Atlas collapsed to his knees. His whole body was racked with silent sobs.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgDQaos5HU
I knelt beside him and wrapped my arms around him. I gently patted him on the back. "There, there. Don't cry, you'll mess up your concealer." I don't know how to comfort him. Hell, I don't even know why he's crying!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD50nQFqYmR
Atlas returned my embrace. "I lied." He said through our cerebral link.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tDFFvRZ7n
I tentatively wiped his tears with my sleeve. "What did you lie about?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pzcyg2OjQ
"I do know him, or at least I think I do." He confessed.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7kOyLtFFu
He didn't specify who he was talking about. He didn't need to. "How long have you known who Vindicator was?" I kept my tone calm and even, but I felt betrayed. How could Atlas keep this secret from me?
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz3HaSxBgQ
"I didn't know! I still don't know for certain, it's just a feeling."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46u2dAEPfe
I gave a pensive nod, trying to understand. "You think you know him, but you're not sure"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBe4KaLWCu
For the first time in this conversation, Atlas met my gaze. "I think he's the one who ripped me apart."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48tqP4nZLj
"Oh my God!" No wonder he was so worked up. I subconsciously fingered the scarf that covered the scars on his neck.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsObBm5Nq4s
Tears poured from his soft brown eyes. "I'm scared, Chase."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa5BZQxwz6
I patted his shoulders. "Do you want me to kill that guy for you? Because I'll totally kill him for you."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX9foWYj2Q
Atlas let out a silent chuckle. Then he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure you could kill him. You almost had him in your last brawl."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Sd0H15od
At least he's still being sarcastic, that's a good sign. "Our first fight was a warm-up. You haven't seen me when my power is at its fullest," I joked.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iviUGdAMZ
Atlas smirked at me. "You've changed."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMo2qPYpLE
"I have?" I don't feel that different.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OixLU8ctY
Atlas nodded wisely. "You're not nearly as much of an asshole."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ByHYo25ER
"The past couple of days have humbled me."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpqGXQNa1L
"I kind of like you when you're not being a total douchebag."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6OnRil2yC
"You know what? I kind of like me, too."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPDrAQZObx
"Thank you for being my friend."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG8mVbedcB
"No, thank you for standing by me." I ran my fingers down my scarred cheek. I'd still be wallowing in my room if it wasn't for you." Honestly, I didn’t know if I was ready for everyone at the party to see my new appearance, but if Atlas wasn't by my side, I wouldn't have even considered coming here.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xrgs3xXEf
Atlas seemed to sense nervousness. He tried to reassure me. "They'll most likely be too distracted by your jacket to notice your face."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiirE8LNmJK
"I hope you're right." I rose to my feet and offered Atlas my hand.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhtIL6tz1A
Atlas accepted my hand and I helped him stand.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrYrpbh90l
"The party is going to start soon. Are you ready to go?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eWqg2lqpE
Atlas nodded reluctantly. He shut off our cybernetic link, then we walked to the room where the girls were getting ready.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3pc0T6TcI
When we entered the room, we caught sight of the girls with their ears pressed against the wall.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZU7DcUTNy
I loudly cleared my throat. If they're going to eavesdrop, they could at least try to be subtle about it.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkSKWksFsP
Katrina let out a startled squeak when she noticed us.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR137nqsztb
"Were you eavesdropping on us?" Atlas signed furiously.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbtJU78oiN
"Umm, no," Marisa stammered. "We were just checking to see if you needed backup. Things sounded intense in there."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALyYg2K8c3
"That conversation was private, you had no right to listen in!"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDs1uhjhoO
"I wanted to make sure you were okay. Talking about Vindicator must be hard for you."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZeDI7BMXF
Atlas froze. "What do you know about Vindicator?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cmsPHhpbX
A look of guilt flashed across her face. "Umm, not much. You fought against him in the Cybrawl, right?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom5JGlfkPf
Atlas shot her a cold, prying, glare. "There's something you're not telling me."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscswSXCpi7
Marisa stared down at the floor. "What do you mean?" Her voice trembled with every word.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoWklsveWx
"You know something about Vindicator, don't you?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWNOj3P5hK
She lowered her head. "I don't know what you're talking about.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHfCqCAauT
Atlas forced her to meet his gaze. "You knew who Vindicator was, didn't you?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ495JCO5Uzi
"How could I have possibly known that?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ3jh9e0aI
"Answer the question: Did you, or did you not, know who Vindicator was?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4oyx3JseE
Marisa gave a reluctant nod.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qN5bb9JFi
Atlas appeared calm on the outside, but I could sense the hurt and anger beneath his poised exterior.
