Chapter 42: Part 39
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As I drove past the cordoned off streets I habitually hummed to myself. Pensively looking beyond the horizon, I thought about eternity. And what is eternity for someone else? Just a moment, but for someone else it's a lifetime. Everything is a comparison, isn't it? But is there any point in comparing something as ephemeral as eternity?
So many questions and, as always, so damn few answers.
I've never understood such moves, and I couldn't always understand Creed either. Such is the mysterious Russian soul.
I may have once been one of them myself, but even then I didn't understand it all. Still, it's pretty damn satisfying to have a dirty bomb blown up in the middle of a city to save your skin.
Selfish? I don't disagree, but who cares, because the dead don't care anymore and the living will still live with the knowledge that someone else died to save their life. That's life and there's nothing you can do about it, and I'm no hero. But life goes on, and I am sincerely grateful to the teacher for his help and the opportunity to keep this 'suit' because I am so attached to it.
Who knows what the reptile would have done to me if he'd won. What did he say about 'curiosity' material? Fucking vivisector.
There was a real chance I'd be dismantled for parts, but I didn't.
I wonder if this thing can survive an explosion. Is it even possible to recover from such a thing?
Although with its monstrous regeneration, I suppose it might not. So I have my doubts. I should really check it out, but I'm running out of time, so there's nothing I can do about it now. That monster could still be alive. He's seen my face and his bloodhounds can track me down, so maybe the supposed comfort and safety of the suit isn't worth it. Well, we'll see where this goes.
In the city, probably, some kind of bacchanalia is going on, I hope that the most dangerous hotbeds have already been localised. Though something still leaked into the atmosphere and left by 'transfer' through the air, so it's not very pleasant. But they must do something, right?
Otherwise it will be extremely 'fun' for everyone. They should have thought of using a dirty bomb in the middle of the city. And he walks around like nothing happened, and his conscience doesn't bother him.
But he's a master like that. He doesn't ask anyone and does whatever he wants. He's a role model, isn't he? But fuck him. I'll get some more destructive ideas from that terrorist. I'm radicalised enough as it is, and I'm under his influence, but I'm not a monster. I could synthesise a virus that would kill the whole city, but why? I'm just a student, a future scientist and most likely a corporant, not some kind of global evil. On the other hand, maybe the Master wasn't always so badass? Or maybe I haven't known him long enough? Still...
Who'd have thought he'd actually detonate a dirty bomb in the city? He's a master, though. So I almost didn't even doubt him. On the other hand, what happens to the city now? Perhaps the dangerous hotspots will simply be localised and eventually removed, but who knows when that will be and if it will be at all?
On the other hand, it's nice to know that someone cares so much about you and appreciates you in their own way. But blowing up a fucking bomb in front of a horde of monsters in the middle of the city is just too much.
I'd love to see that reptile's face before it explodes. It must be amazing because that reaction is priceless. Because you don't want to go on a rampage like that. When you start a rampage like this, you expect a response. It's a natural outcome, isn't it?
Well, enough of the sad stuff, we've got to get the bike and move on. Maybe I should have a cup of coffee with Carrot-top.
I've been dinging her for too long, she'll take offence. So I need to correct that oversight and cheer Carrot-top up.
Or should I go and see Alice?
On the other hand, where to go dressed like that? So it's worth thinking about. Or just buy some new clothes. As I passed another blocked street, I saw people in protective suits that looked like astronauts. I'm starting to get a little tense about this, and there's a hell of a lot of guys in hazmat suits. There must be a hell of a lot of them out there.
In the background, listening to the news report, I habitually noted that there were only more victims from the explosion.
When I reached the nearest bus stop, where I left my bike, I decided to leave the unexpectedly cosy public transport.
The quarantine zone was visible in the distance, and people in protective suits were climbing all over the place like ants, apparently measuring radiation levels, or whatever it was they usually measured?
With a thoughtful hum, I found my bike. I left New York's 'Exclusion Zone' quickly enough and soon reached the restaurant, having contacted Carrot-top in advance.
And why did she decide to choose this particular place? It's a mystery. Like all girls. There must be a twist in every one of them, right? Or a mystery? Or maybe both. Who knows?
