《Internet 24》


 Welcome To Internet (Part 1)

    There are events, places, and people forgotten by time. That''s what we want. In a field of grass nestled between farmland sits a square white building with windows. It lives on the outskirts of Classified, and trust me when I say it is entirely average. Its name, INTERNET.


    This corporation has two purposes. The first is to provide high-speed internet to the farmers who live off the radar of traditional cable companies. The second is that... you should hear it from the horse''s mouth. Where is this horse? It''s on basement floor 15 of the building, in room 1524.


    The room is small and square, with two desks hugging the wall and one facing the door''s glass opaque window. A thin layer of dust coats the roam except for the computer monitor and microphone on the head desk. In the room, a 3rd generation roach walks on the walls his grandfather journeyed on, then it hears something. A sound lost to this room since the fall of the previous giant. It hears two mean bickering on the other side of the door.


    RICO


    But why way down here?


    EDWARD


    You did this to yourself. You''re the one who didn''t want to be a field agent anymore.


    The roach scurries as the door handle twists. The door opens, and a disgruntled Edward opens the door.


    Standing next to him in a short-sleeved grey button-down with small red dots and the same black slacks and sneakers is Rico. He is a 27-year-old Hispanic male with his hair tied up in a bun but with the sides shaven. He has large thin silver-rimmed glasses.


    They step into the office, Edward rolling his eyes with every word Rico complains.


    RICO


    It was crazy out there, Edward. I saw a shark jump out of a dude''s stomach and flop its way into a tv and not break the tv, like it went inside the tv show.


    Rico stops and stares into the distance. The horrors and carnage of what he saw replayed in his mind.


    RICO


    Dipper didn''t see it coming.


    EDWARD


    That''s what you signed up for.


    RICO


    That''s not true. There''s no way to sign up for that. We don''t go in during those "events."


    EDWARD


    Well, you sighed up for this when you tried to quit.


    Edward flicks the light as the bulbs struggle to turn on, but they do. Rico basks in the forgotten room glory as the light bounces off the floating dust particles.


    RICO


    Where am I?


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    Edward walks to the table and pulls out the chair. He holds a smile and shakes the chair a bit, tempting Rico to sit. Rico, on the other hand, finds this incredibly insulting, but Edward is the one who signs his checks, so he goes along.


    EDWARD


    Here''s your seat.


    RICO


    Am I cleaning this room?


    In the shadows, tiny feet scurry away.


    RICO


    Oh, hell no. Was that?


    Edward smiles, ignoring the question.


    EDWARD


    Your new duties include-


    RICO


    Was it a rat?


    EDWARD


    Relax.


    RICO


    No, no, NO. I can''t be in a rat-infested room.


    EDWARD


    At least it doesn''t have roaches.


    The roach in the wall releases a sigh of relief, knowing its family secret is safe and I will continue the pilgrimage its grandfather started.


    EDWARD


    You work for INTERNET and will work in whatever room they want. Rat-infested, roach-infested, even if it''s filled with the bubonic plague.


    RICO


    Our company has a weird name; it doesn''t make sense.


    EDWARD


    That''s the point. It''s a name no one would expect. Our job is to record everything that happens in the world. From the ordinary to the impossible.If Tim forgets a cup of coffee, we better know howmuch sugar it had. If an ancient civilization of Gator people rises from the swamps of Florida, we better know the leader''s favorite color. We make sense of it all.


    RICO


    We can do better. Like "Vigilance"


    EDWARD


    Forget the name. You made a commitment when you sighed the dotted line when you were hired. To investigate, research, and make sense of it all. What wasyour job before here, Rico?


    RICO


    Anomaly Investigator.


    EDWARD


    Pre or Post?


    RICO


    Mostly either Post or during.


    EDWARD


    That''s not right, we don''t do "during." That''s for the other guys you know, those agents, vigilantes, not us. We never interfere with events we only record them. So, you could not have been during.


    Rico jumps up from his chair. He stares Edward face to face, the veins on his neck pop with every syllable.


    RICO


    Well, someone messed up becauseI was in it a lot! I couldn''t stand it.It twisted my head. I just... needed to get out.


    There is a moment of silence. Edward stares down at Rico. He notices how Rico''s hands are clenched but tremble. He catches the stern expression but the terrified eyes. It''s a look Edward has seen on Agents, heroes, or even regular civilians he talks to in his investigations. He has seen it.


    Someone must have messed up as Rico should have never been there for any of his investigations, but he has. The horrors he must have seen. Edward takes a breath and softens his tone. He needs to reassure Rico, but he still needs to do what his job.


    EDWARD


    Okay, my bad I believe you. That''s why you''re here, and if youwant to keep your job you''ll stay in this room.


    RICO


    I can''t lose this job it has health and dental.


    Edward goes to the door. On the side facing the room is a thick slot on the door where people shoved case files tapped close. They land in a basket on the door. Edward picks them up and slams them on the desk.


    EDWARD


    Then get to recording.


    Rico looks through the files and notices the red tape keeping them close.


    RICO


    These are reports agents have already finished righting up and have approved. Look, they have red tape and all.


    EDWARD


    Yes, red tape. These are agent accounts, records whatever you want to call it. They are the accounts the field agents recorded.The red tape as you know means the case file as been reviewed by the agent and their supervisor.


    These are built off interviews with civilian, anyone who was involved, or brain strips of the people who saw or interacted with the anomaly.


    RICO


    Brain strips... isn''t that where an agent gets the memories of the deceased?


    EDWARD


    Yea, if we didn''t make it in time, they shove a needled right into the brain and try to get whatever memories they can. Then the agent triesto make sense of it all.


    RICO


    Why am I here?

 Welcome To Internet (Part 2)

    Edward takes a moment to find a way to gently lay the news at Rico''s feet. He prefers to slam it on his head and walk away, leaving Rico nursing his head for the next few years, but he can''t. It''s obvious the kid is on the edge, and any slight nudge will send him tumbling.


    With a deep breath and a level tone, Edward continues.


    EDWARD


    It''s our job here to investigate and learn allwe can about this world. We need to make surewe always have a reliable source of information.That means vetting and backing those babies upin as many formats as possible.That''s where you come in. You will review allaccounts with the same evidencethat was provided. You will then record the eventsin our internal database, both written andwith an audio report. Afterward, you resealit with green tape and do the next report.


    A grin slides across Edwards''s face.


    EDWARD


    Starting today you are the head of the 24th division,Archival Transcript. Congrats.


    RICO


    Archival...


    Rico looks at the mic and computer on the desk. His brain ticks, ticks, and ticks away until it finally rings.


    RICO


    You want me to read all these files into the mic?!?


    EDWARD


    You bet.


    Rico grabs the files and waves them in the air with the fierce aggression of a peacock flexing its feathers. Edward takes a step back, not determined to stop him. A normal boss would stop him, try to calm him down, or call security. Not Edward, like he says, "what''s work without a little spice." Plus, Rico needs this, and Edward understands him.


    RICO


    What the heck man! Look at these. There is no way I canget through all of them. You said every report.I know for sure we file at least three full reportsa day in my last department. I am one guy, soif I verify one a day, I am still two behind.


    EDWARD


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    It''s not just your department, it''s every department.Plus, there is a backlog as we haven''tfilled this role in quite some time.


    RICO


    OF COURSE! WHY NOT MAKE THIS HARDER?!?


    Edward leans in with a gentle smile and cold eyes.


    EDWARD


    If you want your teeth to stay pearly white withthat fancy dentist, you better get to it. Of course,if you want to get back in the field and--


    RICO


    No! No, its fine, I''ll get to work.


    EDWARD


    Perfect, oh I got something for you.


    Edward leaves the room, leaving Rico alone in the dust-covered room. He takes this time to review his life decisions and see why he ended up here. If he focused more in science, could he have gone to college? What if he didn''t whiff that throw-in doge ball and hit his own teammate in the back of the head, resulting in him continuously getting picked last? This did affect his self-esteem preventing for years to come. Because of that, he didn''t as Angelia Lopez to prom. Later finding out she would have said yes because she had a crush on him.


    Instead, she went with Derrick Collins, and she went on to date him. Now they are married, and Derrick is a stay-at-home dad as Angelia works at one of the top three tech companies in the world. They are rolling in cash and living their best life. Rico hates dodgeball now.


    Rico jerks back to reality as Edward returns, hiding something behind his back.


    EDWARD


    Can''t be the head of a department without a subordinate.


    The sound of water sloshing fills the room as from behind his back, Edward pulls out a fishbowl with a tropical fish. The fish is blue with pink and green stripes. It has large fins a bulbish eyes. It''s as if a unicorn and pug ad a child and it became a fish. Edward places the bowl on the desk.


    EDWARD


    Meat Laurel.


    RICO


    The fish?


    EDWARD


    Tropical fish.


    RICO


    Why do I need a fish?


    EDWARD


    Studies show that the last few agents wehad in here went insane and off them--needed extended vacations becausethey had no one to talk to. So, thecompany has happily supplied a tropical fishas a companion. Also, your aloud to leavethe room during breaks for extra socializing.


    RICO


    I''m the only employee?


    Edward ignores his question and hands him the top file from the stack.


    EDWARD


    This is your first assignment.


    Rico grabs it.


    RICO


    Case number C02030110142022A00,code name Off Road. I always hatedhow we number our files


    EDWARD


    Our numbering has a system. Deal with it.


    Edward turns and leaves Rico to his new station. Before he shuts the door, Edward turns one last time to speak.


    EDWARD


    Good luck, kid, and remember you got Laurelthere to talk to, get recording.


    Edward leaves. Rico is left there alone in the room, with the fish. The room is filled with the hum of the computer turning on and the ac kicking in. Edward opens the desk''s drawers to see more hidden files, a small electronic box that dispenses the green tape, a plastic knife meant to cut tape, a random assortment of used pens, and a coupon to get half off a sub at the local deli. Rico counts this as a win as the coupon is not expired.


    RICO


    The first thing I need to do after recordingthis one is clean this room.


    There is a moment of silence as Rico looks at Laurel.


    RICO


    I am already talking to the fish.

 REPORT: C02030110142022A00

    The soft hum of the air conditioning unit bounces off the newly wiped walls and moped floors. Rico told himself he would clean the room after his first case, but after taking a deep breath and having his lungs attacked by an armada of dust particles, he changed his plans.


    There was nothing to worry about his hypothesis was correct. Many don''t come down to room 1524, so he thought he could do whatever he wanted as long as his work for the day is done. He is right. It is almost like working from home, except he still has to wake up early, commute to a place he doesn''t like, lose control over his life, and sit in a room he hates. But hey, he gets a fish and free coffee!


    Rico looks through the other drawers trying to see if there is a remote to control for the air conditioner in the room. The machine has been pounding cold air for the past hour, turning the room into a walk-in fridge.


    RICO


    Why, why, WHY don''t they let me control the temp in here? I get it''s summer, and it''s boiling outside, so we make it cold in here. But why do they have to drop so low in this room? I am the only one in here!


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    Rico flops down in his chair and glasses at Laurel in her bowl.


    RICO


    Look, Laurel, your bowl is almost frozen. You look fine, though. Not much bothers you, does it?Luckily, everything tends to bother me. I feel onedge 24/7. Well, that''s what Betty told me.


    Laurel blows a bubble, and Rico hears the soft pop noise once it bursts.


    RICO


    Who''s Betty? She''s my ex two exes back. She was nice and loved working at the aquarium. You would have loved her. She broke up with mebecause I made mountains out ofmolehills. I wonder what she''s up to.


    Rico hops on his phone and opens Instagram, and begins to type in B-E-T-T-Y.


    RICO


    We should check to see what she''s been up to lately. Not long, like one or two swipes down her page. Just to find out... and what I''m doing is creepy.


    Rico puts down his phone and picks up the file Edward handed him. He turns on his microphone and gets to work.


    RICO


    Thisis agent Rico Seviriano, This is case C02030110142022A00. The original date of the event is October 14, 2022. It is in California near the coastline. Code Name:On The Road.

 On The Road (Part 1)

    What''s up, my name is Grant Burns, and this is my story.


    This is what I want¡ªa peaceful and chill life. In front of me is an empty road off this cliffside. The light of the setting sun bouncing off the ocean. Tobi Lou mixing with the soft hum of my tires driving down a highway. Not a lot of people get what they want. They aim for the stars but don''t enjoy the grass below their feet. I don''t need some big calling or purpose when I have this.


    I roll down my windows, letting that sea air caress my face. Getting this bus was the best purchase of my life. Better than any home, BMW, or... I can''t think of a third. I don''t know what came over me, but when I saw a video online about all these renovated buses, I decided that''s what I wanted to do! I uhh... man, that wind is cold. Let''s roll that up.


    But, yeah, a single town is too small for me for my whole life. I decided to drop the extra dollars and get myself a school bus. I got it from a seller and went into full contractor mode. I''m talking wood floors, fridge, bed, pc set up, shower, internet, and a sweet indoor griddle. The kind that doesn''t produce smoke. Let''s not forget the essential feature, a toilet! God, that was the number one thing I wanted. I''m not taking a deuce in the woods. No bear or raccoon is catching me with my pants around my ankles.


    I thought everything was working, but my ac or heater has to be broken. It''s freezing. Well, tonight is going to suck. I''m still a few miles from the nearest rest stop, and I probably won''t get there until late at night. It means I am closer to waking up in the morning if I don''t freeze in my sleep.


    A few cold hours later, I make it to a rest stop. I park the bus and begin my security checks. I installed security blinds on the windows. I hit the security locks and make sure I am all set to knock out in bed.


    GRUUGLE. My stomach calls for a midnight snack. Of course, after I lock everything. I doubt any places to eat in the open rest stops, but I know I saw vending machines. I head into the building and get myself $15 worth of snacks.


    I step out of the building, and it''s quiet. No music, only the sounds of cars passing by from the road in the distance and the soft chirps of crickets. A quick look around me, and out of the four other cars here at this rest stop, I''m the only one awake.


    I head into my bus and drop into my bed. My bed was littered with crumbs as I got to town on these bad boys: chips, chocolate with nougat, cheese, and beef jerky. The vending machine gods blessed me today. Oh, I can knock out good.


    The bus rocks softly as the wind goes hard outside. It wasn''t like that earlier. Under the harsh wind, I hear something. It''s soft, a mumble. The voice is high-pitched. A kid? Damn, it''s cold. That was my breath. I can see my breath. Did I leave the ac on? I hear the keys jingle as I tap them on the counter ... wait. I tap the window by my bed, and it''s frozen. Like, I am in a snowstorm, but that can''t be. It was like 80 degrees when I walked outside. The glass is coated in a thin layer of ice.


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    I push on the door to get out, but it''s not budging. Come on! Open! Hugghh!


    The door flings open as the last bit of ice gives out. My nose is inches from slamming into the asphalt. Luckily, I catch myself by gripping the door. I pull myself up to have a gust of freezing wind slam into my face.


    There isn''t a cloud in the sky, and I can see the moon and stars as they work in tandem with the parking lot lights to illuminate the lot. It was just 80 degrees, so why is every car in the lot frozen? The floor feels like ice under my feet.


    I run to the closet''s car, and someone is inside. His door is frozen, and he is knocked out of the driver''s seat. He is in a suit, with the jacket off.


    GRANT


    Sir! Are you okay?


    The man jolts awake as if he''s being pulled out of Hade''s grip. He turns to me, and I feel the chill of my body get snuffed out by the fire in his eyes.


    GUY IN SUIT


    What!?! What''s so important, you wake me up?


    Grant gestures to the whole parking lot as he shivers.


    GRANT


    Look for yourself. Everything is frozen,


    and I thought you might have been dead.


    The man looks around, absorbing his surroundings.


    GUY IN SUIT


    Oh, is this for some video? Am I getting pranked?


    GRANT


    I have nothing to do with this.


    GUY IN SUIT


    You''re the one who woke me up.


    For what, an empty parking lot?


    GRANT


    I''m not talking about how many people;


    I mean, look! It''s freezing; your car is covered in ice.


    GUY IN SUIT


    You''re crazy


    GRANT


    How am I crazy? You''re


    the one still in the car.


    GUY IN SUIT


    Step away from the car before I call the cops.


    GRANT


    For what? Saving your li-


    I stopped because I noticed something. The cold wind is hitting my back, maid my legs feel numb. My hand grows paler by the minute, and if I let my feet stand still for too long, ice chunks form and connect them to the asphalt. Yet, I can see drips of sweat accumulating on the tip of the man''s nose. His dress shirt is drenched like he finished ruining a 5-minute mile.


    I took a step back, and a whisper carried by the frost crawled into my ear. It wasn''t one voice but many. The voices are soft and young, and I can hear the words tremble. The slight crackle of electricity accompanied their words. They spoke.


    MANY


    You''re here.

 On The Road (Part 2)

    My head whipped to the side so fast I almost cracked my neck. There''s no one behind me., No one''s around the car, then BANG! My calf tightens as I brace myself for impact. There is none. The noise was the guy in the car banging on his window and shouting.


    GUY IN SUIT


    Get away from my car now!


    Am I going crazy, but it feels so real. Wait, there''s someone across the lot. They''re small, probably a kid, and they need to get out of this.


    GRANT


    Kid! What are you doing out here alone?


    Are your parents in one of these cars?


    The kid doesn''t respond. It''s too dark to get a good look at them. It gets harder to move as I feel the temperature continue to drop. The wind blows harder as I can hear my bus shake. Still, I must keep moving. A kid shouldn''t be out here all alone.


    GRANT


    Kid! You need to get out of this-


    I stop walking when the kid turns to me. I need to stop saying kid because whatever is staring at me isn''t some lost child. It is small and has a humanoid shape, but it''s not human. I couldn''t tell in the dark, I thought my eyes were hazy from waking up, but I can see it clearly now.


    GRANT


    ...Storm.


    Its body is made of pitch-black clouds. Its eyes are two small holes. Little bright white lights are floating in there. Small lighting crackles light up parts of its body as sparks shoot out. Small chunks of ice float from a floating around orbiting its round head. Its mouth is filled with sharp icicles, the same kind that form long talon nails. Below its feet, the asphalt is frozen.


    The soft, mumbling voice from before, I hear it all around me; it''s not alone.


    MANY


    You''re here. You''re here. You''re here.


    You''re here. You''re here. You''re here.


    I turn, and they have already surrounded me. They crawl out from under the cars, the shadows between streetlamps, and the darkest area of my peripheral vision. They stand are cars, freezing the roofs, but the people inside look fine. Some are crouching right in view of the driver''s seat, but no one bats an eye, just me.


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    I.. I don''t move. They stare at me as they creep closer. Staring at their eyes is like finding the full moon in the gap of a hurricane. Lighting bounces from the floating light and into the clouds. My lungs are filled with frosting wind as I hyperventilate. I want to run; my brain is screaming the signals to the nerves in my legs. Run! But I can''t.


    I hear now only a single mumble.


    MANY


    You''re here.


    The one I saw alone walks up to me. I don''t move, I want to, but God, I can''t. Its hand pulls on my sweatpants. A rush of cold hits me, and the fabric in between its sharp fingers freeze. This was the boost I needed as my legs finally worked, and I turned to run. I don''t look back, but a gust of mighty wind hits my back as I can hear the screams of one of those monsters. Then the sound of all of them chasing after me.


    One makes it in front of me. I am too close to the bus; I can''t stop. I''m bigger, so I go to ram this thing down and push forward. I don''t knock it down. Instead, I go right through it. Parts of my clothes are frozen, and exposed skin areas have ice chucks forming on them. The cold burns as my body grow tense.


    I make it to the bus''s door, knowing they are about to pounce. I pull, but the door is frozen together. No, it can''t be closed. I muster all my strength as I pull and pull on the door and weaken the ice on the hinges until, BAM! The door opens. I slammed the door shut behind me and latched every security lock on my bus.


    The door opens, and Grant makes it inside, slamming the exit behind him. I turn on the key in the ignition, and it coughs but doesn''t turn on. The mumbles grow louder as they pound on the door and crawl on top of the bus.


    MANY


    You''re here! You''re here.


    Open. Open. OPEN!


    They are everywhere, but the engine won''t start. Come on, Come on! Turn on! Yes! The engine turns on! I change gears, and I slam on the gas. I burst out of the parking lot. I don''t check for oncoming traffic as I jump on the highway. A car honks as I barely avoid it.


    After a few seconds of driving, I finally take my first breath. I made it out. I don''t know what those things were, but I''m glad I...


    MANY


    Open. Open. Open!


    No, that''s impossible. They can''t. I see one clinging to the side of my bus, icy talons clinging to the metal. Behind that one, the sky is dark, filled with black clouds. On the highway, they all chase after me.


    The way they run; they are like an animal running on all fours. I''m going 70 mph, but they are keeping up. Their eyes shine bright as I see the lighting crackle harder. Their bodies jerk as they run, and their joints move in both directions. They jump from the trees and cars.


    The scary part of it is that they move in between lanes, on top of cars, but no other vehicle rushes away or reacts. Some even run over those creatures, but it gets right back up as the displaced smoke reforms, leaving the car a frozen engine, popped tire, and a confused driver.


    I press my foot down harder, never letting up. I don''t care if a cop chases me or a sharp turn comes up, and I rather deal with that than freeze to death or be eaten or whatever these things want!


    Bam! I hop on my bus. The pound on the roof, on the windows, and at both doors. No! frost forms on the windows and my windshield. I can barely see. There''s nothing left that I could do. No matter how many I shake off, they reform and jump back on. I can hear the pounding getting more brutal and the metal scream. It''s close to breaking. A hinge hit the floor next to me; the front door is cracked open. I can see the smoke drift into the bus. They are in.


    An orange-red light peaks through the frost of my windshield. It''s warm and hits my face. The sun and the orange rays are breaking the blackened sky. At least the last sight I see is beautiful. I face forward, not wanting to see how many have entered my bus. It''s freezing, and I can''t feel my hands.


    It''s... quiet¡ªthe pounding stops. I don''t see them through my side mirrors. I can feel the air get warmer, and I ease my foot off the peddle. I don''t stop, though, not until I know I''m safe. It takes 2 hours hour until that feeling settles in.


    I pull into a breakfast dinner on the side of the road. I could see the workers inside, and eyes widened when I pulled in. They brace themselves until they only step out of the bus. They were probably excepting a wave of kids ready to eat before their big field trip. I get mistaken as a bus driver too many times. I need to repaint my ride.


    I take a seat and order the freshest coffee and the fattest stack of pancakes they have. I tore into them as soon as they were placed on the table. The waitress from a far saw me devour them like a starving animal as tears started to roll down my cheek. God, the taste is so good. They are the best-tasting stack of pancakes I have had in my life. The coffee was mid, but man, these cakes. I wipe my tears and left-over syrup off my face. I stare out the window and watch cars drive past what could be the best meal of their lives.


    I wish I could tell myself it was a dream, but the melting ice on my bus tells me the truth.

 On The Road (Part 3)

    The sun rays beat down on me as drops of sweat splash on my busses engine. I''m lucky a gentle breeze is hitting my back, though cold winds have now become a trigger for me. The hum of a car driving by occasionally hits me as my music plays from my phone. It makes it easy to focus as I work on my bust, repairing any ice damage to the engine.


    The rest stop I am parked at is small. The building inside only has a bathroom and two vending machines¡ªgeneric snacks in one and off-brand drinks. I love my Dorodo chips and a cool can of Soda Flavor MD. I''m being sarcastic if you couldn''t tell. The chips taste like cardboard someone rubbed their Cheeto fingers-on, and the drink tasted pretty good, no lie.


    I''m the only car in the lot. It makes sense as the thick threes in these woods make it hard to see from the road. My life has changed these past two weeks. These damn smoke things have still chased me. Every time the sun sets and it''s past midnight, they come out. They run after me no matter how fast I drive. They go nonstop like rabid animals until the sun rises.


    No matter where we go, no one notices them. My sleep schedule is messed up. I sleep from the second the sun rises, deep into the afternoon. I save most of my energy for after midnight. It lasted five hours, but I barely made it out alive every night.


    It gets closer too. They haven''t broken in since the first night, but they claw at the door, and it gets weaker every day, so do I. The extreme cold can''t be good for my health. I don''t know what they will do when...if they catch me.


    I''ve moved from state to state, crossing multiple state lines daily. I drove across Texas all in one day. From South Padre to the state''s tip to avoid these demons. I know to some of you that don''t sound like a big deal, but use driver, and anyone from there will tell you that''s an achievement.


    What was supposed to be a relaxing trip has been a horrifying blur. I''m starting to lose track of where I have been; hell, I don''t even know what state I am in. I think Texas was yesterday... or three days ago? I can''t remember.


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    I know this rest stop is surrounded by woods, and this road has a high chance of being abandoned. Maybe Oregon, Utah, or even a forgotten section on the American map. I bought a space heater. My hands would get numb when I drove in the night. The closer they got, the more it felt like I was trapped in a blizzard. Tonight though, it''s different. I''m making sure.


    CREEK. The front door is close to giving out. Lucky me, the back door is still going strong. I don''t know what those short things are, and I haven''t found anything about them on the internet.


    I know I can''t get rid of them. That doesn''t mean I won''t try. I got a bat from a store and a couple of nails and screws. Add them together, and I got the Smoke Thrasher 5000. Will it work? No, one got run over by a car and backed up running. I can''t get a gun, so I''ll feel better beating one to the ground.


    The sun is setting. If this is the last stand for Grant Thornbird, better make it a good one. I''ll wait until it hits midnight. I should have snuck a few hours of sleep.