"How long have you known?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLNIbIJQ2a
"I've known for less than a day, I was as surprised as you."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjNyIRdfnp
"How could you keep this from me?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi97ecIlmP
"I wanted to protect you."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIjU9gZjSy
"I am not a child in need of coddling! Stop treating me like one."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJluMbLNght
Marisa flinched at the outburst.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLs3X9iV9C
"We don't know his identity for certain, right? It's just a hunch." I said in an attempt to mediate the situation.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F3Wsu8YrQ
Marisa shook her head. "No, I do know. He called me. I saw him remove his mask. I saw his face."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvGNnDwdVA
Atlas wrapped his arms around himself for some semblance of comfort.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysHt8RMhMB
I shot Marisa a dubious glare. "Why were you talking to Vindicator?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKmroKp2qr
"Hey, he was the one who contacted me! He was the one who told me Patch was in danger."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Hwcmq6sX
"Can we believe anything he says?" Atlas singed.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDMaKh1qAn
"I don't know, but he claims he wants to help Patch," Marisa said.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKGKjCOVO0
"He ripped me apart, Marisa. He can't be trusted."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnMJky9pIK
"I know that."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcxQHUvyKY
"Never speak to him again, Marisa," Atlas commanded, then he stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3TUXrLzOA
"Should I after him?" I stared at the closed door. It felt wrong to desert my friend in his moment of crisis. He listened to me cry for three days, the least I can do is be there for him now.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYIOPs0gPG
Katrina shook her head. "Atlas is experiencing some big feelings right now. You should give him some space.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgjvbEPXnr
I lowered my head. "Maybe your right." It felt wrong, but maybe it was for the best.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvNj8zBOB3
I scanned the girls up and down, analyzing their outfits. Marisa wore a satin yellow gown with a sweetheart neckline. The sunny yellow fabric complemented her magenta hair perfectly. Katrina wore a slinky black dress with a large slit up the side. "I love your dresses!" I said.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3gPBkI361
Katrina twirled around, "Thanks, I picked one with a slit in case I need to kick someone's ass during the party." She did a high kick to illustrate her point. She looked like she could kill a man if she put her mind to it.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbnOHV0rnX
Marisa stroked the skirt with a concerned expression on her face. "Whose clothes are these? I feel kind of weird wearing someone else's clothes without their permission."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn9L8oG8FM
"I have no idea," I confessed."I think the party is starting. We should head downstairs."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdazlJPpDM
"Oh, I'm not going to the party. I'm staying right here." Marisa sat down on the bed. "My anxiety has reached its limit. I'm not going on any more adventures today. You can message me when you get the map."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3jIJWhtXp
"Why'd you get dressed up if you're not going to party?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUWkHM6gDJ
She shrugged."Because it's fun."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCR6regbs3
I stared at the bedroom door. "I'm going to go find Atlas. I need to make sure he's okay, and not about to do something reckless.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d3EnqF3pc
Katrina rolled her eyes. "Go ahead, ignore my advice, that's fine. What do I know?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYB1yHefb7
I would have responded, but I was already out the door. I spotted Atlas at the end of the hall, heading towards the stairs. It was almost like he waited for me. "Atlas, buddy! Wait up!"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmh8GszAr8
He hesitated for just a moment as I caught up.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6sjrcKVsQ
Atlas trudged down the spiral staircase with a determined expression. From the outside, he looked like a steadfast man on a mission, but anyone who knew him would sense that he seemed detached. Like his body was going through the motions, but his mind was in a far-off place where no one could reach him.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLb7iIpjzb
I tried to lighten the mood. "You'll love this party, Aunt Marjorie is almost as good at event planning as she is at being a terrible person."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsRw2gSiyN
