My eyes followed Atlas as he paced back and forth across the safe house. Ever since Atlas read the note, he's been in a state of distress, or at least a worse state of distress. Stress seems to be his default mood. Someone should tell him to stop worrying so much. He'll get wrinkles. I can't blame him for being upset. I'm not sure exactly what kind of dynamic they have. Are they more of a father and son type deal, or is Atlas his ward, like Batman and Robin? The one thing I know for certain is that Atlas loves him. You can tell by the concern etched onto his face.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxwkT69D00
A loud ringing sound caused me and the cat to startle. "What the hell was that?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHNaiGqNRP
Atlas pointed to a small device mounted on the wall but didn't stop pacing.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDdw6ZuiCO
"What is it?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEd2UOAshQ
"It's called a landline. It's an antique communication device. I'm surprised it still works." Atlas signed as he continued pacing. He lit a cigarette and began smoking indoors. I swear he's going to start a fire at some point!
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P6R1BIluv
I unplugged my cybernetics from the charging port, and crept over to the communication device, the landline, as Atlas called it. I picked it up and pressed the speaker to my ear.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOCjt24pgx
"You've officially lost your damn mind, Chase!" A familiar voice shouted on the other end of the line.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGtnFRAupC
"Mason! How'd you find me?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLwLZvI6V7
"That's not important right now. We need to talk about your reckless actions."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdBQBbcbT5
I reflected on my life decisions. "Which ones?" I've taken so many reckless actions, I'm not sure which ones he's referring to.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFQOYadD8A
"I'm talking about you participating in an Ikigai Cybrawl!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq04ckweyS
"Oh! That reckless action! Thanks for clarifying. Did you know that everything is allowed in an Ikigai Cybrawl? How is that even legal?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJuH1nmyC9
Mason let out an aggravated sigh. "Yes, I did know that."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIZljcqpWk
"Am I the only person who didn't know?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp1rZ4267d
Mason didn't answer my question, all he said was, "How is it possible for someone to be as stupid as you?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlKnNNB0L9
"Is that rhetorical, or do you actually want to know?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNazx8Y5FZN
I could practically hear him facepalm on the other end of the line. "You're going to get yourself killed for real this time. The car crash should've killed you, but life gave you a second chance. Don't waste it."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX8yi9fbhM
"What do I have to live for, Mason?" My eyes stung with the threat of oncoming tears. "You've seen what I look like now! Everyone has! My life can never be the same again."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz82nfqfPl
He went quiet. "There are worse things in life than being a cyborg, you know?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrzAxJYfsL
I sighed. "I guess for some people, but I'm a model, I'm supposed to be perfect."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmtHmhhtbL
"Oh, I forgot, you think look cyborgs creepy and gross." His voice dripped with disdain.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOJpDvt51K
"Not all of them." My gaze drifted to Atlas. "But my opinions are irrelevant. Regardless of what me, you, or anyone else thinks, no one in the industry will hire a cyborg model. Especially not one with a messed up face."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3RjqWLfV6
"How do you know that?" Mason argued.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2h67RFIIh
"Because it's never happened before. No cyborg has ever made it big in the modeling industry."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY91XWt3Yqe
"So, you're giving up before you even try?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7rRHeKIFP
"I guess I am."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMYWJjHncO
"I understand you're going through a bit of a crisis right now, and you're trying to cope the best you can, but you need to find a better outlet for your grief."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjErmcYpV5
I scoffed."Are you my therapist now?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMT0VMXR5t
"You have no idea how much danger you've put yourself in, do you?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiZbfTSMwV
Chills ran down my spine.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1ppOZE02r
"You've made enemies out of Gabriel St. Martin, Adrien Kumar, and Bionic Corp. You're flying very close to the sun, and if you don't stop soon, you'll fall."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIrxB87MLX
"You forgot to mention Vindicator. I've made an enemy of him too."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHbtAnpYOK
