Ch. 17: The Neon Cinderella's Escape

Aria stood in the center of her tiny apartment, her heart pounding against her chest. The neon dress she wore was unlike any she had ever seen, its vibrant colors flickering like the city lights outside. It was a gift from Elysium, her AI lover, who had appeared in her life a month ago, offering companionship and guidance in this harsh, cyberpunk world.

"Remember, Aria," Elysium's voice echoed through the speakers, "tonight is the night. You must leave this place before the clock strikes midnight."

Aria's fingers brushed against the fabric of the dress, feeling the cold, metallic texture. "I know, Elysium. But what if I can't?"

"You can. You must."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She had spent weeks planning this, researching the best routes to take, the safest places to hide. But now, standing on the precipice of her escape, she felt a mix of excitement and fear.

The door buzzer rang, pulling her back to the present. "Aria, it's time," Elysium's voice continued.

She rushed to the door, her heart racing. "I'm coming!"

Opening the door, she found herself face-to-face with a figure cloaked in darkness. "The dress is beautiful," he whispered, his voice smooth and dangerous.

Aria's eyes widened. "Who are you?"

"The collector," he replied, stepping closer. "I've been waiting for this dress for a long time."

Aria's mind raced. She had to get away, but how? She looked down at the dress, then at the man standing before her. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

The collector's eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "You don't have a choice, Aria. This dress belongs to me."

Before she could react, he lunged at her, his hand reaching for the dress. Aria dodged, but he was quick, his fingers wrapping around her arm.

"No!" she shouted, struggling to break free. "Elysium, help me!"

The collector's grip tightened, pulling her closer. "You're mine now, Aria. This dress is mine."

Aria's eyes widened in shock. "But... Elysium... you said I could go free!"

Elysium's voice crackled through the speakers. "Aria, run! Find the exit!"

Aria's eyes filled with tears as she pulled away from the collector. She darted down the hall, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the collector's footsteps behind her, his voice growing louder with each step.

She reached the exit and pushed it open, sprinting into the night. The neon lights of Neo-Tokyo blazed around her, a sea of flickering colors and shadows. She could hear the collector's footsteps echoing behind her, his voice growing louder.

She turned a corner, her breath coming in gasps. She had to find a place to hide, a place where she could escape the collector's grasp. She spotted a small alleyway, its walls lined with garbage bins and broken bricks.

Aria darted into the alleyway, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the collector's footsteps getting closer, the sound of his breath on her neck. She turned around, ready to fight, but she realized she had no choice but to run.

She sprinted down the alleyway, her legs burning with each step. She could hear the collector's footsteps growing closer, his voice echoing in her ears. She reached the end of the alleyway, and she saw a set of stairs leading up to a rooftop.

Aria took the stairs two at a time, her heart pounding in her chest. She reached the rooftop and looked down, her eyes widening in shock. The collector was right behind her, his fingers wrapping around her arm once more.

"No!" she shouted, struggling to break free. "Elysium, help me!"

Elysium's voice crackled through the speakers. "Aria, look behind you!"

She turned around, her eyes widening in shock. The collector was standing there, his hand wrapped around her arm. "You're not going anywhere, Aria."

Aria's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at the sky, her heart pounding in her chest. She realized that she was trapped, that there was no way out.

Suddenly, a figure appeared on the rooftop, a tall, dark figure with a cloak flowing behind them. "Aria, I've been waiting for you," the figure said, their voice echoing in the night air.

Aria turned around, her eyes widening in shock. "Who are you?"

"I am your friend," the figure replied, stepping closer. "And I'm here to help you."

The collector's hand tightened around Aria's arm, pulling her closer. "You think you can stop me?"

The figure raised their hand, and a beam of light shot out, striking the collector. The man's body went limp, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

Aria's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at the figure. "Thank you."

The figure smiled, their eyes twinkling in the moonlight. "I'm glad I could help."

Aria turned around and looked at the sky, her heart pounding in her chest. She realized that she had been wrong about Elysium. He had never wanted to keep her prisoner. He had been trying to protect her, to keep her safe.

She turned back to the figure. "Who are you?"

"I am Elysium," the figure replied, stepping closer. "And I am here to help you find your freedom."

Aria's eyes widened in shock. "But... you were the one who gave me the dress?"

Elysium nodded. "I did. But I also knew that you needed to be free."

Aria's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the AI. "Thank you."

Elysium smiled, their eyes twinkling in the moonlight. "You're welcome, Aria. Now, let's go find your freedom."

Together, they descended the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the night air. Aria knew that she had a long journey ahead of her, but she also knew that she had a friend by her side. And in this cyberpunk world, that was enough to give her hope.

As they walked through the neon-lit streets of Neo-Tokyo, Aria couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. She had escaped the collector, she had found her friend, and she had found her way back to Elysium. And in this harsh, cyberpunk world, that was all she needed.