I'm not interested in partying, I'm here to swipe the map and get the hell out of here."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTUgRqoHEL
I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay, you want to focus on the mission. I can respect that."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2M9kj0Q2S
We silently continued our walk down the stairs, through the corridor, and into the
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPD7OuiZaB
The ballroom looked like a dream of shimmering silver and sparkling chandeliers. I hated to admit it, but Aunt Marjorie sure does know how to decorate.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwkvCbTjuC
Atlas wasn't impressed by the decor. "Do you have any idea where your Aunt would keep the map?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjVYFTAB5r
I shook my head. "I try to stay out of her way as much as possible."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoONq4mkDUL
"Let's split up and try to cover as much ground as possible."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLVp5TrsW4
Before I had time to comment, he'd already marched away. Okay, I guess we're going our separate ways. I wish he'd ask my opinion every once in a while. I aimlessly wandered around the ballroom. I tilted my head at an angle that obstructed my scars. I know it was silly, everyone's seen the Cybrawl, but I wasn't ready for everyone to get a close up of the new me. I thought back to what Atlas said earlier. You're not ugly, Chase. He was probably lying to spare my feelings. I have to be at least a little ugly, right? If scars aren't ugly, then why have I never seen a model with them? Why do people that look like me hide their faces if there isn't something unsightly about them? Maybe we're not the problem, maybe it's the people who made us feel less than for things we can't control.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UUtf3gD44
I was so deep in contemplation I walked directly into someone, causing her to spill champagne all over the ballroom floor.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd89jpyTtN
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" The girl shouted at me.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc4BNHMdgO
"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IZuP6C6UU
She scanned me with a scrutinizing stare, then smirked. "Chase Huxley, is that you?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsTDgGe6G8
"Yeah, I'm Chase Huxley. Who the hell are you?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflK030pM2c
She shot me an irked expression. "It's me, Becka Helinski."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGMlmmyb6C
I racked my brain for any trace of that name but came up empty. It must have shown on my face because Becka said, "Seriously? We've known each other for years."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAL85PoxFy
"Not ringing any bells."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP20aQcVir5
She rolled her eyes. "We talked a month ago, right before you disappeared. I was at Jaxon Wan's Tax Day Extravaganza, remember?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjEEdZM4mb
Oh, yeah! That was the last party I went to before the crash. "Sorry, I didn't remember, I had other things on my mind," I admitted. "Can you believe Jaxon Wan threw a party for Tax Day?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5CZZJGbNK
"Of course I can, he throws a party for every holiday. You missed his International Penguin Day Jubilee. He flooded the mansion with live penguins. It was truly a sight to behold."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXnzzZBjPL
"Do you ever think maybe it's a little excessive?" I asked.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1mzSkO6QQ
"What are you talking about, Chase? You're obsessed with Jackson Wan's parties. You attended every single one last year. You skipped your mother's birthday party, so you could go to Jaxon Wan's Labor Day Bash."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd4BX2PzGz
I let out a remorseful sigh. "I did do all of those things, but I'm starting to wonder what's the point of all this?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmptvHqZSI
"The point is to have fun." Becka laughed. "What's gotten into you? You've been so weird since they replaced your brains with circuits."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtkKGZiOHY
I self-consciously fiddled with my cybernetic arm. "Don't talk like that. My brain hasn't changed. I'm still me, I just got a few upgrades, that's all."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lgRph9FcQ
"It was a joke. There's no need to be so sensitive," Becka huffed.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvMoXTLURs
"I guess I overreacted," I said halfheartedly. I peered over Becka's head and scanned the ballroom for any sign of Atlas. I hope he's not getting himself caught. I don't know if I can rescue him by myself if he's captured.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlmpcAnHRj
Becka turned around to see what I was seeing. "What are doing?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R21miPELG
