>>5752753“So,” Pepper begins as the two of you take a moment to readjust your hair and clothes behind the rock, “You found <span class="mu-s">SITE B?</span>”
You think so, you shrug, Hauser mentioned using her head as ‘<span class="mu-i">Putting Practice</span>’--it’s flimsy, but it’s the best lead you’ve got right now.
“Well we’ve been on-point with our predictions so far…” The red head muses as she stuffs her soaked button-down into her borrowed jacket’s pocket, “And hey, if we’re wrong we won’t have to live with the embarrassment for long, right?”
You give Pepper a hard stare. Less than an hour ago you were certain she was dead–easy on the gallows humor, yea?
“You’re right, I’m sorry…” She sighs as she tugs on her armless sleeve. “I… I really <span class="mu-i">am</span> glad to be alive, though…”
It’s probably the best news you’ve heard all night, you agree as you give her hair a little tousle, prompting the red head to nuzzle your shoulder with a pleased grin on her face! How the hell did she get out of there anyways?
“It’s a long story,” the journalist replies as she puts her ‘<span class="mu-i">PRESS</span>’ lanyard around her neck, “and I’ll be more than happy to tell you about it when we’re not on borrowed time… but here’s the short version:”
Retrieving your <span class="mu-s">GOLD LIGHTER</span> from her pocket, the girl wiggles it in your face and smiles. “Let’s just say I’m really glad you gave me that dynamite–all I had before that was the <span class="mu-s">GRENADE LAUNCHER</span> I was gonna give ya… and that <span class="mu-s">SHOTGUN</span>...”
You don’t need to elaborate, you interject with a sympathetic tone in your voice. You’re just glad she made it out of there in one piece.
“Well, <span class="mu-i">two</span>, kinda.” She giggles as she points to where her left arm used to be. “But it wasn’t the dynamite that saved me, slick… it was what you said.”
Well you meant it, you respond softly, and you can’t really put into words just how glad you are that she’s okay–when you thought she was gone, we-
“Then don’t put it into <span class="mu-i">words</span>.” She purrs as she gives you a playful nudge! “Man, the sooner we get off this island…”
Right, you nod, you’ve gotta go! Taking the lead, you freeze in place as you notice Pepper isn’t following. Turning around, you see the girl twiddling her thumbs with a sheepish look on her face. Is she good?
“I’m… <span class="mu-i">great</span>,” she nods, smiling. “I just wanted to say: <span class="mu-i">thanks</span>, Diesel… for saving me.”
And thank <span class="mu-i">YOU</span> for saving <span class="mu-i">me</span>, you counter! Now c’mon, we’re running outta time!
>CONTD. 