Cyberpunk Vigilantly

I blinked my eyes open, the room spinning slightly as consciousness fought its way back. The scent of lavender and something earthy filled my nostrils, mingling with the lingering metallic tang of blood. My head throbbed, each pulse echoing the ache in my shoulder. I pushed myself up, feeling the weight of my body resist every movement.

Voices floated through the air, muffled but distinct enough to make out their cadence. A deep, familiar voice with a hint of authority spoke first, followed by a softer, warm tone. It took me a moment to recognize them.

"Jackie, are you sure she's going to be okay?" the older woman asked, her voice concerned.

"She'll be fine, Mamá," Jackie replied, his tone reassuring. Vick said everything would be fine; she just needed to rest."

I glanced around the room, taking in my surroundings. It was a modest space, with wooden floors that creaked under my shifting weight. A colorful woven rug covered part of the floor, and framed photos of family gatherings adorned the walls. A single window let in the soft morning light, casting a warm glow over the room.

As the voices faded, I noticed a framed picture on the bedside table. It showed a smiling family: a stern-looking woman, and a young man with a mischievous grin. and an older man, where I could see from where Jackie got his looks. A small nightstand cluttered with medical supplies, and a chair in the corner. 

The door creaked open, and Mamá Welles stepped inside, carrying a basin filled with warm water and a soft cloth. 

"Buenos días, I'm glad to see you're awake," she greeted, her voice soothing as she approached the bed. She set the basin down beside me and offered a hand to help me sit up.

I took her hand weakly, pulling myself onto the edge of the bed. "Morning," I replied, my voice rough from disuse.

She smiled warmly, kneeling beside me to examine my wound. "You had quite a night," she observed, her experienced eyes assessing the injury.

"I wasn't sure I'd make it," I admitted, pressing a hand to my shoulder to ease the pain. "But thanks to Jackie and V here I am."

Mamá Welles nodded, her expression softening. "You handled yourself well from what Jackie told me. But you need to take better care of yourself out there."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, concern etching deeper lines into her face. "Are you sure it is safe at your home?"

I hesitated, the topic prickling my nerves. "I make do," I replied honestly, hoping to divert her attention.

She placed the basin on the bedside table and stood up, retrieving the warm cloth. "Let me help you clean that up," she said gently. "It's important to keep wounds clean to prevent infection."

I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. "I always try to stay clean. but I'm not used to someone cleaning me."

She chuckled softly, her hands moving deftly to remove my jacket without making me uncomfortable. "Jackie and V are good people. It's nice to see them looking out for someone."

I offered a small smile, the pain still nagging at my shoulder. "Yeah, they are."

Mamá Welles began gently wiping the area around my shoulder, her touch firm but not harsh. "So how long have you been in Night City?"

I nodded, the memories of my arrival flooding back. "Around three months so far, it's been a wild ride."

She continued cleaning, her movements methodical. "Night City can be unforgiving, especially for someone your age. Surviving is a part of living here. But you deserve more than that. Don't be afraid to reach out when you need help."

I met her gaze, appreciating her words. "Thanks, miss Wellis. I try to stay on my own, though. Been like that since I got here."

She gave a reassuring smile, finishing up with the cleaning. "Sometimes, it's okay to lean on others."

I sighed, the truth of her words settling in. "I know. Just hard to ask for it sometimes."

Mamá Welles finished drying the area and began to help me sit up fully. "Let's get you dressed."

I nodded, pushing myself to stand. My legs felt weak, but I leaned on her for support. "Thanks for taking care of me."

She placed a hand on my back, steadying me. "Of course. We're family here, even if it's not by blood."

As I stood, the room felt a little less disorienting, the pain in my shoulder dulled slightly. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill my lungs.

"Do you need anything else?" Mamá Welles asked, eyeing me thoughtfully.

"I think I'm okay for now," I replied, trying to muster some strength. "Just need to get some rest."

She nodded, understanding. "Sleep is important. I'll be right here if you need anything."

I moved towards the chair in the corner, feeling the ache in my shoulder but grateful for the temporary relief. "I appreciate everything, miss Wellis. but I probably shouldn't keep being a bother by staying here"

She shook her head gently, walking back towards the bed. "You're not a bother. You're welcome here anytime. Just let us know if you need anything."

I hesitated, not wanting to impose further. "I really should go back to my own place."

Mamá Welles placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to, hija. We all need a little help now and then."

I looked down, feeling the sincerity in her eyes. "I guess you're right."

She gave a warm smile, standing up to leave the room. "Rest now. We'll take care of you."

As she walked out, I sank into the chair, the room feeling both comforting and foreign. The photos on the walls showed moments of joy and togetherness. I touched the framed picture, tracing the faces of the family, Mamá Welles, Jackie, and the older man who must be Jackie's father.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Hey, how are you feeling?" Jackie called, peeking inside.

I managed a weak smile. "Better, thanks to you and V."

He walked in. "Good to hear. Ma and I were just talking about what to make for breakfast."

I nodded, grateful for the normalcy. "Whatever you decide, I'm sure it'll be good."

V walked in shortly after, her silver rifle slung casually over her shoulder. "Thought I'd check in and see how our guest is doing since I don't work today."

"Thanks, V," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease with her presence. "Really appreciate everything."

She gave me a small smile, pulling up a chair as well. "No problem. Jackie tells me you tend to be around Misty or going to Vick."

