A Heart in the Machine (Serial Designation V x Reader)

Chapter 18: Machinations

Turning on your heel, you start making your way to the storage room. The walk feels longer than it should, your boots echoing in the dim, metal corridors. The sound of dripping oil somewhere in the distance and the occasional flicker of a faulty light only add to the oppressive atmosphere.

The silence in your head is oddly comforting now, a reprieve from the whispers that had been gnawing at your thoughts earlier. But even as you try to focus on the task at hand, Doll's cryptic words linger. A choice? What choice? And why did it feel like everything around you was pressing toward some inevitable decision?

You shake your head, forcing yourself to concentrate. One thing at a time. First, find Frank. Then maybe you'd figure out what the hell was going on.

The storage room looms ahead, its reinforced doors ajar. You pick up your pace, your boots echoing softly against the metal floor. Just as you're about to step inside, Thad emerges, cradling Uzi's railgun awkwardly in his arms. He jumps slightly at your approach, his eyes wide like a kid caught sneaking out past curfew.

"Thad? What're you doing with that?" you ask, nodding toward the weapon.

He adjusts his grip on the railgun, trying to look nonchalant. "Oh, uh, thought I'd grab Uzi's railgun. You know... in case we see her again. Figured she'd want it back."

You raise an eyebrow but can't help smiling a little. "That's thoughtful of you."

Thad grins, relieved, and rocks back on his heels. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta look out for her, right?"

Your smile fades slightly, and you nod. "Yeah. Thanks for that, Thad. Really."

Before the conversation can settle into an awkward silence, you clear your throat. "Hey, while you were in there, did you see Frank? He was supposed to check on the roof."

At that, Thad's demeanor shifts, his grin faltering as his expression grows nervous. "Uh, no. Didn't see him. But, uh... weird thing, though." He hesitates, looking over his shoulder toward the room. "I didn't see that disassembly drone's remains either. Like, it's... gone. Almost like it got up and crawled away or something."

The weight of his words sinks in, leaving you momentarily speechless. J's body, or what was left, gone? That shouldn't be possible—not with the damage Uzi's railgun had done. Perhaps someone cleaned it up?

You shake off the chill creeping up your spine and nod at him. "Alright. Thanks, Thad. I'll check it out."

He nods quickly, clutching the railgun tighter to his chest. "Good luck in there. It's... pretty dark now."

You give him a reassuring nod before stepping into the room, pulling out your flashlight. The storage area is dim, its overhead lights completely shot. Shadows pool in the corners, stretching like dark fingers across the scattered debris. You sweep the flashlight's beam over the space, noting the twisted remains of the roof and the jagged edges of the vent opening where the fight had started.

The beam of light trembles slightly in your hand as you take a cautious step forward. Something about the silence feels wrong—too heavy, too oppressive. You force yourself to focus, scanning the room for any sign of Frank or, unsettlingly, J.

Your flashlight beam trembles in your hand as you continue searching, fear clawing at the edges of your mind. You try to push it aside, focusing on each step, each sweep of the light. The silence is unbearable, broken only by the occasional groan of the damaged structure above.

Then you see it.

The spot where J's charred limbs had been left—a dark stain of soot marking the ground like a grotesque memorial. You kneel to inspect the area, your heart racing. There's no sign of her arms or legs. No claws, no jagged remains. Just the scorch marks and a faint metallic tang in the air.