Blackout Part 3

“I’m Serena,” she told him, handing it over.

“Vas.” He replied, slipping back on his boot. Vas's fingers felt stiff and he tied it. “So … where … is here?” He asked looking at the sunglasses.

“I don’t think the alley has a name,” Serena shrugged, “But it’s behind Jesmond Street.”

Vas gave her a blank look. “What …. City?” He hedged.

Serena raised an eyebrow. “The Sprawl? Are you lost or somethin?”

“Yes.” Vas said with a nod. “Follow up question … What's the Sprawl?”

Serena scoffed. “Right. A Jagg that doesn’t know the sprawl? You raid it all the time.”

“Told you I ain’t a Jagg.” Vas reminded putting ont he sunglasses she scrunching his nose as it settled.

“You were gonna shoot me for a boot. That sounds like a Jagg to me.” She accused, picking up her backpack.

“Not a boot. My boot. That you took off my foot. Stole. The boot you stole.” Vas said curtly looking around. Feeling like he was missing something.

Serena looked around too, not sure what they were looking for. “Still kind of a Jagg MO.” she told him. “An’ I didn’t steal it. You were dead.”

“Clearly I wasn't, otherwise I would still be on the ground … probably bootless. Hence why you almost got shot.” Vas said with a snort.

“So what are you, if you’re not a Jagg?” She asked, slinging the pack over her shoulders.

Vas opened his mouth. Closed it and opened it again. “I … uh …” He started the word fumbling. He patted his chest. Dog tag. He fished them out. “.... Hellhound?”

Serena took a surprised step back with a small, sharp gasp.”Bullshit,” she whispered.

Vas looked down at his dog tags. “That's what the tag says.” He said matter of factly.

Serena looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Then what are you doing in the sprawl?” She asked, her voice full of suspicion.

“I … “ He paused. “... don't know? I might be lost.” Vas admitted his surroundings. “I still don't know what the Sprawl is.” He reminded.