    <u>MIDNIGHT</u>


    It''s midnight, and I step off the bus. I am in full winter gear. Thermal long tops and bottoms, long sleeve shirt, thick pants, two jackets, and everything else I need. I am a warm walking tank. Through all that, I can feel the temperature drop twenty degrees.


    I hear the wisps of smoke appearing behind the trees, the soft crackle, the lighting bouncing around their bodies. The sky starts to darken. I have my headlights on and a lamp in the middle of the parking lot. It isn''t a cheap one. This bad boy is as strong as a stream of light.


    It doesn''t take long for them to surround me. Some peak from behind trees; their bark is frozen. The mumbles have a soft echo as the woods fill with their voices.


    MANY


    You''re here! You''re here!


    You''re here!  Stay. Stay.


    No running. No running.


    No running.


    The light of their eyes peeks at the edge of the lantern''s light. My bus is positioned well enough that if I want to make a getaway, I can. Kew word, if I want. No other car in the parking lot, and I''m alone. This ends tonight. It has to. I don''t know how much I can take.

 On The Road (Part 4)

    They fill the shadows and I can feel the air get colder. One breaks the invisible line between the dark and the light. It stares at me. We both don''t move. Is it thinking? Can they think? It slowly moves toward me.


    GRANT


    I''m here now! I''m ready! If you


    get closer, I''ll swing and knock


    all of you tiny monsters down!


    I can feel it. I look down, and there is one of them already next to me. Its tiny hand is grabbing my jeans.


    GRANT


    Not working this time!


    I swing at the monster, and it breaks apart into dark puff clouds. Already many of the nails and screws are frozen. They don''t rush me; they take slow steps. I''m not taking my time. I rush in swinging.


    GRANT


    Ha, told you I would! You thought


    I couldn''t handle you!


    POOF, POOF, POOF! These smoke monsters go down one by one. I run toward them, not giving them a chance to make the first move. I never leave the safety of the light. My clothes get heavier as chunks of ice for on them, as they reach out to grab me, and their ice claws rip into my clothes. I can''t slow down; I''m thinning their numbers.


    GRANT


    Well, guess what? I am not


    going down toni...


    It was a fun dose of adrenaline. All those small clouds start to clump back together, and they retake their shape and start walking toward me. It feels like I''m holding onto an icicle, and my gloves are frozen onto the bat''s handle.


    I see one of them crawling like a spider on my bus, going for the door.


    GRANT


    You are not allowed in there!


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    POOF!


    I get it before it goes inside, but now my bat is broken. It wasn''t the only one. The bus windows start to frost as more and more of them crawl onto my bus. I told myself this was going to be my last night, but... I can''t. I can''t!


    I swing at any that are near the door and make it inside. I quickly throw my bat and gloves on the ground. I wasn''t kidding about them freezing together. I lock the doors and turn the key in the ignition.


    GRANT


    Turn on! Come on.


    The engine roars, and I peel out onto the road. I can''t give up like that. I don''t even need to look at the rearview. I know they are after me. Alone on this road with a tsunami of frosting snow and crackling lighting behind me.


    What was I thinking? Fighting them, if I stayed, I would have died. There has to be a reason for why they are after me. There has to BE. They had me surrounded. I can''t beat them. They were all over, and they could have killed me. What would my obituary be, or my eulogy? What did I live for? Everything was chill, and I was happy, but what did I do? I don''t care about being remembered, but WHAT DID I DO?


    I don''t have regrets, and I loved- love my life. I know I didn''t change the world, but thats okay. Not everyone has to. I am in charge of my life and what i do in it is up to me. I wanted to travel to see areas I would have never seen in my life in a way that feels grounded¡ªthat is why I got this stupid bus.


    It''s a life I am happy with, and that''s all that matters, but I choose to fight? They could have killed me! They could of... but they didn''t. They could have ended me at any point, but instead, they hopped on the bus and tried to get inside.


    I''m going to die, but I have to see. I pull over to the shoulder of the road and take the keys out of the ignition. I wait for a minute, then a creak. It''s not from the front door but from the back. I hear the door handle turn. The back entrance is wide open, and they stand there. I think they are waiting to see if I do anything. Well, at least thats what I''m doing.


    The blankets on my bed go stiff as they make their way toward the front of the bus. They wait, and one steps in, then another. I open the bus''s front door, but there they are before I can step off. My body tense, ready for a fight, or I will have to charge right through them, but that doesn''t happen. They step aside for me, clearing a path for me to walk. Once I step off, they walk past me. All of them, one by one, walk onto the bus. I stand there, watching.


    What are they doing? Are they going to turn my bus into a frozen cocoon? Will they summon an icy snow god, chill out, or something? I wait a minute, but nothing happens. They have all made it inside the sky is blackened with clouds. I feel alone at this moment. The forest feels empty, and a car hasn''t been down this road all night. I stand in nothing, waiting for something. I have to know.


    I head back inside, and there they all are, sitting. Either on my bed, on the floor, ceiling, counter, on the wall. Wherever there is a space, a creature sits. Except for the driver''s seat. The wheel is unfrozen, and the windshield is clear. Then my eyes grow.


    One by one, the smoke starts to fade off them. First, I see hair on top of their heads, skin on their hands, shirts, and shoes. Under the smoke, they were...Children. Their eyes are cold, with heavy dark circles around them. The oldest has to be an eighth-grader, with the youngest a kindergartener. They are injured too. I see some bleeding; some have gash wounds and bruised necks, with others pale and parts of their skin blue.


    They''re dead, and my bus is filled with them.


    There is no movement. They sit, waiting for something. Then, a little girl with curly brown hair, bright hazel eyes, and a gash on her forehead stares at the driver''s seat. I don''t move. How can I? I went from fearing for my life for weeks to staring at a group of kids who had lost their lives. I can''t be expected to function, to help, I-


    She turned to look at me; they all did. In their eyes wasn''t malice or confusion. I can have a sense of trust and expectation. No matter what, they believe I will get in the driver''s seat.


    I turn the key in the ignition. What else can I do? I put my foot on the gas, and the bus starts moving. The roads are still empty. It''s dark as the clouds block the stars in the sky. My headlights act as the only light source until a small beacon shines in the distance. It''s a tunnel.


    A chill fills me. I look down to find the same curly-haired girl gripping my jacket. Ice spread all through my side. Her hands are shaking, and her eyes are wide. She''s afraid. What do I say? I don''t know what''s going on, but I continue driving. The light at the end of the tunnel shines bright. The closer I get, the harder it is to keep my eyes open.


    The light is warm and welcoming. I couldn''t slow down if I wanted to. My foot presses down harder. The girl''s hand grips tighter, freezing more of my jacket. I get closer and closer. I can''t see, but I speed through the light. It''s gorgeous, its warms, its...

 On The Road (Part 5)

    Uhh! A car speeds by, honking its horn. A jolt to my nervous system jerks my head up. I felt a stream of dried saliva on my cheek, and I...was asleep. I turn around, and the children are gone. The sun is rising. I made it to the other side of the tunnel. My bus is pulled, partly on the road, partly on the shoulder. I take a minute to breathe¡ªno thoughts in my head, just breathing.


    I don''t know if I should put much thought into what happened. Maybe I can tell myself it was a series of nightmares that won''t bother me again, so I can keep traveling. I drive down the road in the hopes of finding a diner. God, I need some coffee.


    The bus is still cold. I can''t think straight. I can barely keep my eyes open. Why am I so tired even though I just work up? I see a sign through the trees with the word DINER spelled out in a generic font.


    I pull into the parking lot with only four cars in it. As usual, I see the same panic faces expecting a barrage of hungry kids who can''t leave a tip. This is a good spot to get some coffee and return on the road. I stand up and feel a chill on my side. The part of my jacket where the little girl grabbed me is still frozen. Guess I can''t pretend.


    I take the booth with a view of the road. I see the sun in the sky and let the scent of bacon hit my nostrils. My waitress walks up to me with a chipper ton.


    WAITRESS


    Well, aren''t you up early? You''re


    my first customer of the day.


    Her voice is chipper. I don''t know where she gets the energy to sound that happy in the morning. She is in her mid-thirties with curly brown hair. Her skin is clear and smooth. It''s clear she lotions in the morning. She pulls out one of those folding notepads every waitress has to take orders and a bunch of receipts. I see one slip out and drift to the floor.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Before she can reach down, I go pick it up. It isn''t a receipt. It''s a picture of a little girl. She has curly brown hair and bright hazel eyes. I stare at it, frozen for a moment. It''s the same child. I go to hand it over to the waitress. That''s when I notice they have the same eyes.


    GRANT


    Uh, cute kid.


    WAITRESS


    Thanks, it''s my sister. She is...


    would have been ten this year.


    Her voice trails out at the end of the sentence. I return a gentle smile and nod. I sat there and talked to her about her life, her sister, everything. I couldn''t tell her about what I saw. She would think I was crazy. What the conversation did, though, was solidify what my next move needed to be.


    <u>MIDNIGHT A MONTH LATER</u>


    I let the engine run as I pour myself a cup of coffee in my kitchen slash living room. The bus is filled with the chill vibes of Surface. I take a sip from my cup and let the warmth hit my body. God, this is some good coffee.


    I hear the creak of my back door open. I rush to the front of the bus and open the front. Waiting for me on the other side is more of a smoke creature. There are fewer of them this time around. Every night the group size change. It depends if I am near a city or town. Though no matter where I go, there is always some waiting for me. The same goes for the tunnel¡ªno matter what state I''m in. The clouds will block the stars, and the road will always lead to the tunnel.


    As they walk in, I flick on the heater and put my coffee in the cupholder.


    GRANT


    I hope you don''t mind; it drops 20 degrees


    when you kids walk in here.


    They all take their seats, and the smoke fades. I turn the key, and the engine hums.


    GRANT


    Alright, let''s start the drive.


    The tunnel isn''t far from here.

 Report: C02030110142022A00 STATUS

    The air conditioner hum fills the room. As he reads the file into his webcam, Agent Rico sprinkles a bit of fish feed into Laurel''s bowl. They never did raise the temperature in the room. Rico could barely read the paper as it kept shaking in his shivering hand.


    AGENT RICO


    In the case of C02030110142022A00, Code Name "On The Road,"


    the case is closed. Grant continues to ferry children to


    what we presume is someplace better. We have a


    research team going through historical documents


    and previous cases to find anyone in history with a


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    similar case, but as of recording, Grant Thornbird is


    the first case of ferrying children ghosts in specific.


    When mystical and supernatural agents, i.e.,


    witches, psychics, those kinds of people,


    went with the agent to interview Grant,


    and they confirmed the phantoms. They were


    able to see and interact with them. Though


    when they drove the bus, no matter how


    long they did, the tunnel never appeared for them.


    Only Grant. One agent got frostbite on their left hand


    as they drove for hours... man that suck for them.


    Ughhh, I guess that''s good.


    We can stop here. Case closed,


    end of the recording.

 Report: #B0102010110032017A24

    Rico has his legs pressed against the leftmost wall and is still seated in his rolling chair. He takes deep breaths as his mind clears any unnecessary thoughts.


    RICO


    Alright, Laurel, it''s about focus, determination, and strength.


    There are times when we must confront ourselves


    and ask the important questions. Can we succeed?


    LAUREL


    *Gurgle*


    Rico watches the bubble Laurel spit out pop.


    RICO


    I''m talking to a fish. I''m losing it.


    Rico gathers his strength in his legs and pushes off the wall. He flies across the room with his arm reached out. He is almost to the other side. Rico can feel the plaster walled on his fingertips when the chair skids out. The tile floor is firmly introduced to Rico''s face.


    He lays there for a while. He is contemplating why he did that, remembering when he was a kid. Rico would grab the rolling chair from his parent''s room they used at the computer desk, and his older brother and sister would be waiting for him in the hall.


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    His sister, Sia, is two years older than him with his brother, Vic, is four years older. In his memories, they were always tall, blemish-free, and shining in the light, even when standing in the shadows.


    They would play this game where they would try to see who could push themselves off the wall and roll the farthest. Rico was always too weak to beat them as he was younger. He would do squats in the backyard to get stronger. Rico''s form was terrible, as years of knee pain were waiting for him in the future. It would be worth it if he could win once.


    One day the feeling of being ready settled in; he knew he could beat them. When that time came, his siblings didn''t want to play anymore. Quoting how they are "too old now to play." Isn''t that funny.


    Rico gets up from the floor, fixes his chair, and sits at his desk. He hears scurrying in the walls.


    RICO


    Laurel, I may need to request an


    exterminator. This place may be infested.


    The roach in the wall panics as he holds on to the ripped piece of button shirt he got from a loose nail on the wall. The insect theorizes an employee must have walked by, not noticed the nail, and ripped their shirt.


    Either way, he knows what he hears is of the utmost importance and scurries away. Rico doesn''t notice this. Why would he? Rico''s eyes are on the folder on his desk.


    RICO


    Alright, let''s get started with the next case.


    Oh, it''s an off-world case. I interviewed a few extraterrestrials


    in my day, Laurel. If people knew how many of their


    friends are actually from off-world,


    their minds would explode.


    LAUREL


    *Gurgle*


    RICO


    We were lucky as a society that our technology


    advanced as fast as it did, or we would be fish


    food... no offense, of course.


    LAUREL


    *Gurgle*


    Rico turns to his mic and begins his report.


    RICO


    This is Agent Rico of INTERNET Division 24.


    I am reviewing case file # B0102010110032017A24


    codename, Light years

 Light Years (Part 1)

    My name is Ana, and this is my story.


    A cold breeze bounces of my jacket. The cold would pierce through me if I wore my regular coat. He knew that and made me take his, knowing what it meant. Still, I don''t feel as bad as the person next to me.


    Her name is Nhu. She is dressed in a navy pantsuit with red heels. Thats it. No extra jacket, and she is shivering. She holds her phone up to record our conversation. Something about using it to write a report of everything.


    I don''t care. My eyes are staring at the night sky. The moon is full, and the stars are alive. We are tucked away in a secret empty field hidden in the forest. Far from the small town I called home. My eyes move down to the crater below the hill. Nature has healed it as the grass has covered it up, but the indent I made on this planet will forever be there.


    ANA


    In one''s last hour, it can''t be helped if


    I reflect on my whole life. Is this melodramatic?


    NHU


    No. Well, actually, yeah. It''s depressing too.


    ANA


    I can walk away.


    NHU


    BUT! Let me finish.


    Nhu takes a breath.


    NHU


    But, for your situation, it makes complete sense.


    We already went over the necessary details, but I


    think it will be helpful if you discuss it.


    Tell me your story again.


    ANA


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    I was joking. I know it''s not. Especially when


    I''m not dying. I feel like I am. I guess I am.


    Either way, melodrama is necessary.


    NHU


    Don''t worry, I have what I need. Just let it out.


    I do. I have only a few minutes left. What else should I do than think about all I love. The stars are above as I stand in the clearing, staring at the full moon as it shines its soft light down on me. My heart pounds as I can''t stand still. Either I sway side to side or jitter in place. I just want this over with. I check the time on my phone, 11:11 PM. He should be in bed by now.


    Looking at me, you would think I am from this world. I wouldn''t blame you. It''s crazy to think anyone is an alien except if you said that about me. I have two tongues, oval-shaped pupils, and no ears. I wore prosthetics when walking around to avoid suspension. Not because of how it looks, but I couldn''t explain how I hear so well. Can''t say, "Oh, I hear through my whole body as my skin acts as a source of the sound, and I focus it to hear things you could only dream of."


    My people''s technology is advanced. I know it''s obvious because of the whole space travel stuff, but we are really, REALLY ahead of you technologically except in one field. The people of Earth have cured a disease that has massacred my people for years. My planet''s death toll is comparable to this planet''s bubonic plague.


    Call it divine luck or cosmic irony that my life was spared because I was the only one born resistant to the disease. Due to this, my people "volunteered" me on a mission to hurtle in space alone. All in hopes of finding a cure for my people. Selfish of them, but necessary.


    They found a planet 1,234 planets away. Our scientists claimed it was our only hope. It was Earth. I was placed on our fastest rocket and shot into the grand abyss past the sky. Only the soft hums of the shuttle''s computer system and the occasional beeps.


    I drifted into the stars alone for what felt like months. Maybe it was days, and I''m blowing it up again. When isolated for so long, the term "time is relative" becomes more real. Space is dark. I know that sounds redundant, but you don''t realize what pure darkness is until you experience it.


    Imagine that space between your dreams and waking up; that''s what it felt like staring into the gaps between stars and planets. The dark swallowed my eyes as I drifted deeper into my solitude.


    Until the bright red of my shuttle breaking the atmosphere shined through the glass of my ship. My eyes felt a tingle as they tried to adjust to the sudden light. A sensation they forgot and are being forced to be accustomed to. It wasn''t a soft landing.


    I cracked the sky and tore the Earth with my landing.


    Steam seeps from the shuttle as the pod doors open. After the chaotic entry of the shuttle, it''s a bit charring to hear the quiet night and the bugs signing. When my pod''s door opened, a full moon greeted me with its glow. The breeze of the clearing whispered in my ears, and a light shined far into the field.


    The light was my guide to the top of a hill overlooking a town. While I walked down the hill, my clothes started to alter into something more fitting for the people around me. Each strand of fabric enveloped in light moved around my body, reweaving itself tightly. A baseball cap, bomber, and jeans. Inconspicuous.


    This affected my facial features, my dark skin stayed the same, but my more unique physical features were covered in a mist of illusions. Fortunately, we are genetically similar. Equal species from two different worlds. To everyone walking around, I was another stranger on the sidewalk. A face that will blend into their memories, only to appear as an extra in their dreams.


    My time here was always limited. After I land, my ride will be here to take me back once I signal them. It took me twelve days to find the cure. Apparently, the disease is common here and is cured with over-the-counter medicine. My world saved with just $12.34 with tax.


    It was at the counter that I met him. Too many, he would have looked like a regular pharmacist. His voice was a bit higher, but his image struck me deep. I think it was the tone he spoke in. It was oldy gentle but commanding. In my eyes, he emits a soft glow.

 Light Years (Part 2)

    I stared at him...for too long. He had an awkward smile on as he spoke. I could tell he was trying his best not to offend me. I grabbed his name from the name tag on his pharmacist coat. It read Angel.


    ANGEL


    Is there something I can help you with?


    You''ve been a bit quiet. If you need more time--


    ANA


    No, it''s okay. I will take this.


    I push the pill bottle in front of him. He rang it up quick. I didn''t want the moment to end. A thousand thoughts hit my head, but none left my mouth. I wanted to say anything to make this time last longer.


    ANA


    Such a white coat.


    He looked at me confused. I don''t blame him.


    ANGEL


    Yup, it''s a pharmacist coat, and that''s


    what I am, a pharmacist. Working here.


    He never looked me in the eye, and his cheeks turned red. At the time, I didn''t know what that meant. I do know; he was so adorable.


    ANGEL


    So you''re a trucker?


    ANA


    Huh?


    He pointed at my hat when he said this. I stood there frozen. I wasn''t a trucker. I mean, did technically come here to haul goods back to my planet. He didn''t know that, though. He was trying to make a joke about my hat. Apparently, it''s called a trucker hat.


    Of course, I didn''t know that, so I stared at him for too long. The line behind me of an old lady and a teen just stared at us, too embarrassed for us to intervene. I picked up my bag and left. Never looking back.


    There was no way I could recover from that. Still, my mission was done. I went back to my ship and made a dark discovery. My ship''s engines were damaged in the crash; it can''t fly, and I have no idea how to fix them. So I turned on the beacon and radioed back to my planet.


    Thats when they laid it on me. The ship they sent me on was the only one able to make space travel fast enough to reach Earth from our planet. Without it, the trip would take years. The time difference was so massive that they decided it would be faster to build their own ship. Still, they couldn''t give me a timeframe of how long it would take as my ship was the first of its kind.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    I was stranded here for who knows how long. Selfish but necessary.


    I went to purchase six times to buy medicine. All I need is one bottle, but I kept going back. I bought different pills, syrups, and tablets so he wouldn''t think I was crazy. Maybe at best, a hypochondriac.


    I needed to switch it up, so I would go in for snacks or pretend I had a question, all so I could get a sentence out of him. With each interaction, we would add more to what we say. I learned his name, favorite candy in the store, not to take more than the recommended dose, and any topic if it meant I could speak with him for a little longer.


    He had this trait where he would always look you in the eye. In the beginning, it was endearing, but it got a bit creepy. I told him once, and his face turned bright red, something I learned many humans do when embarrassed or as a sign of affection. I knew what I had to do.


    On my sixth visit, I finally plunged the knife and asked him out for coffee. Ignoring the reason I was on this planet. Selfish but necessary.


    That was the first of many nights. We took steps into each other''s lives. It took a while for me to assimilate here. Even how I speak was jarring to hear. I know English, but my language is vastly different. From the shapes our mouths make, our second tongue makes it different.


    He didn''t care. We worked together, and he undertook the arduous learning of my language. I told him I was from a small country he was unfamiliar with, and Angel bought it. He is fluent, it hurts my ears hurt hearing it at times, but he knows. I was always better at adapting to his culture. Then came the questions.


    He wanted to know where I was from. The lies I told him kept building, and it was clear he didn''t believe them. The problems grew as I never could understand the minute details of how society worked on my own.


    I thought he was gaolable, but he just had faith in me. I was taking advantage of that. It needed to stop.


    I brought him to the motel I was staying at on 12th street, room 34. It has a single bed with a tacky carpet and wallpaper chipping away. At least the shower stayed warm for the first 30 seconds and had a working tv.


    ANA


    So this is where I''ve been the whole time.


    ANGEL


    You''ve been living in a motel this whole time?


    ANA


    It''s a hotel.


    ANGEL


    No, this is a motel.


    ANA


    The sign says hotel out front.


    ANGEL


    It''s a motel, trust me.


    ANA


    Is there a difference?


    ANGEL


    Yes.


    He looked around the room to get an idea of how my life was. It didn''t have a kitchen, only a microwave. Coupled with house cleaning didn''t make daily trips, so my Togo containers were stacked in the trash can.


    ANGEL


    Why didn''t you tell me? You could


    have stayed with me.


    ANA


    I...have my reasons.


    ANGEL


    I..I get it if you still want to keep things to yourself.


    I do. It''s just that those things are putting pressure on you.


    I mean, if they are making life harder, I want you to


    know you can come to me. I care about you.


    ANA


    It''s a lot. I mean, I don''t even think you will


    believe me. If you do, I will get it if you don''t trust me.


    He responded in my own language. The pronunciation grated my ears, but the thought and feeling he put came off. He said,


    ANGEL


    I am here for you. No matter what.


    I took a deep breath, whipped the fried chicken crumbs off the bed, and sat him down. I showed him who I truly was, my journey. Of course, he took it hard. I think it was more the fact I lied to him than what I was.


    He was bothered by how I spent the last few months living in a motel, and he kept asking to see my second tongue, but he accepted me. I think he was relieved to find out I wasn''t hoarding pills or reselling them.


    Then came the morning.

 Light Years (Part 3)

    He welcomed me with his glow and guided me through this world. My journey became ours. He was the only person who knew who I was and my life''s mission. We became balanced, each having equal footing in each other''s world.


    It became apparent then to both of us that this was only temporary. With every day passing, our time together waned. If I must leave, then I wanted to go with no regrets. On March fourth, we had our wedding at noon. Soon after, we discovered how biologically similar our species were when I made another selfish decision.


    I gave birth to my son, Avon. December third, at 4 am, on the second.


    When I first saw him, his light was blinding but radiated with a beauty that rivaled any star I''ve seen. With the man I loved, and our child with me, the gaps of darkness closed in until they were gone. I breathed in the heat of these stars until it filled my lungs and singed my blood. I wanted to bask in the illumination for as long as I could.


    Years passed, the best years I have ever had. If the ship never came, even if it meant my planet''s existence, I think I would be fine. Selfish, I know. Then the day finally came. November eleventh.


    I was told to go to the clearing where I landed. I treated the day like it was any other, afraid if I told him, it would become a reality. I got dressed and walked into my sons room. He was asleep already. Angel and I read to him like normal and he knocked out. Angel then should play games with his friends in the game room and I could sneak out without anyone noticing.


    Is this right? I should say something? My mind kept screaming that at me but I can''t handle it. I am not that strong. If he told me to stay, I would. I would let my planet burn for these two. I would let the stars swallow the galaxy if it meant I could spend my life here.


    Angel was sitting in our living room. Looking out the window.


    ANGEL


    The sky''s clear tonight.


    ANA


    It...is.


    He holds up the bag that held the medicine. He holds it open, staring inside it. He knew what was happening, as clear as the tear rolling down his cheek.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ANGEL


    It''s not a long work trip, right?


    My throat closed. I couldn''t speak. He starts chuckling to himself as he wipes his cheeks.


    ANGEL


    Remember when I told you that medicine expires?


    You were freaking out. Thats when I started to


    buy a new bottle every time it got close to expiring.


    ANA


    Y-yeah.


    ANGEL


    From what you told me, your planet''s smart.


    Super smart. They will figure it out right away.


    As a reward, they should give you whatever you want.


    My vision started to go blurry. The tears forming blocked what i could see. I lowered my head, hoping he couldn''t see me cry.


    ANA


    Y-yeah


    ANGEL


    You know what I want?


    I hear Angel get up from the couch and walk to me. Every step pounded on my chest. If he says it, I will. I swear I will leave it all just to say in that house.


    ANGEL


    I want you to promise me the second you drop


    this off, you make your way back to us.


    I broke, and the tears I held back came out full force. He wrapped his arms around me tight. I barely could speak as I gasped between tears. I had enough strength to say one sentence.


    ANA


    Every step I take will be to return to our life.


    I love you both so much.


