blur to him, any obstacle on his way a mere distraction. Till knew where he was going and by it all he was going to get there.
The silver-haired man parked in front of a booth. A newspaper booth to be specific, it was abandoned yet it was always updated with the newest additions. He knew this spot from Urak, as he always insisted on getting the newest copy. Ugly old sack of wrinkles was finally good for something. Though the thought made Till’s face crinkle up, quickly knocking it out of his head before it could fester any longer.
Till grabbed the newest addition at the top and rolled it up to stuff it in his jacket before riding back off to the rebel base. As Till drove out of the city, the starry night sky gleamed down upon him. The open road to the desert in front of him, his lights on full blast.
He kept the newspaper close to him, pressed between his bicep and his chest. A night like this should’ve been admired, but Till had other things on his mind. More specifically, a plan, a rescue mission.
——————
It was around ten thirty when Till pulled up in the garage. At least that’s what his busted up watch read. He was greeted by Isaac who looked like he had been waiting for him.
“You’re later than usual” Isaac pointed out, kicking himself off the wall he was leaning against. Till didn’t respond, taking off his biker helmet instead. Issac noticed the hardened look on Till’s face. “Till? Are you okay?” Was all Issac was able to get out before Till shoved the newspaper into Issac. With a confused look on his face he looked down at what Till had given him. Issac’s hands gripped the paper once he read the headline.
The older man looked back at Till, his lips pressed in a tight line. “Meet me in the conference room, I’m going to go wake up Dewey.” Isaac said firmly, only getting a nod out of Till. Issac let out a soft breath before patting Till on the shoulder. Not knowing exactly what to say but just hoping to get the message across. At least that’s what Till could infer from Issac’s actions.
Once Issac was gone, Till picked up the newspaper and began to make his way over to the conference room. His steps felt heavier with every one that he took. The halls that he had grown used to felt more closed in. Like before he clutched the newspaper close to him. His stomach churned, twisting itself into some constrictor knot. The hard thumping of his heart made its way into his ears.
Shouldn’t he be more happy about this? Ivan was alive, he’d finally get the answers that he knows he deserves. So why is he freaking out, why is the thought of seeing Ivan again making his legs give out? Why does the thought of hearing Ivan say his name again cause his heart to stop beating? Why is it whenever Till imagines Ivan with him again that his stomach curls inwards?
These don’t seem like happy emotions, anyone who would hear their friend is alive would be crying from sheer relief. Till did feel like crying but not from relief. He didn’t know how to describe the emotions he was feeling. There wasn’t a word, an adjective to even begin to explain how he was feeling now.
But he did know one thing, Till knew he wanted to save Ivan. To free him, just like Till had been. That thought alone was enough to get Till back on the right track of mind. He made his way to the conference, ignoring the lingering twisting feeling that had formed in his stomach. It was a problem tomorrow Till could solve. Right now was not the time for it, he needed to focus. He had to focus.
It was almost like as soon as Till walked in he was met with a very tired Dewey. “He’s awake, just give him a second.” Issac clarified after seeing the slight look of confusion on Till’s face.
“Yep I’m all awake man!” Dewey slurred out, a goofy smile coming into his face after letting out a long yawn. “So what are we working with here?” Dewey asked, straightening up a bit more once still slammed the newspaper in front of him.
Lazily picking up the paper, Dewey’s eyes scanned over the headline. He looked like he was about to choke, “Oh gosh…” Dewey said, as he looked over to Issac. “I know,” Issac mumbled, as he rubbed his temple with his thumb and finger. “I don’t know how we’re going to pull this off, we haven’t pulled a stunt like this since…” Dewey trailed off, soon looking to Issac, whose posture had gotten stiffer.
“Hyuna?” Till finished, looking at the two men across from him. Issac looked to the side, his hand clenched. “Yeah…since Hyuna,” Dewey said softly, running his fingers through his messy blonde hair. The room stayed silent for a moment, Till took in a deep breath.
