The Algorithm

Chapter twenty-two - Code Name: Siren

As he started his story, more dramatic than would normally be needed, he saw how Adrien unconsciously moved closer to him, and this time, Plagg couldn't hold back that smile.

A younger Plagg and Tikki cranked the metal wheel that locked the door in place until it finally turned open. The hinges whined their protest but the pair entered with weapons ready and prepared to fight.

Tikki had a trail of blood the color of her hair dripping from her nose and Plagg had more than a few bruises. The team of two had disobeyed orders in invading the facility and would most likely be court-martialed, but a sand storm had damaged the Akuma base allowing them an entrance and it was too good a chance to pass up. Their commander saw it as too risky to go in blind but the young friends knew the window of opportunity would not stay open. Fortunately for the four children trapped inside these walls, today would be the day they got their freedom.

The duo went in ready to fire off a slew of bullets, only to be met with four weeping children. Their eyes bulged with tears. The short blonde curled up under her bedsheets like a toddler frightened by thunder. The brunette girl buried her face in her knees and shielded her head with her arms. The only boy shook with terror as his lip quivered. Plagg dropped his weapon to the floor and Tikki followed suit.

As Plagg explained they were not going to hurt them and asked for names, Tikki slowly approached the blue-eyed girl who sat crossed-legged on her cot. Tears streamed down her face as an empty stare filled her eyes, her gaze locked on the darkness that waited outside the door.

"Hello." The redhead cooed. "I'm Tikki." The girl didn't answer. Her hair was thin, her body unnaturally skinny making her look like a child instead of a 16-year-old, and her cheeks looked as hollow as her eyes.

Tikki slowly dropped her backpack from her shoulders. Glancing overhead she saw the blonde had poked her head from the sheets as Plagg worked to gain their trust. She took out a plastic bag and tore open the seal. Inside were dried food pellets about the size of a bottle cap, they tasted of butterscotch and felt like chalk in your mouth but they provided enough nutrients to fuel you for a few hours. They were supposed to be saved for emergencies but four starving children had to grant an exception. She placed three in front of the girl, popping one into her mouth to show her it was edible and set a water bottle in front of her.

The girl stood stock still, hardly blinking, until her hand shot out like a viper, grabbing the pellets and bottle and clutching them to her chest as if someone was going to wrestle them away from her. Tikki watched out of the corner of her eye as Plagg did the same, the blonde graciously accepting the food while the other two still showed signs of mistrust.

The blue-eyed one chewed the three pellets at once, grinding them to a powder before using the after to help swallow. She closed her eyes, although the flavor was weak she relished the taste of butterscotch, no matter how dry it felt on her tongue. A tear fell from her closed eyes, dampening her cheeks more. Tikki reached out a hand to dry her face but just as their skin brushed the girl shrank away, shielding her head like you would in a school drill. The redhead gingerly grasped hold of the girl's arm and pulled it down, wiping her thumb under her eyes as something changed in the girl's gaze. The hollow look was gone, replaced with questioning, curiosity, but above all trust. No one had treated Marinette with much care besides the other refugee mates, she promised herself she would one day repay her.

"What's your name?" Tikki asked.

"Marinette." Her voice was a murmur. Tikki smiled softly at the young girl and Marinette relaxed her tense muscles. Seeing how she seemed a bit more trusting now, the red-head decided to push her luck.

"How old are you?" A frown appeared on the girl's face and she looked away. Tikki waited patiently, knowing it would be hard for her to open up.