    Now, I stand here in this clearing with you.


    The man I love knows why I must leave, that this was only temporary. I intend to return, but It will be a long time until I do. I have to do this alone, and he gets that. I don''t worry about him, but I do for my little one. Will my light understand why I left? Will he forgive me when I return? Will I still be able to remember his radiance even when we are far apart? He sleeps in his bed, thinking his mother is in the other room.


    NHU


    Is that star moving?


    ANA


    It''s them. You said if I spoke with you, you will take


    care of my family and keep them safe from other


    people who would want to learn more about me, right?


    NHU


    I swear on my life I will.


    ANA


    Ok, good. I''ll hold you to that. When I


    get back I''ll tell you all about this trip.


    NHU


    I look forward to it.


    A stream of light from above surrounds me, overpowering the moon''s glow. I must leave, selfish but necessary. At this moment, my mission is complete, and my life ends. I check the time once more before I go.


    12:34.

 REPORT: B0102010110032017A24 STATUS

    AGENT RICO


    It is still uncertain if she made it to her planet


    or when she will return. The family is well.


    Agent Nhu has been keeping her end of the barging.


    Went as far as masquerading as the son''s Volleyball coach.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Masquerading is rude as she was a division one player.


    Nhu now lives in the same town. The agent is still


    in active duty but more part-time than full.


    Angel and their son Avon have been doing well.


    Avon has started showing signs of his mother''s heritage


    but according to Angel, she left technology that will


    help hide it. Of course, he refuses to let us see it.


    God, I hope she returns soon.


    End of case file.

 IDA Case 1: A New Affair

    With a job as demanding and secretive, you would expect that Rico would have no friends. That is where you are wrong. INTERNET pushes the idea of having a social life outside of work. It provides the company with several benefits.


    First, happier employees. Many large corporations put the joy and mental health of their employees second. INTERNET understands that is a critical aspect as unhappy employees equal dismal results. In a job like this, one decimal point off can equal the reveal of the ancient stone octopus island and break our treaty with them. We would lose that war if it came to that.


    Second, is the company''s secrecy. If you were at your local chillis and had to guess which of the two is part of a secret shadow organization. Bianca, a woman sitting at a table with a group of her friends, talking about how she was finally able to buy her dream car, or Stephanie. She is talking to her chicken strips about how her life is falling apart and how the relationship between the Stone Octopuses and human society is reaching a breaking point.


    Yeah, Stephanie is looking suspicious. Even though the correct answer is Bianca, she has been working for INTERNET for 5 years and is quickly climbing the ranks. We don''t know how Stephanie knows what she knows, but thats something we will have Bianca look into later.


    Third, it reduces the risk of S¡ª extended vacations.


    Taking all of this into account, you can take the blame off INTERNET as to why Rico has no friends outside of work. The great mystery he is trying to find is how you make friends outside of work when you are an adult and out of school?


    Rico''s only friends are the two he still talks to from high school, his siblings (and that track is strained), and Aly. That is the person Rico speaks to on the phone during company hours. He knows no one will check up on him at the 24th division, and this conversation will go unnoticed unless Laurel is a spy herself.


    Due to Aly''s work as a private investigator, she is parry to keeping a secret, and so is Rico. With this mutual bond of trust, they speak openly with each other. Aly knows she can be sued to bankruptcy if he spills the beans, and Rico would have his brain trapped in a jar in the 99th basement level of INTERNET or the BRAIN GRAVEYARD as the workers have dubbed it.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ALY


    So you''re in the basement now?


    RICO


    I was always in the basement.


    The only difference is that it''s deeper


    and colder, and I am alone.


    Laurel blows a bubble.


    RICO


    Oh, right, except for Laurel.


    ALY


    Oh good, you''re not alone.


    RICO


    Well, she is a fish


    ALY


    Oh god. Thats weird.


    RICO


    Let''s ignore that.


    Let''s focus on what matters.


    How was the grand opening?


    How did Don take it?


    ALY


    Dude! it was... weird.


    RICO


    Bad weird or good weird?


    ALY


    Good weird. You get how


    it is with your siblings.


    Rico is silent. It doesn''t take Aly long to recognize she might have hit a sore pot.


    ALY


    Want to talk about it.


    RICO


    Not now. Maybe later, just why


    don''t you tell me what happened.


    ALY


    Honestly, it''s a lot, and I know


    you are on the clock.


    I wouldn''t want to hold you up at work.


    RICO


    Aly, you''re at work.


    ALY


    ...okay, I''ll tell you about the case.


    RICO


    IT''S A CASE?


    ALY


    Yup, our very first case at the


    Isebela Detective Agency.


    I nicknamed it "A New Affair."

 New Affair (Part 1)

    In 2019, The Washington Post stated that malls are dying in the United States. It''s the year 2035, and the Lone Star Mall in Texas has survived the Post''s declaration of death, barely. It is the nation''s 5th largest mall. The American Kingdom all owns the title of number 1.


    The Lone Star Mall houses a theme park, hotel, and a militia of stores and restaurants. Lone Star Mall may be alive, but the Post''s words inch closer. The tourist coming for the spectacle is the only thing keeping it alive. Even the outlets surrounding the building are a maze of wonder, with the cracks in between the stores housing the city''s unsavory residents.


    One of them is standing there right now. In the side parking lot in one of the outlets is a man named Kent. He stands six feet tall with a sturdy build. To the bone-thin thirteen-year-old boy he is speaking to, he feels ten feet tall and as wide as a semi-truck. The boy, Drake, grabs the straps of his backs pack and stares at the man''s black boots.


    KENT


    Now, you''re going to take this to your school,


    and I want you to sell it all by the end of the week.


    Drake wanted to stop by the mall to grab himself a new shirt for a date he had. He finally dared to ask the girl he liked out, but he wasn''t aware the alley was this man''s go-to spot to find new talent. Unknown to them both, someone watching from a distance knew.


    The man pushes a plastic bag filled with a rainbow assortment of "adult tik-taks." All the pills are color-coordinated and packed in individual small plastic bags.


    DRAKE


    I... I don''t want to.


    KENT


    This is a great financial opportunity for you.


    Create a foundation for further fiscal growth


    or help mommy with the bills. If you can''t do this.


    The man leans in close.


    KENT


    Well, that means you''ll need a special one-on-one


    business seminar. To get you in the right


    headspace to work.


    The man clinches his fist. A drop of sweat slides down to the tip of the boy''s nose. He can hear his blood racing through his body. The man''s pupils are small, focused. If you stare deep into the black of them, you can see the cracks in his psyche.


    The words bubble in the boy''s throat. He wants to say, "no, get away." He knows he needs to sprint as far away as possible, but his feet are sunk into the ground. Nothing can break the trance he is in, until a shadow cast over the boy''s face.


    The slurp from a straw impaling a chocolate chip frappe the boy''s stare. Standing behind the thug is dark skin man named Donald "Don" Isabela. The top of his bald head barely reaches the man''s shoulder. The boy, who is 5''3, barely has to look up to stare Donald in the eye. He has a thick beard with a clean lineup. Don is wearing a navy blue suit with a thick brown t-shirt; sneakers that shine almost as much as his freshly shaven head. His frame would suggest that he frequently goes to the gym to build muscle, but you can tell he skips cardio by his round stomach. His blue, metallic watch jingles while he races his cup to take another sip. The hot exhale after that sip fogs the bottom frame of his horn-rimmed glasses.


    DON


    Finally, I was getting tired of watching you do nothing.


    The man turns around, initially looking over Don''s head. It wasn''t until he noticed the shine bouncing off Don''s scalp that he looked down.


    KENT


    Look at this stocky stump. What do you want?


    DON


    Stump? Why go there? It wasn''t even called for.


    Don takes another sip. The cool chocolate chip hits his tongue and pairs nicely with the cold breeze of the wind. It''s only fifty-five degrees outside this fall day, but for a man who grew up in this state of Texas, it was as cold as the artic. The man eyes Don, wondering why he is here.


    KENT


    You don''t look like the boy''s dad or brother.


    Why don''t you go down the street


    and pretend nothing happened?


    Don takes another sip from his cup, then looks up at him. He glances at his watch and then at the nervous teenager moments away from wetting himself. Don does this, hoping it would aggravate the man and get him off his mental balance. By the red rushing to the man''s face and narrowing stare, Don can tell it''s working.


    DON


    I can''t go into too much detail.


    You know, client confidentiality. I''m gonna skip


    ahead as I have somewhere to be.


    Don pulls his phone, which is a glass rectangle. There is no camera or buttons on it. He taps on its side, and the glass shows a black screen with a play button. He holds up the phone for a second. The man and the boy stare at it, waiting for something to happen. Don notices their confusion and looks at his phone.


    DON


    Oh, my bad, my bad.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Don''s calm and collected demeanor withers. What''s left is a nervous chuckle as he panicky presses the play symbol on the screen.


    DON


    Okay, now look.


    A video appears on the screen. It is of Don, the man, and the boy standing there as if someone is watching them from the side. The man turns and doesn''t see anything there.


    DON


    I hid the camera well. You won''t


    see it. Go ahead, wave.


    The boy turns in the same direction and gives a small wave. It appears on Don''s phone.


    DON


    I''ve been recording this since you first pulled


    the kid in here. I''m still recording now.


    Without hesitation, Kent takes a swing at Don. The man''s massive fist barely misses as Don stumbles back and falls cheeks-first into the ally.


    KENT


    I bet when I beat the crap out of you,


    it''ll look good on camera.


    DON


    Let''s relax now.


    Don moves back while still on the ground. Don''s hand slowly reaches for something behind him. Before he can reach something black tucked in the back of his pants, a trash can lid flies like a frisbee and smacks the man in the jaw.


    The sunlight shining into the alley cast over someone standing at the end. They are obscure, but her voice reverberates off the brick walls.


    UNKNOWN WOMAN


    Don''t you dare touch his big butt.


    DON


    Was "big" necessary?


    UNKNOWN WOMAN


    Shut up; I''m saving you.


    The woman keeps her eyes on her prey. The man takes a step back and looks deeper into the alley.


    KENT


    This is getting too much. I''m gone.


    Kent makes a break into the ally''s shadows.


    DON


    We can''t let him get away, Aly. You need to¡ª


    Before he could finish the sentence or even get up, the woman sprints pass Don and follows the man into the ally. The boy could barely distinguish who ran past them, but Don would recognize his sister Alysa Isabela anywhere. She is in her late twenties and has the same complexion as him.


    She has an outfit ready to go down the catwalk of the stylish business attire fashion show, complete with her burgundy jacket, a belt tightened in the middle, and Adidas sneakers that compliment her outfit. Her fluffy, curly dark hair barely passes her chin, and her eyes zero in on the man''s back as he tries to escape.


    Drake turns to Don, still clutching the straps of his book bag. Don catches this.


    DON


    It''s all good, kid. She can handle


    herself. What''s your name, kid?


    DRAKE


    Drake.


    DON


    Nice to meet you, Drake. Call me Don.


    Why don''t you show me what''s in the bag?


    Drake nods and unzips the bag.


    The man sprints deeper into the maze of shops on the outskirts of the mall until a glass bottle flies right passed his head and shatters on a nearby wall. Het turns, and Aly is already close. He takes a swing.


    KENT


    Don''t mess with me. Dynasty ain''t no punks!


    His fist wafts in the air as there is no face for his knuckles to connect to. Aly read his movements. She lowered her body and sidestepped around him to avoid his punch.


    With a deep breath, Aly analyzes the man. The way he swung his fist, it''s clear he hasn''t had any professional training. His stance is sloppy and unbalanced. With a simple nudge, she could knock him down. However, the confidence behind his punch shows this isn''t his first street fight. Her eyes can follow him clearly while he turns around. His movements are slow, well to Aly.


    She tucks her arms and goes in. She pushes with her back foot and twists her hip as she pulls her fist back. Her back muscles tense as she pushes her fist forward and makes sure to utilize her whole weight. Before the man can react, Aly''s fist slams into his gut with enough force to turn bricks into dust before the man can react. A metallic clang echoes in the alley when she lands her punch.


    His feet are in the air as a glob of saliva spews out his mouth. He flies back three feet, and his body bounces like a fumbled football. The man passes out, and Aly smirks.


    ALY


    Maybe I don''t need to join that


    gym. Looks like I still got it.


    The back of the man''s jacket collects dirt as Aly grabs him by the scruff of his shirt and pulls him through the alley like a bag of trash. She returns to Don, who is taking photos of the boy''s backpack. Don notices his sister is dragging the man behind her.


    DON


    That''s disrespectful.


    ALY


    Look at that kid again and


    tell me he deserves respect.


    Don agrees with her.


    ALY


    You got enough for the client.


    DON


    I got more than what they asked.


    ALY


    Think we can charge more?


    DON


    No, but at least we got


    enough evidence for our client.


    Now, what they do with


    it is up to them.


    He turns to his sister and holds his hand out.


    DON


    Mind getting me¡ª


    Before he could finish, Aly tosses the man''s phone. It is similar to Don''s but smaller and not as clean. There are dried watermarks, minor scratches, and finger smudges all over the glass body.


    ALY


    Already got it. Can we hurry? I want to


    show you what I did with the space.


    DON


    Don''t rush me.


    Don holds the phone in his right hand, the same hand his watch is on. Appearing out from the under of the band is a translucent teal centipede. You can see the hairs on Don''s wrist when you look at it, as it is made of light instead of physical matter. Don makes sure the boy can''t see this. The insect crawls onto the man''s phone and buries itself into the screen. There are no new scratches or cracks on the screen, but the centipede entirely passes through the glass and into the phone.


    Don tosses the phone back to his sister. She drops the man, and his back thumps on the floor, but she catches the phone. While she places his phone back into his jacket pocket, Don presses his thumb on the side of his phone. The thumb is scanned, and a thin light shines around the side of the phone. He pulls it from the glass, and the phone unfolds to double its size. Don starts to go through the files with a small circle filling up in the corner of the screen.


    To unfamiliar eyes, it looks like Don is going through his phone at a crucial moment and is ignoring everyone around him. Aly, on the other hand, knows what is going on. The screen''s content isn''t Don''s phone but the unconscious man. The circle shows the progress of downloading content off the man''s phone. The information is detailed on how many times he has locked and unlocked the device.


    Standing near each other, the boy can see Aly standing a few inches taller than her brother. She turns and crouches down to look at the boy''s eye level.


    ALY


    I''m sorry, but we are going to need


    the backpack. Don''t worry, we will make up


    for it. Can I see your phone?


    Drake, with shaking hands, gives her his phone. Aly hands Don the phone and a few swipes on the screen, and Don hands the phone back to the kid.


    DON


    I just transferred around $300 to your bank account, Drake.


    Complements of the man on the floor.


    Don''t worry; he won''t be able to trace it back to you.


    You need to keep out of trouble and places


    like this. You were lucky we were here.


    Aly walks out the alley, heading toward their car.


    ALY


    Grab the camera, and let''s go.


    DON


    Where not leaving yet.


    ALY


    Come on, the space is waiting


    for us. I worked all month.


    DON


    We have to wait for cops and


    then check in with the client.


    ALY


    Or we can head straight there.


    Don''s brow scrunches closer together as his forehead wrinkle appears.


    DON


    We are waiting here with the kid until the


    cops come to pick up the dude on the floor.


    The boy stands there, no longer able to clutch the straps of his bag, watching the siblings bicker back and forth. Two questions float in the boy''s mind. "Should he wait here with them," and "who are they?"

 New Affair (Part 2)

    ALY


    Better hold the back of your head before


    your brain blasts out! Here it is, our office!


    Standing next to each other are the two siblings in formal attire.


    DON


    Can¡¯t believe this.


    ALY


    Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t like it?


    DON


    Well, it¡¯s in a mall.


    People swiftly walk around the siblings with their destinations in sight. Others meander and gaze at storefronts. It reminds Don of children at a zoo, equal parts intrigued and ready to leave at a moment¡¯s notice.


    ALY


    I know, it¡¯s great. Plus, the renovations


    are done, and we signed on the dotted line.


    There¡¯s no turning back now.


    Aly walks to the roller shutters in front of the glass doors. Don surveys the stores around them. They are in a five-story mall. The building is large and considered spectacular compared to those in the country. For Aly, walking around for quite some time, and trying to pick a location before today, made it feel cramped for her.


    Aly walks through the glass doors.


    ALY


    Wait out there for one second.


    Don can feel the glances of the people passing him. He adjusts his jacket and checks his collar in hopes of looking professional and distinguished. A soft glow hits his face as he looks up to see a sigh above the glass doors light up to say:


    Isabela Detective Agency


    ALY


    It feels good seeing it lit up like that.


    Don stands there, and Aly can tell he feels the same by the glimmer in his eye.


    DON


    The font¡¯s good, but what do you think


    about the logo? Is it too much?


    I don¡¯t think it¡¯s too much.


    The glimmer is replaced with annoyance. Don glares at Aly while he walks toward the glass doors. He opens the glass door with care.


    DON


    Oh god, I already told you it¡¯s okay.


    ALY


    I know, but now that you see it lit up,


    do you still feel the same?


    Before they step inside, he stops and notices a small fingerprint smudge on the door. He pulls a handkerchief used to clean a phone screen and wipes the glass. He steps back to make sure there are no other marks. Once satisfied, he allows them to walk in. They step into a small waiting area. There is a table with magazines thrown about. A small TV with Netflix is on, and the cursor hovers over an account called ¡°Office Lounge.¡±


    Decorating the area is a series of fake plants to create the illusion that the people inside are responsible. There is a painting of a lighthouse standing on a hill, surrounding a forest. There is a desk on the other side of the waiting room, waiting to house the secretary one day they will be able to afford. Finally, across the room is a door leading to their shared office.


    DON


    This is definitely a waiting room.


    ALY


    Saved some cash by getting everything


    secondhand, but no way anyone


    will be able to tell.


    They will, he thinks to himself, as he was able to tell when he stepped in. Everything looked nice at first, but minor blemishes on the furniture and the fact nothing flowed or matched gave it away.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ALY


    Wait ¡®til you see our office.


    She opens the door, and he basks in the sight. There are two new desks next to each other with a trash can in between them on the tiled floor. They each have their own computer, office faux leather brown chairs, two chairs in front of the desks, and a couch is nuzzled in by the door. There is a bookshelf filled with books of varying ages and a door in the corner. The last thing that stands out the most to him is the neon-colored signs over the desk. The one on the left spells out Donald Isabela, and the right says Alysa Isabela. Both scream over-the-top.


    ALY


    Now this, this an office.


    DON


    Those signs are beyond tacky.


    By looking around, he can


    see where the money went. T


    he contrasting setups in


    both rooms tell different stories.


    The office exudes professional, diligent detectives who can solve any case. The waiting room whimpers, Maybe we can find your cat, but it probably won¡¯t be alive.


    ALY


    You don¡¯t like them?


    DON


    I¡¯m not saying that. I love them.


    I¡¯m just saying, does it look,


    you know, professional?


    She nods with a smile, hoping that will be enough for her worried brother. His eyes glance at his desk, and he can feel the blood pump through his body when he finds the paper-thin computer screen.


    DON


    It is just like I wanted?


    ALY


    Like the one, you have at home.


    Don walks over to his desk. His eyes widen as his hand grazes the surface. On it is a monitor, a picture in a frame, and a computer tower hidden in a cabinet on the desk. He checks to make sure his sister put air holes in the back, so his new baby won¡¯t overheat. She did.


    He presses his thumb to the wood, and a green light is emitted from the desk. Sections flip over, revealing secret compartments. There are various tools here, ranging from wrenches, screwdrivers, and many thin metal rods to strange medical tools. It looks like a mix of a mechanic¡¯s garage and a hospital¡¯s operating theater. The tools are on top of each other and unorganized. He can tell that Aly threw them in haphazardly. He won¡¯t be able to focus until this is in order.


    DON


    Good, we don¡¯t have to run home


    if you need maintenance.


    He presses his thumb again on the wood, and the desk reverts back to normal. He finds a small black circle embedded in the wood of the desk. He pulls out his phone from his pocket and puts it on the circle. Bright, multicolored lights streak through the desk surface and into the computer. It starts to charge the phone, and his computer screen lights up. He is logged in, and the screen welcomes him.


    DON


    Now, this is amazing. I can¡¯t believe


    we got this, and I can¡¯t wait to tear into it.


    ALY


    Good, because it cost us a lot.


    My desk isn¡¯t the same, so we


    didn¡¯t go overbudget, but


    I did treat myself.


    Aly says with a smile on her face. Her desk has a similar monitor and an above-average computer. She opens a small cabinet door, revealing a small minifridge built into the desk. It is filled with soda, bottled water, and snacks.


    Don¡¯s eyes drift to the door in the corner.


    DON


    What¡¯s with the door?


    ALY


    Private bathroom and shower.


    Aly opens the door. True to her word, there is a small bathroom with a shower.


    DON


    What did you do?


    ALY


    Get this. Some guy tried to make this


    place his apartment and had it built.


    Once the mall found it, they kicked him out.


    Now, we have a shower! I won¡¯t have


    to worry about smelling bad in


    front of clients after the gym.


    The sounds of tiny scurrying feet come from above their heads. Don looks up at the ceiling as he feels a chill down his spine.


    DON


    Aly.


    ALY


    Yes?


    Don looks at her, but Aly avoids his gaze with a nervous smile.


    DON


    What was that?


    ALY


    What was what?


    The sound of tiny feet scraping the ceiling as something runs by continues. It¡¯s clear that they both hear it. Don echoes the noise by rubbing his nails on his desk.


    DON


    Sounded like this, kinda like rats.


    Don¡¯s eyes burn through his sister as she tries to stay strong.


    ALY


    Rats? You¡¯re hearing things.


    There are no rats.


    DON


    Don¡¯t lie to me. I need to


    know if we have ra¡ª


    He stops speaking once his hand taps the picture frame on his desk. There is a lighter-skinned Hispanic man in a button-down standing next to a black woman in a lovely dress. In front of them are two children resembling Aly and Don. His smile fades as his eyes focus on the picture.


    ALY


    What¡¯s up?


    DON


    It¡¯s just, Mom and Dad. What they


    want for us. I just don¡¯t feel this is it.


    Aly flashes Don a soft smile as she leans on his desk while talking.


    ALY


    This is what we want, and that¡¯s


    all that matters, to them and us.


    Remember, it¡¯s what Papi said


    all the time, just find your


    piece of peace, that¡¯s all.


    Plus, with this business and this mall, I feel that they can only be positives. We have a constant flow of customers. We are next to all of these great stores.


    DON


    Isn¡¯t the store in front of us closing?


    Aly shushes Don before continuing.


    ALY


    They have a great gym here, too,


    and I feel you¡¯ve forgotten the best part.


    DON


    What¡¯s that?


    Aly has a hungry grin.


    ALY


    Food court!


    DON


    Food court.


    Don says softly as his eyes widen with joy. Aly turns back to the door and prepares to leave.


    ALY


    Speaking of, let¡¯s go gets something.


    I say either Pizza or Chinese.


    DON


    I¡¯ve been smelling that pizza since


    we walked in. Still, you go ahead.


    I¡¯ll stay in case we get a customer.


    Don notices Aly closing and opening her hand.


    DON


    Is your hand giving you trouble? Need me to look at it?


    ALY


    When I get back.


    She says, gripping her hand tightly.


    ALY


    I like your optimism, though.


    We¡¯ve been open for a second,


    and you think we will have a client by now.


    Aly opens the office door to find a woman waiting for them in the lounge.


    ALY


    Can I help you?

 New Affair (Part 3)

    ALY


    Can I get some help, please?


    Aly grabs a lime green tray on a glass counter. On it are pizza slices on top of paper plates. Each has two slices, one pepperoni, and the other sausage. She watches the teenage employee walk back to a group gathered in the back of the kitchen, talking to themselves.


    ALY


    Excuse me, this was supposed to be to-go.


    A worker finally turns to Aly.


    TEENAAGE PIZZA EMPLOYEE


    That tray is yours.


    ALY


    But it was supposed to be to-go.


    No one responds. Seconds away from losing her cool, Aly takes a deep breath and lets out an empathic


    ALY


    Cool,


    Aly makes her way through the food court with the tray of pizza in one hand and a cup holder of three different coffees in the other. One frappe is so sweet you can feel the cavities forming on your molars from the first sip. There''s a sizeable vanilla cream cold brew, probably more ice than coffee. Finally, a bitter black coffee with one packet of sugar.


    She bobs and weaves through the shoppers, distracted by the signs and window displays instead of looking forward. There aren''t many people in the mall, but they still find a way to almost crash into her. Aly can''t help but think how people lose a sense of social awareness once they are walking. She walks past the video game store by the office when she hears a man''s voice coming from inside.


    UNKNOWN MAN


    You know you''re not supposed to


    carry that tray out of the food court.


    Aly turns to see a man with slick back hair, skinny frame, and a black long-sleeved shirt stocking a game shelf.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    ALY


    They didn''t give it to me to-go


    when I asked, so it''s mine now.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    UNKNOWN MAN


    They have the best pizza in town but the


    crappiest service. Worth it though,


    in my opinion.


    ALY


    It''s my first time having it, I''m kinda new


    to the mall. Don''t know what''s


    what here yet.


    UNKNOWN MAN


    You''re one of the detectives that


    opened up next door, right?


    ALY


    Yes, I am. Let me give you our card.


    She goes to look for a card in her pocket but then remembers her hands are full. She walks up to the man and without asking him for help, even though his hands are full at the moment, hands him the tray. When he puts the games on the shelf and reaches for the tray, she notices his hand.