- Peter. - Valkyrie said happily, immediately wrapping her iron grip around my neck, and hugging the embarrassed girl back, I smiled.
- Are you so happy to see me that you are ready to strangle me? - I said thoughtfully into the clear eyes of Carrot-top.
With a yelp, the girl broke the embrace, still blushing sweetly. Smiling again and taking the initiative in his hands gently, and demanding into her scarlet lips with such a pleasant taste of cherries.
- That's the way to greet an old friend. - When I broke the kiss I saw in her eyes a flame of passion and disappointment?
Apparently my Valkyrie wants more or longer. Or did she not enjoy it? Who knows, but you can't tell from the stray look in her eyes. However, for now, enough of seducing such a lovely creature, because otherwise it won't be as interesting.
- I'll remember. - With a kind of seductive challenge said the girl.
- How was the theatre? - I quickly changed the subject.
- Everything is fine. - Carrot-top immediately burst with enthusiasm. - Now I'm more and more often given the lead roles. But our old manager, why suddenly took a holiday and then just as suddenly resigned.
And really, why did he decide to change jobs? I don't know. I guess the old maestro got disillusioned with art or he didn't like the way I broke his arms, who knows?
- I always knew you'd be a great actress, you were a goddess on stage when we first met at the theatre, right? - I winked at Carrot-top and ordered a cappuccino.
- You always go overboard and say too many nice things. - Furia said with feigned indignation. - By the way, what about your clothes? Are you preparing for Halloween in the style of the Soviets? Or did you exchange things with the homeless? I didn't know you were so honourable and pure of heart, Peter. - the girl's attractive
smile again.
- I am. Purely a knight without fear and reproach, and modesty I also, as you can see, do not occupy. - Smiling impeccably, I noticed a predatory smile on the lips of our lovely Valkyrie.
- A knight, then? Then you will not leave the maiden in trouble. - Charmingly fluttering her eyelashes, she was obviously preparing some kind of mischief. - I got tickets to the Wilson Fisk Gallery for an exclusive exhibition of contemporary artists. Would you be my plus one? - Carrot-top smiled innocently. - There's a fan who's a stalker. - Red-haired angel's eyes immediately flashed with rage. - So as a true knight you must save the girl in trouble and she will be very, very grateful to her hero. - Languidly said the valkyrie playfully winked at me.
- What a scoundrel I will be if I do so? - I answer the thoughtful girl with a question.
Soon they brought my cappuccino with a curious pattern that reminded me of a shield, and a moment later her frappuccino appeared on the table. After a quick glance around the room, I noticed Nicole smiling sweetly at me. What the hell? I hadn't seen her in so long, and here she was again. Or did I just not notice her charming company that shadowed me?
Nonsense.
I would have noticed the following. Or at least I hope so.
Ignoring the air kiss from Nicole, I focused all my attention on our lovely Valkyrie, who was talking passionately, glancing at the smartphone screen.
- And here is my new image of the goddess. - proudly said Carrot-top poked me in the face a couple of photos from the official insta of her theatre. - Do you like it? - With eyes burning with curiosity said the girl.
- You really are divinely irresistible. - I answered honestly, not hurrying to take my eyes off the curious composition.
Fiery red hair was gathered in a harmonious hairstyle of bright colours, which only emphasised her natural beauty, and airy light dress perfectly complemented this divine image.
- You say that too... - the Valkyrie's smile blossomed even more, and her cheeks became a little more scarlet.
I smiled back and looked around the room again, but Nicole was already gone, and only an empty coffee cup told me that I had lost my mind. And you know, in life, things happen, and after the stress I'd been through, so hallucinations weren't the worst thing that could happen. On the other hand, constant surveillance isn't something I'd want to do either, because it's not a bad thing. I returned to my leisurely contemplation of Carrot-top's loving eyes, and quickly put my thoughts in order, trying to make sense of what she was saying. When I picked out something about anime and punk rock, I hummed thoughtfully, as if I agreed with what she was saying, but I still couldn't quite grasp the meaning that was still eluding me.
