We Meet Again

Ray crept into the room. It was small, its bare walls devoid of even windows. No furniture, only a thin blanket and a worn pillow full of holes lied scattered around.

A person sat on the floor, reclining on her arms, long legs outstretched. She rested with her back to the door, so Ray couldn't clearly see her face behind cascading auburn hair, but there was no need. Even blindfolded, he'd recognize her.

"You're uncharacteristically quiet today. What's the matter?" she whipped her head to the side, holding her chin high. "Your brain shrunk so hard you can't speak anymore?"

His throat tightened. Ray opened his mouth. Not a sound came out. He coughed.

"Coral," he croaked.

She gasped and turned around. Her face blanched at the sight of him, her eyes widening in disbelief. Coral hauled herself to her feet before descending on Ray and clouting him on the ear.

"You, stupid kid! If they caught you, I'll beat you up. If you came to help me, I'll beat you twice as hard," she shook her finger at him, almost poking his eye out. "And don't try to come up with another excuse. You're eating my fist anyway."

"Thank the tides, you're alright," Ray cupped her cheek and frowned. She lost so much weight.

"Those ebbing tides have nothing to do with this. Your sister's simply superhumanly resilient," her voice wavered as her angry façade cracked: her lip quivered, her eyes filled with tears. "I can't believe it. You're not in prison or executed. I thought I'll never see you again."

Coral pulled Ray into a tight hug and stroked his hair as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his crying face in her shoulder. He didn't want to ever let go. He knew they should leave as soon as possible. Ray's heart split in two, but he forced himself to break the embrace.

"There's so much I want to ask, but we're short on time. Just tell me this — have they kept you alive to be their fall guy?"

"Yes. No. Sort of," her eyebrows knitted together. "They said you were accused and captured by Vulcan. That I should go take all the blame to save you."

"Coral, you should have known better than accepting a request involving Vulcan Tech."

"Don't lecture me. It sounded harmless."

"You mean, you stopped listening after they mentioned the reward amount."

"Stop being such a smartass. They did more than mention," she clapped him on the shoulder.

Ray flinched. Fresh blood trickled from the wound.

"Idiot, why did you get hurt?" Coral cried out and cradled his arm to look closer at the injury.

"Cause someone went and got herself captured," he turned away and tore his arm out of her grasp, before taking her hand. "Come now, this isn't important. Let's hurry and join with my friends. We'll get you out of here," Ray showed his biggest smile yet.

He pulled Coral towards the exit while trying to hide his bloodied arm from her sight.

"How heartwarming. But having so many friends can quickly turn against you," a husky voice boomed from outside the door.

Ray froze and pushed Coral behind him, tightening his grip on her.

The door swung inside sharply. Ripley sauntered in with a soft grin, one hand casually bouncing a harpoon crossbow against his thigh, the other clasped around Marlin's throat, the boy's legs dangling above the ground. Ripley looked Ray in the eyes, his gaze deep and sorrowful.

For a while he stood there, motionless, almost serene, while five more goons with sour expressions piled in behind him.

"You disappointed me. I thought you were a kind, caring type. And here you go putting innocents in danger, making them do all the dirty work for you," Ripley shook Marlin, making the boy hiss and grimace.

"You're not the one to talk. Using my sister to get Vulcan off your back," Ray glared at the man, struggling not to look at Marlin or show his concern.

"Our sweet Coral here is far from innocent," he leaned to the side to catch Coral's eyes and winked at her. "She accepted the job, knowing full well its implications. I cannot help if Vulcan wants to punish her for the sins that she undeniably committed."

"Isn't it funny they are trying to catch me too?"

"The ways of the corporations are inscrutable," Ripley shrugged, a wistful smile touched his lips. "And there are so many connections leading to you: the dear sister you're so close with, the rainbow anemone you research, the rival company you feel gratitude toward for dredging you out of the murky depth. All those things important to you. Things you would not want to lose."

