Work Text:
14th of February, 2024
It was going to be a regular train ride through the woods.
Most of the time, Vanessa Eleniore would just use her own car to get to her workplace, but this time, she had to go from one D.T.T. headquarters to another. Seeing today's gas prices, maybe using the company's train is a preferable option. There's not really a downside other than having to sit behind an employee who smells like they have yet to discover showering.Looking around, Vanessa had noticed two of the contractors that were tasked with defending the train, Medic and Psycho. Whilst Medic was busy occupying himself by making what seems to be a long to-do list, Psycho was napping on two unoccupied seats. She isn't specifically sure where Gunslinger is.
To make use of her time, the underboss opened a D.T.T. TOP SECRET file titled ‘The Junkyard Bandits of Ghost Town’. Inside, there is a low-quality photograph of the infamous ‘Bandit Queen’, or her assumed real name, Deliss. Only the side of her face could be seen. Her hair shares similarities with the bright colours of a wildfire. It complimented the spots of burn scars that went along her entire body.
Suddenly, a loud noise brought Vanessa back to reality. “ENEMIES! ENEMIES!” Gunslinger shouted as he got his rifle ready. Turns out, he has been at the front sector of the train this entire time. Similarly, Medic also got his equipment ready while slapping Psycho awake at the same time. Soon, Vanessa joined the contractors in the task of defending the train when something immediately brought confusion…
The Junkyard Bandits were there.
“Uhhh.. aren't those guys supposed to be in the Ghost Town?? Why are they in the forest??” Medic addressed the elephant in the room with a slight trace of panic in his voice. “Did they know we are here..?”
Gunslinger then responded in a much calmer way, “Wow, I'm quite surprised they didn't get absolutely annihilated by those forest rangers when they got here.”
With what might make Vanessa's day the most unfortunate day ever, the worst happened.
Bandit Queen was also there.
As usual, the leader of the outlaws was upon her towering weaponized vehicle, which is nicknamed ‘Big Bertha’ according to the TOP SECRET file Vanessa had looked into earlier. The sight of that moving machine brought terror into the eyes of the passengers and contractors alike. It's unbelievable that it was made from the scrap and clutter of the Ghost Town's junkyard. Despite this, it's somehow able to travel such lengthy distances without breaking down. If these hooligans weren't so brash towards D.T.T. , they would've been hired by the boss, Mr. C. Allition, as engineers and mechanics.
Hearing the sound of Big Bertha getting ready to fire, Vanessa decided it was best to accept her fate. She lived a satisfactory life. Hopefully her beloved little sister, Valerie, goes on to have a much happier life.
As Vanessa closes her eyes and waits for whatever gets fired at her to take her out, she is met with quite a sweet surprise.
Instead of bullets or missiles, Vanessa is now surrounded with tons of heart-shaped gifts wrapped in shades of red and pink. A lot of them are adorned with decorations, including ribbons, flowers and even glitter. Wait a minute… What day is it again?
“Happy Valentine's Day, my darlin’ Vanessa!” shouted a charismatic voice that belonged to the one and only Bandit Queen.
“I've been your secret admirer for good while now, don’ cha know? Ever since the first time I saw ya, I felt something awaken in ma’ heart. I came all the way here to tell ya….
I'M IN LOVE WIT’ YA!!!!!”
Immediately after the confession, the Bandit Queen blows a big kiss to Vanessa before quickly retreating back to the direction of the Ghost Town while her band of outlaws cheer loudly. Consequently, the passengers and contractors on the train cheering too, mostly due to the fact that they were not going to be turned into ashes today.
Vanessa had never blushed so hard before. To think that there is indeed someone out there who finds her to be lovely, and that someone was a rival of hers. For most of her life, Vanessa had always been seen as a lonely and solitary individual by others, but after this, it might change.
At the same time, the three contractors are curiously feasting their eyes at the decorated gifts that are aboard the train.
With a hint of fascination, Psycho exclaimed,
“Woah… I never guessed our boss is Lebanese!”
“You mean Lesbian?” Medic corrected his colleague.
“No Meds… what you said is what they call people from Lebanon!”
Medic doesn't have enough energy for another argument with Psycho, so he just glares at the absolute buffoon he has to work alongside.
The once empty train was now filled with stacks of heartwarming gifts. One of the presents that were aboard the train had what seemed to be two small homemade plushies that looked identical to Vanessa and Bandit Queen. It had a note alongside that read…
From Ghost Town, With Love