    It''s an animatronic hand. There are some wires sticking out of the metal frame and it''s dented in random places. The metal stretches from the tips of his fingernails to part of his forearm. Each finger can move on its own, but slowly, and can only bend at the knuckles. There is the soft sound of metal shifting when he moves one of his digits.


    ALY


    You need to take better


    care of that, man.


    UNKNOWN MAN


    That''s rude. I can''t afford to get it fix. Mechstitics


    cost a ton to maintain. With a job like this.


    He gestures with his head to the store.


    UNKNOWN MAN


    Sometimes you got put certain finances


    on the backburner. That doesn''t matter,


    though ¨C why am I holding this?


    She goes for a card and places it on the shelf. While she takes the tray from the man, he grabs the card and reads it.


    Isabela Detective Agency


    "We can solve all of your problems, from the mundane to the strange."


    UNKNOWN MAN


    Isn''t the tagline a bit much?


    Ten better taglines she could use pop into the man''s head as he stares at the card.


    ALY


    It''s great and already printed. You should stop


    by if you need anything. Also, my brother


    does maintenance and repairs on all mechsthetic.


    Come by, and I''ll give you a discount on that hand.


    UNKNOWN MAN


    Really? That would be cool.


    I''ll stop by on my next day off.


    He holds his hand out to shake hers while putting his mechanical hand and the card in his pocket. Aly can tell he doesn''t want her getting a closer look. The unknown man finally says his name.


    TONY


    I''m Tony.


    Aly places the drinks on the ground and shakes his hand.


    ALY


    I''m Alyssa Isabela. Call me Aly,


    though, if you want that discount.


    When Tony grabs her hand, his hairs stand up as his body is decorated in goose bumps. Her hand is unnaturally cold to the touch. Her grip is strong too, and you would suspect with how soft her skin looks that her hand would match it. Instead it is like grabbing a door handle.


    ALY


    Perfect.


    She grabs her drinks and turns to walks away when he calls out for her.


    TONY


    Look you''re nice, and I think


    you should be aware. I don''t know if


    anyone told you about the ''Roos.


    They''re a local gang who have


    been moving into the mall.


    ALY


    They the ones who messed up your hand?


    She already knows the answer. Tony digs his hand deeper into his pocket.


    TONY


    I don''t know what their end goal is,


    but with your job, you might


    run into them. Just be careful.


    ALY


    Thanks for the heads up. Let me know


    if you hear more about these ''Roos,''


    and I''ll see you on your next day off.


    With that, she walks out of the store. He takes the card out of his pocket and makes sure to tuck it into his wallet.

 New Affair (Part 4)

    Aly walks up to the glass doors, pushes it open with her back, and walks through the empty lobby. She makes it to the next door and kicks it with her foot. ALY Bro. Open up!


    The door opens wide enough for Don to pop his head out. DON Don''t kick in the door. We have a client here.


    His eye bounces from her to the tray in her hand with the pizza slices sitting on it. DON Did you steal that from the food court? Come on; we need to look professional.


    ALY


    We''re paying for the food.


    What''s more professional than that?


    Don opens the door all the way to let her in. Sitting in a chair in front of Don''s desk is a woman with long blonde hair, a face that would sell out magazines and eyes as green as Ireland''s most lush rolling hills. Don places the tray and drinks on his desk then hands out the plates and napkins.


    Aly picks up the bitter black coffee and hands it to the lady, then gives the sweet drink to her burly brother and takes the cold brew for herself. DON Where did we leave off, Ms...? Don stops, noticing he never asked for her name. MRS. OLIVE Mrs. Olive. Well, maybe not for long.


    She speaks in a soft, sorrowful voice. The siblings begin to eat their pizzas. Don unbuttons his jacket while Aly sits at her desk, laying her napkins on her side and folding her pizza like a taco shell before biting.


    ALY


    Mrs. Olive, I''m excited that you''re


    choosing to do your business with us.


    Aly says before taking a careful bite of pizza. Don is glad she decides not to eat her usual way, which has been compared to a newborn discovering their first plate of mush.


    MRS. OLIVE


    Well, I wasn''t looking for private investigators.


    I saw this here and thought why not? I mean,


    I didn''t think I would even find a P.I. firm in this mall.


    She says, clearly still shocked by the fact.


    ALY


    So, you''re saying that this


    location helped with your choice.


    Aly eyes Don, who chooses not to acknowledge the look.


    DON


    Mrs. Olive, something must be


    bothering you if you decide to come


    here on a whim. Are you being


    stalked, threatened?


    ALY


    Are thugs hunting you down?


    Were you hacked and are being blackmailed?


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    DON


    Witnessed a murder?


    ALY


    Committed a murder?


    MRS. OLIVE


    What was that?


    Mrs. Olive asks, confused and overwhelmed by the sudden interrogation.


    DON


    You''re right, I''m sorry.


    Why don''t you just tell us what''s


    bothering you and we can see


    if we can help?


    Don takes a massive bite. Mrs. Olive collects herself. She starts to talk about her husband, Ben Olive. He currently works at a bank in the city. He has his own desk and cubicle where he consults with people about loans, helps with their finances, and so on.


    On paper, the man sounds like your average guy with a loving wife and dreams of starting a family. They have been together for six years, with the recent three being married to each other. Mrs. Olive believes it is a happy marriage, minus a few fights here and there. Nothing. She is in love with the man and claims to know how he thinks and acts.


    When his behavior started to change, she became worried. Ben has been leaving the house more often alone than not returning until late at night.


    ALY


    Have you asked him where he''s been?


    Aly asks after sipping down some coffee.


    MRS. OLIVE


    Of course, we always communicate with each other.


    I know he has to be lying. He says he''s


    been going to the movies and playing cards


    with friends in some shop, both in this mall.


    That''s why I was here in the first place.


    He''s secretive about it. I don''t want to


    assume the worst, but my mind began to wonder.


    I can''t help but think of something ...terrible.


    I bet it''s a redhead, he loves redhead.


    I should of dies my hair.


    Don rips a piece of pizza crust with his teeth.


    DON


    So, you think he''s cheating on ya.


    MRS. OLIVE


    Y-yes. She uses her grease-stained napkin


    to wipe a tear coming out. Aly, grossed out,


    watches the tears mix with the grease.


    ALY


    This seems pretty straightforward.


    She pulls out a thick stack of papers stapled together and slams it on her desk. Both Don and Mrs Olive flinch at the lound bang. Aly grins and pretends not to notice.


    ALY


    Here''s our contract. It shows our rules,


    what we will and won''t do. A rough estimated


    cost of services and a bunch more. I suggest


    reading through before signing.


    Mrs. Olive starts to read over the packet and after a grueling amount of time, she hands it all back signed and initial. She gives them a picture of her husband, answers a few questions, and leaves. Don picks up the area as Aly doubles check the paperwork.


    ALY


    According to this, we can start today.


    DON


    We''re still open, though. What if


    someone comes in when we''re gone?


    Don grabs his keys.


    ALY


    Two in one day? Do you


    have faith in our location yet?


    Don ignores her again, determined not to give his sister any satisfaction.


    ALY


    Still, we have to lock up.


    I like leaving this place open


    with no one here.


    They both step out of the office and head through the lobby and exit.


    DON


    We need a secretary


    ALY


    I''ll put an ad out.


    DON


    After today we should try to dress


    down a bit. It''s better we don''t


    stand out while we follow him.


    Don looks up at Aly, who is double-checking her pockets to make sure she has everything.


    DON


    You don''t have the tray?


    ALY


    I don''t have the tray.


    DON


    We need to return it.


    ALY


    Nope, it''s ours now. Maybe we will


    get a to-go bag next time.


    DON


    Maybe. That was a good slice.


    ALY


    Apparently, the best in town.


    Aly walks out while Don holds the door open for her.


    DON


    Best I''ve had so far.


    With the door still open, Don presses his thumb on a slip of black metal on the top of the door handle and waits for a beeping sound. The black metal scans his fingerprint, and then makes a digital chime. Once he hears this, he knows that all of the doors in the office are locked, the alarm is set, and the lights are off. With that, Don shuts the glass door.

 New Affair (Part 5)

    The Lone Star mall holds a variety of stores, from the useful, to the "how do they make money" kind. The stores specializing in only cleaning products, the sword store, the eccentric spiritual store, and the bootleg anime products. I saw a cross-eyed WUFFY statue with an apparent misspelling on the box. This is not one of those stores.


    A local business has found success after years of hard work and began to expand throughout the last decade. A cozy cafe that serves the city''s best sandwiches and coffee. That isn''t only the owner boasting, as it was voted the best cafe in Austin 5 years running. It is called Cafe Llama.


    Sitting in the cafe''s rustic and timeless charm are Aly and Don. Each table is decorated with old comic books and printed-out webcomic panels to give the space some appeal. This one is themed after a phantom thief in Mexico called Yualco trying to save a group of kidnaped women from the city gang.


    Aly catches herself reading the table as she sips on her coffee. Don munches on a chicken pesto sandwich while staring at his phone.


    ALY


    When I get home, I''m checking this out.


    Though what I really want to know is,


    are you in yet?


    Don taps on his phone and looks up with a sly smile. What makes the location special is the business across the hall. A big chain bank set up an office in the mall. They updated furniture, security systems, and tech. It''s so good; if you can log into the Wi-Fi, you can still have a strong signal in the cafe. Don is aware of this as he is currently on their Wi-Fi and more.


    He places the phone on the table to reveal the security footage of the bank''s lobby. He has a full view of the teller and the small cubicle offices. There are six cubicles in three rows of two, all occupied by a worker and a customer.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    They both stare at the screen and begin absorbing information. Each worker wears the same powder blue dress shirt and black slacks. All beards are well trimmed, and hair is tied up in a top bun if length allows. The bank believes in a strict dress code and conformity.


    Aly points to the cubicle tucked in the top left corner of the cubicle section. Sitting there is a short blonde hair man talking to a man in a navy suit with short white hair.


    ALY


    That''s our guy.


    Don grabs her finger and moves her finger to another blonde man on the lower left side talking to a woman.


    DON


    That''s our guy.


    ALY


    You can''t blame me. They look alike.


    DON


    Sure, so what''s your read on him.


    ALY


    Hard to tell from this angle and distance.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    He seems confident, maybe a little flirty


    with the lady, but I can''t tell if it''s genuine or


    more work flirting to get the sale.


    DON


    You can''t get a "sell" at a bank.


    ALY


    And that''s why I handle our money.


    Either way, with this, we can see if he


    has any recurring customers. Any hints yet?


    The past few weeks'' video recording of this area is being uploaded to Don''s phone, and he is running a facial recognition software, which appears on his screen as a multi-colored pastel caterpillar eating the footage.


    DON


    Give it a sec.


    ALY


    So... you like the space.


    DON


    I already said I did.


    ALY


    Yeah, but you weren''t like YEAH!


    You were more like ...yeah.


    I worked hard on it.


    DON


    I told you it''s more than just the space.


    ALY It''s the rats in the ceiling.


    DON


    I thought you said there were no¡ª


    ALY


    Look, I know you put a lot into this


    business. I did too, and I know


    you made sacrifices.


    Don clenches his phone.


    ALY


    I did too. I... want this to


    succeed as much as you do.


    She clamps her hands and clenches tight. Don''s eyes brush on this, and he leans back in his chair.


    DON


    When I came to you with


    this idea... to be detectives,


    I expected you to laugh at me.


    ALY


    I did.


    DON


    Yeah, but then you said yeah.


    You didn''t take time to think about it,


    and here we are in a few months.


    We are not even trained.


    ALY


    Weren''t you in the military?


    DON


    As a scientist, you were in MMA.


    None of this means we


    can be detectives.


    ALY


    You''re talking like a man with


    an idea and no faith.


    Don takes a bite of his sandwich, still debating with himself. ALY Life is built on decisions. Ones that work and ones that don''t. What matters isn''t the outcome but the ability to make another. This is our first case. Success or failure, I will be ready for the next one. Hopefully better than before so i don''t scxrew up again, but that implies I will screw up this time.


    The phone vibrates on the table. A few matches occur. The same employees with a few false flags with Mr. Olive and the other blond employee. The silver-haired man, a woman with red hair, and a young man with an olive complexion, a haircut with shaven sides, and a jean jacket.


    A review of the hits shows the redhead appearing multiple times a week. She would be in regular street clothes to an all too familiar pizza symbol on a green shirt.


    ALY


    The re-head works here at the mall.


    Her shirt color is different, but it''s the same


    style as the pizza shop in the food court.


    DON


    A possible suspect?


    ALY


    Maybe.


    DON


    We will see once we tail


    Mr. Olive for a while.


    Aly squints at the screen.


    DON


    You okay?


    ALY


    I''m just staring at the man in the


    jacket who goes there a lot.


    DON


    Yeah, he never talks to the same person


    each time. Happy to take whatever...


    except it''s always the people on the right side.


    ALY


    Yeah, and that patch he


    has on his jacket.


    It''s a bit blurry as Don zooms in as the AI image generator tries to crispin the image, but she can''t confidently make it out. The more ALy stares, the more she swears the patch looks like a kangaroo.

 New Affair (Part 6)

    A playing card with a cartoon character on it hits the plastic surface.


    ALY


    What day are we on?


    They sit at a table across each other. Each holds a set of playing cards with detailed, colorful characters ranging from sci-fi and robots to pirates and wizards. They sit at a local comic book and game shop in the mall, a few stores away from their office.


    They are dressed down from suits and businesswear, now in casual attire. Don wears light-colored jeans with splotches of white, hi-top sneakers, and a black hoodie with faded words in bright colors. Aly is wearing ripped black jeans, a white sweater with colorful splotches on it. The pink of her running knitted sneakers matches the pink lens of her Ray Ban sunglasses.


    DON


    It''s our fifth day.


    Don places a card down. Aly stares at her cards, trying to calculate her next move.


    ALY


    I like this case. I was afraid we would go


    to some dark bars, motel parking lots, and feeling


    disgusting. You know, basic


    cheating shtick. Instead, we get to have fun.


    She places a card down.


    ALY


    Was he doing the usual in the morning?


    Don glances at the table and places another card. Aly lets out a groan at the sight of the card. Don''s focus is across the room at a table filled with people playing the same card game. Mr. Olive has


    Don''s attention. The tie to his suit is undone, his top two buttons unbuttoned, and a backpack lies next to him.


    DON


    Yeah, the same as last time.


    Dude was just at work. Then he went


    home for a moment, then here.


    I did notice something, though.


    We''re not the only ones tailing him.


    Aly places a card down boldly with a smile, a smile that is wiped away when Don puts another card down.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ALY


    Of course you have that.


    She mumbles before speaking.


    ALY


    What does the person look like?


    Did you get a good look?


    DON


    Don''t have to. Dude''s sitting on


    the bench outside the store.


    Don gestures with his head. Aly peers over Don''s shoulder at the glass wall of the shop. It''s easy to tell out of the three people sitting on the bench in the middle of the walkway who Don means. The man is wearing a black sweater, jeans, and sneakers. He has an olive complexion and is trying too hard to make it look like he is not staring into the store.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    ALY


    Wait, he was outside the bank that one day.


    Right? Dude''s such an amateur.


    It''s obvious that he''s waiting for someone.


    We''re going to talk to him, right?


    DON


    You know we will.


    He places a card down, causing Aly to grind her teeth.


    DON


    How''re things going on your end?


    ALY


    The secretary hunt? It''s technically going.


    Her eyes jumping from the cards on the table to the ones in her hand.


    ALY


    Not a lot of people are jumping to take the position.


    DON


    Is it the amount we are offering?


    Don taps his fingers, waiting for Aly to play a card.


    ALY


    Probably, plus there''s paperwork


    I have to go through. You know how many


    references I had to call? Shit gets boring.


    Don looks over at the table to see their target packing his things up. The tapping grows louder as Don stares at Ben getting up. He lowers his head and delivers his message with an aggressive whisper.


    DON


    Come on, Aly. Play your card ¨C he''s getting ready to go.


    ALY


    You won''t be happy when I do. Watch this.


    Aly slams a card on the table. With one look, Don plays a card and gets up from the table.


    ALY


    No, no, no. How did you?


    Aly glares at Don, who is getting ready to follow the man.


    DON


    Hurry, loser picks up. He''s walking out.


    Aly starts packing up the cards, stranded in a sea of petty emotions. She stuffs them in a backpack and runs out. Once their target walks out of the store, the man on the bench gets up and follows Mr. Olive. Unfortunately for him, he is unaware of Don and Aly coming up beside him.


    They each lock arms with the man. Aly presses two fingers on his ribs. Aly''s hands are cold steel as the tips of her fingers feel like pistols pressing on him.


    ALY


    Don''t worry, man, the restrooms are this way.


    Before he can react, Aly walks up next to him and pointing at a hallway stretching far into the mall''s insides.


    DON


    Let us help.


    His arm pushes the man in the direction of the hall.


    STALKER


    What the hel¡ª


    ALY


    It''s no big deal. I mean, we are


    both headed to the same place.


    Aly pulls him into the hall before Mr. Olive can look back and see them. Her fingers press on a rib harder, and the man can hear it splintering. They walk past the bathrooms, with Don''s eyes on a door at the end of the hall labeled storage.

 New Affair (Part 7)

    Don pulls out his phone as they come up to a door locked by a keypad. A semi-transparent pink centipede made of light appears out of nowhere on the door handle. Don watches the insect crawl onto the keypad and buries itself into it. There are no marks on the keys or scratches on the metal, and soon it was as if the bug was never there. The keypad light turns green, unlocking the door, and Don puts his phone back in his pocket.


    They enter a custodial closet. It''s large with enough room to hold an assortment of cleaning supplies. Aly pins the man to a wall with one hand. Don looks around and grabs his phone. A few clicks on it and Don speaks.


    DON


    All clear, no cameras here.


    The man squirms on the wall and holds onto Aly''s arm. His feet dangle in the air as Aly''s palm feels like a metal sheet pressing onto his chest, seconds away from caving in.


    STALKER


    How strong are you?


    Why can''t I get down?


    When the man says this, Aly''s hand''s skin morphs. Her skin shines and glimmers in a multitude of beautiful colors. They remind the man of stained-glass windows found in old cathedrals.


    STALKER


    That explains it, there''s no way you could


    be this strong. It''s a damn mechstetic.


    Aly''s free hand turns to the same stained glass appearance. She presses her finger on his forehead.


    ALY


    Careful what you say. I would still pin


    you to the wall if my arms weren''t metal.


    DON


    We just want to talk for a moment.


    If you answer quickly, you will leave


    quickly. Simple, right?


    STALKER


    I don''t have to tell you anything.


    He speaks as if he has the upper hand. Don reaches into the man''s pocket.


    STALKER


    Wait, what are you doing?!?


    Don pulls out the man''s wallet and opens it up. He takes a photo of the man''s driver license with his phone. After a few seconds on his cellphone, a grin forms on Don''s face.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    DON


    Berry Stein, 26, born December 9th, 2046,


    5''11. Soooo close to six feet.


    Lives on Riverside.


    BERRY


    Wow, you can read my license. Congrats.


    DON


    Not done. Son of Harriet and Harold Stein.


    They both were born in California, then moved here to Texas.


    Has a sister is in high school named Shelly.


    Decent grades when you were in high school,


    nowhere near as good as hers. Few misdemeanors,


    nothing large. Currently dating a man


    named Everett. You two live together.


    Don walks up to the man and flashes him his phone screen.


    DON


    Can''t find this on a license, can I?


    The man stops struggling and stares in disbelief. Aly can feel his heart almost beat out of his chest. Sweat drips from his nose as his eyes dart around the room, desperate to escape.


    DON


    Let''s get to the point.


    Why are you following Ben?


    \The past few days I''ve seen you pop up


    wherever he is. Once or twice, a coincidence


    maybe, but five times, Berry. Five. Explain


    to me what''s so fascinating about Ben.


    Berry contemplates his next sentence, trying to carefully construct it, hard to do as Aly applies slight pressure to the man''s forehead.


    BERRY


    He''s the enemy!


    Don and Aly shoot a look at each other. Aly presses harder. The back of his head slams on the wall.


    DON


    Do you have enemies, Berry,


    or do you share them with others?


    It''s hard to come up with a coherent thought for Berry as brain rattles in his skull.


    BERRY


    Jesus, man, she almost busted my head.


    My enemy, our enemy. The ''Roos, man.


    DON


    The who?


    ALY


    Not the pinball wizard.


    BERRY


    What?


    ALY


    Uh, forget it. The ''Roos is a gang that has


    been gaining traction at the mall. That makes


    no sense ¨C from what we can tell


    Mr. Olive doesn''t have any ties to gangs.


    Unless we are missing something.


    Aly presses again on his forehead. Berry feels like her finger would poke right through his skull as if it was made of papier-mach¨¦.


    BERRY


    He runs finance for a rival gang.


    Don and Aly give each other a look. Berry can tell they don''t believe him.


    BERRY


    Look, I swear. I''m tailing him so


    I can see who he meets up with.


    DON


    And?


    BERRY


    Nothing so far. Dude''s boring.


    Just cards, movies, and the


    occasional outing with his wife, that''s it.


    ALY


    Matches up with what we''ve seen.


    Can we verify anything he''s


    saying about the finance?


    DON


    All I need is his phone.


    What''s the gang''s name?


    He''s silent for a moment, but after a few seconds of Aly pressing on his head, he says it. Dynasty.


    DON


    A bit over the top for a name.


    ALY


    We should head out ¨C don''t want


    the target getting too far.


    DON


    We know where he will be next,


    but you''re right. We''re done here.


    Aly flicks his forehead, and his head slams it into the back wall. He drops to the floor, unconscious. The two head out of the room and walk through the mall.

 New Affair (Part 8)

    The siblings make it through the mall with Mr. Olive''s routine ingrained into them. He leaves for the movies after he plays cards, with the movie choice originally feeling random, until they notice it was whatever movie was playing closest to the time he arrived. They follow him far behind into the theater. Aly goes to grab snacks as Don takes a look at the movie he''s watching and grabs their tickets. This day they add a twist. Don walks up to Mr. Olive and bumps into him.


    DON


    Sorry, man.


    The bathroom door swings open as Don enters and enters the large handicapped stall. Don pulls out his cell phone and Mr. Olive''s phone he "borrowed," and gets to work. From his phone, blue spiders made of light emerge from the screen.


    They leap from his cell phone to Mr. Olive''s and dig inside. No marks are left. In a few seconds, Don''s screen flashes. He steps out of the bathroom to see Aly waiting nearby.


    He walks over and trades her the phone for the food in her hand. Don sees Mr. Olive at the concession stand ordering and then turns to Aly.


    DON


    Your turn.


    ALY


    You wash your hands?


    DON


    I didn''t use the bathroom.


    ALY


    You still went in there.


    DON


    Can you just hurry up?


    Aly grabs the phone and hands him the food. She makes her way to the concession and up to Mr. Olive.


    ALY


    Excuse me; I think you dropped this.


    Aly shows him the phone. Mr. Olive pats his jacket to find his phone no longer there.


    OLIVE


    Thank you. I don''t know how that happened.


    He grabs the phone. Aly smiles and turns around to head to the theater. Once inside, they sit in the top row. Three rows down and slightly to their left, Mr. Olive takes his usual spot. He snuggles into his chair with a bucket overflowing with popcorn.


    DON


    This is crazy.


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    Don says before stuffing his face with popcorn. He swipes through his phone and goes through the pictures. Unknown to Mr. Olive, Don hacked into his phone and has access to everything on the device. Whatever is on Mr. Olive''s phone, Don can see, take, copy, and even alter.


    Mr. Olive''s photo gallery is filled with photos of random dogs he doesn''t own, his wife, their dates together, and finally, what looks like a wish list of greeting cards that he wants. This seems simple but is far more disgusting than Don likes to think. Phones hold facial recognition, and fingerprints are used to unlock the phone. Bank information, credit cards, the ability to unlock other devices, his car, and even his home. His digital I.D card, passport, and medical information have all been unified on people''s phones for simplicity nowadays. Wallets have become near obsolete, with the only function now to carry cash and nothing more. A cash clip works has fine.


    Phones now carry thicker security than any other digital device. It would be easier today to hack into a Forb 500 corporation private server or break into a bank vault than to hack into someone''s phone. Theoretically, Don can control Mr. Olive''s life, run his credit, lock him out of his own home, empty all his accounts to zero, and see all his dirty secrets. All this, Don ignores and focuses solely on the information that will help him in his case. Nothing more or less.


    ALY


    What, the movie? I''ve never heard of it.


    Either way, we''re getting reimbursed.


    Aly takes a slurp of her vanilla cola.


    DON


    No, that this is what he does.


    I mean, look at this.


    Don shows her the phone.


    ALY


    I don''t get it. Seems normal.


    Aly is focused on her surprisingly juicy concession cheeseburger.


    ALY


    Man, when did theater food get so good?


    DON


    Exactly, normal. I wanted something


    more exciting. When that Roo gang member


    tarted following him, I thought it


    was going to heat up.


    ALY


    I thought Mr. Professional would want


    a smooth first case. I''m happy it''s


    happening like this. I''ve had enough


    excitement for one life.


    DON


    That''s a lie. You''re just as bored as I am.


    ALY


    Maybe, but I''m going to


    enjoy the slow moments.


    The lights in the theater start to dim as the trailers begin to pop up.


    DON


    Looks like we''ve got an honest


    husband who likes a little alone time.


    ALY


    Shh, it''s starting.


    Aly says before Don can continue his thought. Maybe she''s right, he thinks to himself. He gets comfortable as he digs into his cheeseburgers, attempting to enjoy the slow moments.


    The movie finishes, and the target heads out.


