Before Hell Breaks Loose

Indi, young mechanical protege, and Trent, a “reformed” cult member, have always shared a deeper connection. However, saving the universe gives people with few opportunities to address inter relationships; especially when Trent has the emotional bandwidth of a brick wall and Indi understands machines far better than humans. But when the crew of the Innamorata’s next adventure leads them into the Barrens (aka hell), Indi realizes this may be her last chance to speak with her fellow mechanic before all hell breaks loose.

Any words or quotes in italics indicates an unspoken statement and anything in BOLD ALL CAPITALS is from the demon in a gun that Indi holds on her person (he’s not important to the main short story. he’s cool though don’t worry about it…)

Enjoy the tension!!

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Indi twisted the rose in her left hand as she stalked the halls of the Innamorata. She had known the lighter details of the ritual but it wasn’t until Trent explained its various conditions did the blasphemous act really sink in; chains to power the rites, a ritual master to hold the gate between life and death, a third of the crew kissing death to slip in the Barrens, Daemons waiting for them on the other side. Each detail dragged her deeper into the well of despair that had started to grow deep within her.  

She kept moving. Thoughts of her parents, her siblings, the farm, her home, swirled painfully in her mind. Indi hadn’t seen the farm since before Blackheart. Before the accident. Before Astar sent her with the Locusts, after she helped Terra escape. How long was that? Three years? Five? A lifetime, for sure. How much had it changed in her absence? All because Indi had to play the hero. Had to save Terra. Had to free the girl in the box. Had to save her own skin.

WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH?

It wasn’t until her eyes began to blur, did Indi realize she had stopped moving. Brushing away her tears, she continued her search. 

The rose. This was her next task; maybe her last before the ritual. After two days, it had faded from its already lackluster hue, but the petals were still firmly attached and the stem remained a solid green. Indi had hoped to give it to him the night before; partially so that it would look nicer, but mostly, she was exhausted from thinking of ways to present it. Leave it in his personal locker? The engine room? Hand it to him in private or with others around?

And on top of how to give him the rose, what would she even say? “Thank you for risking your life for us again. I will never be able to repay you for what you have given up to join us. Here is a flower that I couldn’t even afford to buy! Also, I never leave my room without your gift in my pocket! Ok, nice talk. Let’s go open up hell.” No, it sounded ridiculous. 

Why did she feel so much pressure, now of all times? Trent was probably exhausted and didn’t need her bothering him with flowers and conversation. He needed rest and lots of it. Indi stalled her steps and looked at the rose again. 

What a poor excuse for a gift, for the person that saved your life with their soul. 

I THINK IT IS PRETTY.

Thanks Daemon. 

It was ridiculous, she had decided. Her determination deflated with a sigh and when Indi turned to go back to the mess hall, her face slammed into his chest as Trent strode directly into her. Indi was on the floor, with Trent apologizing and trying to help her to her feet. But she could not not hear him. The unseen force that held down all of her despairs, anxieties, and uncertainties had broken loose with a single blow. 

She laughed. 

The absurdities of her current life fell around her. She, the daughter of a farmer, was on the most cursed planet in the Californian Sector and about to take part in a heretical ritual to open up hell, so her friend could get his ship’s AI back. And her biggest concern a moment ago was how stupid she was going to sound when she gave a man she liked a flower. And now, he stood over her wide eyed and frozen, as if he had killed her with just his touch. 

It took a moment before Indi composed herself. “I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She gasped out, wiped her cheeks with her sleeve. Trent shook his head slightly and crouched down to her level, concern and exhaustion playing equally across his eyes. 

“Are you ok?” Trent said in a tone she had only heard him use with her. It was their preferred way of communicating; words that felt surface level but eyes that ask so much more. The two of them had become quite proficient in their language over the past couple months. 

“Do you need a break?” translated to you look tired, let’s rest. 

“Do you want to go fix those hallway lights in hanger 4?” meant I want to hide away from everyone for a while. Will you join me?

“When are you eating lunch today?” had meant I noticed you haven’t eaten and I am getting concerned.  

“Is your room too cold at night? Maybe we should stay together tonight” was something drunk Indi had said on a particularly lonely night. 

Their shared language had the added bonus of covering any oversteps that they might have made by asking directly. 

Indi spoke. 

I feel better now that you are here.  “I’m fine. Just knocked the jitter bugs out, I guess.” Trent’s face said he wasn’t convinced but he didn’t ask further questions. So Indi returned his question. “Are you ok?” Indi had never seen Trent so exhausted; the truths she was accustomed to digging for, came forth willing. 

No. “Yeah, just worn out.” 

I know there is more, but you don’t have to tell me. I am here. “I understand.”