- Do you want to watch that newfangled show together? - I finally chased away all outside thoughts, and I really wondered if I needed to.
- Maybe we'll watch it sometime. - Answering as neutrally as possible, I looked again into her charming eyes, mentally noting in them a sea of delight and anticipatory mischief, I only smiled even more, because how can you say no to this red-haired angel?
I'm not falling in love with her, am I?
No. That's just nonsense. Or am I? It's complicated as hell. Wouldn't it be easier to cut off all emotions and other interfering factors? But then I'd just become a biomachine and life wouldn't be so great, and I don't want that. But what is this heady feeling? I don't believe in love, and I can't control chemistry.
A simple sympathy that, with a little empathy, turns into something more? That's not an option. I mean, you can explain it, right? If we want to, we can always find a reason. Or was it something else?
Talking about all sorts of nonsense, we leisurely drank another coffee, occasionally interrupting to discuss new shows and films. Carrot was literally doing a review with a full-fledged advertising campaign to get me hooked on some of her favourites, but I stubbornly pretended to be a stone. After all, if I'm going to waste my time on this, I'm not going to get anything done. I don't mind watching something in a nice company to relax a little, but such a concentration of content scares even me.
- It's good to see you again. - Gently hugging me and kissing me sweetly, the embarrassed Valkyrie said goodbye rather quickly, referring to rehearsals and auditions for some musical. - See you later Peter. - said the girl winked goodbye and at the same time tactfully took away her unfinished frappuccino.
Closing my eyes, I thought about how much socialising eats up time. On the other hand, sometimes it's useful, and live socialising is nice in its own way.
Still, I wondered, what was Nicole doing here? I mean, she didn't just walk in for coffee where I am, did she?
- Parker? What a surprise meeting. You look stylish. - I heard a nice, vaguely familiar voice.
- Nicole? - When I opened my eyes and blinked a couple of times to make sure it wasn't a fog, I hummed thoughtfully. - Just thinking about you.
- Oh, so you missed me? - she said languidly, sitting down next to me.
- Can't you tell? - I said with undisguised sarcasm. - Something we have not crossed paths lately. - I smiled sweetly and looked into her thoughtful eyes, still trying to understand what she wanted from me once again.
- It's so nice that you care about me. - Nicole smiled. - I've been so busy. I'm working more and more. The bosses are always dissatisfied and demand results, but where can I get them if we are dealing with projects in the long term? - said the girl tiredly. - And here I see Parker, I think I should say hello and have a friendly coffee. - With crystal honest eyes she said, that I almost even believed.
- I almost believe her.
- Peter, don't be such a bitch. - Nicole smiled again. - Let's have dinner sometime. - She moved a little closer to me, and then another and another, as if probing how far I was willing to go, but only a fool would fall for such a trivial 'honey trap,' or was it not a trap?
- So what can I do for you? - I ask the girl with arctic calm.
- You're a dunce Parker... - whispered Nicole with a sigh.
- Whatever you say, Nicky. Nice to see you, but I gotta go. - Leaving on the table even more than necessary as a tip, I leisurely headed for the exit ignoring all the indignation from the cute Nicole, but while I do not want to play all these games, so I prefer to just 'tactically' retreat.
Having settled down on the bike, I quickly texted my foxy sister and agreed to meet at her place for a cup of tea and something to look at and nostalgia, I set off. Even though I said that such communication eats up all my free time, but sometimes I wanted to do it myself. I had calmed May down, so I needed to recuperate, and maybe Alice could help me find new clothes, because I looked like a refugee from Yugoslavia during its collapse.
Once again, checking the address, and checking the navigator, I hummed. You know, the huge Victorian mansion, a bit of a contrast to the cute girl from my childhood. Or had I forgotten? But my time with the Osbornes had toughened me up, so I wasn't afraid of aristocratic snobs, and I'd come to see the pretty vixen, not them. But where's their intercom?
- Parker? You got here so fast. - A call from Alice immediately took me out of my thoughts, and a moment later the huge wrought iron gates opened, humming I drove straight into the territory, which was completely dotted with various trees and a sea of grass, which calmed and gave a sense of peace.