As they navigated the cluttered, shadow-filled aisles of the old warehouse, the scent of decay mixed with stale motor oil hung heavy in the air. The distant sounds of a struggle or confrontation pulled Sawyer and Freya deeper into the dimly lit depths. Turning a corner, they were met with a scene that tightened Sawyer's jaw immediately.
Above them, a young man—clearly just a teenager—clung desperately to the rafters, his fear palpable as he negotiated for his life. Below him, the towering figure of SU2775 loomed, a known figure among the Genesis survivors but now seen in a disturbing new light.
Sawyer's usual composure slipped into a frown, his voice carrying a sharp edge as he addressed the scene.
"Ease off, Comrade Cannibal," he called out sternly, his use of the nickname biting rather than playful.
"He’s just a kid."Freya stepped up beside him, her expression hard as she surveyed the tense standoff, her instincts as a protector coming to the fore.
"Leave him alone, now," Freya commanded, her voice firm and authoritative, leaving no room for misinterpretation. The gravity of the situation was not lost on her; a minor was in potential danger, and her tone reflected her immediate concern.
The young man's pleas echoed off the warehouse walls, his voice cracking with terror as he begged not to be harmed. It was a stark reminder of the stakes in their new world, where even the young were not spared from fear and violence.
Sawyer's eyes didn't stray from SU2775, his stance rigid with tension.
"This isn’t what we stand for," he added forcefully, hoping his words might diffuse the situation without escalating to violence.
Freya remained alert, her body tensed for action, ready to step in if the verbal intervention failed. She glanced at Sawyer, sharing a brief look that conveyed both their readiness to act and their mutual concern for the teenager's safety.
"Seems we got here just in time," Sawyer muttered to Freya, his voice low, an undercurrent of anger still lacing his words as they stood ready to intervene further if necessary.
Freya shifted her attention to the boy.
"I am Fre- I am SW017. Are you alright? Freya was never sure what to call herself. Sawyer insisted on calling her Freya but she truthfully answered to just about anything anyone wanted to call her.
"Doctor Taylor should get a look at you. Are you alone? It is not safe to travel alone."Especially with Comrade Cannibal looking for his next snack," Sawyer grumbled but stopped when Freya cut a disapproving look at him.