We sat talking for a while. As Jackie began serving us breakfast, Mamá Welles entered the room, carrying plates and bowls. "Let's get you fed," she said, setting down the meal before me. "A good meal will help you recover faster."

I picked up a spoon, and took a bite of the stew. The rich flavors were comforting. "This is really good," I said, savoring the taste.

Mamá Welles chuckled, settling into a chair across from me. "Cooking is one of my passions. It's important to have something to hold onto."

I nodded, taking another bite. "Yeah, I can see how that would help."

She looked at me thoughtfully. "Do you have anything like that?"

I met her gaze thoughtfully. "Well, I'm really good with a guitar."

Mamá Welles raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes. "Is that so?"

I shrugged slightly, feeling a flush of embarrassment. "Sometimes when I need to unwind. Helps me clear my head."

She nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Music has a way of doing that. Do you play anything specific?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Mostly classic rock. Sometimes I write my own stuff, but it's nothing professional." which was kind of a lie, since the chip I should be at a professional level.

Jackie chuckled from across the table. "Sounds like Mocosa has a hidden talent. Maybe she'll play for us sometime."

V grinned, leaning back in her chair. "I'd pay good eddies to hear that."

I laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension that still lingered from the night before. "Maybe someday."

Mamá Welles got up. "We have some soda and a more comfortable place for you to rest. Let me show you."

I nodded, grateful for her kindness. "Thank you, Mamá Welles."

She guided me out of the guest room, Jackie and V following behind. The hallway was adorned with more family photos and small decorations that gave the house a lived-in feel. As we walked, Mamá Welles chatted amiably about the neighborhood, sharing stories about the people in Heywood and the little quirks of the community.

We reached a small kitchenette where Mamá Welles began preparing a fresh set of clothes for me. "These should be more comfortable," she said, handing me a soft, worn sweater. "Feel free to change whenever you're ready."

I took the sweater, running my fingers over the fabric. "Thanks. It's nice to have something comfortable to wear." Plus it was better than the old sweater I had that I didn't like to use. (totally didn't forget I had it.....)

She smiled, then turned to Jackie and V. " Just let me know if you need anything else."

Jackie nodded, giving her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ma."

V gave a thumbs-up as she sat down to eat.

I changed into the sweater, feeling the softness against my skin. Mamá Welles handed me a glass of water and a light breakfast plate. "Eat something. You'll feel better once you've had a bite."

I took the glass, sipping the cool water. "This is really good. Thanks again."

She sat down beside me, her presence comforting. "You're welcome. It's important to take care of yourself, especially after what happened."

I nodded, feeling the warmth of her concern. "Yeah, I guess."

There was a comfortable silence as I ate, the aroma of freshly cooked food filling the room. Mamá Welles watched me with a gentle smile.

"Do you have any hobbies besides playing guitar?" she asked, breaking the silence.

I thought for a moment before answering. "I like tinkering with electronics. Building small gadgets."

Her eyes lit up with interest. "That's impressive. Not many young people have that kind of skill. It must have helped you in your... line of work."

I chuckled. "Something like that. Keeps me busy."

Mamá Welles nodded approvingly. "It's good to have skills you can rely on. Maybe you can teach Jackie a thing or two."

Jackie, who was about to drink so of his fresh cup of coffee. "Hmm, you say something?"

I smiled and snickered.

Mamá Welles stood up, motioning towards the doorway. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."

I felt a surge of gratitude. "I really appreciate it."

She placed a hand on my shoulder once more before leaving the room. "We're glad to have you here too. Now, get some rest."

As the door closed behind her. Jackie poured himself a second cup of coffee and took a seat beside me. 

"So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, his tone casual but sincere.

I took a deep breath, considering my options. "I don't know, I can't really go home at the moment, might have to find a new place. I do have a place in mind at the Megabuilding H10"

Jackie took a thoughtful sip of his coffee before leaning forward. "Megabuilding H10, huh? That's a solid choice. Little China has been getting busier lately, but H10 has some decent security and it's not as pricey as some of the other spots."

I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. "Yeah, I've heard. Plus, it's closer to Watson, which is convenient for me."

V glanced between us, her eyes assessing. "It's a good move. H10 has a reputation for being a bit of a mixed bag, but if you're careful, it should work out. Do you need any help finding an available unit?"

I shook my head. "I think I can handle it. I've already started looking online, but having some insider tips wouldn't hurt."

Jackie grinned. "Well, you know we're here to help however we can. If you need someone to scope out the place or run any errands, just let us know."

I appreciated the offer, feeling the weight of my situation lighten slightly. "Thanks, Jackie."

V leaned back, crossing her arms. "So, what's the plan after you secure H10? Any big moves on the horizon?"

I picked my words carefully. "I'm still figuring that out. Might Hunt down more Scavs, or might focus on getting some gigs."

Jackie began discussing the logistics of finding H10. "First things first, we'll need to check online listings and maybe visit a few places in person. I know someone who can help us navigate the rental process smoothly."

V nodded in agreement. "I'll handle the tech side of things. Maybe set up some alerts so we don't miss any good openings."

As I took another bite, the warmth and comforting meal. After breakfast, we gathered our things and prepared to head out. Jackie pulled out his phone, tapping into his network to find the best leads for available units in H10. 

We navigated the bustling streets of Little China. We arrived at a Huge building of Megabuilding H10.