“I know how this looks, but please…I want to save him. The thought of some Seygein, some hideous, horrific Seygein getting their hands on him again makes me want to claw my skin off. If there is a chance of freedom for him, even if it’s risky, I want to take it.” Till signed slowly, his fingertips gracing the inked photo.
Issac and Dewey looked at each other, both seemingly hesitant but Issac looked back at Till first.
“When’s it happening?” Issac asked, Till’s eyes shooting up from the paper. “Looks to me like it’s happening early tomorrow morning.” Dewey murmured, dragging the newspaper towards him. “This isn’t a new layout, we’ve been here before, so this’ll make it a lot easier.” Issac said, pointing at the title of the building that the auction was being held at. So much was happening all at once that it was clouding up Till’s head.
Till waved his hands, “Wait wait, so we’re doing this?” Till signed, the light from above reflecting in Till’s eyes.
Dewey looked to Isaac as Isaac did the same before making his way over to Till. He put his hand onto Till’s shoulder and squeezed it,
“Yeah, we’re doing this,” Issac said, a slight grin coming up onto his face.
Till got up out of his seat, a shaky breath leaving his lips. “Thank you,” Till mouthed, as Issac gave him a pat on the back. “It’s what she would’ve wanted, no one gets left behind.” Dewey chuckled, as he got out of his seat and ruffled Till’s hair.
Till would’ve shot Dewey a slight glare but he couldn’t. “Alright, alright enough, come on now, we’ve got a rescue mission to pack up for.” Issac said, as he pulled Dewey by the bicep out of the room with Till trailing behind.
“Took you this long to think of me?” A voice echoed in Till’s head, causing him to stop. The window to his side showed an eerie darkness. Till began to turn his head but Dewey was calling for Till, so of course he ran to catch up.
“What on earth was that?” Till thought, but decided that now was not the time to deal with it.
And so, he followed back up Dewey and Issac, trying to ignore that feeling once again.
——————
Sleep was not an option the time around, the auction started at dawn and the three of them needed to be there before then. So more or less they needed to be there only shortly after midnight. It was currently around eleven at the moment, at least that’s what Till guessed based on the shattered clock that hung loosely in the garage.
“So is it going to be just us?” Till signed, Issac giving the other man a nod. “Yeah just us, this seems like a three person mission. Not only that, I don't want to wake anyone up right now.” Issac replied, tossing Till a set of keys. “These aren’t my motorcycle keys” Till signed, as he then felt the realization dawn on him.
“No.” Till signed, a look of dread on his face
“You know who to give them to.” Issac chuckled slightly, getting a kick out of Till’s expression. Till closed his eyes tightly and tilted his head upwards before making his way over to Dewey. “Hey Till! Are those for me?” Dewey asked excitedly, holding his hand out to Till. A pair of keys dropped into Dewey’s hand reluctantly with an ever more reluctant nod following.
Dewey laughed warmly, linking an arm around Till, “It’s van time!” Dewey said with glee, as a very well etched frown drew itself onto Till’s face.
That stupid van, it smelled like it had been drenched in weak old garbage fluids and then left out to dry in the scorching desert sun. It was also a hideous shade of green, perfect for camouflage but still ugly nonetheless. The crappy old metal was barely hanging on, being held on by hopes and dreams.
None of those hopes and dreams belonged to Till, he wanted that thing to die. For it to be put out of its misery. But Dewey just wouldn’t let the thing rest, saying it was “special”.
Till could not see it, not like he hadn’t tried to. Though anytime he did it just made him more bitter about having to use the rundown old hunk of rusted metal. However he wasn’t going to complain, it didn’t matter what vehicle they took as long as they got Ivan.
He still sucked in any fresh air that was from the outside before getting into the van though.
With that, the three of them were off.
The ride was quiet, Till being too stuck in his own mind to do anything. “Wow this is really happening” Till thought, his fingertips gracing his neck again before halting, putting both of his hands back down into his lap.
“So, what was your deal with Ivan?” Dewey asked curiously, his gaze flicking to Till who sat in the backseat. Till brought out his notebook, writing down.
“He was my friend, we practically grew up together. I could never understand him though and all the dumb stuff he pulled”.
