Ryker shoved the door open with his shoulder. His heavy coat swished as he stepped into the cramped room. He pulled a small vial of glowing blue liquid from his pocket and tossed it toward Karl.
Karl narrowed his eyes, fumbling it against his chest before gripping it tight.
"Here's an energy booster," Ryker said. His voice carried a gravelly edge. "And listen up, some people were asking about you at the market."
Karl straightened on the cot. His blue eyes sharpened as he twisted off the vial's cap. He tipped it to his lips. The sharp, bitter taste stung his tongue.
"Who were they?" Karl asked. "What did they say?"
Ryker dropped a worn sack onto the workbench. Metal clinked inside. He leaned against the edge with his arms crossed.
"Couple of nosy types," Ryker replied. "A woman with dark hair and a jittery guy with goggles. They were fishing. They mentioned a tall kid with a rogue Core. They even said some scavengers crossed you, the same set of those same scavengers I saved you from."
Karl swallowed. The booster's heat spread through his chest as he placed the vial on the cot. His fingers drummed against his knee.
"Did they know it was me?" Karl pressed. "Or just throwing guesses?"
Ryker shrugged. The scar on his cheek gleamed under the flickering bottled lights.
"Seemed like a stab in the dark," Ryker said. "But they're poking around. You're staying put—no wandering."
Karl nodded. His thoughts flickered to the scavengers' attack. He rubbed his wrist where the device pulsed faintly.
"Fair enough," Karl mumbled. "But how long do I hide?"
Ryker smirked. He fished a battered canteen from the sack and lobbed it over.
"Til it's safe, kid," Ryker answered. "You're off the grid for now."
Karl caught the canteen. He took a sip of the stale water. Ryker started unpacking the sack.
"What'd you score?" Karl asked. "Anything decent?"
Ryker dangled a spool of wire between his fingers. His grin was crooked.
"Bits for the scanner," Ryker said. "Some rations too. Won't starve yet."
Karl let out a small laugh. He leaned back against the wall.
"Small victories," Karl said. "How's the underbelly out there?"
Ryker snorted. He sorted through the supplies.
"Same mess," Ryker replied. "Traders bickering, thieves skulking. Business as usual."
A loud knock jolted the door. It sliced through their chatter. Ryker's head whipped up.
"Behind the tarp," Ryker hissed. "Go, now."
Karl leapt off the cot. His boots scraped the floor as he darted to the corner and slipped behind the ragged tarp. It swung shut. He flattened himself against the wall. His breathing turned shallow. Through a narrow slit, he watched. His pulse hammered.
The door groaned as it opened. Iora stepped in. Her dark hair swayed with each stride. Ryn trailed her. His goggles caught the faint light.
Ryker stood firm. His tone was light but guarded.
"Well, hello there," Ryker greeted, amused. "We met at the market. What's the occasion?"
Iora stopped short. Her green eyes pierced through the dimness.
"No games, Ryker," Iora said. "We tracked you from the market. We know you've got someone here."
Ryn shifted closer. He adjusted his goggles with a twitch.
"Yep, tailed you the whole way," Ryn added. "Word is you're stashing a guy with a cracked Core. Let's hear it."
Ryker arched a brow. He eased back against the workbench.
"You followed me?" Ryker asked. "What's this about? Think I'm hoarding oddities?"
Iora's arms crossed. Her voice hardened.
"We're not here to guess," Iora snapped. "We want him. Tall, dark hair, powers spiking. Ring any bells?"
Ryker scratched his jaw. His smirk slipped away.
"Maybe I've heard whispers," Ryker said. "But why is he your problem? Who is he to you?"
Iora exhaled. Her gaze darted to the tarp.
"Karl," Iora called. Her voice rang clear. "It's me. Come out."
Karl stiffened. His heart thudded louder. He shoved the tarp aside and stepped forward. His eyes locked on her.
"Iora," Karl said. His voice cracked. "You're really here?"
Iora crossed the room fast. She wrapped him in a fierce hug.
"You're alive," Iora whispered. "I've been tearing the city apart for you."
Karl hugged her back. Warmth surged through him. He stepped back, a faint smile breaking through.
"Didn't think you'd track me down," Karl said. "How'd you figure it out?"
Ryker edged closer. His brow creased.
"Wait a sec," Ryker cut in. "How do you know her? What's going on?"
Karl faced him. His tone steadied.
"She was there, Ryker," Karl said. "The night my Core broke. She saw it all."
Iora nodded. Her hand rested on Karl's shoulder.
"It was a nightmare," Iora said. "Flames, shifts—total collapse. I couldn't abandon him."
Ryn's face lit up. He leaned in, voice buzzing.
"That's unreal," Ryn said. "A live Core fracture? We need to analyze it!"
Ryker's expression darkened. He stepped forward.
"Analyze?" Ryker growled. "Forget it. He stays with me. I'm stabilizing him."
Ryn puffed up. He yanked his goggles straight.
"Stabilize with what?" Ryn shot back. "Your scrap heap? I've got the gear to chart it. He's safer with us!"
Ryker pointed sharply. His voice climbed.
"He's not your experiment, tech-head," Ryker barked. "I'm keeping him human!"
Ryn flung his arms out. His voice cracked.
"And you're not his boss!" Ryn shouted. "He needs answers, not this pit!"
Karl winced. He stood trapped between them. Iora's patience broke.
"Enough!" Iora yelled. "Both of you, stop! Karl should make a decision."
Silence crashed in. Tension hung heavy. Ryker folded his arms. His glare burned into Ryn. Ryn huffed and fixed his goggles. Iora turned to Karl. Her eyes softened.
"Your life, your call," Iora said. "We're not dragging you anywhere."
Ryn shrugged. "Fine, you pick," he muttered.
Ryker stayed still. His eyes gave nothing away.
Karl stood rooted to a spot. His chest rose and fell unevenly. He couldn't make a solid decision, because both of them had been beneficial in this journey of his crazy core. He couldn't deny Iora's efforts or pretend that Ryker hadn't done enough to help him survive.
He let his eyes roam from person to person. He needed to make a decision. Fast.