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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAGgVG47ku43
A loud ringing sound caused me and the cat to startle. "What the hell was that?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANASo2RtDNlos
Atlas pointed to a small device mounted on the wall but didn't stop pacing.
160Please respect copyright.PENANARj43MxlAky
"What is it?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAoqni1Ffz6l
"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!
160Please respect copyright.PENANAk1HeuKTXGd
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAd0is6gYsml
"You've officially lost your damn mind, Chase!" A familiar voice shouted on the other end of the line.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAVqqtUiBaa2
"Mason! How'd you find me?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANABVFF3cs7Pw
"That's not important right now. We need to talk about your reckless actions."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAdg8Flh1KUh
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmgY3xEXp9l
"I'm talking about you participating in an Ikigai Cybrawl!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANA0uXjJ7dptk
"Oh! That reckless action! Thanks for clarifying. Did you know that everything is allowed in an Ikigai Cybrawl? How is that even legal?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAWkYdGCoDp1
Mason let out an aggravated sigh. "Yes, I did know that."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmvcw1MIk71
"Am I the only person who didn't know?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAZE6HkEDici
Mason didn't answer my question, all he said was, "How is it possible for someone to be as stupid as you?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANA9iXOImUsQl
"Is that rhetorical, or do you actually want to know?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANA7gX5yElAP5
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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAKDeQRn79dI
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAKbl4DD8Eru
He went quiet. "There are worse things in life than being a cyborg, you know?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAJkWgQCS6PA
I sighed. "I guess for some people, but I'm a model, I'm supposed to be perfect."
160Please respect copyright.PENANATFK837cVZC
"Oh, I forgot, you think look cyborgs creepy and gross." His voice dripped with disdain.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAa5PenGeQd5
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAEemmh8R89n
"How do you know that?" Mason argued.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAK8S14n1d1d
"Because it's never happened before. No cyborg has ever made it big in the modeling industry."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA5tj39Nh6xn
"So, you're giving up before you even try?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6xn1lllXo
"I guess I am."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA62UHTyNTSe
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA6WVWySvOAv
I scoffed."Are you my therapist now?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANALzkrHC5fGq
"You have no idea how much danger you've put yourself in, do you?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAllZYgtIvPi
Chills ran down my spine.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA0sgpWp0dmX
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAQEuKkOmeNQ
"You forgot to mention Vindicator. I've made an enemy of him too."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAd543FSputt
"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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAAAI1CMLlcl
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAvqlZA6N2CJ
Both Atlas and the cat were staring at me.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAondR6Q1jz9
"What?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAKIY2ASAHT0
Atlas snuffed out his cigarette. "Who was that?" He signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAPl331mVi0f
"My best friend."
160Please respect copyright.PENANANSgcyLOqSu
"I thought Jackson Wan was your best friend."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAxBUboSksi0
I let out a wistful sigh. "I wish."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAkQe7Q548QT
"That conversation was heated."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAoUAYyy9v8u
"Didn't anyone ever tell you eavesdropping is rude?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANArW2g4Iu08u
"It's not like you were being discreet. I'm mute, not deaf. I couldn't help but overhear."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAWtUvdpYXSG
I rolled my eyes and let out a long breath.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAYhN0jjWs80
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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAan1WDhFM83
"Are you kicking me off the mission?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAEAF9zvmKWm
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAdLeI990ip6
"This is my life, and I'm choosing to stay. I want to finish what we started."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmin9vyEQj0
He smiled and nodded.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAVCjBECwrkV
We sat in awkward silence for several moments.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAW5iwgq9b8d
"So, now what do we do?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANA4lFdS4WpUV
"I don't know," Atlas confessed. "I didn't think it through this far. I need time to think.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAY6xFh26t6k
I plopped down on the futon. "Wake me up when you figure it out."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAKz0uSie5WN
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAN4G4ZlUdSg
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAOVUxBVvY04
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAYRY3IC6z08
Venus meowed and rubbed against my legs once she noticed I was awake.
160Please respect copyright.PENANArRxn7C10jg
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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAOas7kg0ORo
I surveyed the littered papers and shrugged. "There are worse coping mechanisms out there."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA0eIAlJ9hid
The cat clawed at my legs and let out a series of loud whines.