    ALY


    After today are we telling the wife?


    Don stands up, disappointed that this is what everything led to. It is clear to him that the ''Roos have the wrong man and Mrs. Olive''s intuition was incorrect. They both make their way out of the row and down the steps.


    DON


    Yeah, telling her a lot of nothing.


    When Aly and Don pass the last row and are ready to turn the corner, two men step behind Don and Aly. The heat of their breath hits the top of their heads when they speak.


    VOICE


    Don''t turn around. Keep walking forward.


    Don and Aly do as the voices say. Aly looks at Don''s face as it morphs from bored to excited.


    VOICE


    I said, don''t turn.


    Aly is pushed in the back. She clenches her fists, ready to make a move, but she sees Don wag his finger no. Aly does what he asks, hoping he has a plan. They walk out to the hall to see Mr. Olive walk down the opposite direction they are being led to. Maybe this doesn''t involve him, Don thinks. All he knows is that if he lets Aly do what she has planned, they may never find out.


    This is a game of patience, and he has plenty. They are led to two double doors under an illuminating EXIT sign. There is a warning on the door stating that an alarm will sound if opened. Don and Aly stand there, hoping they are not expected to hold the door for their would-be kidnappers.


    VOICE


    Hurry and open up the door.


    He shoves Don forward to get the door.


    ALY


    What about the alarm?


    VOICE


    Just do it.


    Don complies and opens the door, blinded by a shining light.

 New Affair (Part 9)

    Sunlight beams down on the siblings as they step into an alley hidden between two mall sections. The nearest street or parking lot is far from view, and there is no camera in sight. It''s a sizeable blemish in the mall''s security. Don takes a mental note of the location as it is the perfect place not to be seen ¨C not that he would do anything illegal.


    The downsides are the two filled dumpsters and the group of men and women surrounding them. Each person tries their best to look threatening, some going as far as cracking their knuckles and spitting in front of them. Each has a matching kangaroo patch sewn onto one article of clothing.


    ALY


    This can''t be real.


    A man walks forward. His hair is slicked back, but his beard is unkempt. He is muscular, athletic and much taller than Aly, overshadowing Don. When you look at this man, you can''t help but think leather jackets and cheap cologne were made for him. The way everyone turns to him when he speaks makes it clear he is the leader.


    LEADER


    You two have grabbed our attention. I have a few questions for you.


    ALY


    Oh god, this is real. You guys


    look like the teens from Grease if they


    joined the scouts. I mean the patches are


    overkill if you ask me.


    DON


    Kinda clich¨¦, don''t ya think?


    I mean the whole alley shtick.


    Don examines his surroundings.


    LEADER


    Was that supposed to sting, Detective?


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    Don and Aly''s eyes jolt to look at him.


    LEADER


    That''s right. I know who you two are.


    The new dumb detectives in town.


    I feel that ''dumb'' is too weak of a word.


    Who opens a detective agency in a mall?


    ALY


    Not you too. Don''t you think the


    established flow of people in the mall might


    increase our chances of getting work


    and make us easier to find?


    RANDOM WOMAN


    She has a point, Boss.


    It was easy finding them because


    of where they were. Took us like


    a minute to get it done.


    A woman chimes in from the back. The man beside her decided to throw his two cents into the pile.


    RANDOM MAN


    Aren''t malls dying, though?


    LEADER


    Please shut up. What matters is


    who you are. You attacked


    one of our men.


    Out of the crowd, Berry walks out. There is a red mark on his forehead, matching Aly''s finger.


    BERRY


    Bet you didn''t see this coming.


    Both siblings scrunch their faces as Don shakes his hand in the air, predicting seeing Berry snitching a mile away.


    DON


    Ehh. Kind of figured you would have


    squeaked to your boss.


    Though not this quickly.


    LEADER


    Shut it!


    He walks up to Don, and closes enough for Aly''s nostrils to be burned by his pungent cologne. His hot breath hit Don''s face.


    LEADER


    As the leader of the Roos,


    I don''t like it when people attack my members.


    Why don''t you tell us who hired


    you to follow that man? Was it a Dynasty?


    DON


    Sorry, but I can''t do that.


    We have a strict privacy clause in our contract.


    If we started talking about our clients,


    we would never get work.


    When you hire us, you get the best


    of the best. We''ll work any case,


    no matter how weird.


    LEADER


    Look around you, potbelly.


    DON


    Potbelly?


    This hurt Don''s pride.


    LEADER


    You aren''t in a position to deny me.


    Are you with Dynasty?


    The man clenches his fist, but this fails as the intimidation tactic has no effect on either Isabela sibling. Aly leans her head close to Don to whisper.


    ALY


    You said you wanted excitement.

 New Affair (Part 10)

    Aly''s eyes bounce around the alley, counting and sizing up each person surrounding her. No one seems to stand out, as her mind is flooded by the possible scenarios. The most immediate threats are the people behind them. They are the biggest people here, and are within arm''s reach.


    Don looks at his sister and can tell what she is doing. It''s obvious that either the man will grow impatient and make a move, or Aly will take the first step. Either way, this will turn into a bloody brawl in the alley in less than seconds.


    Don pulls out his phone from his pocket and starts to go through it. The leader glares at his crew and snaps.


    LEADER


    Did no one grab their phones?


    The two gang members behind Don and Aly, look at either up to the sky or down to the ground to avoids their leader''s glare.


    LEADER


    Grab it now.


    One of the men behind reaches over Don''s shoulder to grab the phone. Don doesn''t move, or even acknowledge what he is trying to do. Aly grabs the man''s wrist before he can reach the phone.


    The man lets out a scream, as he can hear his bones crack under Aly''s grasp. Her stare raises the hairs on the mans body. It is as if he is staring into an alligator''s eyes, ready to snap down its jaws.


    ALY


    Don''t touch him.


    This doesn''t have to get violent.


    Let''s calm down and talk.


    Like a trapped animal, the man attacks her out of fear. Aly gives him a quick jab to the stomach, sending saliva gushing out of his mouth. The other guard goes to swing at Aly''s face, but she side steps out of the way and lands two consecutive jabs to the face on the man. People stare as the man falls backwards to the concrete, out cold.


    LEADER


    You shouldn''t have done that.


    The leader takes a step, making sure he is out of arms reach from Aly.


    BERRY


    Boss, wait, she has¡ª


    But before he can finish, two people charge toward Don and Aly. The man sprinting to Aly slips on brass knuckles, and then swings at her. He makes contact. Everyone''s eyes widen when Aly catches the fist with her bare hand. Aly''s expression isn''t of pain, but instead annoyance.


    CHARGING WOMAN


    Let go of him!


    A woman yells as she charges toward Aly with a knife.


    Aly grabs the blade of the knife with her bare hands, this time something is different. Both of Aly''s hands have changed in appearance. They both resemble sunlight beaming through a beautiful collection of colorful gems. A loud snap is heard as Aly breaks the knife with a flick of her wrist.


    BERRY


    Mechstitics, she has mechstitics.


    Berry''s words were rendered moot by her actions.


    ALY


    Grade A engineering here, too.


    LEADER


    Don''t stand there. Get them!


    Aren''t we prepared for stuff like this?


    Tim, upfront.


    Each member pulls out either a bronze knuckle, knife, or even a pistol they had hidden on them. A man rises from the crowed with a mechanical hand. He stands heads above the others, and his muscles bulge out of his two-sizes-too-small shirt. Aly stares, wondering how she didn''t notice him earlier.


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    Don taps his watch while checking the time. The blue face gives off a faint glow.


    DON


    We better hurry if we want


    to catch up with Mr. Olive


    Aly gets into position. Her fists are up with one leading forward, chin tucked in, knees bent as she tilts her body. They run at her with bronze knuckles and knives. She steps in between their strikes with ease.


    Her moves are swift as if the people attacking her are stationary. She pushes with her back foot, twists her hip, and lands a right cross on a man''s face. The crack of his bones echoes in everyone''s ears as a pair of teeth flies out, along with a spray of blood. The first of the flurry of punches she lays on the attackers.


    Their knives snap in half, bronze knuckles crumple like paper, and jaws shatter like fine porceline thrown on the floor. One of the gangster''s knives slides off her metal skin, leaving no mark.


    DON


    Sloppy. Maybe you should hit the gym again.


    If I didn''t do a good job on your arms,


    you would be sliced up right now.


    ALY


    Sloppy? Watch your mouth.


    Aly sends the head of one who tried to cut her arm bouncing on the concrete as he falls. Three attackers with guns pulled out try to find a decent shot, but their barrels zip around, afraid to hit one of their own.


    LEADER


    If you have a shot, take it.


    The leader watches eagerly for them to fire, then hears an electrical buzz going off three times. He turns to see the three with guns shaking on the floor as electricity bursts through their body. Don stands there holding a handgun. It has a blocky shape and is bright blue, looking more like a prop for a costume than a weapon.


    LEADER


    Did no one check to see if he


    was strapped? Really, no one


    Tim, the large man with the mechstitic hand, swings at Aly. She moves out of the way with his hand cracking the brick wall near her.


    ALY


    You think I''ve never fought


    anyone your size, boy.


    Aly ducks the second swing from the man and let''s loose a three-hit combo on him, one on his stomach, one a rib, and the last a powerful uppercut to his chin, sending him flying back. Tim recovers and is ready to put his full force into his next punch, but Aly''s fist digs into his stomach. He drops to his knees before his face slams on the concrete below.


    Don is rushed at, but he picks the attackers off one by one. Electricity dances in their bodies with every pull of the trigger. A woman sneaks up to Don''s side and knocks the gun out of his hand with plywood from the dumpster.


    It slides across the alley. The leader picks up the gun, with Berry behind him for cover.


    LEADER


    Game over.


    The leader slams on the trigger, but nothing happens. He rapidly presses the trigger, still nothing.


    DON


    Won''t work.


    Don lifts his left hand. The watch on his wrist glows blue. The gun starts to rattle in the leader''s hand. An invisible force pulls on the gun until he loses his grip. The gun flies to Don, who has his hand wide open. Once he gets a grip of his new weapon, he unloads a flurry of shots at the people surrounding him.


    Aly has a man by the shirt collar with a hand raised to knock him out. Before she can, Don shoots him. Aly turns to Don with a disappointed look. She launches the unconscious man toward the leader. He is hit and knocked to the ground, with Berry jumping out the way. The glow of Aly''s arms shines on Berry''s face as she steps up to him.


    Aly pulls back her middle finger and flicks him on the forehead, knocking him out. The leader pushes the unconscious man off himself and starts to rise. When he looks up, he is greeted with cold metal pressed onto his forehead.


    DON


    What''s your name, man?


    LEADER


    P-P-Pierre...


    DON


    Night, Pierre.


    Don pulls the trigger and electrifies his body. Aly walks over, dusting herself off with her glass-like hands.


    ALY


    You didn''t kill them, right?


    DON


    What? Do you think I murdered


    these people? You think I''m some cold-hearted


    monster or some crap like that. They will be out


    for about an hour, but still alive.


    ALY


    I didn''t think you murdered them,


    but I''m just double-checking.


    Aly goes through the pockets of the leader. She pulls out his wallet and phone. She tosses Don the phone, and he barely catches it. The gun in his hand folds itself to form a small rectangle, and he places it in the holster hidden inside his pants.


    Aly grabs the man''s driver''s license and gives it a glance. One of her arms changes from the beautiful glass-like form to a dark grey metal. The light shines from her palm, and she waves it over the license.


    ALY


    Scanning it now.


    How''s his phone looking?


    DON


    Pretty good. Dude really put


    his password as six zeros.


    ALY


    People are dumb sometimes.


    Translucent spiders made of light crawl on the backs and chests of all the unconscious people. The insects make their way into the pockets and phones of everyone in the ally.


    DON


    We should have all the info we need in a minute. We should keep tabs on everyone here. You said they were a gang trying to push into the area around the mall, right?


    Aly looks through the wallet and finds some cash in there.


    ALY


    Sweet, sixty bucks. We should treat ourselves.


    DON


    We''re stealing now?


    Aly smiles as she waves the wad of cash at him.


    DON


    Whatever, I''m about done here.


    Let''s go soon before anyone shows up.


    We need to finish tailing Mr. Olive and


    write up the report for his wife.


    ALY


    I''m feeling Wendy''s right now.


    DON


    I would kill for some Wendy''s right now.


    Don places the phone on the unconscious Pierre''s chest.

 New Affair (Part 11)

    Don places his phone on the circle charger embedded in the wood. They have reached the end of their investigation. Each sibling sits behind their respective desks, back in their formal wear. Sitting in front of them is Mrs. Olive.


    Don''s desk is clear with one stack of papers, all his pens organized, picture frame recently polished, and desked wiped. Attempting to seem as disciplined and methodical, Aly has set up stacks of papers and files on her desk. Most of the papers are blank and hold no real value, but Mrs. Olive doesn''t need to know this.


    On the verge of tears, Mrs. Olive clutches her purse, bracing herself for some horror they are unaware of.


    MRS OLIVE


    Hurry up, tell me. I can take it.


    What is it? He''s cheating on me,


    isn''t he? Is she younger, older? God,


    I''d rather it be younger ¨C if I find out he


    is cheating on me with some retirement


    home harlot, I will lose it.


    I''m ready. Just hit me with it.


    The siblings look at each other, tempted to let her talk and hear what other theories run rampant in her head. Aly nods as they both acknowledge they should end her self-inflicting suffering.


    ALY


    We can see that you''re in pain.


    It must have been difficult waiting for us.


    So, we won''t take up more of your time


    and rip the band-aid off right now.


    Don, tell her what we found.


    Don''s neck almost snaps when he turns to Aly. Unbeknownst to Mrs. Olive, Don and Aly played Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who would have to do the uncomfortable job of breaking the news to her. Don won best, two out of three. Aly was supposed to take the lead this time. The look Don shoots Aly screams murder. His sister leans back in her chair and gestures for him to hurry.


    Don sucks it up and speaks.


    DON


    Mrs. Olive, I need to ask you a few things.


    You hired us because you believe your husband,


    Ben Olive, lied and cheated on you.


    He lifts a paper and starts reading it.


    DON


    Your exact words were,


    "There is no way he can be going out


    playing cards and watching movies that


    many times a week. He has to be


    cheating, I know it.''" Well, let me


    put it this way...


    Don pauses for a moment. He is trying to find the appropriate words to deliver the message delicately.


    DON


    Sorry to break it to you,


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    but that is what he is doing.


    You were wrong.


    He blurts out, failing to find those words.


    MRS OLIVE


    Wait wha...?


    ALY


    Yeah, he''s loyal. No mistress,


    no dark dealings. Looks like


    an honest man who says what he does.


    MRS OLIVE


    That... that can''t be true.


    Think he caught wind of you


    and put up an act?


    ALY


    Don''t try that.


    DON


    What my sister means, is that there''s


    no way that would happen. You are giving your husband


    way too much credit. We''re professionals


    and we made sure never to be noticed.


    Mrs. Olive bites her lip, refusing to believe what she''s hearing.


    MRS OLIVE


    But why would he do that?


    Why go out so much?


    Don closes the folder and reaches across his desk to Mrs Olive. Her hand shakes, but she grips it tight.


    DON


    Maybe he wants some me time.


    I can''t tell you why, but I can show


    you it''s true. In here are photos of him were


    he said he was. Every day we tailed him


    and found no unusual behavior.


    We checked his phone records, emails, everything.


    No special messages to another woman or man.


    I know this may seem too personal,


    but I think you should talk to your husband.


    Mrs Olive flips through the folder with care. Afraid of missing any detail. Aly softens her voice, in hopes, it will lighten the blow.


    ALY


    You seem to have some hang-ups about trust,


    and you need to talk to him. I mean, you


    went as far to hire us to follow him because


    him wanting alone time was unbelievable. Try


    to think about why he would like some alone time.


    Maybe he knows you wouldn''t be interested


    in the card game or movies, and is trying to


    spare you. Granted, the game is fun and


    you should pick it up. It could be a good couple''s exercise.


    DON


    We''re not marriage counselors.


    We told you what''s up, and now


    it''s up to you to use the information.


    Don stares at the embarrassed Mrs. Olive. She looks through the list of movies and recognizes them as many she dismissed.


    ALY


    Now let''s talk about compensation.


    Aly pulls the top folder on her desk, the only folder with anything typed on it. It is filled with papers and receipts sticking out of the edges. The woman sits there, stupefied by the grinning siblings. This is their favorite part.


    Moments later, Mrs. Olive stands ready to go as the siblings sit at their desks. Before she leaves, she asks them one question.


    MRS OLIVE


    That card game ¨C they sell it at the mall?


    ALY


    Yeah, go left and then straight. It will be on your right.


    MRS OLIVE


    Okay, thank you.


    Mrs. Olive steps out of the office, feeling oddly unsatisfied.


    ALY


    Shouldn''t one of us walk her out?


    DON


    I thought you were going to?


    They hear the glass door open, then close.


    DON


    Too late now. I''m going on a food run. You coming?


    ALY


    Shouldn''t one of us get it so if someone comes in...?


    DON


    Man, we need a secretary.


    He walks to the door.


    ALY


    Crazy about the ''Roos, right? They thought he was in a gang.


    DON


    Yeah, it really is. We should keep tabs


    on both. I don''t want to get


    involved, but we should stay informed.


    Before Don leaves, he looks over his shoulder.


    DON


    I still think a mall is a weird place to


    house our business, but it did bring


    us our first case.


    ALY


    Are you finally coming around and


    seeing the genius of my choice?


    DON


    No, but I guess it''s fine...for now.


    I''m going to get us coffee too ¨C


    we''ve had a long day.


    He walks out the door.

 IDA Case 1: A New Affair Status

    ALY


    After, I went home and started organizing my cards. Case closed.


    She continued on about building her deck. Hearing it all, they started their business, the strain and joy, the focus and danger.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    It makes him think of his younger years and how he and his siblings would discuss our plans. It''s been so long since they spoke, so long since he heard how his niece and nephew are doing. When did this distance grow this large?


    Rico focuses on Aly''s conversation as those are thoughts for another day. Today, he will talk to his friend on the clock and milk a few dimers off the company.

 REPORT: A01040109272018B36

    In the office of the 24th division of INTERNET, Agent Rico is pacing the floor. Pacing is reserved for those in deep contemplation, those filled with anger, or those trying to deal with grief, and Rico is doing it for none of those reasons.


    Rico has this habit of diving deep into his mind. He lets his imagination run wild, creating imaginary conversations with people or absurd scenarios that could never happen. Even some that could have happened if he had reacted differently.


    What if the barista this morning messed up his coffee order? Well, he would need to tell them in a way that doesn''t come off angry because he isn''t. Yet, firm in expressing he is serious. What words would he use? What if this room started to fill with lava? I know that sounds crazy, but at INTERNET, it''s possible. Well, he knows where to jump on and a rough estimate of how long things like his desk and the cabinets will take to melt.


    He wasn''t doing that either. Rico is pacing the floor because he has found the new song that will be stuck in an eternal loop. He has the habit of finding a group of songs he will listen to on repeat for the next weeks or, if god forbid, months. The rationalization he tells himself is he only listens to the liked songs playlist, and since they are the ones he found recently, they are on top. It''s not his fault.


    The song... a jingle. A jingle to a chain of grocery stores popped up in the state, Silver Steve''s.


    RICO


    Come home to Silver Steve''s/


    we deliver your needs/


    shopping with us is an ease/


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    no fuss and life''s a breeze/


    Steve''s the boss of low-cost;


    there''s no loss to fill your troughs,


    so you know... Uhh, I forgot how the rest goes.


    Eh, I''ll learn it when I listen to it more. You get me, Laurel?


    LAUREL


    Gurgle.


    Rico walks to his desk, and a smirk smears on his face when he looks over his next case.


    RICO


    This one takes place in Silver Steve''s.


    LAUREL


    Gurgle.


    RICO


    Not shocked, though. They went from


    a small local shop to dominating the state


    in just a few years. That''s nearly impossible nowadays,


    especially in this economy. They made major


    news when people heard they were planning to expand.


    They have so much in their stores that it''s hard to choose. What do you think, Laurel? I can stop by there after work and pick you up something.


    LAUREL


    Gurgle.


    RICO


    Castle it is. Now let''s get to work.


    Rico flics the mic on.


    RICO


    This is Agent Rico, head of the 24th division


    of INTERNET. With me, as always, is agent


    Laurel. This Audio recording is of incident


    REPORT: A01040109272018B36


    that occurred in Perch, Texas, on


    September 27, 2018. Code name, Missing Aisle

 Missing Aisle (Part 1)

    My name is Rye Garcia, and this is my story.


    You ever leave a plastic cutting board on a frying pan, not knowing you accidentally turned on the stove? A specific situation, sure, but let me let you in on a little secret. You won''t smell the plastic burning until it is already melted into the pan, and smoke fills the apartment. You better open those windows so you don''t breathe that in.


    That''s why I''m walking into this Silver Steve''s today. I have an extra cutting board at home, but no extra frying pan. I need it because I''m craving either egg tacos, steak, eggs, or risotto. I haven''t decided yet. Depending on how long this takes and how drained I am, after talking to all these people will decide what the meal is.


    I walk through the sliding doors, and a blast of cold AC hits my face. Funny, I couldn''t decide between a long sleeve shirt or a jacket. I went with the shirt as I was already wearing it. Call it lazy or genius, maybe both.


    I look around the store. The floors are always clean, and the store is bright. The kind of bright that doesn''t hurt your eyes and makes the room feel bigger. There isn''t really anyone here. Makes sense as it''s 1pm on a Tuesday. The perks of working freelance, I work when I want. The negative is the low pay or health insurance. Ehh, you pick and choose your battle. I didn''t pick this career, more as I fell in.


    My eyes scan the aisle sign to see which one would have it. I notice a worker mopping the floor. He looks like a college student and probably doesn''t have class today. I miss college. My counselor would pick my classes, show up, and get on my laptop with my earbuds in. I go up to the worker.


    RYE


    Oh, sir, sir!


    Do you work here?


    He glances at his vest and looks back at me.


    WORKER


    Yeah.


    I already knew. Why did I ask?


    RYE


    Cool, where are the frying pans?


    The kind with removable handles?


    Though... I don''t know if those are the best.


    I have a small apartment, which would help,


    but not if I want to hang them.


    The worker stares at me. He doesn''t look angry, but I can see his eyes start to glaze over. I''m losing him.


    RYE


    Right; sorry, sir.


    I tried looking at the signs,


    but I couldn''t find them.


    His eyes return to life as he registers what I say. He looks behind him at the aisles, running through the store in his mind. Finally, stop at the aisle where the kitchenware is. He raises his limp finger and points to the other side of the store.


    WORKER


    Yea, it''s the last aisle


    down there. Aisle 20.


    RYE


    Thank you, I actually have one more question.


    I can''t decide if I should get a name brand or off.


    The off-brand breaks a lot,


    but it is like one-fifth the price,


    but they say the name brand lasts forever.


    For the cost of the off-brand-


    WORKER


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Dude, I don''t know what you should do.


    RYE


    Right, my bad.


    Yup, I''ve seen that look before. This dude is done with me. I don''t push my luck and give my thanks as I walk away. My footsteps bleed into the rhythm of the store.


    Uh, ok, 18, 19, 20, 21. I should go of brand...name brand? I need to focus. I feel like I''ve walked farther than I should have. Wait, he said the last aisle but also 20. Yet the aisle in front of me is 21. I mean, he could have made a mistake, we all do, but that''s not what''s weird.


    Every aisle sign in the building has a list of general descriptions that tell you what is in the aisle. Bread, soups, pasta, beans, arroz, all that stuff. Yet, nothing sits under the 21 of this aisle. Nothing filled, clean as if it were never touched.


    Okay, what is this? I can''t hear the rest of the store. Just a second ago, it was the beeps of items being swiped on the register, the radio music over the speakers, and the workers'' conversations as they stock the shelves. Now it''s a gentle wind. Before, the tiles smelled like bleach, but this aisle smells like lavender and grass. It''s the same tiles, though.


    I look down the aisle, and it''s long. I can''t see the end, and now that I take a step back, I can''t see the other aisle either. A thick fog covers the sides, obscuring the rest of the store. Is this a promotional gag the store is putting on?


    I step into the aisle, and things get weirder. The stuff on the shelf is...odd. Something is called "Fairy Dust" in what looks like the Ajax logo. I see a bag of popcorn labeled "Jimmy''s Pop Breath ."On it is a kid who is spitting out popcorn engulfed in fire. Then I hear a thick inhale through the nose. A snore that can shake the store to its core.


    The weirdest thing is the person sitting on a tall stole at the end of the aisle. The person is asleep with their head tilted as it tries its best not to hit the floor. He has the same vest as all the workers, a long silver beard, and is maybe three feet tall. Usually, that wouldn''t be a cause for concern, but the bright blue skin tips me off that this isn''t a regular aisle.


    I take a step forward and speak with a gentle tone. I don''t want him waking up in a panic. I check his name tag, and it says Kurt.


    RYE,


    Sir, excuse me. Uh, Kurt, sorry to wake you.


    I think I''m lost. Everything is odd here.


    Why did you paint yourself blue?


    On a second note, do you have frying pans


    with the removable handle?


    Kurt''s slowly wakes. His eyes are gold, but what should be white was a deep emerald. Each pupil is aimed in different directions until they focus on me.


    KURT


    Uhh, wait, what? A new customer?


    A new customer! Yes, wait...


    you can see me, right?


    He bursts up from his seat and stands on the stole. We are now facing each other equally. He stares deep into my eyes. I can only keep eye contact with him because I stare into his golden rings floating in the green sea.