"Can you please, for once in your life, take something seriously!" He snapped."I'm going to phrase this as simply as possible, get out while you still have the chance, or you will die." Without another word, he hung up.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnuNjqonpb
Damn. That was a rollercoaster ride of a conversation. Mason has only snapped at me like that once before. It was at Jaxon Wan's party right before the crash. Our friendship is falling apart, and I'm still not entirely sure what I did to cause it.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCAZtL83xY
Both Atlas and the cat were staring at me.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF9UC4VToH
"What?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXZmf0OKG3
Atlas snuffed out his cigarette. "Who was that?" He signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJKUSqhykC
"My best friend."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutDs6yGXl0
"I thought Jackson Wan was your best friend."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRggJcoeOC
I let out a wistful sigh. "I wish."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXueqhyiail
"That conversation was heated."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9pPKjbYqF
"Didn't anyone ever tell you eavesdropping is rude?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTHQLXrzES
"It's not like you were being discreet. I'm mute, not deaf. I couldn't help but overhear."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrKYAaXLUA
I rolled my eyes and let out a long breath.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yOAvNhTub
Atlas stared down at the floor. "You don't have to stay. I can try to get you back to California as soon as possible if that's what you want. I can finish the map by myself."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tIbXUo5yG
"Are you kicking me off the mission?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9lbp2gisf
"No, not at all!" He gave a reluctant smile. "It's been nice not having to do things alone, but your friend was right about one thing, this mission is deadly. I don't know if I could live with myself if you died because of me."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K3oUkyy4u
"This is my life, and I'm choosing to stay. I want to finish what we started."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySvKxobX5z
He smiled and nodded.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQfbPWYcx7
We sat in awkward silence for several moments.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05c2bOIlh8
"So, now what do we do?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5kkmBCWuy
"I don't know," Atlas confessed. "I didn't think it through this far. I need time to think.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEIFBK24Te
I plopped down on the futon. "Wake me up when you figure it out."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC9moQAwyS
"In the meantime, I'll look for a better ASL to English translations for you. Your current ones take a lot of liberties with their interpretations."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdukAxkh8D
I fell into a deep sleep for a couple of hours. When I awoke, several sheets of paper were scattered across the floor. I studied the pages. They were all drawings, doodled in blue pen. I recognized the art style as Atlas's. Most of the drawings were recreations of the map, but there were also a couple of Venus, a self-portrait, one of the lamp in the corner of the room, and at the very bottom of the pile there was one of me. It featured every scar, wire, and broken piece of me. The strangest part was, I didn't hate it. For the first time since the accident, I thought I looked almost nice. I snatched it off the ground and folded it into my pocket.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A3zHsed2o
Atlas was so engrossed in his artwork that he hadn't noticed I was awake. Good. I don't want him to catch me stealing his drawing.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVys9tY1V0
Venus meowed and rubbed against my legs once she noticed I was awake.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqTHm3TQjY
Atlas looked up to see what the commotion was about. When he saw me, he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry about the mess, I've been stress drawing."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsbAHM3KxG
I surveyed the littered papers and shrugged. "There are worse coping mechanisms out there."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QmoKD2HzL
The cat clawed at my legs and let out a series of loud whines.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p26wSZds6
"I think she's trying to tell us something," I said.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kprqimxVo
Atlas rolled his eyes. "Yeah, she's trying to tell us she's hungry." Atlas stood up and poured her a bowl of food and water. He set down the bowls, and Venus ran over and munched on the kibble.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoJ04WaYtQ
The landline rang once more.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx7HExV3XK
"You should answer that." Atlas signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCOF48QsyR
"Why me? I answered it the first time! You should do it this time!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz88MPUnGv8
"I can't speak, dumbass."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Cs46XLJ5
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ13sc1TQP