"You're always well-informed about me, it gives me goosebumps. Then you should have heard about my short tryst with Vulcan."

Coral's eyes flew wide open. She clutched Ray's shoulder, spinning him around to get a better look at him. "Have they done anything to you?"

"Indeed, the wild tales of your recklessness — or some might say foolishness — have reached me," Ripley chuckled. "It certainly does not help your case. Such disorderly, vulgar behavior."

"Helps yours though. I've been thinking..." Ray stepped closer, steeling his expression. "You went out of your way to hire Coral, frame me, screw over Vulcan. What did you get out of all that trouble?"

"How very nice of you to be concerned about my fortunes when you yourself are in such a sorry state."

"So the answer is nothing?"

Ripley's sigh was overflowing with boredom. "I own you no answers. But. I am an exceedingly generous and fair man. The new technology that Vulcan developed. It is in our hands now."

"You don't have corporation-level money nor resources to do anything worthwhile with it."

"We can always sell it," he shrugged.

"That defeats the purpose of framing me. Vulcan will go after you the moment you start the auction. You weren't there to steal."

"This meaningless conversation ceased being entertaining long ago," Ripley's eyes turned cold and lifeless. "I know you lack the wisdom to heed my advice, boy, but do not make accusations you have no proof for."

"And you're certainly not lacking for money. You paid Coral in advance to entice her into taking the job, right? Plus her tracker. Even a major gang can hardly afford the equipment that can detect those."

"Do not overexert your brain so soon. There is an important decision ahead of you," Ripley shook a finger at Ray. "Despite what you might think, I am not the bad guy in this story. There is even some sympathy I feel for your hopeless situation. You, I cannot simply let go, but," he thrust his arm forward, tightening his hold around Marlin's neck. "Choose. Your sister, who you so desperately searched for, or this kid, who got caught in your selfish mess. I will let one person walk out of here, free, unharmed."

Ray's breath caught in his throat. A drop of sweat left a chilling trail down his back. His mind overloaded, conflicting thoughts crashing into each other, screaming for his attention, wailing in desperation, stabbing at his heart. Horrible, vile thoughts. He couldn't do this to Marlin, could he? But it was about Coral, he'd sacrifice anything for her.

"That's easy. Release the boy. Come on, Ray, say something," Coral shook her brother by the shoulder.

Ripley's wide grin and sharp, unsmiling eyes unsettled Ray, unwinding his sanity even further. Was it a false choice designed to torture him? Could he trust this man to keep the promise?

"I am sorry, kid. Your chances look unspeakably bleak. I will let you plead your case with this heartless friend of yours," Ripley slightly loosened his grip.

With great effort, Ray met Marlin's eyes and flinched.

"What's up with the face you're making? Looks like shit," the boy wheezed with a weak smirk. "Remember, in that prison. I told you what to do. Just do the same, boss."

Ray wanted to protest, unsure of what dangerous idea Marlin had, whether it would get all of them killed. He shouldn't risk his friend's life. He should choose him to be spared. It wasn't the end. He'll come up with a plan to save Coral later. There might be a chance. Or should he trust his most reliable crew member?

"I'm not gonna like it again, am I?" Ray mumbled with a smile too bright for the situation.

He closed his eyes.

A deep tone of a beluga horn rang out.

Ray winced, battling the impulse to look around. Unable to calm his heart, he wondered if the sound was made by Marlin or by their enemies. Shouldn't he do something? He gulped and focused on the glowing trust in the middle of his chest.

"Argh, hand over your little toys before I put a harpoon in your stomach," Ripley's raspy voice rose above the rattling tone.

A hollow click of the crossbow being cocked sent a shiver through Ray. Was it really the time to be standing around, blind and helpless? He clenched his fists, fighting to purge the image of a bleeding Marlin from his mind.

The horn wound down. A bright clang, followed by a hiss. The world behind Ray's eyelids turned painfully white.