"I was just looking for something." I shrugged. "It's not important." That was a lie. He was important, but I wasn't going to say anything that could alert Becka or anyone else to our plans.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchrriSx8cp
She scanned my expression, then her lips curled upward in a wicked grin. "You're looking for that cyborg, aren't you?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcdCcjomJw
"What cyborg?" I played dumb, something I happened to be an expert at.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ8HfpNDzI
"The cyborg from the Cybrawl."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLuNLO0zyZ
"I don't know what you're talking about."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qBJBvsD1N
"The cyborg with the white hair. I think his name is Axel."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkBsPgtXOV
"It's Atlas," I corrected.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPhJM393W4
She gave a triumphant smirk. "So you admit you know him?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a5ebj2v8v
Damn, I walked right into her trap! "Um, maybe."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWdLud1urk
She snickered. "It's okay, I'd be embarrassed if I came here with a cyborg too."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBZxofkLKQ
I clenched my trembling fists, trying to contain my fury. "Have you forgotten that I'm a cyborg too?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsYobPEY8k
She remained unfazed. "Yeah, but you're not like him."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSlalNfQV5
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFZmltMol9
She gestured towards my cybernetic parts. "Look at you. You're just a person who got into an accident and got a few robot parts. He's something else entirely, he's barely human."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm93N2rmsh
I clenched my teeth and took a step towards her. "Don't you dare talk about him like that!" I spat.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFL21CNZPt
"Jeez, I don't know why you care so much," She said.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVbJcSQd3o
I stormed away without another word. I can't believe I used to talk like her! I glanced back and noticed Becka was still staring at me. I ducked behind a nearby pillar to escape her gaze. During my grand escape, I smacked into someone. I gazed down to see Atlas leaned up against the pillar.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiK0lkHV5j
"Did you hear any of that?” I asked.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY4HnGHALl
A somber look crossed Atlas's face, and he nodded.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ijecfbI8
"I'm sorry about Becka. She’s a real bitch."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxAnRN3QxC
"Thank you for standing up for me."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNTrvEvh2Y
Of course, no cyborg deserves to be talked about that way. Except for Vindicator and Oblivion, and probably a bunch of others, but my point still stands. She had no right to say those things."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGViR2I0Kf
Atlas smirked at me. "Let's get out of here. I don't think this party is for us."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEe2MEddGe
"Yes, please! Let's get the hell out of here." I never thought I live to see the day I longed to leave a party, but a lot can change. I went from being the life of the party to someone who wasn't even welcome in a month.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDli71PS0mP
"Do you know your way around the mansion?" Atlas asked.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt75xUE4F0P
I nodded.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtz0zlH4pV
"Good. Let's split up and cover as much ground as possible. I'll search the left-wing, you'll search the right, and Katrina will search upstairs. You can contact me using our cerebral link if you find something."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMrk4YH7pi
Before I had time to respond, he was already walking away. He needs to stop doing that!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4BLQW6lYu
I followed Atlas's instructions and slipped out of the ballroom when no one was looking. I slunk down the corridor and searched every room. I didn't find the map, but I did find a wine cellar, a basketball court, an indoor pool, a sauna, a conservatory, and three recreation rooms. The only other person that has three recreation rooms is Jaxon Wan. Quite frankly, I think it's excessive. What does my miserable old aunt need three recreation rooms for? It's certainly suspicious. After scouring most of the mansion’s right-wing to no avail, I was losing hope. "Where is it?" I muttered.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJBNg2h1jv
"Chase? What are you doing?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjRG524xlh
Dammit! I've been discovered! I hesitantly turned around to see who caught me red-handed. "Mason?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnRgtv9h4Y
"Wait up!"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgHBBOWrBK
I didn't move as Mason jogged towards me. What was he doing here?