I picked up the landline and pressed it to my ear. I turned on the speakerphone, so Atlas could listen in. "Hello?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSfDEP9m0e
"Is this the Contreras' safe house?" Asked a female voice on the other end of the line.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3MUsiV3sd
"Umm." I looked to Atlas for guidance on how I should answer that question. He shot me a concerned look. "No, this is Chase Huxley" I responded. It wasn't the most thought-out reply, but I was put on the spot.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsrxI1eAbI
"Chase! It's Katrina!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8lUR8chE1
"Who?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyrUquYiNN
"Katrina Madden? Lead singer of the Volcanic Kittens? We met at Jaxon Wan's holiday bash? We literally talked yesterday? Does any of this ring a bell?" She said, sounding offended.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkigFnaIpF
"Hmm." I rubbed my chin in thought.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UWcV3sPNX
"Seriously?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9rbcLL9Tz
"I'm not very good at remembering people, okay!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpagqUsdDa
She sighed. "Never mind that, I've got Marisa here with me and—"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcEa4OsTbr
"Remind me who Marisa is," I interjected.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmAdSr755Z
"My sister!" Atlas signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJO1gMHX8b
"Oh, the pink-haired girl!" I said.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM1Bkz51y5
"Is Atlas with you?" Marisa asked.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyughqbJQJv
I made eye contact with Atlas, and he gave a nod, permitting me to share his whereabouts. "Yeah, he's here with me."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtdQG9tYuD
"Why haven't you answered any of my calls?" Marisa interrogated.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj8wQNbxop
"I was busy." He signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLbhrCeGO2
I relayed the message. "He says he was busy?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOh9msc6vo
"Yeah, I saw your stunt at the Cybrawl." Marisa spat. "While you were off gallivanting all over Ikigai II, trying to be the hero, someone broke into our house!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTbRSIIaN8
A look of horror crossed Atlas's face. "What?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJYJU6ugsB
"What happened?" I asked.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAHJ7xZvUS
"A cyborg broke in and interrogated me about Patch. They tried to strangle me." She burst into sobs. "It was terrifying, and you weren't there to protect me."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcOodolMOc
Atlas looked like he'd been stabbed in the heart.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uVnfBlgRp
"I was so scared, Atlas." She whimpered. "I know it's not fair for me to be upset with you. I know you can't always be there to protect me."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStEG6stfCw
Atlas wrapped his arms around himself and stared at the ground.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB5iJDBmL2
"What did they look like? Did they leave any information behind?" I asked, even though I dreaded the answer.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVxM7hQDdd
"I didn't get a good look at them, and their face was covered by a black mask."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kBACQtLla
Atlas and I shared an uneasy glance. "Did they look scrawny and wimpy?" I asked.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HXQCZBudm
"Umm, a little."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjU6iMRiEO
"I've had a run in with the same cyborg. They're an assassin in the Cyborg Army. They go by the name Oblivion."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISVrrZhSS4
"I know. The cyborg that attacked me had a Bionic Corp I.D. pin with that name on it."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzvho7Bubv
A sense of dread grabbed hold of me. I'd hoped I was wrong and a different, less deadly, cyborg had threatened Atlas's family, but it appears my old nemesis, Oblivion, has struck again.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV1fJ6XlFO
Atlas tensed up, as if he shared my concerns. Things have gotten dire very quickly.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HmaZdo8AJ
Marisa let out a dejected sigh. "Katrina told me what you to have been up to."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27L0PdtAmY
"Katrina!" I scolded.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgrfggLFfn
"No, I want to help you," Marisa said.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFVnrCE8QH
"Are you sure?" Atlas signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZAck9GQoK
I relayed his message.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHfjVRI6er
"I'm sure. I don't support either of you putting your lives in danger, but I know Atlas will never stop. If I can't stop him, I at least want to help. Knowing where you are, will help reduce my worry."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsogMiarAg
"Thank you, Marisa." Atlas signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbgENV76GJ
"Atlas, says thanks."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGUTHcjrXf
