Prisoner's Key: A Luca Balsa X Reader

Decoded Memory

Prisoner's POV Continued:
Chills crept their way through my body. I hear the faint sound of something breaking. When my eyes open, I look around to observe the area. It's dark and shadowy. The air was stagnant but I could feel energy, static- something coming from a nearby pole. It helped me locate the first obstacle and I even ran into Lucky. He smiled and quietly came over. When I looked at the machine I knew exactly what it was and how to work it. Ciphers weren't new to me but I was still rusty. Lucky was about to teach me what to do until he saw my hands delicately and swiftly work their magic. "Damn! I didn't know you could to that", he whispered. "Once we finish up here we should consider splitting. I hate to say that you're first time here but, strategically..." Lucky's face grew guilty. "Don't worry about it. I'll get as many done as I can, you just stay safe", I pat his shoulder and we finished up the cipher. Two ciphers later I was sneaking along the border of the west side. I came to a wall and found another cipher across the path. Just as I was about to cross I heard heavy mechanical footsteps off to my right. My heart starting beating harder and harder, I went back behind the wall just in time to avoid their field of vision. The shaking in my hands reminded me to watch my breathing, I was panting more than I thought. The figure was so close now. I stole a glance at who I was up against, it took me a moment to process the giant robot penguin before me. I'd laugh if the circumstances weren't so dire. Some engraving on one of the penguin's lower panel read: Guard 26, Bonbon, Manufactured by-
I threw my head back behind the wall, I couldn't bring myself to read the rest. It triggered a flashback anyways and my body reacted before my mind could keep up, "Fuck!" I covered my mouth. The penguin, Bonbon, snapped it's head back to look my way.

I popped up off the ground and sprinted as far down as I could, still keeping along the edge so that I don't endanger another survivor. "Fucking of course he helped make that thing", I thought to myself. "Of course that bastard slapped together some murderous robot! Why wouldn't a pre-death creation of his come back to haunt me? Worst of all..." I turned along the wall just in time to avoid the attack. I didn't realize how close it had caught up with me. Still running, I look over to see the lawyer watching me from behind another cipher. My instinct took over, my body made a complete U-turn and darted straight for the hunter. I couldn't let it get near anyone else, we were so close.
It did mange to hit me in the arm when I ran pass but the adrenaline overrode the pain. With Guard 26 still following close behind, I heard the welcoming sound of the lawyer's cipher being completed. One left to go.

I lost it eventually, ducking between a tree and an old shed/barn thing. When the coast looked clear I let myself slump against the shed, my breathe heavy and my chest pulsing. I could've sworn I was tired enough to fall asleep right then, but the sound of slight rustling grew nearer and a friendly face peered from the side of the tree. "Luca!", exclaimed Lucky. "Riley told me what he saw. Let's fix you up a bit".
"Lucky I'll be okay. There's only one cipher left, don't worry about me", I tried countering his ease but he went ahead anyways. "No Luca. I may have my cowardly moments but friends are something I fight for," His parental tone threw me. When he went to clean off the cut we heard the exit doors sound off. "I'm really sorry about this-" Lucky placed the entire towelet on my cut then wrapped it up. My jaw clenched, I sneered and hit the shed a few times with my other arm, trying to cope with the stinging. "It's okay", I heaved. He helped me up and we looked around for any sign of a safe escape. He pointed far south from where we were but I couldn't see anything. "How can you tell where it is?" I inquired. "Eventually your eyes will adjust to each map's layout and you'll be able to spot the bright keypad from yards away", Lucky assured. "We'll head that way since it's closest, but be watchful of the hunter camping out nearby".
"And the other two?", my voice was weary. He turned to me and grinned, "They'll be okay too. If they need us after the doors open then I'll just have to... Brave it and come back". Lucky stuttered that last bit. I think I get it. The hunter probably targets stragglers after doors open, its the final part on their agenda if they've failed to defeat us before hand. Which means the hunters must realize that kidnapping someone after exits open would guarantee one of us coming to the rescue. "Let's hope we all get out of here then", I comment.