Don't Cross A Grey

Soft tones echoed off the empty walls of the warehouse as shadows loomed among the boxes. There was a smattering of humanity strewn about in a lazy half circle from where one woman was set into a chair with the sole source of light directly above her head. The woman was bound to the chair, looking to be a human female in her late thirties with auburn hair. Her form cowered on her seat as all eyes watched her.

They watched leaning against walls, perched on boxes, or just idly standing by and chatting among themselves. Rocks. Rabbits. Rotters. Round-ears; they all waited. They knew exactly why they were here. An example had to be made.

“You fucked up, Reese.” A voice from across the room spoke as a hush fell over the waiting figures as a smaller form stepped into the light of the lamp above. Bright green fur, perky rabbit ears and a feral smile topped off with a deep crimson bloom nestled in her thick locks; Sly was looking healthy after five months.

The Aurin’s hands clasped behind her back and ears pricked. She paced about the chair, continuing in an icy tone. “Not only did you go it alone on a job waiting authorization-” The Aurin hissed, leaning down towards the woman who visibly flinched away. “You fumbled and missed the target.”

Sly paced about the woman once more, tail lashing across the dusty floor. “These we could have blamed on a bad day. Exuberance to prove yourself, perhaps?” Her lips drew back in a snarl as she growled, “-but no.”

“You really fucked up.” The Aurin hissed out, face inches from the woman as she stared her down. “You killed an ICI Agent and now the hounds are after you. They want you dead, Reese. They would have you dead right now if we had not swooped in to snatch you up. Do you understand that, sweetie?” There was no affection in the Aurin’s tone as she spoke, only ice.

“Y-yes.”

“Good. Now, where is your mark?” Sly cocked her head, watching the human.

“B-bracelet, r-right wrist..” The woman stammered out.

“Lucky you. It’s always messy if they have a tattoo.” The Aurin commented dryly as a collective chuckle ran through the onlookers. She pulled up the sleeve of the woman’s jacket, snapping a bracelet off her wrist and pocketing it quickly in one fluid motion.

The woman gave a silent nod, tears already streaming down her cheeks as she shook in her chair. “P-please…”

“No.” Sly bit out, eyes narrowing as her hand brushed over the back of the woman’s neck. The human’s eyes fluttered in confusion as the Aurin stepped away. “Do it.” She pointed to the gathered crowd then snapped her fingers, turning to stare at the back of the woman’s head. A Granok and another familiar Aurin stepped forward with bats in hand and faces set into grim lines.

It only took one swing from the Granok to break the woman’s right kneecap. Her whole body jerked as she let out a shocked shriek. Gem took a bit longer.

“I’m sorry..” The blue-furred Aurin murmured as he raised his bat. “I’m sorry!” He gasped, missing the woman’s knee completely to catch her thigh instead. He had always been better with a gun or piece of tech. “I’m sorry,” with a final crack as she screamed again.

Sly growled at the two bat wielding individuals, sending Gem scrambling back up the boxes as the Granok blinked down at his boss. “Will the ICI still be after us?”

“Not if I get my way. Businessman has the rest airtight. No one will be fucking chasing us. The rest is set in motion so Reese may rest easy.” The green-furred Aurin swiped a fist over her brow, pacing about the circle of light as she watched Reese slump in her chair. Sly reached out to brush the woman’s hair out of her face.

She looked up, attention going to the gathered group. “Right then, you lot. Noses clean. Heads low for a while. No unseemly activities or noticeable movement until you’re notified else you’ll end up like Reese here. NOW, get the fuck out of my sight!” Sly roared to the shadowy watchers.

Two more figures came to pick up Reese, taking the unconscious woman away between them while the rest of the Greys merged with the shadows to depart in their individual ways. Soon for all Sly knew she was alone in the warehouse.

The green Aurin hopped up onto an empty mountain of crates, dangling her legs off the edge as she shook an injection needle free from her jacket sleeve. Her ear’s didn’t even twitch when it pinged against the cement floor.