    RYE


    Yeah.


    KURT


    Perfect!


    RYE


    Why are you blue?


    KURT


    That''s all in the explanation.


    I can tell by looking at you, but it''s procedure to ask,


    is this your first experience with the Missing Aisle?


    RYE


    Yes?


    KURT


    I figured, I can see it on your face.


    You got your big dumb eyes on.


    Let me get to the explanation. I''ll power through


    so you can get to shopping.


    He clears his throat and raises his hands as they emit a soft blue glow. The light dim except for the one over his head. His voice carries a faint echo. The gentle breeze enters the aisle and carries soft music with it. I wish I could say it''s mystical, but it sounded like elevator music or a tune you would hear in a work training video.


    KURT


    Welcome to the Last Aisle. A fantastical place


    found in all convinces slash grocery stores.


    This is the Silver Steve edition, partnered with "Swirl Corp."


    When you need a magic fix, twirl down to Swirl Corp.


    In this informative presentation, I will break down-


    RYE


    Please stop. What the hell is going on?


    The lights return, and the music cuts. The fog on the other sides of the shelves is still there, but his voice returns to normal.


    KURT


    Yeah, you''re right. I have 25 pages of script,


    but why read it when I can explain this myself better.


    Let''s start with the obvious. I''m a gnome.


    RYE


    You''re what?


    KURT


    A gnome. Short species of people with


    an innate gift to access the Source and all of magic.


    RYE


    The Source?


    KURT


    Don''t turn this into twenty questions.


    The short of it is that the Source is the energy that


    all of life came from in the multiverse. It caused our


    universe''s Big Bang and is the fuel to magic.


    RYE


    What is magic re-


    I stop myself from talking as Kurt glares at me. I should probably hold all my questions for the end.


    KURT


    This aisle holds magical items


    from all over the world.


    The only way to see this place is if


    you are a magic-user or if you...


    RYE


    If what?


    He is hesitant for a moment. His eyes bounce from my feet to the top of my head a few times before he stops at my face. At first, I was confused about what he was trying to glean, but it was clear after a few seconds. He flashed a look I was all too familiar with.


    RYE


    Whatever it is, I can handle it.


    He holds his hands up in defeat.


    KURT


    Alright. The only way to see this place is


    if you are a magic-user or if you


    consumed human blood.

 Missing Aisle (Part 2)

    My eyes widen. This guy is crazy. This has to be a prank for YouTube. A real high-budget Hollywood kind of stunt. That''s more possible as this guy being a gnome, magic is real, and I drank blood!


    I mean, I have never even thought of that. I gag when I see a drop of it. One time a friend cut their finger in the middle of class, and I just walked out of the room. I didn''t know what to do, where the band-aids were, or anything, so I dipped and didn''t look back. Things were awkward for us from then on.


    I look Kurt in the eye as I attempt to wrap my head around this.


    RYE


    Oh, hell no. I would never. I mean, I have never!


    KURT


    Were you born with magic or into a magical family?


    Studied magic, or had it taught to you?


    RYE


    No.


    KURT


    Have you made a deal with


    a demon or mystical being?


    RYE


    No.


    KURT


    Ever unknowingly touched


    a mystical artifact or were cursed?


    RYE


    No!


    KURT


    Then you drank blood. It''s the only


    way for you to get offline.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    My eyes widen. My chest gets heavy. I still refuse to believe this is real. My heart beats faster and faster, and my head gets light.


    KURT


    Relax, relax; it''s more common than you think.


    Ever made out with someone with a cracked lip?


    RYE


    I, huh, eh guess yea.


    KURT


    There you go. A drop of blood slipped


    in right there. It could have been a cook


    who wasn''t wearing gloves cut themselves,


    and didn''t know.


    One drop in gravy, and that will do it. You don''t need to drink a bag of this stuff. All you need is a drop on your tongue, and boom. Now, I will skip ahead and get to the good part.


    RYE


    I drank blood?


    Kurt snaps his fingers. The stool he is standing on floats a few inches off the ground, and then, SLAM!


    It compresses into a flat wooden disk in a second. It is wide enough for him to stand on. He floats around me as he talks, making it hard to keep an eye on him.


    KURT


    The stuff here is bonkers. I mean,


    only a guy on bath salts can think of.


    That comes from a guy who once wrestled


    a beaver bear for a chance to win the heart of a nymph.


    Kurt stares into the distance; his eyes show a wounded pride as his mind relieves something traumatic.


    KURT


    The damn bear walked away with


    her heart and a chunk of my thigh.


    He snaps back to reality.


    KURT


    But yes, everything you could ever


    need is here. Let me find something.


    Kurt raises his hands again. Words I can''t make out, in a language I''ve never heard, out of his mouth. Lights scatter around the shelf, stretching far down the aisle and beyond my vision. Random items fly to Kurt and orbit around him. He looks like a mini-blue Saturn high up there.


    He stops speaking and stares at the items.


    RYE


    I don''t remember what you wanted


    or you didn''t say. It''s one of those two.


    Either way, I''m sure I can figure out what you need.


    As he looks, I begin to feel tired. Random parts of my body feel sore, my lower back, left triceps, right peck, and hamstrings. If I let myself, I could knock out.


    Then a jolt down my spine wakes me up as if in all the areas I mentioned, simultaneously, I was pricked by a needle.


    RYE


    AHHH!


    Kurt looks away from the floating items and stares at me. The pain is gone, but the soreness is still growing. I feel a new soreness on my left forearm. I lift the sleeve of my shirt and find something on my arm.


    RYE


    What did you do to me?


    Kurt floats close to me4, leaving the items in the air behind. He rolls his eyes, not hiding it either. He wants me to see him annoyed. That''s not what matters now. What matters is what''s on me.


    KURT


    Dear celestial mana, why are you yelling?!?


    RYE


    Th-this thing on my arm, what is it?


    Sitting on my forearm was a slug, but not a regular one. It was made of glass. I can see small teeth piercing my skin, and its tongue plunged into me.


    The tongue is thin, like a syringe. A blue vapor is getting sucked out by the tongue and filling its body. Whatever that vapor is, it''s sucking it out of me.


    Kurt looks at me, and as if I should be used to any of this, he speaks in a casual tone.


    KURT


    Oh, those glass slugs. They start appearing on


    you when people start to window shop, and this


    stops them. It looks like they already


    have their teeth in you.

 Missing Aisle (Part 3)

    Kurt tries to fly back to the ring of floating items, but I grab him by the vest. I didn''t yank him off his orb; it was more of a tug. Enough for him to know not to move. I don''t want to be aggressive, but would you blame me if I was?


    He''s annoyed. I can see it in his eyes. He wants to move on to the sale, but I can''t let what he said slip by like it was nothing. I have teeth in me!


    RYE


    What do you mean they have their teeth in me?


    KURT


    I mean, they have their teeth inside you.


    Don''t worry, they will be off soon


    ...hopefully.


    He moves back into the air, into the ring of clumped items. He reaches and grabs something. His mouth forms a cheese-filled grin that would put any car salesman to shame. The item floats to me.


    It is a sword. The sheath is ivory with blue metal edges. The blade handle is the same shade as the sheath with slight hints of orange. The guard is a cubed shape with the extra pillars, resembling a castle.


    KURT


    Now look at this beauty right here.


    Go ahead, pull it out.


    The sword lands on my hand. It''s lighter than I thought, about five pounds. I didn''t know what to expect. I never picked up a sword. I unsheathe, and the blade shines in the grocery store lights. It''s the same color as the handle. It resembles marble, but the edge is sharp. I can cut through the shelves as if they were clouds.


    KURT


    This sword is worthy of the greatest hero,


    one for the king of kings. It is called the Z-Caliber.


    RYE


    Excalibur?


    KURT


    No Z-Caliber, owning this will make you


    the king of a local White Castle.


    RYE


    So, like a manager or as an owner?


    The aisles are filled with a booming silence. I can see his eyes dull as he dives deep into his mind as he tries to find an answer. He opens his mouth to respond but then shuts it quickly as either he doesn''t know or knowing would worsen things.


    RYE


    I don''t like the silence.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    The items rotate around him in the air. I don''t know how he can keep an eye on all of them. They move so fast that I can''t make anything out. In one fluid motion, he puts his hand in the floating ring and pulls something out. I know I would have lost my hand if that was me.


    Kurt holds a silver goblet. Embedded on the sides are emeralds and a one hundred percent engraved on the side. Kurt floats down to me and with his salesmen, grin and speaks.


    KURT


    Okay then, how about this one?


    It''s the Wholly Grail. Now, I don''t mean heavenly body holy;


    I mean as it makes things whole.


    This chalice will never run out of the water


    and will fill whatever hole you have.


    RYE


    Like it fills it with water?


    KURT


    Technically.


    RYE


    Okay, then what''s uhh...


    I looked at the shelves and found a cable with a USB C port at the end. I pull it out and wiggle it in front of his face.


    RYE


    This?


    KURT


    That''s a phone charger.


    RYE


    Okay, but what can it do? Can it charge


    any phone, infinite energy?


    KURT


    It comes with the European plug,


    o you can take it overseas.


    I put it back.


    KURT


    You need to develop your eyes, kid.


    Magical items have a glow to them, a particular smell.


    RYE


    Smell?


    KURT


    Yup, like fresh-backed croissants in a meadow.


    RYE


    Okay, cool, I guess, but no. No! I''m done.


    Please point me to where you keep the frying pans.


    KURT


    Like nonmagical ones?


    RYE


    Yes


    KURT


    That''s aisle 20. You just missed it.


    I missed it? I missed it! Why didn''t I go there first? Granted, a magical adventure is cool, but this is too much for me. Maybe if I had more energy or woke up in a better mood, I''d be down to do this. Today though? No. I can''t handle it.


    RYE


    This was... life-changing. I can''t decide what


    I want here, and I am never returning.


    So, I''ll just head to the next aisle and---


    KURT


    Uh, about that... You can''t.


    RYE


    I can''t?


    KURT


    No.


    RYE


    ...Watch me.


    I turn around and head to where I come from. My chest feels heavy, and my lungs struggle to push a breath out. My muscles grow sore. Every step is heavier than the last. It feels like someone adds five-pound weights to my back every time I breathe.


    KURT


    Wait! For real, you can''t.


    Just listen. Lift your shirt.


    RYE


    My shirt? What perverted mind--


    KURT


    Stop! Look, you''re not my type.


    To tall. Just pull it up halfway.


    RYE


    Ughh... okay. I swear this better not be...


    WHAT THE HELL IS ON MY BODY.


    My stomach was filled with the glass slugs. Each of them inflates with the blue gas from my body. Kurt has an apologetic grin as he floats closer to me.


    KURT


    Remember that glass slug on your arm?


    By now, they should be all over you.


    RYE


    Start explaining you... blueberry!


    What''s going on?


    KURT


    Simply put, those slugs will suck your soul out


    of your body if you take too long to


    decide and leave without a purchase.


    RYE


    So if I take one step out the aisle--


    KURT


    You die.

 Missing Aisle (Part 4)

    I lift more of my shirt and find two slugs that have made it to my chest, one on each tricep, and I feel the teeth of a slug on the nap of my neck. Each one is filled with blue gas. A closer look shows that the gas is clouds filled with sparks of electricity ricocheting inside them. I now know this is my soul.


    RYE


    What the hell, man?! Why am I


    covered in these damn leeches?


    KURT


    Slugs, technically.


    RYE


    Slugs don''t suck the souls out of people.


    KURT


    And leeches aren''t made of glass,


    but these slugs are. Come on, get on the same page.


    RYE


    Okay, whatever, it''s...


    just get them off me.


    KURT


    Can''t do that until you make


    a decision to buy something.


    RYE


    I don''t want anything. Well, not from here.


    Even then, I don''t know what kind of


    frying pan I want. I mean, look at me.


    How can I make a decision?


    KURT


    With life-threatening pressure fueling your choice.


    RYE


    That''s not how it should be.


    KURT


    Too bad, that''s how it works.


    RYE


    And why? I don''t get why my life is on the line.


    Kurt floats down to me. He gets right at my eye level and stares into them. They say the eyes are a window to the soul. I see in his gorgeous eyes, and I mean gorgeous, like baby jewels. I see a tired soul. One who has pushed for so long. Why is he so exhausted? What does he do other than sit on the stool? I bet all he sees is my soul being slurped up in like ramen broth.


    His voice matches his soul. He doesn''t want to be the one to deliver this news to me but has to. I guess no matter if it''s reality or fantasy, a retail worker is left with the work no one else wants to do.


    KURT


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The amount of people who can see this


    aisle on this planet is minuscule in the grand


    scheme of things. In this town, shit, it''s barely anyone.


    So, my sales are a bit low. Corporate doesn''t


    like that. It''s a precaution we adopted


    to boost our numbers.


    RYE


    This is extortion.


    KURT


    It works.


    RYE


    Is my life really worth your job?


    KURT


    I gotta eat.


    RYE


    Fine, I''ll just, uh, get the grail.


    I''ll return it afterward, and we will--


    KURT


    No can do. If you return the item within 40 days


    of purchase, those slugs reappear and


    suck that soul right out of your body.


    RYE


    UGHHHHHH, FINE. How long do


    I have to return the item and not get slugs?


    KURT


    Store policy is we don''t


    accept returns after 40 days.


    RYE


    Of course, of course! Fine, fine,


    I''ll just get something. I''ll just...


    I go silent for a moment. My eyes bounce around the shelves as each item is weirder than the last. "Eye of blind gorgons," "Tax Evasion for Dragons," a juicer that claims it can juice anything with "anything" in big, bold letters.


    KURT


    You freeze?


    RYE


    I''m thinking.


    KURT


    About what?


    RYE


    It''s a lot of choices.


    KURT


    It''s an aisle full of mystical items. Pick something.


    RYE


    It''s not that easy.


    KURT


    Easy?


    RYE


    I mean, look at this, it''s a box of


    toothpicks that double as lie detectors.


    KURT


    Yeah, if whoever is using it lies, the gaps


    in their teeth fill with more food. It''s hilarious,


    and people use it to make infinite food.


    RYE


    That''s not the problem. They cost $300!


    KURT


    It''s infinite food!


    RYE


    Infinite food from my teeth.


    I gag at the thought of last night''s Cacio e Pepe growing in my teeth, all that pasta, cheese, and chicken sprouting. How do people even save that food? I need to stop thinking, or I am going to vomit.


    RYE


    Look this... this is all amazing, but the


    cost is too high just to pick something.


    KURT


    But it''s worth every penny.


    RYE


    It''s just not that easy. I have rent. This box alone will put


    me in the hole. Then what if I lose it or


    someone discovers it. Am I responsible for that?


    Will secret magic police hunt me down for revealing magic?


    KURT


    Breath kid. You''re overthinking it.


    RYE


    There is no overthinking it. That is how


    my head works. Before you can finish a sentence,


    my mind shoots out a thousand thoughts.


    I think out every way this can go good or


    screw me over. I can''t shut it down.


    So stop saying it''s easy.


    KURT


    It is. Pick something so you don''t die.


    RYE


    Its... Woah, I feel like I''m gonna pass out.


    The room spins as my vision in one eye blurs. Every word he says feels slower. The room is freezing, but I''m sweating gallons. My knees ache. These slugs are really doing their job.


    KURT


    No, you''re dying! I just said that. Look, what''s


    going on? Why can''t you pick something?


    Usually, people would jump at this opportunity,


    and you''re here just... flailing about.


    RYE


    I''m zoned out on a roller coaster...


    my mind won''t focus even though


    it''s going erratic. I can''t just make a decision.


    KURT


    It''s not a rollercoaster. This is a


    store way less stress.


    Well, except for the slu--


    I hit the floor.

 Missing Aisle (Part 5)

    I can''t stand it anymore. My head feels so heavy, and the title floor feels comfortable. I never noticed how hot my body was because the chill of the marble felt so good. I can just close my eyes. What''s the worst that can happen?


    KURT


    Kid! Ah man, look. I can''t say


    I get your problem entirely,


    and I think you should talk to somebody


    about that, like a professional, not me.


    I barely have a handle on my issues. But right


    now, you need to pick something. Them slugs are


    about a minute away from sucking your soul


    out your body and digesting it in sacks of acid. It sucks!


    RYE


    What if I don''t like it? Then I wasted


    my time and my life on it. What if I spend


    four years of my life on a degree, thousands of dollars


    to put me in debt, and in the end, I decide


    this isn''t what I want, and I don''t know what I want?


    KURT


    Oh, kid... I''m sorry human lives


    are so short. Wait, I think I know the perfect thing.


    He runs out of view. I don''t have it in me to lift my neck. The edges of my vision go black. Then I hear him. He standing in front of me, trying to show me something. I can''t make it out. It takes all my focus just to listen.


    KURT


    Found it! The price is hefty, but I


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    think you''ll like it. This stress ball is extraordinary.


    Squeeze it three times in a row, and


    you can freeze time. Every squeeze after


    the third will give you an extra minute,


    only up to five minutes. Can''t have you


    stuck in time. Use this to take a breath.


    RYE


    That...


    KURT


    Come on, say you want it. It''s not a sale until I hear it.


    I let out a gasp. Its hard to speak. The word stop at my teeth and I can''t push them out further.


    RYE


    That sounds...


    KURT


    Finish the sentence.


    RYE


    Good. I''ll take it.


    The teeth pierce my skin loosen as a heavy force pounds my chest. I an sent five feet in the air. The electrified clods are pushed back into my body. Strength feels my limbs as air fills my lungs. I land back on the floor. Pain rushes my body as my nerves are sparked with excess electrical sparks. I feel like I did three triathlons in a row. Granted the closest thing I did to a triathlon was a soccer practice in high school. Even there, I didn''t try that hard.


    RYE


    Oh god.


    I look at my arms, and there are no slugs. I check all over my body, and there isn''t a single soul-sucking glass monster on me.


    RYE


    They''re gone. Those damn slugs are gone!


    KURT


    Good, good. That''ll be 10 RC.


    RYE


    RC? Like the cars?


    KURT


    Right you are new.


    RYE


    How much is that?


    KURT


    Close to 20,638 of your American dollars.


    RYE


    I... I don''t have that kind of money.


    The booming silence returns as we stare at each other. He uncomfortable grin returns.


    KURT


    Don''t worry, we can work out a


    payment plan. Look at it positively. You''re not dead.


    RYE


    I guess, what''s another sack of debt.


    KURT


    For real kid, you should look into help.


    RYE


    That''s money.


    KURT


    Well, with this, you should have enough


    time to think it out. Either way, you


    have to options. A monthly payment plan,


    or you run through the Dungeon trial?


    My eyes widen when he says that.


    RYE


    Dungeon Trial?


    As soon as I say that the storage begins to shake and a crack rips through the floor.

 Missing Aisle (Part 6)

    A platform made of tile forms under me as the aisle begins to twist, stretch, and break apart. The pieces reshape and form floating islands. It''s a scene ripped out of a video game as the fog disperses, and the aisle now floats in cosmic space.


    I look at the floating islands, and each of them is different. Their sizes range from a bare living room to the size of a three-bedroom home. The terrain changes from a desert to a tundra, a lava-filled cavern, and a hot dog cart. It''s just a flat space with a guy standing there with a hot dog cart with a sign saying rest zone.


    KURT


    Since you said it, you activated the Dungeon.


    There is no going back. You are given the option


    every month when your payment is due to attempt


    the Dungeon Run. If completed, your debt is


    washed. No more debt. If you lose, you must make


    that month''s payment. You can only attempt this


    once a month. Once you start, you can''t stop until you lose.


    RYE


    What does it mean to lose?


    KURT


    I would get to running before the slugs come back.


    Meet me at the end if you want your debt wiped clean.


    Kurt was gone in a flash of blue light, and I was left standing at the beginning of this long aisle. If it means clearing my debt, I''ll walk as far as I need to. I make my way down the aisle. The shelves are filled with the same mystically weird items as before. Then, a CLICK, and I hear Kurt''s voice through an intercom.


    KURT


    This will be your last chance to purchase any


    items to help you on your run. If you do, the total


    will be added to your debt. If you complete the run,


    all debt will be erased. Fail the run; you must make


    your new monthly payment, with the new total


    adjusted for any additional purchase.


    More debt, no thanks. It''s just a walk; I can handle it. I make it to the first island, and light shines on the rim when I step on it. It''s just a concrete circle filled with random shopping carts. I hear a chime and then a CRASH! A glass snail, the size of a golden retriever with shards popping out of its shell, falls from the sky. The stone shatters, and carts fly into the air. Its high-pitched screech sounds like breaking glass.


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    AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGHT THIS?


    The slug has too long tendrils with eyes on its head. They are clear and have no pupils, but I can feel their stare. The monster charges at me, and it''s faster than any slug i have ever seen. I expect a slow, tedious crawl, but it sprints like a Doberman.


    My heart pounds in my chest. My breaths are shallow. I squeeze both first. SQUEAK. I feel a soft elastic plastic in my hand. I look down at my palm and see the ball i bought. I rapidly squeeze the ball. The clock face on the ball begins to move, with the ticks growing faster with every squeeze. A faint glow grows stronger with every press until it shines, and I hear a ding.


    The world around me is silent. The slug that was charging at me is still. I see tiny light glitches around its body as if it is being rendered in real-time. It''s like the monster has lagged as it''s stuck in slow motion. It reminds me of when I play a game online, and the internet is garbage. Everything is still but has a sense of movement.


    I take a breath in. Wait, how am I able to breathe? Shouldn''t the air be frozen, too? Yet, here I am, taking a breath. The ball in my hand is still glowing. I have time. I should be able to beat this in five minutes if I full sprint to the end.


    I run down the aisle through the floating islands. They are longer than I thought, and I only make it past 3 islands by the time the glow is nearly gone in the ball. The sun baked me in a small desert with patches of a parking lot embedded in the sand. I almost caught frostbite in a city park in the middle of a snowstorm, and the last looked like the pharmacy in the grocery store but empty. I look forward and see I have seven more islands until the one with a giant neon letter sign spells out GOAL.


    On the first step of the pharmacy island, the glow of the ball is gone. In an instant, I am bombarded by a series of alarms and horrendous noises. I also hear Kurt''s voice booming through an intercom.


    KURT


    Looks like you used the stress ball.


    It''s a clever move, but since it''s your first go at this,


    I don''t think it was smart. Taking it slowly may


    have caused a game over sooner, but it lets you learn.


    RYE


    I''m only doing it once!


    Kurt''s laugh echoes through the space.


    KURT


    You think you can knock this out in one shot?


    You, of all people. You barely survived a decision.


    RYE


    I got this. Watch and learn-


    I am interrupted by a screech from death''s throat. It turns and sees a series of horrific events happening at once. Fire erupts from the titles of the first path, one row at a time. Skelton rises from the sand. I don''t know if I am right, but it looks like a gorilla skeleton.


    On the ice island, a mammoth with a snake for a trunk rises from the snowstorm. I''m sorry I said that too calmly. On the ice island, there is a MAMMOTH WITH A HUGE SNAKE FOR A TRUNK! With the pharmacy spawning... phantoms. They have large, pure black eyes that are larger than any natural eyes. Their jaws spread wider than natural as they can dislocate their jaws, and their faces stretch. These are the ghosts of all the people the United States Medical system has failed.


    The worst part is that they are not staying in their respective zones. They are all moving toward me. Some are still far away, but the ghosts reach out to grab me. It is of an old man with a cane.


    GHOST


    Why does an ambulance cost so much?!?


    He swings at me, and I can step back before the cane can come down to me. It hits the aisles tile and crushes it into dust. I stare at it for a moment. If that struck me, I would be dead. My body doesn''t let me think about that for a second longer as I sprint to the next island.


    I keep squeezing the ball, hoping it is done recharging, but it isn''t. Still, there is a chance I can make it out alive. If I sprint through the next Island nonstop, I can make it. I run to the next island, ready. It looks like a farm. Instead of growing one crop, it produces them all. Any vegetable you can imagine is here. Then, the ground started to shake.


    Erupting from the ground is a spider the size of an Elephant. Its back thorax is a pumpkin, its body a head of lettuce. Its long legs are carrots, its head a bright red tomato, and its eyes black olives. Sounds cute, but the open jaw with jagged rows of teeth is horrifying. It blocked the exit, waiting for me to make the first move.


    I... I can''t. What am I supposed to do? Do they expect me to fight this? Then, the sound of marching feet fills the island. Both the ghosts and the gorilla skeletons made it to the island. They carry driving signs on long metal rods. One holds a STOP sign, another YIELD, with the last bearing CHILDREN CROSSING. The mammoth is on the aisle behind them.


    I''m surrounded, and my chest is heavy. I squeeze the ball frantically, but it''s still not ready. For a moment, a single second, I glance back at the spider. In that tiny gap of time, the monsters behind me charged.

 Missing Aisle (Part 7)

    Everything is dark when an electric jolt hits my chest. My eyes open, and I stare at the ceiling in the Missing Aisle. My body is sore, and my fingers run over a gash on my arm. I feel broken, and it doesn''t help that I see Kurt''s golden ring emerald eyes hovering over me.


    KURT


    Looks like you lost.


    RYE:


    What happened to me?


    KURT:


    Well, you were about to die.


    The dungeon has a fail-safe, and it recognizes


    that you have no more moves left, so to speak.


    The last possible millisecond pulls you out at


    that right moment before you are about to die.


    RYE


    You saved my life?


    KURT


    Deadman can''t pay off their debts.


    Speaking of which, it''s time to pay yours.


    You will also pay this month''s dues to me and


    every subsequent month. Failure to do so will


    cause the slugs to return and take your soul.


