Issue 1 Downtime

Stitch would eventually be led through Apophis' compound and left in a well furnished room with a small bathroom.

"Clean yourself up. The boss will call for you shortly," her escort said bluntly before stepping out and closing the door.

Stitch explored the room thoroughly, finding that it had been stocked with basic necessities and clean clothing.

After taking thorough inventory, she headed into the bathroom and locked the door behind her before getting out of her clothes.

She turned on the water and let out a happy sigh as steam began filling the room. It had been ages since she'd had hot water. She took her time in the shower, just enjoying the feeling of being warm for the first time in a long while.

Eventually, she got out almost reluctantly and dried off. Changing into a clean pair of jeans and t-shirt. Both were a bit loose on her slight frame. She ignored the shoes, preferring to go barefoot.

Taking a comb from the nightstand she began to brush her hair, running her fingers through the streak of black delicately. After some time she managed to get the knots out and make herself look almost presentable for a starved vagrant.

The door soon opened and the henchman entered. "He's ready for you. This way please."

Stitch followed after him, keeping her head down.

She was led into a parlor, where a high-backed leather chair faced a roaring fire.

"Leave us," commanded a deep voice from the chair. The guard stepped out and close the door.

"Please. Come closer."

Stitch hesitated for a moment but managed to find her feet and move towards the chair.

"Have a seat Miss Madaraki," he said, clawed hand motioning to another chair.

"Stitch," she said as she took a seat, "My name is Stitch."

"Noted."

"Now it would be my turn to introduce myself," he said, turning to face her, "I am Apophis."

Stitch quivered with fear, her hands digging into the chair.

"Are you going to eat me?"

He just laughed.

"You are not on the menu I assure you. I'm merely interested to see if your abilities can keep others alive as well as they keep you."

Stitch shakes her head, "People run. They're scared."

"No one wants my help."

"We'll have to see about that," he smirked.

"In that vein, I have arranged... a test of your abilities."

"A test?"

He snapped his fingers and a woman is dragged in, bound and gagged.

"This woman is about to suffer a rather grave wounding. If you can save her life, then you pass."

Stitch cringed, looking ill, "Don't hurt her. I can help, I promise. Just don't do it. Please."

"You're going to have to get accustomed to sewing up our acquisitions."

Stitch whimpers in response, closing her eyes tightly.

The was a muffled scream as the prisoner was stabbed.

"The clock is ticking."

"No!" Stitch says, moving quickly to the girl's side, "No no no no!"

Her hands seem to blur as she goes to work, probes quickly scurrying off her arms and into the body. An instant drags on for an eternity to the damaged girl but when Stitch leans back, the wound is entirely gone and the patient is stabilized.

"You didn't have to do that. She didn't do anything," Stitch says quietly, wiping away tears with a blood streaked hand.

"On the contrary. This woman is anything but innocent. She murdered her own children in cold blood. Even I would not commit such an act."

Stitch's stomach growls loudly. Producing so many probes uses a lot of chemical energy and she was running on empty.

"I did what you wanted," Stitch says, "Kill me or feed me or whatever you're going to do now. Just get it over with."

"You still don't get it do you?" he asked, "I'm offering you a job."

"What sort of job?"

"Why medical of course. An organization such as mine needs doctors. Even the best mercenaries get themselves wounded from time to time, and valuable prisoners are no good to me dead."

Stitch pauses, "...Only medical work?"

"Indeed. I prefer to leave the killing to the professionals."

"And what happens if I say no?" Stitch says quietly.

"You go right back to the gutter where we found you."

Stitch keeps her eyes on the floor, "I'll help you."

"Excellent," he said, pleased.

"My men will escort you to the mess hall."

Stitch nods slowly.