>>5729811“You <span class="mu-i">SURE</span> about that?” Pepper snarls! “Because correct me if I’m wrong, but I remember you asking me to ‘<span class="mu-i">trust you</span>’ and delete all of my evidence about what happened here tonight! Less than an hour ago I didn’t just have insurance, Diesel, I had some goddamn <span class="mu-i">LEVERAGE!</span>”
She knows Mina better than you do, you counter, so what does she think is gonna happen if she keeps poking her nose around her family business? You’re trying to <span class="mu-i">PROTECT</span> her!
“So <span class="mu-i">that’s</span> what this is…” Remarks Pepper as her voice gets quieter, “I thought you were <span class="mu-i">different</span>, Diesel… that you actually cared about what was going on here-”
You <span class="mu-i">DO</span>, you interrupt as emotion seeps into your tone, and that’s why you’re down here!
“<span class="mu-i">IS</span> it, though?” The redhead deflects as she stares daggers into your eyes, “I gave you an out. I’m not <span class="mu-i">stupid</span>, Diesel–and I didn’t want to make things difficult for you by forcing you to choose a ‘side’... but seeing you here immediately after I ran off… after you made it <span class="mu-i">very</span> clear whose side you’re on…”
You’re not on a <span class="mu-i">SIDE</span>, okay?! And she forced that shit onto you–you didn’t-
“What did she ask you to do next, hm?” Asks Pepper with a hollow ring in her tone, “Track me down and make sure I have an ‘<span class="mu-i">accident</span>’?”
The accusation hits you like a ton of bricks. Ex<span class="mu-i">CUSE</span> me??
“It’d be real easy down here, wouldn’t it?” She shrugs as she glances around your surroundings, “I could fall down a shaft… get beaned by a rock… there’s those bugs, too… or maybe you’d wanna get <span class="mu-i">REALLY</span> sick with it and have me accidentally drown in those flooded levels below us-”
You’re not here to <span class="mu-s">KILL HER</span>, you snarl, you were worried about her!
“Well thanks for checking in…” She sighs as a tired look replaces the anger in her eyes, “I really want to trust you, Diesel, but…” Her voice catches a bit as she bites her lip, “... just <span class="mu-i">leave</span>...”
Is she <span class="mu-i">crazy</span>? With all these freaks around?!
“I’ve been on my own for years now, Diesel,” she continues in a solemn tone, “And I can hash out another night. Take care of him, Raj.”
Your pal opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. The mine continues to impassively groan around you as the three of you stand in silence.
>CONTD. 