There was silence as he searched for his response, and as the seconds stretched on Indi became acutely aware of how close he was to her. The smell of his clothes reminded her of quiet hours fixing machinery, working in tandem without a word shared.  His stubble was starting to grow more over his cheeks, jaw, and around his mouth. Indi felt his eyes watching her, and as she met his intense stare, her cheeks grew warm. 

Trent opened his mouth to finally respond but Indi’s left hand appeared amidst their gaze, the rose in between their noses.  

“I got this for you.” The words struck a chord in their silence. Like a bell, it’s vibrations echoed across them. Trent’s shock reached his face, but the extended quiet was too much for her to take. “I thought it might help with the ritual. A priest back home had a sermon about Sloan Byron… when she went into the Barrens to retrieve the Apostle Malcomb! She was wearing a rose to remind her that she came from this side of the Barrens.” Indi paused, but only for a moment. “Thinkin’ on it now, I recall the church having a rose garden so maybe it was just a story to make a quick profit but I figured it might help a little bit! Remind you that you need to stay on the side of the gate that smells like roses.” Indi wasn’t sure where the words came from but when they began to fail, Trent’s eyes did not. 

I cannot accept this. 

You have to, I am giving it to you freely. 

I won’t be able to protect it. 

It is meant to protect YOU.

I am not worthy of its protection.

You are taking the rose. 

I am not-

“You are bleeding.” Trent’s hand was suddenly holding her’s, the rose falling to the floor once again. A small cut on her finger, brought by gripping the stem too harshly in their collision, had started to bleed. Trent slung the bag from his shoulder onto the ground in front of him and riffled through until he found what he was looking for, never once letting go of her hand. His grip was strong, but not in a way that made her want to pull away. With all the focus of a man avoiding another matter entirely, Trent began to bandage her barely bleeding finger with expert concentration. 

“What do you think, Dr. Trent? Am I going to make it?” Indi said it lightheartedly, but he did not respond. “Trent?” She leaned closer to him, her breathe lightly caressing his cheek. “Trent.” Their eyes met; his thoughts freely available to only her. I do not want to hurt you.  “It is just a thorn. I am not gonna bleed out. I promise.” 

“I should have been paying more attention.” He whispered. 

“Me too.” Her finger was sufficiently bandaged, but she didn’t pull away. Indi continued to study his face as he studied hers. She found herself trying to memorize every detail, and she felt he was doing the same. This is dangerous, Indi knew. She was holding her breath, and despite the hum of electronic voices around them, her heartbeat was all she could hear. 

I would walk into the Barrens if you asked me. 

I would never ask you to join me in the Barrens.

Trent, that is not what I am saying. I would follow you into hell without a second thought, you just need to ask. 

I wish you wouldn’t. 

We might die tonight. What are you waiting for?

What if…

 Exactly, what if!?

I am...

Me too.

WHAT IS THIS FEELING? 

Indi flinched at the sound of Daemon’s voice, and the moment was lost. Her eyes fell to her right arm, taking in the breath she had been holding. When she looked back, invisible walls had rebuilt themselves and once again Trent had closed off his inner thoughts. Even to her. 

He held out a hand and with ease lifted her to her feet. They stood awkwardly. Indi wondered when her heartbeat would stop being so loud and when her cheeks would finally cool. Thankfully, Trent broke the silence. 

“Listen, I have to-”

“Yeah! Me too.” Indi laughed a little too loud and quick, her face burned hard as her mind drew a blank on what to say. “I also should… uhm. Go do… something!” She furrowed her brows and looked down at the floor. 

“Yeah…” Trent said with his usual brick wall charisma. “I’ll let you know when it is almost time for the ritual. You should rest.” 

Indi nodded. The ritual. The Barrens. The rose! She scooped up the flower in her right hand, and tucked it into Trent’s shirt pocket without a word. She had pulled the pin on a grenade, their silence held the leaver. He stared at her as she stepped back. She smiled at him. For only a moment, it seemed to her that Trent waivered. He almost took a step towards her, almost reached out.

But he grabbed his bag and strode quickly past her. 

“Trent?” He paused, but didn’t turn. “You have traveled with this crew long enough to know that we don’t mind taking a few stops along the way to our next destinations. Jailbreaks. Spider moons. Train heists.” Trent remained still. “But I would prefer this to be my only trip near this close to the Barrens. So don’t… don’t make me come after you. Because if you end up on the wrong side of the gate, I’ll rip a new hole into the barrens and drag you out. I still owe you a debt, and I’m not talking about the money. You spent something to save me on Junction Station, it will not go unpaid.”

Indi didn’t know if he turned around at that. She left, and walked back to the mess hall.