Regan's eyes widened in shock as she saw Iris. The southern girl, the one who she had searched for in the bar. She didn't know what to do, what to say. Maybe Iris wouldn't recognize her. Maybe she could just walk past her. She kept her breathing quiet and slow, trying not to draw attention.
Iris stopped a few feet away from her and raised an eyebrow, "Cornelia?" she asked, her voice slightly uncertain. Regan felt her blood turn to ice. She couldn't believe it. Iris was there and she remembered her.
"Cornelia, we've meet before, right?" Iris continued.
A wave of relief washed over Regan. She knew that Iris was still a stranger to her but just days ago they had set to end Sirius's reign of tyranny.
"Iris, I'm just in trouble." Regan said, walking a bit out of the neon wall she was hiding, "I need your help."
"Trouble?"
"Yes, I'm in great trouble, I'm being kidnapped by...." Regan trailed off for who to say, "I need to get away from them, they're going to kill me." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "I don't know who else to trust, Iris. I know we don't know each other well, but..."
Iris hesitated for a moment, clearly conflicted. "Come with me. I'll bring you to my house and then we'll talk it out." She held out a hand, her expression softening.
Gratefully, Regan took Iris's hand and let her pull her up. She felt a surge of hope as she followed Iris through the streets. She was grateful to God for sending Iris, someone that she was searching for. They walked in silence for a while, the night air cooling their faces as they moved in the empty streets.
As they reached a complex of buildings, Iris walked inside one of them, Regan following her as well. They stepped into a platform that sent them upwards, the sounds of the city fading away as they ascended. When they reached the top, they found themselves in a small apartment. The floor was made of wood, the walls were white and blue and the furnitures were mostly of the same colors.
"Come on Cornelia, sit here," Iris gestured, "I'll get you something hot to drink. You must have been freezing out there." She led the girl to a plush couch and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Regan to take in her surroundings. The apartment was cosy and she hoped that she wasn't found.
Iris returned a few moments later with two steaming cups of something like hot chocolate. She sat down on the couch next to Regan and handed her one of the cups. "Thanks," Regan murmured, taking a sip. The hot chocolate was delicious, just what she needed to warm herself up.
She looked up at Iris, who smiled at her. At the same moment, from the other door, stepped out a guy. He was fat and tanned, wearing a tank top and shorts, and had a cigar in his mouth. His black hair was pulled up into a messy bun. He looked at Regan, his expression lazy.
"Hey Iris, you could have told me we had guests," the guy lazily spoke.
Embarrassment crept on Regan's cheeks. She hated all men already, and now this one was making things worse. She couldn't believe she had to face another one. And the worse, what if he was Iris's boyfriend or something?
"Whatever..." Iris trailed off, "Cornelia, this is my friend and roommate, Jack. Jack, this is Cornelia, part of the rebellion." She added.
Regan didn't know what kind of rebellion Iris was talking about but she didn't say anything.
"Oh, where did you find her?" Jack questioned, sitting on the couch, his weight making the leather groan, "Which kind of rebellion is she part of?" He added, taking the chocolate mug from Iris and taking a sip. "And don't tell me she's from the Resistance, we both know there's no such thing."
Iris groaned in annoyance for having her cup taken and rolled her eyes, "You're ridiculous, Jack. She's against, Sirius, the merciless, the ruthless. I've just told you yesterday."
Jack's gaze turned thoughtful as he left the empty mug on the table, "I don't even remember that."
"Cornelia is against oppression, Sirius had destroyed her home planet as well as ours and she's looking for revenge. Therefore, she's with us." Iris explained, her gaze flickering towards Regan.
Regan didn't know what to say. She was already in trouble and the rebellion was just another trouble. She didn't want to lie, but at the same time, she didn't want to reveal too much. She was skeptical as always.
Jack leaned back on the couch, blowing smoke rings with his cigar. "Well, Cornelia," he said, "you've come to the right place. We're a ragtag bunch of rebels, but we're committed to bringing down Sirius and restoring freedom to the galaxy. Or at least, a galaxy without him."
Regan's face was crossed by a frown, she didn't know why. Maybe because right now, she had problems with vampires as well or maybe because she just couldn't stand the mentioning of Sirius.
"So, where are you from Cornelia? Maybe I happen to know your homeland?" Jack asked.