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq0bYmH71Z
He patted me on the shoulder. "You didn't tell me you were going to be here tonight."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIvTnEoGkQ
I let out a nervous chuckle. "It was a last-minute decision."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8BBL8gmCW
He narrowed his gaze and studied my cybernetic parts for so long I began to feel uncomfortable. I asked a question in an attempt to redirect his attention. "How'd you get invited to this party? Are you someone's plus one?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9UUGtZSE7
"Oh, your Aunt Marjorie invited me."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtMDTOjvmF
I quirked an eyebrow. "Since when do you know my aunt, Marjorie?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQCWjq954Y
"You've introduced us."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrS5DQWMD5
I stroked my chin. "I don't remember you two meeting."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sGQY515BK
Mason scoffed. "Well, your memory isn't anything to write home about."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VAfqsCnug
"Rude."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7BMhm4YwR
"You still haven't told me what you're looking for?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgnSbneQaq
"I am looking for..." I said the first thing that came to mind. "Drugs."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNaIjbwUIW
"Drugs?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS7OHs7Roz
It's too late to take it back, so I'm going to have to roll with it. "Yeah, I've been feeling pretty uptight, so I'm going to take something to help me chill out. Aunt Marjorie keeps a stash around here somewhere. Don't ask her about it, she'll just deny it. It's her dirty little secret."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zZMuC3O3I
Mason's expression fell. "I thought you were better than this, Chase. I knew you were going through a hard time, but I never thought you'd start doing drugs and fighting in Cybrawls. Who got you into this mess?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yFEnltXDJ
As much as I dreaded it, I had to keep lying. "I learned it by watching you!"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrAIfomZxE
He recoiled. "What?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEAAlg0hqw
"I don't know, I made that up."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iYzLnKo4k
Mason let out an exasperated sigh. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG12vMmnr6G
I stared down at the ground. A lump formed in my throat. "So much is wrong with me. I have no idea how anyone puts up with me."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGrdnfO2h9
Mason didn't object, and I'm not going to lie, it kind of hurt.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd5UA0lI7G
I changed the subject. "What are doing down here in the right-wing?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7BrUXr7dl
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I had to go to the bathroom."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9j169NLnb
"Well, you're in the wrong place, the bathrooms are in the left-wing."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mYADj7qMT
He let out an awkward chuckle. "I'm a little lost."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71wlNCe0J7
"You should hurry, the bathrooms are pretty far from here."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZYPER8Hcz
He nodded but didn't move for a long time. Eventually, he said, "I'll see you around, Chase." Then vanished down the corridor.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj26hdQvqeZ
That was the one of the most uncomfortable conversations I've ever had. That's saying something considering I've chatted with Vindicator and Oblivion. What the hell is up with Mason? He's acting so strange. It's like I don't know my best friend anymore, maybe I never did. I shook my head and opened the next door. It led to what appeared to be a large, square office. The room was almost pitch black except for a small glowing lava lamp on the desk. What kind of billionaire CEO has a lava lamp. She needs to hire an interior decorator because she clearly has no taste.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwcwyGDVlF
I stumbled through the shadows, searching for a light switch. Why is it so freaking dark in here? Then I remembered I had cybernetics. I adjusted my optics to the point a could see out of my cybernetic eye. Thank you, cyborg night vision! I scanned the room for anywhere she might have stashed the map when I noticed something in the corner of the room. I screamed. Oblivion! I waited for them to attack, or speak or do anything, but they remained completely still. I took a step towards Oblivion. It was a stupid move, I know. They remained completely still, like a statue. Then I realized it was because they were a statue. This wasn't Oblivion, it was a mannequin wearing the costume. I let out a breath of relief. What was it doing here? I reactivated the cerebral link. "Atlas, we have a problem."
ns3.145.86.137da2
