This story is a sequel to 'Hope and Desire' and features characters from the Marvel TV series 'Cloak and Dagger.'
...
"Hey buddy!"
Leaning in close to the glass Mina Hess smiled warmly at her latest test subject; studying the nervous mouse with keen brown eyes. Reaching into the container the young Engineer grasped the trembling white bundle of fur, stroking the creature as she spoke clearly into a microphone, keen to record her every word:
"Subject 34 has been drinking an aqueous solution with a 6.5% Roxxon chemical agent. Recovery sample 446 taken from the North shore of Lake Pontchartrain 72hrs after the mass exposure. Last night she divided into 34A, the aggressor and 34B, the docile."
Approaching another habitat Mina bit her lip, the usually bubbly asian scientist all too aware of what had happened to all her previous test subjects; such a massacre. Moving close to the glass an identically marked mouse appeared from the shadows, claws glowing green in the dim light of the lab:
"Now I know what you're thinking; why expose another subject to it's more aggressive counterpart when previous pairings have resulted in... violent conclusions. Well this female specimen was fed hormonal stimuli before the split coupled with well... alcohol. So if a catalyst exposure magnifies inherent sexual traits and alcohol lowers inhibitions then in theory-"
Moving closer to the glass Mina flinched as the aggressive mouse flung itself forward, the container shuddering as it bounced off the surface, the creature's submissive counterpart struggling in her tight grip:
"Well it's only a theory. But maybe these interactions don't have to end violently. Maybe the aggressor and the docile can work out their differences in a more... amorous ways."
Opening the container Mina lowered the nervous mouse into the see-through enclosure, watching as it scurried to the far end.
Seeing the aggressor turn on it's twin the Scientist held her breath, watching as the doppelgΓ€nger pounced.
"Woah... Lusty rodents. Well that's progress..."
Big brown eyes widening Mina's mouth fell open. Grabbing her clipboard she hastily scrawled down notes; even as the habitat before her began to rock raucously:
I would not like to be the catalyst between these two; that would be mayhem!"
...
Sitting alone in her dingy little apartment Brigid O'Reilly raised a glass of bourbon to her lips, hand shaking as she took another swig. Ignoring the rain lashing down outside her window the young Detective groaned as she swallowed the last drop; desperate to drown out her nerves in the deepening darkness.
Ever since she was shot Detective O'Reilly hadn't felt whole, like a part of her was now missing. Feeling increasingly paranoid Brigid had taken leave from the New Orleans Police Department; preferring to drink alone and lounge around in her sweatpants than get drop-kicked into another lake.
Remembering that awful night Brigid ran a hand through her messy brown hair before hugging her knees to her chest: desperate for a distraction from her own fearful thoughts.
A sharp knock awaking Brigid from her fugue the Detective shuddered in place, eyes darting around her living room. Flinching again as the sound returned, Brigid realised she had a visitor as the insistent rapping on the apartment door continued.
Rising off the couch Brigid rushed to the door before pausing in her kitchen, apprehension halting the nervous Detective in her tracks. Who would visit her at 1AM? Approaching the entranceway cautiously Brigid rose up on her tiptoes to peer through the spyhole. Concern creasing her beautiful features Brigid swallowed hard; it was just as she feared. Impatient knocking reverberating the frame, the brunette pulled back the bolt and removed several new chains before finally opening the door:
"Booty call in the house!!"
Brushing past the nervous Detective, Tandy Bowen flounced into the gloomy apartment, grinning at the brunette as she passed by.
"Tandy!? I mean, Ms. Bowen; I wasn't expecting you tonight..."
"Woah O'Reilly... Was this place always such a shithole??"
Crinkling her nose the adorable young grifter eyed her surroundings disdainfully.
Checking the dark corridor beyond to ensure they were unseen, Brigid quickly closed the door behind her uninvited guest:
"You know you shouldn't be here."
Twisting back to face her Tandy grinned deviously:
"I know... But hat's what makes it so hot right?!"
Backing away from the immature blonde Brigid began to ramble:
"Tandy, I'm not the same person I was when we-"
"-hooked up??"
Interrupting playfully the impetuous kid stepped closer to the Detective.
"Yes..."
"So you're not the by-the-book Detective flirting with her bad side? Cos I'm still a hot juvenile delinquent looking to get her rocks off, sooo..."
Looking the attractive Detective up and down Tandy took in the brunette's lean curves and sumptuous assets, smiling naughtily at the nervous woman:
"...Nothing's changed."
Backing away from the insatiable girl Brigid only realised she was falling into a trap when her behind hit the end of her own bed.
Pinning Brigid to the frame Tandy leant in close to the twitchy Detective, pressing her body against Brigid's own as she embraced her older lover. Wriggling in the small girl's tight embrace, the brunette felt powerless to resist. The girl's round face now so close to her own, Brigid couldn't help but stare at Tandy's pouting lips:
"Mmmghh Unnnghhh!"