160Please respect copyright.PENANASiRvrT6ew1
"I think she's trying to tell us something," I said.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmL17GX4scJ
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAqUteHRgdAT
The landline rang once more.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAYL7c8jXzg4
"You should answer that." Atlas signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA5vDdCwhuyT
"Why me? I answered it the first time! You should do it this time!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAUrx5TRN08Y
"I can't speak, dumbass."
160Please respect copyright.PENANABUvnA1v6QN
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAlkfcx7b3Nw
I picked up the landline and pressed it to my ear. I turned on the speakerphone, so Atlas could listen in. "Hello?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANA2wJXM3vvly
"Is this the Contreras' safe house?" Asked a female voice on the other end of the line.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAnXgh84sPji
"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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA4cZj3uuqVK
"Chase! It's Katrina!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAgUlJGhf8Du
"Who?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5KDQO1YX7
"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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAo2iX05lkA8
"Hmm." I rubbed my chin in thought.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA7SmF6ThUDd
"Seriously?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2AzkIzZFR
"I'm not very good at remembering people, okay!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANArhJ7m2ulS2
She sighed. "Never mind that, I've got Marisa here with me and—"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAuXmqrHXAq2
"Remind me who Marisa is," I interjected.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAoGCRId9wrz
"My sister!" Atlas signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANADjYikec0NC
"Oh, the pink-haired girl!" I said.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAdy2i6zjHVt
"Is Atlas with you?" Marisa asked.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAZIpuT1P93q
I made eye contact with Atlas, and he gave a nod, permitting me to share his whereabouts. "Yeah, he's here with me."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAjOFthGj4YB
"Why haven't you answered any of my calls?" Marisa interrogated.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAYUaZUxKuFJ
"I was busy." He signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAwp3W3DGpw1
I relayed the message. "He says he was busy?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAyO2fTsv5lv
"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!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANASzy5NK46KY
A look of horror crossed Atlas's face. "What?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAQo8TCcBwh8
"What happened?" I asked.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAkEkYRwV39G
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAD83BH21vl7
Atlas looked like he'd been stabbed in the heart.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAV8WHrQCCTY
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA162lg172F5
Atlas wrapped his arms around himself and stared at the ground.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA4nL1mJQWix
"What did they look like? Did they leave any information behind?" I asked, even though I dreaded the answer.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAximaoSmH8V
"I didn't get a good look at them, and their face was covered by a black mask."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmnmcDXRzGQ
Atlas and I shared an uneasy glance. "Did they look scrawny and wimpy?" I asked.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAp7LBIb4I9P
"Umm, a little."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAJW4jAaydED
"I've had a run in with the same cyborg. They're an assassin in the Cyborg Army. They go by the name Oblivion."
160Please respect copyright.PENANADgykeTUKDT
"I know. The cyborg that attacked me had a Bionic Corp I.D. pin with that name on it."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA6AVCXkMT7x
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAHOJjFfOaNW
Atlas tensed up, as if he shared my concerns. Things have gotten dire very quickly.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAk2N4E0oHEl
Marisa let out a dejected sigh. "Katrina told me what you to have been up to."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmg78EXHEVH
"Katrina!" I scolded.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAr22aVkziFO
"No, I want to help you," Marisa said.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAl7ktX8Hcra
"Are you sure?" Atlas signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANADXngmrKFah
I relayed his message.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAilGbQyHMsK
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAfz9spYN0Lr
"Thank you, Marisa." Atlas signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANANqcAcbTKVd
"Atlas, says thanks."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAZUZS2TdJoc
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAAExmEbbpMd
I turned to Atlas. "Do you know this guy?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANA9Q6MRhN7G3
Atlas raised an eyebrow. Why would I know him?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAsgdflKkf7x
"You've known everyone we've met so far. I just assumed you knew everyone. This is a small island."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA7YxBcxoDTx
"It's not that small."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAWxCySd3vCe
"I sent you the address to Harv's shop. You should find him there." Marisa said.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAF43eq4tyir
"What are we waiting for? Let's go."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAUW59kTX09A
****
Atlas parked his Hovercycle across from the boardwalk entrance.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAi3QcqTeaHq
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAcfkC9ySpXj
Atlas dismounted, removed his helmet, and tentatively crept in the direction of the boardwalk. He kept his hands near his knives, ready to strike.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAFKYfmpeypR
"What's wrong?" I whispered, scanning the surrounding area for danger with my cybernetic vision.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAUJTk4rhQzq
"We need to be careful; there are tales of malevolent sea-ghosts haunting this pier." He signed, anxiously glancing around.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA1uBTJHwHHx
"Pffft. Are you afraid of ghosts?" I tried to suppress a laugh.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAVFyNeZHdxp
He glared at me, but nodded, ever so slightly.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAvdtao5oxEq
"How is anyone still afraid of ghosts? Almost all ghost stories have been disproven."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAtscSkoZdzs
"So you've never been scared of anything?" Atlas folded his arms defensively.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA3TSJUS1rjU
"I'm scared of lots of things, but all my fears are completely rational, like natural disasters, the ocean, and my hairline receding."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAKkuUWYd3wo
"And floating islands." Atlas playfully bumped my shoulder.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAyqPDyTTWf7
"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!