Dewey let out a slight chuckle at the words, handing Till the notebook back. “Well I for one can’t wait to meet him.” Dewey said warmly, putting his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his seat.
Till let out a soft breath, if only poor Dewey knew half the things Ivan pulled on Till when they were younger. All the fist fights they would get into, Ivan’s gleeful laugh as he got punched and when he did the punching. The more Till thought about it the more he realized they truly did have a weird friendship. Though, maybe Ivan never viewed Till as just a friend.
That's when it clicked for Till, he could finally get answers out of Ivan now. He could finally ask Ivan what the heck he was thinking that day? All these questions, now finally having the possibility of getting answered.
So why was Till suddenly feeling nervous? Shouldn’t he be happy that he’ll get his answers? These entire two days had been a rollercoaster for Till. Not giving the poor man a break once.
However Till wasn’t left with his thoughts any longer as Issac parked the van in a rundown building. “Ready?” Issac asked, looking back at Till who had now raised his head to look at Isaac.
“Yes.” Till signed, grabbing his helmet and yanking it on his head.
“Good, alright, let’s dust off these old skills, right Issac?” Dewey asked with a grin spreading across his face. The other man tipped his head down before a smirk of his own appeared, “Let’s do this.” Issac said, blowing a piece of his hair out of his face.
It couldn’t be seen but still had a sharp smile on his face, the slight light from the outside showing his burning gaze through the visor of his helmet. The three of them stepped out, carefully making their way into the building.
“Careful,” Issac said, as he pulled Till back a little, pointing up at the cameras above. Dewey let out a scoff before taking out a small gun, aiming for the cameras and shooting the lenses with precision. “Easy, you’d think they'd upgrade the cameras by now.” Dewey chuckled, before an ear shattering alarm started to go off.
Till shrieked as he covered his ears, Issac rushed over to Dewey. “Issac I’m sorry I didn’t know! The model looked the exact same!” Dewey said urgently, as Issac grabbed the blonde man and the back of Till’s jacket. “I know! I would’ve done the same, looks like they’ve gotten more careful these days.” Issac gritted out, yanking the two men as he ran.
It was pure torture, the alarms sound made Till’s head hurt. But he had to snap out of it. Till slapped both of his cheeks with his hands, hard. With that he proceeded to get out of Issac's grip and start running along with the other two. The sound of guards boots clanking on the floor could be heard from up front.
It made Till’s blood run cold, grabbing Issac and hitting his shoulder rapidly. “Don’t worry about us! Go find Ivan and we’ll meet you back at the van!” Issac yelled, pulling up Dewey to his feet in the process.
The silver haired man’s eyes widened, his expression growing frantic. “Yeah kid don’t worry! Me and Isaac will take care of these guys!” Dewey shouted, tossing Issac a hammer, who in return swirled it around in his hand before getting a tight hold on it. Till wanted to stay back, to help, but he knew the two of them could handle themselves. So with that, Till bolted off.
Till could hear the guards, but soon enough a loud cackle from Dewey was able to drown them out. The alarm from before had gotten less of an issue for Till. But whenever a problem was solved a new one would occur. That new problem being, he had absolutely no idea where they were keeping Ivan. Till had a hunch though, he just hoped he was right.
A sharp turn down a long hallway led to an old operation room. It’s where they did name branding for the contestants of Alien Stage back then. If Ivan was being kept in any room, it would definitely be a room full of medical supplies, right? Till’s feet began to carry him the faster he ran.
He reached his hand out for the doors, practically slamming body first into them only to slide right through them and land face first on the floor. Till groaned slightly, rubbing his head as he made his way to his feet.
A faint glowing sea green light shined on Till’s face. The man’s eyes widened, his heart stopping completely. Till slowly walked over to the giant chamber, the glass containing some odd green liquid. He slowly put his hand onto the glass, his gaze softening as he looked inside. Till pressed his forehead to the glass, gently looking back in once again as he bit his lower lip.
“Hi Ivan.” Till signed, seeing the dark haired man floating soundly within.