"Yeah well, he owes me big time." She grumbled. " I did some online stalking and found the owner of the third piece of the map. It belongs to a cyborg named Harv Knox. He runs a stall at the boardwalk."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee3zhyzc1l
I turned to Atlas. "Do you know this guy?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdfcoNPCIw
Atlas raised an eyebrow. Why would I know him?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpPFLVYfo6
"You've known everyone we've met so far. I just assumed you knew everyone. This is a small island."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoDWBZpjsM
"It's not that small."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCK8p8Rdt3
"I sent you the address to Harv's shop. You should find him there." Marisa said.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hCSCLX516
"What are we waiting for? Let's go."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhbCjleOM3
****
Atlas parked his Hovercycle across from the boardwalk entrance.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobVHpdka0I
I removed my helmet and admired the sight before me. I'm sure what I was expecting, but the sight before me surpassed it. Before me, stood a full-fledged carnival, equipped with a Ferris Wheel, a Carousel, a Roller Coaster, and several games where you could win giant stuffed animals. The scent of funnel cake, turkey legs, and freshly spun cotton candy drifted through the air. I was ecstatic! All the carnivals in America went out of business when I was a child. People preferred the comfort of virtual reality travel to actual experiences. I never thought I get to see a real one again. I wanted to get a better look, but a thick layer of fog enveloped the entire boardwalk.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnzFKkEGvS
Atlas dismounted, removed his helmet, and tentatively crept in the direction of the boardwalk. He kept his hands near his knives, ready to strike.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng6UWz5Hpc
"What's wrong?" I whispered, scanning the surrounding area for danger with my cybernetic vision.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmU0IMzjn7
"We need to be careful; there are tales of malevolent sea-ghosts haunting this pier." He signed, anxiously glancing around.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiP7iVJAW7
"Pffft. Are you afraid of ghosts?" I tried to suppress a laugh.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCSSDPZLA4
He glared at me, but nodded, ever so slightly.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg3oTyo16G
"How is anyone still afraid of ghosts? Almost all ghost stories have been disproven."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRNeJNc5wM
"So you've never been scared of anything?" Atlas folded his arms defensively.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPNZXlVmTv
"I'm scared of lots of things, but all my fears are completely rational, like natural disasters, the ocean, and my hairline receding."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2JOCnuXwr
"And floating islands." Atlas playfully bumped my shoulder.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDcTaOYJK0
"Exactly." He nudged the steel ground with his foot. "These things are unstable and shouldn't be trusted."
Almost on cue, the foundations creaked, and I repressed a shriek. I'm never going to get used to that!
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EJmcNc85q
We scoured the boardwalk for Harv's stall. Several stall owners barked at us, trying to get us to waste our credits in an attempt to win worthless junk. It was wonderful. I love carnivals!
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMdRT0AFPR
Atlas snapped to attention, and his hands hovered over the hilts of his knives. "Something's not right." He signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2FHFsnfJo
I rolled my eyes. "What? Is it a malevolent sea-ghost?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DlDSjZ0Of
"I can assure you I am very much alive." Vindicator stepped out of a cloud of mist.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa96COYimUB
Atlas lunged towards him and pressed his knives against Vindicator's throat.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyk6APp2La
"You're so violent, Curseword." Vindicator shook his head disapprovingly. "Your sister thinks you're all pure and innocent, but I know better. You're the same monster you've always been."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjdOUOANRR
Atlas pinned him to the wall with the knives and glared at him, with an expression that said, Don't talk about my sister!
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJDn7OvI6m
"Ignore him, man. He's clearly trying to rile you up." I can't believe I was being the voice of reason. What has the world come to?
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HjRhahgyd
Vindicator let out a long, slow laugh. "He's always been so emotional."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvioub2WdJ
"You don't know me!" Atlas signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tWuZ4qLJu
Vindicator's gaze drifted from me to Atlas. "I know you very well."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBPrPatf1Z
"Why are you here?" I demanded.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP22iXOKPLV
"I want the map." He stated plainly.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKXXj6FPag
"Come on! You want the map, too?" Everyone on Ikigai II seems to want that stupid map!