160Please respect copyright.PENANAWtzv0pfZFt
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!
160Please respect copyright.PENANACpn48uBN2P
Atlas snapped to attention, and his hands hovered over the hilts of his knives. "Something's not right." He signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAbmpLVNgyNE
I rolled my eyes. "What? Is it a malevolent sea-ghost?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAHMledQx8II
"I can assure you I am very much alive." Vindicator stepped out of a cloud of mist.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAzYAAPn8pQi
Atlas lunged towards him and pressed his knives against Vindicator's throat.
160Please respect copyright.PENANArjUcRSbtZ2
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANA3hMsTGpPQ4
Atlas pinned him to the wall with the knives and glared at him, with an expression that said, Don't talk about my sister!
160Please respect copyright.PENANAmvS8raRwMG
"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?
160Please respect copyright.PENANAOjjJx3S4tb
Vindicator let out a long, slow laugh. "He's always been so emotional."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAHBxnTKIu9U
"You don't know me!" Atlas signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA4BIhUES1uC
Vindicator's gaze drifted from me to Atlas. "I know you very well."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAfWXjSixgva
"Why are you here?" I demanded.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAH8RE8oxbdF
"I want the map." He stated plainly.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAH8OUWAsIra
"Come on! You want the map, too?" Everyone on Ikigai II seems to want that stupid map!
160Please respect copyright.PENANAJJjAAzzwLC
"You stole it from my employer, Gabriel St. Martin, and I've come to take it back," Vindicator said.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAVofjSJ1cIT
"That's too bad, because we're keeping it!" I said.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAkD6w6Wx8e5
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAblzUWTfFQD
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAvbEuyRPBAl
He spun around and drove his fist into my stomach. A surge of pain flooded my abdomen. A faint whimper escaped my lips.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAg30KMTFQco
"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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANApMzkEcGq99
Atlas grabbed him from behind and shoved him backwards onto the ground. Atlas threw me his Holowatch and mouthed the word, run.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAkCtWUJuCsk
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAdhvWLRJz2R
Several carnival-goers stopped and stared at the scene playing out before them. I ignored them and continued sprinting.
160Please respect copyright.PENANApzBbHxZXfp
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAKaeJkeCbsA
Concerned shouts and mutterings arose from the crowd.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA8MWMnV2fZl
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA74cyk6TvLX
Vindicator rapidly approached me. "I have to say, I keep underestimating you, Chase. I thought you'd be easier to neutralize."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAVEP0kesGTS
I frantically glanced around for an escape. "Umm, thanks?"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAAD1uSj187m
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.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAolXZCIC07M
Atlas and I both fought to catch our breath.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA9aLfYMBcdg
"Do you still have the Holowatch?" Atlas signed.
160Please respect copyright.PENANA4C27UxQkSF
I nodded and proudly displayed it in my hand.
160Please respect copyright.PENANAp6ZmWx2STv
Atlas couldn't contain his delight. "You did it!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANAK8N6HkYpCZ
I waved my hand dismissively. "It was nothing."
160Please respect copyright.PENANAqRZV9Gr5nX
"No, it wasn't. You saved this mission!"
160Please respect copyright.PENANALN0QesSf5O
"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."
160Please respect copyright.PENANASjVQIlAV6r
He grimaced but held still until I was finished wiping the blood off. "Now let's go finish that map!"
ns 172.71.254.134da2