    Though once every month, you can attempt to


    clear your debt and try the dungeon again.


    I died. I mean, I almost died. I remember the monsters coming after me, and I guess i almost died. I don''t even know how. Kurt helps me on my feat. Every twitch, every move, my body cries in pain. I pull out my credit card, and Kurt snatches it. A register appears in a poof of smoke, and he swipes my first of many, many payments. That swipe hurt most of all.


    KURT


    See you in a month. Oh, and don''t


    forget the frying pans are in aisle 20.


    Within a blink, I was no longer in the missing aisle, and now I was in front of aisle 20. I go in and spend fifteen minutes picking one out. I felt the pain of another credit card swipe and returned to my one-bedroom apartment. I walked straight to my bedroom, dropping my pan on the carpet and hitting my pillow with the back of my head.


    I hold the stress ball up. It''s back to its vibrant red. What am I supposed to do? My mind fills with a way to make extra cash. I bought a ball that cost the same as a new house or a luxury car. Yes, I get its magic, thats amazing, but how am I supposed to be okay with putting myself in mountains of debt.


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    I will need to pick up another job to make these payments. Maybe it will be okay. Who knows, maybe in a few months, things will go great.


    FOUR MONTHS LATER


    It didn''t.


    I walk back to Silver Steves. My shoulders are slumped over, and my body hurts worse every day. I only use the ball as I can''t afford to take on any more debt. The farthest I have made it while using the ball is the same grocery aisle, with the same thing happening. I get surrounded by the monsters and get my card swiped.


    I walk to the twentieth aisle, and by now, I know the routine. I continue walking toward the wall, breaking the invisible fog, and entering the Missing Aisle. By now, Kurt and I have gotten too familiar. The same relationship between a gambler and his bookie.


    KURT


    Rye! Welcome back.


    How have you been?


    RYE


    In pain.


    KURT


    Yeah, last month really


    did a number on you.


    Kurt grabs a can on a shelf marked, "DO NOT BUY." I learned this is a shelf of everything he brings to work, and he tosses a blue can to me.


    KURT


    Vanilla Pepsi, just like you like it.


    I don''t know if the fact I''ve been attempting to do this so many times led to him learning things about me, horrifying or sweet.


    KURT


    You know what your problem is?


    RYE


    No, but i know you are going to tell me.


    KURT


    Look, I don''t want you


    to have to do this either.


    RYE


    Then why not let me go?


    KURT


    Because it''s my job. I know you get that.


    We all have to make money somehow. Still, doesn''t


    make what I have to do easier. So please, hear me out.


    RYE


    Fine.


    KURT


    Buy something else.


    RYE


    Oh my god! Are you for real? Do you


    make a commission on this stuff?


    KURT


    Yes, but that''s not why I am doing it, I swear.


    Look, what is this, your fifth attempt?


    You aren''t going to make any headway if you


    keep going in and thinking all you need to


    do is sprint, and it hasn''t worked. You must


    pick something off the shelf and use it to help yourself.


    RYE


    Sure, just pick something and add another


    300k to my debt? Even if I am okay with that,


    and I''m not, what would I even choose?


    I''m not magic, and I have no skills.


    KURT


    That''s not up to me to decide.


    You''re the one who needs to make that choice.


    I just don''t want to see you keep hurting yourself.


    RYE


    <u>Sure</u>, I''d like to run the dungeon.


    Kurt nods while his floating platform appears. The aisle morphs into the dungeon run, and I am left alone in the aisle of items I can choose to buy. Potions, magical talismans that look like a car air freshener, I don''t know what any of them do.


    How can I even defend myself if I don''t know what anything does? Let alone how much everything costs. Maybe I should have asked Kurt what all this stuff does before starting the dungeon run. The. I see a white sheath and handle, a gold guard shaped like a castle''s tower. Z-CALIBER.


    I feel the weight of the stress ball in my pocket. I turn to the first island. Every rotation, the islands move around. It''s never the exact same situation, except for one. On my second attempt, the island filled with sand appeared. This is a combination of a desert and the store''s parking lot. Sand is everywhere, with chunks of the parking lot acting as asphalt islands on a sea of sand. There are cactuses and drowning shopping carts scattered apart. The sand grains are the lot beaten apart by the hot winds.


    The monsters of these islands are the skeletal gorillas. This is the third time they have been number one. It''s almost like they enjoy fighting me, or maybe they know they can handle me.


    Beyond that are months of me attempting to run through the dungeon, hoping I will make it to the end. That loop can last for years; if I get the sword, it can be the rest of my life. But if I don''t change anything, I know that "can" will become a "will."


    I walk to the first island with the sword strapped around my waist.

 Missing Aisle (Part 8)

    The sword is lighter than you think, below three and a half pounds. I don¡¯t get why people would get tired of swinging this around. Wait, i need to focus. The blade clangs on the inside of the sheath as I pull it out. I can¡¯t hold it straight; my hands won¡¯t stop shaking.


    My feet sink a bit into the sand. A sinkhole forms in the middle of the island. A pale bone hand that can wrap around my head bursts for below. Two more follow as the three skeleton gorillas rise with their weapons. The old street signs attach to large steel pipes, one a stop, the other a yield, and the one standing in front with a square sign saying, ¡°Please return your carts.¡± In the skulls are tiny yellow suns made of electricity. I didn¡¯t know gorillas had such sharp teeth, a fact I could have gone my whole life without knowing.


    Two of the gorillas step back, letting the Shopping Cart walk towards me. I hold my sword with both hands. I think the best option for me is to get in close and swing fast. It has a more extended reach than me, and all i have to do is cut it, maybe break it up. The only problem is my legs won¡¯t move.


    The monster charges forward. Move legs, move! They won¡¯t as I stare the ape in the eyes. I can feel the electricity tickle the back of my neck the longer I stare. It towers over me, with its club held high. I need to move; I need my legs to MOVE!


    Grains thrust in the air as my legs listen at the last second. My mouth fills with sand as my chest hits the ground. The sword is in front of me. I can¡¯t let it fly out of my hands like that. I crawl to it and grab it, but a shadow is cast over me. It''s the Gorilla. He swings down again, but I jump out of the way.


    Before I can run away, his bony fingers scratch my back. Fabric from my hoodie is in the air as I feel him tear my skin. I won¡¯t stop running. I know it''s faster than me. With every passing second I run, it gets closer. My chest is heavy, my back is on fire, and sweat is dripping into my eyes. It stings, but I have to keep running. I make it off the sand and onto a flat chunk of parking lot.


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    In my peripheral, i can see the other two gorillas. They¡¯re not moving. I look over at them, and they just stare. Their eyes glow dimly. Yield¡¯s grip on their club is lost, with Stop not holding theirs. The guerrillas aren¡¯t even standing. They just sit on the ground with their shoulder slumped. They have no plan to help their friend.


    The Gorilla chasing me leaps from the sand and lifts his club high. It smashes into asphalt, splintering the space. I stumble but keep a hold of my sword. I point the blade at the Gorilla. I need to make a move; I can¡¯t keep running.


    His sigh is still down; I make my move. I swing, aiming at his head, but in a swift blur, the club rises and knocks my sword back. My stomach is exposed, so the gorilla steps forward and punches with its free hand. The air is rushed out of my lungs, and my bagel and egg from this morning return to the floor as a pile of mush.


    I lose my grip on my sword. I still have a shot. With its guard down, I leap forward and grab the skull. I push my thumbs through both eye holes and press on the orb of flowing light. Streams of energy and lighting fire out as i press harder. The monster drops the club and grips my waist with both hands. He squeezes tight. I can feel my organs squish together. I yell as loud as I can as pain fills me, but I don¡¯t stop. I pressed down with what little left I had in me.


    The energy stops, i feel nothing under my thumbs, and the Gorilla''s grip weakens. My ears fill with the sound of the bones hitting the asphalt. I fall to the ground. I can¡¯t get up. My lungs struggle to keep air. I did it, though. I DID it. Once I rest, I can¡­


    My joy is short-lived as I glance up from the ground. Both Stop and Yield are standing over me. Right, I forgot there was more to this island. The first island. They both lift their clubs and swi-

 Missing Aisle (Part 9)

    I wake up back in the missing aisle. The grip of the sword in my hand, the blade sheathed. The stress ball in the other. I forgot I had this. I could have used it to, you know, not die.


    I am lying on my back, staring at the ceiling. Kurt floats up to me, laughing. He almost falls off his platform. Maybe if i push it with my sword, it will tilt over.


    KURT


    That was hilarious. You only took


    one down, and it almost killed you.


    RYE


    I almost died, and all you can do is laugh.


    KURT


    I laugh because I know


    you won¡¯t die. Still, I¡¯m proud.


    RYE


    How are you proud?


    It took everything I had to beat one,


    and all I have to show for it


    is you yucking up a storm.


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    KURT


    For the past few months,


    you felt your best solution was running.


    Well, now it''s different. You may not know it,


    but you have made the most progress


    you have ever made all this time.


    RYE


    The strength I need to beat this is unreachable.


    KURT


    Let me let you in on a few little secrets we


    wizards have. The first is never to trust a rat with


    an iron tail unless it wears an eye patch.


    That rat you can trust with your life.


    God is real and weirder than anything you can ever conceive. Water spirits are bad tippers. All of them, culturally, don¡¯t believe in the concept. They think it''s the company''s responsibility to pay for the worker''s livable wages. Ask one if you ever see one.


    Lastly, strength alone doesn¡¯t make power.


    RYE


    Where am I going to meet a water nymph?


    KURT


    In your sink. Now focus on that last line I said.


    Becoming powerful enough to be in the trial


    is possible. You are the one who needs to


    make the choice. Nothing in your life will change


    unless you take the steps to do it. Even the tiny


    holes at times feel like you are stepping


    over canyons. Then comes the question,


    how will you get over this canyon?


    It feels like a ten-pound weight is on my chest. My wounds always heal after the Dungeon Run, but the pain lurks. I think the gashes on my back. There is a pounding in my head. Then why do I feel so relieved?


    I get back up as my body screams in agony. I look at the shelves. I found a fanny pack that can hold anything and not get heavy.


    RYE


    My payments go up with every


    item I get, something new. Though, if I


    beat the run, the debt is gone.


    KURT


    If you beat it.


    RYE


    When I beat it.


    I placed the sword and stress ball in my fanny pack and headed home. Today, I decided to make the necessary changes in my life to beat the Dungeon Run. On my way home, I saw a car on the side of the road. The engine is on fire.

 Missing Aisle (Part 10)

    The car hood is crushed. I can count the wrinkles in the metal. The flames are spreading. I pulled to the other side of the road and stepped out. The windows are filled with smoke, and I can''t see anyone inside. I hit the 9-1-1 on my phone and started talking to the dispatcher. In the middle of the conversation, I hear it.


    COUGH COUGH


    It was frail. Their lungs don''t have room for oxygen as the smoke forces its way in. Someone is still in the car, and the fire is spreading. Do I jump in, or do I wait? I can be burned alive or scarred. Someone can die, though. Someone will die. I can''t think as my chest grows heavy. I hear the dispatcher calling for me, and I hear another cough. I need to move.


    The next sound I hear is my feet hitting the asphalt as I sprint forward. I reach into my fanny pack and squeeze the ball. The glow shines between my fingers as I hear the ticks of the timer starting. The flames stop, their heat fading. I grab the door as I feel my hands burn on contact. It''s stuck or locked; I can''t get inside either way. Light bleeds between the zipper of the fanny pack. I unzip it, and the Z-Caliber shines. I have no idea why, but it gives me an idea.


    I stab the blade in between the door and push. My grip tightens as I push my body weight on the handle. The metal of the door creaks as it pries the door open. The ticking is louder and louder. The timer is almost up. I lean back and then push forward, putting my whole weight on the blade. There is a loud snap while the door flings open. I hold up my sword to see if it is intact without a single blemish.


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    The snap came from the door. I swung it open. With the ticks of the ball beating like a hummingbird, letting me know I didn''t have much time left, I used the blade to cut the driver''s seat belt. I checked, and they were the only ones in the car- a 60-year-old woman with short white hair and a light complexion.


    I pick her up and hear the ticks are gone. The heat of the fire rages as I see it spread all over the front of the car. I pick the lady up and sprint to my car. I place her in the passenger seat. The red streak glides down her face, from her hair to her cheek.


    I check for her breathing, and I can feel her exhale and a voice from my pocket. The emergency dispatcher is on the line. I place the phone to my ear, but before a word, a force slams onto my back. My ears are hit with the loud BOOM of the explosion behind me. Shrapnel from the car pierces the side of mine and cuts my tricep and calf, but luckily, nothing else. None touched the old woman as I used my body to shield hers.


    Red and blue lights stab through the blaze''s light. In the distance, I can hear the ambulance. My arms are on the hood of my car, and I lean against the open doorway as she rests. The people''s voices are muffled, and my vision is getting blurry.


    I keep standing. I don''t know why. It''s not like I am preventing anything from happening to the old lady. Still, I want to stand, so I do. Once I feel a paramedic place their hands on me, my body gives out, and everything goes black.

 Missing Aisle (Part 11)

    The sound of a family talking on the other side of a curtain brought me back to the land of living debt. I woke up in a bed in a shared hospital room. A nurse explained everything to me. The ambulance arrived as i passed out. Both the older woman and myself rode to the hospital. I revived a few stitches, but throw in the ¡°luxury¡± ride here and an overnight stay; we can add medical bills to the pile of ever-growing debt.


    It took me a moment to muster up the voice to ask about the woman from the accident. She is staying a few doors down the same hall.


    Her name is Margret.


    I stood in her door frame as she watched TV. My mind was filled with questions. What happened? Why were you alone? What do you do for a living? You would ask too if you saw her car. It was NICE.


    Margret


    You can ask to come in.


    Ryel


    Can I come in?


    She nods. I look over at the TV to see her watching a Hospital Drama. I stand a bit away. Does she know I was the one who saved her? Dear god, what if she thinks I''m a stranger who creeps on old women? What if she thinks I''m her long lost-


    Margret


    Is it weird?


    RYE


    Not weird, but¡­exhesive?


    She giggles a bit. I look up now, able to escape the storm in my mind. Her smile seems to stray from her; the corners of her lips curl twice as she smiles. Her eyes aren''t fully open, like those of a toddler fighting sleep.


    I look up at the TV as I speak.


    RYE


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    Shut up, dude, that was rude. Yet she chuckles.


    MARGRET


    I have a favorite kind of show.


    RYE


    What are you watching after this? Dash Cam footage?


    SHUT UP, RYE! Why did you even say that? Yet here she is, laughing.


    MARGRET


    I want to slap you.


    She lets that slip in between laughs. She nods toward the chair near the bed. That chair would be my go-to spot for the following week. The table side meant for flowers, get-well cards, and balloons would stay empty, except for the occasional take-out I would bring after I was discharged. Typically, whatever she was craving that day.


    She has no family. I mean, she had one, but her only son passed away, as did their partner. She grew up an only child, so she said she was used to a lonely life that was filled with people at one point but returned to force agonized seclusion.


    She has gentle eyes and a loud laugh. A determined mind that has led to an unshakable work ethic. She told me she franchises restaurants and makes a killing on them. One of them was opening up on my block.


    Her week-long stay turned into three. My days became work, at-home sword training, and visiting Margret. I just said, ¡°At-home sword training. " My god. I failed another trial run. I reached the same spot as last time, but that''s about it.


    I tried to hide my aches from Margret, but with her poking and peeling back my words, she knew I was hurting. I didn''t tell her about the trial as that might lead to a series of questions I am ill-equipped to answer.


    I made progress on the second run after the accident. I was able to kill two of the Skelington gorillas. The third had no trouble taking me out.


    I am getting stronger, but the steady training at home is grueling. I barely get sleep, as work has been harsh, and I have to take any project willing to give me a shot. They are consistently underpaying me, but I don¡¯t have a choice. My bills are piling up, and every time I visit Margret.


    The day she was discharged, I went to help her get home. She didn¡¯t have a car to drive back. I ignored the nurses'' desk, afraid they would hound me about my bill. A nurse nurse caught my arm with a large grin. She informed me my bill was covered.


    I almost cried right there, but I held it together. To be fair, I was too shocked to call, as I only sent two payments- the minimum, of course. I ask who paid, but I figure it out before the nurse can tell me who. I see Margret in a wheelchair, waiting to leave. She can walk out of here fine but loves being pushed around.


    On the drive back to her place, she looked at me and said she needed help running her business. She went on about how I live close to her new establishment, how I have managed a team thanks to my day job, and how she likes my personality. All of this led to her wanting me to be the head manager of her newest franchise.


    I can feel the sword''s weight in my fanny pack wrapped around my waist. That day, she handed me over her newest franchise, White Castle.

 Missing Aisle (Part 12)

    It''s been four years since I started working with Margret at her White Castle. Four years of Dungeon runs in the Missing Aisle. I quit my previous job and started taking self-defense classes, sword fighting classes, which is just larping gym, and anything that can give me a competitive edge in the Dungeon run. I would purchase a new item from the Missing Aisle every month, hoping it would help.


    It''s hard balancing every aspect of my life. I feel that, at times, I sacrificed my person to attempt to free myself from debt and reclaim my stolen time. Instead, the debt has grown since then. Every time I make a payment, the amount increases as I need to get something new the further I get. Another piece of gear to clear a puzzle or to handle a new enemy.


    Four years is a long time. Granted, I didn¡¯t make it this long on my own. Around two years in, I was on my lunch break while Margret visited the store. It was the day after a failed attempt in the Dungeon run. Even though the wounds are healed, phantom pain still sticks to my body.


    I debated whether to put ketchup on my fries or make a small batch of mayo ketchup. I went with the latter and reached for a packet. My hand was shaking, and I could feel my shoulder strain. I thought I was hiding it well when Margret slid the packet closer to my hand.


    MARGRET


    I swear, sometimes forget I am


    the old one out of us two.


    You have more aches than I do.


    I smile and grab the pack. She¡¯s right. Even though the wounds from the accident still leave their signature on her, she does an amazing job pushing through it. She has as much energy as any one of the employees here.


    RYE


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    My workouts have been killing me lately.


    Her eyes soften as I can feel her stare, analyzing my aches. She flips her fork around and pokes my shoulder with the butt of the plastic. My spine dances as the pain causes me to jolt.


    MARGRET


    Why are you pushing yourself so hard?


    RYE


    I have to. I¡¯m in debt and have


    to get stronger to clear it.


    MARGRET


    Get stronger?


    RYE


    It''s a lot to explain. I would explain it,


    but you wouldn''t believe me.


    MARGRET


    Try me.


    RYE


    No, no, no. You will think


    I''m talking about D&D or some game


    and not taking it seriously. You could


    take it seriously and fire me because


    I would have to be crazy to believe


    what I believe.


    She wipes her face with a napkin and sips her soda before talking.


    MARGRET


    Is this serious?


    RYE


    Yes.


    MARGRET


    Would you lie to me?


    RYE


    No.


    MARGRET


    Then I have no reason to doubt you.


    She means it. No conflicting thoughts about it. At this moment, if I told her I poop roaches, she would believe me. Not that I would say that. With a wavering voice, I told her everything. My debt, the missing aisle, Kurt, Stop Sign, the squeeze ball. I let it vomit out.


    She was quiet for a minute, then 5, then 30. She was debating stepping outside the known reality. Release herself from the cord and disconnect. I was forced there and didn¡¯t have a choice to sever that cord. I can''t help but think how hard it must be to do so willingly. She finished her meal before talking again.

 Missing Aisle (Part 13)

    With both of our meals finished, I ordered some shakes for us. A sweet treat for what I am expecting to be some salty words. Why do I think that? She never reacted with malice? She only spoke sternly when It was about work, but here I am waiting for the worst.


    MARGET


    Look, I get it. You''ve been working out.


    So you''re strong, but that''s now what


    you are best at. Thats your head.


    RYE


    Like my hair?


    MARGRET


    No, that''s dry. You need a product for that.


    Let me put it this way. How do you manage


    this place? You think it out. Do you ever


    second-guess yourself?


    RYE


    Every. Waking. Minute.


    MARGRET


    Yet you get the job done.


    There is no problem in trying and falling a lot;


    that''s how we learn. There is no problem with thinking


    out something before you decide as long


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    as you make the move.


    RYE


    So I should think about it more?


    MARGET


    Yeah, but make sure you are learning from them


    and making your moves. Just like you do here.


    Something is unavoidable. You strive to better yourself,


    but the system makes your life harder.


    It punishes you for doing better or attempting to.


    The fact is that the only way we can get


    through this is by pushing ourselves further.


    We are forced to make a cruel choice


    as the powers that be that can change


    the rules don''t, as it benefits them.


    Her words stayed with me. Margret still visits the White Castle and trains me to take over running her franchise business as co-owner. I tried to learn more every time I returned to the Missing Aisle. I kept repeating it. Embedding its movements to memory, trying a multitude of combinations of items.


    My debt ballooned to a size where the numbers felt imaginary. I walk into Silver Steves and head to the aisle where Kurt awaits me. I am wearing my fanny pack, and once we are separated from what Kurt calls the "online" world, I start taking items out of my fanny pack and set for the challenge.


    KURT


    How are you holding up.


    RYE


    Can''t complain. I mean, I can, but I won''t.


    KURT


    5 years.


    RYE


    5 years of looking at your face.


    KURT


    You love it.


    I can tell he wants to ask me something. The question is basically dripping off his lip.


    RYE


    Go ahead, ask.


    KURT


    How are you holding up, for real?


    You are the only person I know who


    gets at it this long. By now, people would


    have quit due to the size of the growing number or


    fear the pain. A small handful would have made


    it to the end, but they are exceptional cases.


    RYE


    Looks like you found yourself one of those exceptional cases


    KURT


    So is today finally the day you clear your debt.


    I smile back at him as I stand up, fully dressed in my gear. Magic-infused clothing, weapons, and a variety of gadgets. I put on special I am covered in what can be claimed as a small fortune.


    RYE


    Today''s the day.

 MISSING AISLE (PART 14)

    I make it to the first Island. In all of its randomized order, the parking lot is always first. From the sands of the parking lot rises the three gorilla skeletons. I learned the secret is to go for the eyes. Before that, I squeezed my left hand three times.


    I have on two fabric gloves called the Gauntlets. Though they are fabric, they are stronger than any metal. I have a glass bracelet on my left hand. A floating disc of glass appears over the bracelet. This is my shield. Don''t let the appearance fool you; it can take a hit.


    I teach into my fanny pack and pull out the item I need. A small box meant to look like a knockoff Pocky stick


    Poke¡¯Em*.*


    The box can spawn an infinite amount of Poke¡¯Em snack sticks. They are made of highly durable metal and are not edible.


    Requirement: Must ask, "May I have more?"


    RYE


    May I have more?


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    Out of the box pops out a pair of metal candy sticks. I grab them and charge forward. I learned it''s best to make the first move here. No fancy tricks. I just have to be faster.


    My eyes catch Stop¡¯s arm move, and I can guess where he will swing. I duck, and the stop sign goes over my head. I leap on him and stab the floating ball of electricity with a stick. The metal conducts the sparks, and I feel connected to the beat for a moment. Its voice floats in my mind.


    SKELETON GORILLA


    You''ve gotten better. Good.


    The bones fall onto the ground. A second pair of sticks pop out of the box. I slap the glass bracelet, and what pops out is a circle shield made of reflective glass. YIELD, the second skeleton, charges at me. I don''t run. His sign slams into my shield.


    There is no crash, but the force of the impact shakes my arm. The gorilla stares in awe as the point of impact on the shield isn''t solid. It became a goo texture that softened the blow a bit, and even better, it distracted him.


    Pop, a chopstick hits him in the eye. Then there was one, CROSSING. The last gorilla nods its head as I return the gesture. He rushes to me, and unlike the first two, he lands a hit to my side with his sign. All the air in my is pushed out as a glob of spit flies out my mouth.


    The pain sends jolts through my body, but he''s close. With his head close to mine as he ready a follow-up attack, I stab the gorilla in the eye.


    The last one falls. The Island is clear. In these moments, I learned I am given a moment to breathe. Five minutes, exactly. My eyes stare at the sky above. It''s a sky filled with stars and bright colors on a black canvas.

 MISSING AISLE (PART 15)

    With my break about over, I make my way to the next island. Waiting for me is the monstrous mammoth with a thick body anaconda replacing its trunk. I have tried sneaking past it, but it never works. The snake¡¯s sense of smell is more potent than any animal in the natural world. The solution to this island is actually simple.


    Out of the fanny pack, I pull out the never-ending deodorant. It smells incredible and unlimited, but it has one drawback. I have it wrapped up in bacon strips. Before the mammoth can make a move, the snake eyes my surprise. I throw it at the snake. Its jaw unhinges wide, and it bites down on the bacon-wrapped snack.


    I watch it chew, its eyes glowing with joy. Three, two, one, crunch. The snake breaks the deodorant and spits out as many chunks as possible. It¡¯s too late. The side effect has already kicked in. It tastes like garbage.


    I learned when I STOP, I try to eat it once and start to gag. A sight that confused me as they don¡¯t have tongues or stomaches. It was either trying to fake it to mock me, or it tasted that bad. I licked it after, and it was that bad. Then, the idea popped into my head.


    The snake vomited all over the ground as the mammoth eyes flooded. No matter how many times I try this trick. It still falls for it every time. Oddly enough, snakes don¡¯t have taste buds, or the chemical makeup of the deodorant is that bad. Maybe since it¡¯s connected to the mammoth, they share tastebuds. Either way, it works.


    I walk past the mammoth as it flings around, but the snake¡¯s body is hurled at me, but I block it with the shield. I shouldn''t take it easy. My walk became a sprint off the island.


