The Algorithm

Chapter nine - Killzone

She was beautiful, to put it simply. Her dark indigo hair made her light brilliant blue eyes shine like stars. Her bangs hung to the side and perfectly framed her face. She had a small button nose and an amazing smile, but unfortunately her smile was a rare sight. She always kept her face still and unchanging.

Adrien's heart lurched at her sudden closeness to him and a warm, comforting feeling filled his chest.

Marinette had saved his life. She was brave, selfless, and a bit of a rebel which was exciting because Adrien's life up till now had been relatively normal and not the least bit interesting. He wasn't sure if it was the mystery that seemed to linger around her like a shadow that enticed him. Adrien was naturally a curious person so having so many unanswered questions was all the more reason to get to know her. But then again, she was distant, he wasn't sure she would ever feel that comforting warmth toward Adrien.

She seemed so unattached and untrusting. Maybe someday, Adrien told himself, but for now, her being my friend will do, or at least acquaintance, anything is better than 'mission'.

Still, the pleasant feeling in his chest lingered.

After a moment Marinette had the lock open. She unhooked the padlock and freed his hands from the shackles. Adrien dropped his hands to his sides in instant relief, despite the chains holding his hands in place, his arms were growing tired. He rubbed his wrists that still had a hint of redness from the chains pulling at his forearms.

Marinette threw the small piece of flimsy metal to the side and examined the room they were in. It was painted the same pale gray as the refuge and had the same door while a large wheel in the center that could turn open. Neither Adrien nor Marinette tried to pull at the door, they knew it was pointless. Instead Marinette started looking up at the mechanical gears that hung from the ceiling. "As a kid we were never able to open the door ourselves, but maybe we can break the lock with some of the stuff up there." She said, pointing at the two large generator looking boxes mounted to the tall ceiling. They rested a good five or six meters in the air, only the chains hanging from them.

"Do you think you can get up there?" Adrien asked.

"Maybe, the chain is thin. I don't think it would support your weight but I think it can handle mine." She explained.

Adrien worried that the chain wouldn't hold her, at least not for long. It had supported her weight for a few seconds earlier but what she is suggesting is climbing up the five or so meter chain and staying up there while messing with the only thing holding the chain in place. He wanted to argue with her but he knew they didn't have much of a choice.

"Be careful." He said thoughtfully,

"Careful is my middle name." She responded while stretching her shoulders. "Actually," She said, puzzled. "I don't remember my middle name." Adrien felt a wave of guilt and sadness strike him like a mountain of water during a storm at sea. He was saddened by how she knew nothing of her past and guilty for bringing up her name in the car. Marinette looked at him patiently before releasing the tension. "I was kidding." She explained with a small chuckle.

"Oh." Adrien shared in the laughter but his was not out of humor but relief.

"You need to lighten up." She commented with a smile. The smile he had only seen once before this moment. So rare and so beautiful. Sadly, he only got to see it for a second before she ran over to the chain that was previously wrapped around her wrists and pulled herself up the steel rope.

It took less than a minute for her to reach the top. On top of the mechanical pulley was a panel that Marinette pried the lid off of, having the metal plate fall to the ground with a large clash. They both worried that there may be soldiers outside the door and the loud crash might have alerted them, fortunately nothing happened. They both thought it best if Adrien would catch the pieces Marinette threw down.

Now that Marinette had pried the lid off the container, she was able to see the internals of the machinery. Bolts and gears filled the entire contraption. A few wires were strung together to the left and a breaker box to the right. She decided that the breakers were not a safe bet and just focused on removing the gears and swears she could. One by one she managed to take pieces and toss them down to the blonde boy. He caught them easily, fumbling one or twice but always grabbed hold of the metal pieces before they hit the ground. Marinette had removed a good portion of the machinery, she even ripped a few wires from their homes. But unfortunately, while reaching for a lever-like piece of metal, her elbow bumped into one of the breaker switches on the right side. She felt the chain go loose and suddenly she was falling through the empty air.

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Word count: 3,903

NO😨😨😨 She doesn't have her powers she can't stop herself from hitting the ground.

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