Deviants Fallen: A DBH Story

Chapter 50: Checkmate

She inserted her pick into the lock, then maneuvered another one in. She chewed her bottom lip, concentrating, and after a few moments, she felt the lock give. She heard a small click, then turned back to Eli, shooting him a cheeky grin.

"You have the pictures, right?"

He nodded, then pulled the stack of tiny papers out of his pocket.

"Let's go. We only have a few more minutes before lunch is over." She pushed the door opened, gesturing for him to follow.

Clara shook herself out of the memory, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. She looked back down at the box in her hand. She knew how to pick locks.

That meant she could leave.

After a moment of consideration, she slipped the box into her pocket then continued looking around the office. Another shelf lay off to the side. It was mostly bare, but near the top, she noticed a large jar filled with a clear liquid. As she stepped closer, she saw something suspended in it.

A heart. Human. Hers.

She felt a wave of nausea, stumbling backward as her artificial heart jumped. She stifled a gag, creeped out for a moment. Why had Cain kept it?

She turned deliberately, moving back toward the door. She'd seen enough. She turned the light off then shut the office behind her.

As she moved back into the main area of the apartment, she pulled the box of lockpicks out of her pocket, pulling the lid back off. She moved toward the front door, looking at the handle. This side also bore a keyhole, so likely it was designed to lock from either side, but you'd need a key for both.

A smirk pulled at her lips. A key or a pick. She knelt down in front of the door, then pulled out a couple picks. As she brought two up to the lock, she hesitated. Cain had told her to stay here. He'd be upset if he found out she'd left.

If he found out.

Clara worked through her thoughts. He said he'd be out for a couple hours. It had only been about 30 minutes since he'd left, so if a couple meant two hours, she still had an hour and a half before he'd get back. So she'd leave for an hour tops, then come back before he got home with enough time to put everything back in place. He never needed to know.

The restlessness prickled under her skin again, growing more intense as it spurred her into action.

She reached for the lock again, then stopped, catching sight of her prosthetic hand. It looked like an android's. That could get her into trouble. Sighing, she stood and made her way to the bedroom. She stalked to the closet, pulling it open. Inside she found an array of clothes, both hers and Cain's. Hers were mostly t-shirts and leggings, but nothing with long sleeves. Cain, however, had several jackets, not that he really needed them, but he liked the security of wearing layers, or so he said. Clara pulled one off a hanger and shrugged it on. It was much too large. The sleeves hung low, covering her arms and hands completely. Perfect.