"She doesn't know. She was raised by the wolves and her land was destroyed when she was little. So, she has suffered just like we have." Iris explained, giving Regan a sympathetic look. Regan nodded, feeling a little awkward about it. She didn't want to be seen as a charity case.
Jack nodded, "We don't just fight for our own freedom, but for the freedom of all sentient beings in the galaxy. Even wolves." He took another drag from his cigar, the smoke curling lazily around his head.
"And don't mind Jack, he's crazy when it comes to food and he might as well throw us a few names out here and there," Iris explained, giving him a playful shove. Jack only laughed in response, clearly not offended.
Regan forced a smile, although she was restless and kept glancing at the door, fearing that armed men would be there to get her.
Iris noticed her unease and whispered something to Jack. Jack slowly got up and walked carelessly out of the room.
Then, Iris looked at Regan and tried to get to know the matter better, "So, Cornelia....Why were you in the streets at such time?"
Regan swallowed up hardly. She didn't know where to start with or what to say first, she just knew she was in great trouble and she had to hide herself.
"It's complicated." She stammered. She didn't want to be seen as weak or something. She didn't want to be pitied. She didn't want to tell anything about Agnar, "It's a long story."
"What?" Iris asked.
Regan shook her head, letting her hair cover her face. She didn't want to tell the whole thing. She didn't want to reveal much. Although, her unease was adding up.
"It's a long story. But Sirius is in the city." She managed to say.
The brunette's eyes widened again in surprise, "Sirius is in the city?!" She stood up abruptly, "Sirius, the merciless is in the city?!"
Regan was taken aback by her sudden exclaim, "Yes?"
"How? Where?" Iris continued.
"I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't care." Regan mumbled to herself.
"Oh..." Iris trailed off, "I think there's something else you're not telling."
"I'm sorry," Regan said, "but it's just....I don't know what to say. Just know that he's my enemy."
At the same moment, Jack stepped in the room, his face sweaty, his breath out of place, as if he had run a marathon. He had some bags and left them on the table.
"Iris, I learnt something crazy." He said, out of breath.
"What?" Iris replied.
"I just heard that the sorcerer is in the North. He has a great conflict with the king and the prince. He's planning to conquer this place as well."
Iris's eyebrows furrowed, "Cornelia? Is this true? Do you know that?"
Cornelia or Regan, sank into her seat, feeling the heat creep up on her, feeling as if she was reason for all this mess. Feeling as if she wanted to disappear and dissolve into nothingness.
"I don't think he wants to conquer the North. I don't know." Regan said, uncertain.
"Are you in trouble with him and with the royalty as well? I don't want to pressure you but we need to know what's going on. We can't just sit here and wait for things to happen. We need to help you." Iris said, concern written all over her face.
Jack nodded in agreement, "Yes, we need to know the truth. If you're going to work with us and you're in danger, we have to know."
Regan felt a lump forming in her throat. She didn't want to be protected, she didn't want to feel helpless. She didn't even know what she wanted. She hoped she had never ever been dragged into this mess.
"I'm not in trouble. Not with Sirius or the vampire prince. They're not after me. Not personally." She tried to convince herself as much as them.
Iris raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying her words, "You seem as if you're not telling the whole thing."
"It's complicated," Regan muttered, feeling more and more cornered. She didn't want to say anything. She didn't want to trust anyone. She didn't want to believe that anyone could help her.
"Look, Cornelia," Jack said, his voice soft but firm, "we are rebels. We help people in trouble. And you're in trouble. It doesn't matter if you think you aren't or if you don't know why. You're here, and we're going to help you." His words were reassuring, and for a brief moment, Regan found herself wishing she could believe them.
But she couldn't. Not yet. Not when her instincts were still alarming at her situation, not when she was terrified that they might find her again and might bring her back to Agnar's fortress. She couldn't risk it.
"I'm sorry," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't tell you anything more. It's a long story. I'll help you with the rebellion but that's all I can do." Her words felt heavy and the fact that she didn't want to tell more, felt even heavier.
Iris and Jack exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of disappointment and understanding. "We respect your decision," Iris said finally, "but if you ever need to talk, or if you change your mind, you know where we are."
"I'm very grateful about this." Regan said, forcing a smile.
"It's okay, we got your back." Jack replied.
"Yes, it's okay. You're going to stay here." Iris added.
Regan was more than grateful that she was offering for her to stay but she couldn't help but feel excessive and a nuisance.