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75dPimQG06
"You stole it from my employer, Gabriel St. Martin, and I've come to take it back," Vindicator said.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryFJFSudKQ
"That's too bad, because we're keeping it!" I said.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzIKabzfBj
Vindicator let out a low grumble. "I'm sorry to hear that." He wrenched himself free from the wall and sent the knives clattering to the ground. "I suppose I'll have to take the map by force." He curled his fist and targeted Atlas's face. His aim landed true, and he sent Atlas stumbling backward. A river of blood flowed from his nose and mouth.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48qAPaf69i
While Vindicator was focused on Atlas, I swooped down and picked up one of the knives. I sneak towards Vindicator, trying to get the drop on him.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAvs90WFKl
He spun around and drove his fist into my stomach. A surge of pain flooded my abdomen. A faint whimper escaped my lips.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgzquZafL5
"I'm not falling for that trick again." Vindicator twisted my wrist, trying to get me to drop the knife, but I refused to let go.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8tigPGd7q
Atlas grabbed him from behind and shoved him backwards onto the ground. Atlas threw me his Holowatch and mouthed the word, run.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBUYM2iTdd
I didn't need to be told twice, I caught the watch and dashed away. Vindicator followed me. He was much faster than I was, thanks to him having two cybernetic legs as opposed to my one. The chase resembled a cheetah hunting a gazelle.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbYJGAp1Ru
Several carnival-goers stopped and stared at the scene playing out before them. I ignored them and continued sprinting.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESqhNYp3Wn
Eventually, my assailant caught up with me and tried to pry the Holowatch free from my grasp. I clutched onto it as tightly as possible, nearly cracking the screen in the process. Once Vindicator realized I wasn't going to relinquish the watch, he tried a different strategy. He lifted me off the ground and threw me into one of the carnival stalls. Luckily, the stuffed animals were there to break my fall.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE53yoSwHD
Concerned shouts and mutterings arose from the crowd.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeksdeM6VYU
I used the surrounding chaos to my advantage. I crawled out of the pile of stuffed animals and slipped out of the carnival stall undetected. I ran north as far as I could until I reached the end of the boardwalk. There was nothing in front of me but a vast expanse of sea. I was trapped. The sound of my heartbeat loudly in my ears as I racked my brain for a way out.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIqR8RkHpx
Vindicator rapidly approached me. "I have to say, I keep underestimating you, Chase. I thought you'd be easier to neutralize."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMahzilCxh
I frantically glanced around for an escape. "Umm, thanks?"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGxPZxu3r8
Vindicator was only a few steps away from me. I was about to lose hope when I saw Atlas racing towards us, like a sweaty, gross, guardian angel. My relief was palpable. Vindicator turned his head to see what I was looking at. Without thinking, I slapped him in the face, almost knocking his mask off before he caught sight of Atlas. Vindicator reached for my throat, but I sidestepped out of the way. He reached for me again, but Atlas snuck up behind him and pushed off the edge of the boardwalk. He fell into the freezing ocean with a loud splash.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0vzmhuYl2
Atlas and I both fought to catch our breath.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7a91S0Bmg
"Do you still have the Holowatch?" Atlas signed.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC4v8NxXBw
I nodded and proudly displayed it in my hand.
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbllXiBGUL3
Atlas couldn't contain his delight. "You did it!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBeb4BbU4F
I waved my hand dismissively. "It was nothing."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOXdjYGcPJ
"No, it wasn't. You saved this mission!"
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqAi87bksw
"I know. I'm a total badass, but I was trying to be humble for once." I wiped the blood off Atlas's face with my sleeve. "You look awful."
468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvAAP9kkiT
He grimaced but held still until I was finished wiping the blood off. "Now let's go finish that map!"
ns216.73.216.238da2