    The island after is the ghost pharmacies. That was easy. I grabbed a golden key the size of a kitchen knife. On the key are three ruby gems. Fake ruby, according to Kurt, but the magic is real.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    RUBY EYE KEY


    This key holds three charges. Each charge replenishes after 24 hours after that gems use. You can unlock any lock the key is pointed at.


    I point the key at the closed gates on the windows. The mechanical pop of the lock hits the ghosts¡¯ ears. I learned through experience I can¡¯t outrun what¡¯s next. The phantoms in line rush the counter. If I tried to make a break for the island¡¯s exit, I would be pummeled under the phantom¡¯s soles.


    These ghosts are supposed to be intangible, but they only are when they want to. So, my best bet is to stand my ground and use my shield to cut through the crowd. They pound their bodies on my shield as they fight for the first spot on the counter and scream about who needs their medicine the most.


    RYE


    You know, you all are already dead.


    They ignore me. Doesn¡¯t matter as I made it to the other side and the island¡¯s exit. The next few were another myriad of atrocities. Vampires running a clothing store, a trickster demon who has a game store, a beach with sand dolls, a forest of wolf spiders, and even a jungle where every animal is made of clothing.


    Kurt said the trials are replications of other areas of the magical world, or as he said, they are called offline places. There are even other sections of different worlds. To me, that all doesn¡¯t matter. I have been beaten, bloodied, and tricked on every one of these islands.


    Most importantly, I learned how each of these islands is beaten and how to make it out with only minimal injuries. What gets me is the last island. The one I could never pass. I step through the barrier and enter the final island. It is an open meadow. The sky is bright, and a gentle breeze fills my lungs. The grass is vibrant, and the flowers add a speckle of color. I wouldn¡¯t mind taking it easy here if this place wasn''t the end.


    The tranquility fades as I hear its wings flap in the air. Each flap sends a shock wave through the meadow. I look up and see a familiar sight as it casts an enormous shadow over me. I stare right into its silver eyes.

 MISSING AISLE (PART 16)

    Teal feathers the size of swords drift onto the grass. The sun is eclipsed by the monster 3 times the size of a blue whale. The feathers have a paper texture, yearning to be filled with stories. Its body is as slender as a snake. It has a vulture''s legs and one''s neck, too. Eyes as vast as curiosity itself sit on the owl-shaped head. Staring deep into them, you see an oasis of stars and cosmic clouds. Celestial light circles its wings and neck as the ethereal energy fumes from the beast.


    Kurt told me its name. It is a creature of astronomical magic. It can travel the cosmos and is the bringer of life and death. It is the reason only a handful have beaten this trial is this creature. The name of the beast is Decisive.


    I have to beat a literal god to clear my debt. No worries... that''s a lie, I''m shitting myself. The first time I ran onto this island, I saw the bird sleeping. I didn''t want to let it one-shot me, so I sprinted to it and woke up back in the aisle. I cried for two weeks straight after. Not of fear or disappointment. Almost like my body was repenting from a cosmic sin.


    This is my fourth time facing it. I only have one plan to face this. I just need one more step. Grass is kicked up in the air as I charge at the bird. It doesn''t move. It looks down on me; I thought I was past this.


    RYE


    Moon kicks!


    Moon Kicks


    An attachment placed on shows will give you an aura around your body that lowers the gravity of that area to one-sixth its original force.


    My body is lighter, so I leap into the air and swing my blade at its ankle. A gust of wind slams me when the monster flaps its wings. With low gravity, I can prevent much damage when my body crashes into the ground.


    The monster''s beak spears toward me. I hold my shield. Even at a lesser gravity, my feet break the ground below me as I dig deeper into the dirt from the impact. My arms struggle to hold the shield up. It feels like a mountain is about to crush me.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Either way, the final task is completed, and my plan can start. I can feel the mirror get heavier. I don''t know how this will work, as it''s my first time using the shield, but I hope it shouldn''t be that hard.


    From the mirror, a glass stop sign emerges from the goo and slams on the monster''s beak, knocking it off balance. I move back as the shield becomes harder to hold up. Crawling out of my mirror is a Gorilla skeleton, STOP, but made of glass.


    Two more follow behind it, and then a glass anaconda head is birthed from the shield. I drop to my knees as a mammoth pours out, with a tsunami of ghosts, vampires, sand golems, everything that I have a face now, but made of glass.


    Battles Past Shield


    A bracelet that produces a round mirror shield. It has two effects.


    It will liquefy to reduce damage and absorb the blows. Once a day, the mirror can release copies of anything that has hit the shield. Their strength is proportional to the force of the original impact.


    The final creature emerges from the shield. The monster steps back as its eyes widen while it stares at a glass replica of itself. The bird''s feather rises as he bellows a screech that shakes the island, and the sky rips, revealing the space and stars that sound the trials. The island crumbles at this beast''s voice as chunks of the meadow fall into the cosmic sea.


    My army charges at the beast. It takes a while for my plans to be in tune. Sometimes I get lucky, and they work the first time. I don''t know if it will now. The phantoms are crushed under the bird''s talons, but the rest survive.


    I jump in the fray as I ride the mammoth''s back. The snakehead gently grabs me in its mouth and launches me toward the beast''s back. I stab my sword as it lets out a loud screech. I never thought a blade so small could cause this much pain. I don''t let up as I stab and stab.


    As my blade embedded itself in, the bird launched into the air. I hold on to my life as we leave the island and enter the cosmos. My breath is visible, and my fingers start to numb. I hear a second screech as the glass duplicate slams its body into the beast.


    The fake bird gently grabs me on its feet off its back and flies toward the island. The beast carves its talons on the glass fake''s back. I hold tight onto the glass feat as I yell.


    RYE


    Moon Kicks!


    Our crash landing is lightened by the impact, leaves a crater on the ground, and my glass clone loses a wing. My mind jumps to all the steps I should take, and all the possible failures take hold of me. My chest grows heavy. I have to keep fighting this?. I thought I was past this. The all-consuming fear. Not of death but of what could go wrong. I mean, right after I thought about jumping on its back, I thought of a hundred ways that would get me killed.


    The real beast lands. Its eyes sparkle like the cosmic sky above. A Ray of energy burst out of its eyes, hitting my fake beast''s only good wing. The class fractiles float down like snow.


    IT HAS LASER VISION!


    I guarantee this can destroy this planet with ease... yet when I first entered the island, it never turned to me. Each time, it waited for me to make a move. It waited.

 MISSING AISLE (PART 17)

    The bird readies to fire another blast but stops. Every one of my glass monsters stops moving. The bird''s eyes examine each glass soldier, then melt into a puddle. Its eyes instantly jolt to me. I sheath my sword and put away the shield.


    The bird releases a screech that tears the meadow in half. Some stars are snuffed out like candles. The island crumbles more, but I don''t move, I nearly piss myself, but I don''t move. The beast charges at me. Instead of flying, it runs on the ground to further intimidate me. I still don''t move. Its beak is wide open, and I now know the horrors of the inside of a bird''s mouth. The endless rows of sharp teeth will forever haunt me. I am about to be eaten.


    A gust of grass and dirt hit me. The bird stops centimeters from me. It watches for any movement. I felt my back ache, so I shifted. I was in the bird''s mouth in the blink of an eye. Still on the ground, and it hasn''t clamped down on me.


    RYE


    I don''t want to fight anymore.


    The bird doesn''t move.


    RYE


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    I''m sorry I attacked you. I won''t ever do it again.


    The bird steps back and closes its beak, still observing me.


    RYE


    I don''t want to fight anymore.


    In those other areas, I felt I needed to fight.


    In some of them, that was true, so I did. In others,


    I made the choice not to. When I came face


    to face with you. You were asleep but so enormous.


    A ferocious beast that gave me this


    primal fear as if I was facing death itself.


    At the same time, you had me mesmerized by


    your beauty. At that turn, I ran on instinct.


    I only did what I felt I needed to do,


    not what was right. Thats not what I want.


    I don''t think that is what you want.


    I will head to the exit. Here.


    I pull out a to-go box of my burger and fries I got before coming here. Kurt and I make it a tradition to eat together after I fail. It was my turn to pick up the food. For added insurance, I gave Kurt''s order as well.


    RYE


    I know this doesn''t make up for what I did,


    but I will return and make it up to you.


    Somehow, and someway.


    The bird continues to watch. After a deep breath, I walk toward theexit. I make sure not to run or make any sudden movements. It watches me the whole time, but it''s no longer standing. It sits on the ground, never takingits eyes off me. I make it across the destroyed island to a floating exit sign.I don''t know what''s waiting for me on the other side. I pass the threshold and am hit with a blinding light and a loud POP!

 MISSING AISLE (PART 18)

    Confetti falls from the sky, and a poorly handmade "CONGRATULATIONS" sign floats in the air. The island looks like the Missing Aisle but floating in the cosmos.


    KURT


    Congratulations man. You did it.


    My mouth is gap-faced like a goldfish. I want to scream, but the words are stuck behind my uvula. My vision starts to blur as tears fill the rim of my eyelid.


    KURT


    It''s ok. Let it out.


    My fist slams onto the floor as I scream as the bone-crushing weight that''s been sewn onto my back slowly drops to the floor. My eyes gush tears as I yell into the space. I can feel the gaze of the birds, the gorillas, and every beast on every island as my yell echoes throughout the trial. The starry sky is filled with cheers and roars as they join me. A chorus of joy, pent-up frustration, and passion shake the islands as Kurt bellows a laugh.


    KURT


    There we go. We have all been waiting for this.


    We couldn''t take it easy on you, but that


    doesn''t mean we wanted this for you.


    Kurt holds his hand out for me. I barely see it past my tears, but I grab him. Once on my feet, I take a few deep breaths to regain a normal rhythm. Once there, I look up at the sign.


    RYE


    So, my debt?


    KURT


    Gone.


    RYE


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    For all the items?


    KURT


    All of them. They entirely belong to you,


    and you can do whatever you want with them.


    There are some new laws you must follow


    now that you are Offline.


    RYE


    Right, that''s what you call magical people.


    KURT


    Not me personally, just how we are referred to.


    Thats for another day. What I want to know is


    what''s next for you?


    RYE


    I am going to sleep for a week.


    KURT


    I mean after that. You will continue working your


    current gig now that you don''t have as many bills.


    That pays super well and all, but is it what you want?


    RYE


    I... haven''t thought that far ahead.


    I really haven''t. I''ve been so hyper-focused on


    beating this challenge that it never occurred to me


    that I would need to think of that afterward,


    which is strange for me to do.


    Was it because of that i was able to


    beat the trial, or was it my constant overthinking?


    I like owning my own franchise, but what if I decided to stay as an owner and let someone else manage? I know Margret will understand and agree once I explain everything.


    I can show up every two weeks to check in and live off that. Though, I want to do something more. The trial was like a fun puzzle, with intricate designs and thought-out ideas.


    RYE


    What if I worked here?


    A grin stretches across Ken''s face.


    KURT


    You mean run the aisle?


    RYE


    More like the trial. There is so much I don''t


    know, and this was just the tip. I want to learn more.


    KURT


    It''s possible. Tons of people balance their everyday


    life and being Offline. Being a trial designer


    means you must be able to beat it and be in


    charge of some monumental decisions. Thats if


    you can make it up to that spot. A lot of people


    go for it. Are you sure you are up to it?


    RYE


    Yes.


    Kurt perks up with excitement. He shakes my hand vigorously.


    KURT


    Perfect! I would love to help you


    get there. You finally have a spine, man.


    RYE


    Chill.


    KURT


    Let''s head back to the aisle to talk more about it.


    Do you have any ideas rattling in your head?


    RYE


    Yeah, the first thing I will do is get rid of the slugs.

 REPORT: A01040109272018B36 STATUS

    AGENT RICO


    In the case of Missing Aisle.


    We have an account of where Rye is...sometimes.


    I am new to the Offline world. Though our organization


    is an an access point to a number of entryways to a


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    number of worlds, we don''t know where Rye goes


    when he is with Kurt, and neither has cared to share that info.


    We have independent "researchers" gathering that data for us.


    He still has the ball, and we will not move


    in to take it. He bought it, and we respect the law.


    We are not in the business of helping ourselves.


    We only observe. At least now I understand why


    I can see that aisle, but how did I drink blood? ...God, It''s still on.


    End Recording!

 Day One

    The lights flicker as Agent Rico wonders, is this the rest of his life? Melodramatic for the end of his first day, but it feels appropriate. He puts a file away, and in his prephial, he sees something fall. He turns, remembering an instance where a mechanical beaver almost ate his head off on a mission, and jumps back.


    There''s no one. On his desk is a roach, about two inches big. It lays on its back, feet pointing to the ceiling. Rico lifts the folder he was about to put away and raises it high. The roach doesn''t move. Its feet drop, either accepting its fate or unable to change it.


    Rico stares at it for too long. He recognizes that if anyone were to step in at this moment, he would look like a staring contest between man and bug. Rico tucks the folder and the roach back and flips it over, ensuring none touches his hand.


    The roach doesn''t move. At this moment, Rico notices a small piece of cloth on its back. Rico squints as he can swear it looks like it is tied around him like a cloak. The roach looks up, and Rico swears it nods before limping away.


    A knock comes from the office door, and before Rico can answer, it swings open. Edward walks up to his desk with a smidgen of pep in his step. This is brought on as Edward is thrilled with the idea of clocking out. His day was filled with interviews about the appearance of sea witches in a cafe that got really ugly, relationship-wise, and gory. He is working out the final details but didn''t come down here to chat about his work. He noticed the piles of files now marked with green tape.


    EDWARD


    Busy day?


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    RICO


    I am glad it''s over.


    EDWARD


    Why don''t you join me for a bite?


    RICO


    Next time. I am just whipped out.


    Rico turns, remembering the roach. A grin appeared on his face, ready to rub it in his face that he knew this place had a roach infestation.. but stops. Instead, he says his goodbyes and promises to eat out with him tomorrow.


    The elevator ride-up feels as if the entirety was crammed into five minutes. No one gets on as the only benefit Rico acquired from his new position is structured hours. You arrive at 9; you leave at 6 with a one-hour lunch.


    Rico''s mind drifts as he wonders if this will be the norm of his elevator ride. The base from the song bumping into his earphones is audible if anyone walks in, but no one does. It''s a moment of clear transparency.


    Then he passes it, floor 8. It was only yesterday when his elevator ride was much shorter. His desk mates were fun to talk to on occasion. He wonders how everyone is doing? If anyone will visit him down there instead of Edward.


    A chuckle finds its way out of him. It was only yesterday that he hated his life. Confused about why he was the only one who was being sent out on missions like his. Where he would stare at the screen, reliving the horrors he saw. Then why does melancholy overwhelm him when he passes the 8th floor?


    He makes it to the top building and the "fake cable and internet business" that occupies the upper level. It is a complete and operational business that people rely on, but its main objective is to hide Internet 24.


    He waves at faces he recognizes but doesn''t stop. He heads to his car, wondering what he will pick up at Silver Steves Gas and Go, and preps himself for tomorrow. He changes the song on his phone and lingers on the screen. Should he text them? Would a call be better? Should he mention the job change, how would he explain it to them? He places his phone back in his pocket.


    Rico passes the glass front doors as the cool afternoon breeze hits his face and the burning sunlight cooks his skin. He wonders what reports will sit on his desk tomorrow. That thought raises the corners of Rico''s mouth for some odd reason.

 EPILOGUE (Volume 1)

    He walks to his car and presses the key to turn it on before getting in. Waiting for him on his windshield is a folded piece of paper. He looks around and only sees a few scattered cars, but not one in sight. As it should. Even though the parking lot looks like your average square pavement, it''s far from it.


    Every aspect was curated. The painted lines provided a purpose Rico doesn''t know. The Lights have cameras that can be seen at night and in other frequencies, including heat waves, ghosts, and invisibility cloaks from various companies and alien races. So, for there to be a note on Rico''s car is a wonder that has trumped all he has read today.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Cautious but curious, he opens the paper and reads the note.


    Wait, your read is only the start. There is more in between the lines. Something creeping out the words. Something within the ink. We will meet soon. You won''t know when, but I hope I time it right.


    Rico examines the paper for any identifying marks, hair, or smudge print, but nothing. It''s clean. Rico steps in his car, now more nervous for the upcoming week.

 Loophole: Meet The Characters

    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Here are the characters of Loophole and Internet 24 Story (Draft Chapters).


    This story takes place in the Internet 24 universe. What is Internet 24? It is my anthology sci-fi fantasy story about an organization that keeps track of all the weird stuff in our world. You can check it out right here on Wattpad. Just click my name, and you can find it there (and all my other novels and comics)


    I wrote Loophole and realized it''s way too big to be another short story in the series that deserves its own novella. Think of this as a gap between Volume 1&2 and this release. It''s still an anthology, but you won''t be seeing Rico here.


    So what does "Draft Chapters" mean? Before the chapters get their final polish and rewrites, and while images for the final book are being worked on, you can read it here! For now. We''ll see how long this stays up.


    This series will update every Wednesday every week. I hope you enjoy the series!


    - Enrique Rosado (The Starfishking)

 Loophole (Part 1)

    Through Unknown Eyes


    Everyone assumes nothingness is a black void, but that can''t be. In itself, darkness is something. Nothingness is a detachment from everything: people, place, hunger, smell. It''s a place I know she wants to be.


    I stare at Marcy sitting at my kitchen table. We''re both sixteen, but I always needed to mature faster than everyone else. Her clothes are soaking wet, but she ignores the cold. Her eyes are focused, but her mind is elsewhere, somewhere darker. Marcy is about to join me on that path, and I hate it.


    I can see it; in her mind, the room is dark. The light above the table illuminating the edges with her dead center of the spotlight. The light bounces off her ebony skin and her auburn curly hair. Her eyes are puffy, and there are dried tears on her cheek.


    A contract and a golden pen engraved with seashells are lying on the table before her. She tries to hide it but flinches every few seconds as if she can hear the upticks in real-time. BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.


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    I let her know there wasn''t much time left. She already knew this, but she was still frozen until another uptick.


    Marcy grabs the pen. Ocean water flows out from the farthest point from the pen''s tip. The ocean water wraps around her arm, travels up, and stops on the left side of her chest. Right, where her heart is. Starting from that spot, the clear water shifts red, with the salty scent in the air replaced with iron.


    Marcy stares at the paper. She is hesitant and afraid. Is she reconsidering, or is it my glare? Then, the multiple beeps stop. I can hear from hear the continuous BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.


    Before I can tell her, she knows. I don''t know how, but she knows.


    Her eyes widen, and she signs the paper franticly. Marcy Luna. Her chest glows, precisely where her heart is. It is a rainbow pear light. It contrasts the harsh red with its soft beauty. Marcy sits there quietly. I know it hurts, but she takes the pain.


    I reach out for my contract. Marcy stares at my scaly turquoise arm, with long nails made of coral. With the contract in hand, I watch the pearl light fade and be replaced with darkness. The water returns to the pen, leaving a hole in her chest, absorbing all the light from the room. It''s gradual and will eventually fade, but for the moment, it is there and cannot be avoided.


    The beeps return; they are steady. She has a relieved grin, but it doesn''t match the sorrow in her eyes as new tears form.


    I''m sorry.

 Loophole (Part 2)

    4 YEARS LATER


    THROUGH ADAM''S EYES


    Savamente!


    B¨¦same otra vez


    Que yo quiero sentir tus labios,


    bes¨¢ndome otra vez!


    Boom now the song is stuck in your head, as it should. It''s a classic, will stay a classic after you die, and will be played at weddings for all the drunk tios and tias to sloppy dance.


    It''s the perfect song to clean my Cafe, too. Well, Cafe slash Bodega. I like to have a balance of both. For those who don''t know and trust in Austin, Texas, there are plenty who don''t know; a Bodega is if a gas station and a neighborhood Walmart did the fusion dance. So my place is if a Cafe and a Bodega used the Patoka warnings. If you get what I am saying, I love you.


    I call it Llama Latte. My own business, my own slice of the pie, my.... Come up with your own third analogy. I expected this place to be packed as a music festival is happening nearby, but the raging storm outside made sure to kill that idea. So now I am sweeping the floor and singing to my broom until....


    RING RING RING


    My cell is going off on the counter. I rush over and pick it up. I don''t even need to look at the screen to see who it is.


    ADAM


    Yea, storms got me trapped here, baby. Either way, I was going to be here all night... yeah, I wanted to spend time with you too... No, I love you more.


    I hear a sound ring, but this one is coming from the front door, accompanied by a woman''s voice.


    MARCY


    Excuse me.


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    Four people rush inside, leaving my door open two seconds long and letting in some rain. I would soon learn their names, and instead of dragging it out, how about I tell you their names all in one go.


    They all look around twenty-ish, maybe early twenties for sure. First up is the one talking to me, Marcy. She has hazel skin with curly hair, a leather jacket with ripped jeans, and the t-shirt of a band that was supposed to perform at the concert. "Titan Tears."


    Next to her is a cute woman dressed in a long skirt with a slit, the same shirt as Marcy, and her hair cut short.


    Last and most intimidating of all is Lou. He is a Latino man with short hair and a fresh cut. He has on a Jean jacket, a gray shirt, and black jeans with his boots. While everyone is shivering cold from the rain, he is comfortable. He has a big smile on his face. In fact, he is the most soaked of them all.


    None of them have umbrellas or hoodies, which makes sense as the storm caught us off guard. Coming in soaking wet is Manny. He is in a button shirt, corduroy pants, and running sneakers. His glasses are stylish, but if I''m being honest, he doesn''t look comfortable, I''m it. It''s like he is being forced to dress up.


    He runs up to Kate like an obedient puppy. Marcy stands in front of my counter, my eyes following the droplets falling from her hair onto my freshly wiped counters. I don''t hang up my car.


    MARCY


    Do you have any coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate?


    ADAM


    All that.


    She addresses the group, who are all wondering about my store. Lou is looking at the snacks on the counter. Manny is following Kate like a little puppy. Kate is the only one looking at Marcy as they reply.


    MARCY


    What are you guys feeling?


    LOU


    Hot Chocolate.


    MANNY


    Earl Grey, please.


    KATE


    I''ll have whatever you get, Marcy.


    Marcy turns to me to repeat everything, but I interject before she can speak.


    ADAM


    Don''t worry, I heard what they said.


    My eyes fixate on the rain droplets falling off their jackets and onto my clean floors. They are spread out all over the store, hitting every corner. I cover the phone as I yell.


    ADAM


    You''re getting my floors wet!


    Lou''s smile disappears, and an annoyed glare hits me. I won''t let it get to me, as this is my store, and that''s what matters. Marcy jumps in and takes control gently.


    LOU


    It''s not like we want to, man.


    MARCY


    Do you have a place where we can put our coats?


    I point to the small group of tables I have in thecorner and let them know the back of the chairs will work. I will have to mopthe store when they leave anyway, but now the mess will be isolated to onearea.

 Loophole (Part 3)

    THROUGH ADAM''S EYES


    They all, minus MARCY, are at the table. Lou Is putting his jacket on the chair. It might be me, but he looks sad he has to be dry now. Manny''s jacket is already on the chair, and he pulls out Kate''s chair.


    KATE


    Do you think we can make the concert?


    MARCY


    It''s outside. I''ll check if it''s canceled.


    A thunder''s boom startles everyone except Lou, and myself of course. I turn to get there drinks, still keeping the phone to my ear, even though i am no longer listening and keeping my eye on the group. Can never trust anyone.


    Marcy turns to Lou, who doesn''t get up but speaks from the table.


    MARCY


    Lou, is there anything you can do?


    LOU


    It would cost a finger.


    I place the drinks on the counter, with the cell phone still in the crook neck. What Lou said sticks in my mind. "Cost a finger?" Was that a threat? It has to be, right? What else could it be? I respond to the phone with reassurance that we will watch TV together or whatever she asks. I''ll figure that out later and let Marcy know the drinks are up.


    Manny gets up to help her with the drinks. They make it the table. Lou has his face buried in his phone as Kate reaches out to grab the drink in Marcy''s hand.


    MANNY


    I actually got your drink.


    He hold Kate''s drink out to her. She grabs it with a smile.


    KATE


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    Thanks, does it already have-


    MANNY


    Two sugars, you know it.


    She gives him a sweet smile, and the kid eats it all up. God, hes one of those types. I know them all too well. Smitten beyond belief and deep in her sauce. It''s endearing in a way if it wasn''t so na?ve. My number one rule in relationships. Doesn''t matter who you are, don''t lose yourself in the relationships. Its two people, not one.


    MARCY


    I just saw online that the concert¡ª


    LOU


    It''s canceled. The area''s flooded. Don''t worry about paying. Since we are not going, we should eat here. Open a tab. We''re going to order some food first.


    MARCY


    I wasn''t going to keep driving in this weather,


    but we could have put it up to a vote, Lou.


    Marcy is at the table with everyone else, finally taking off her wet jacket. Kate moves her hands up and down while twiddling her fingers like she imitates pixie dust falling as shespeaks.


    KATE


    Can''t you fix that, Lou? You with your... "talents."


    LOU


    Kate, you know that''s not how it works.


    Fixing the flood would cost at least


    one finger or half a thumb.


    Ok, that did it. That had to be a threat, a code, or some crap. I whisper a love you to the phone call and hang up. They were mid-sentence when I ended the call, but this is pressing. I''ll deal with that later.


    I raise my raise both of my hands and slam them down on the counter. The SLAP jolts everyone''s head to be. For a group of people talking about severing fingers, they look shocked.


    ADAM


    Stop that. I don''t want anyone to


    threaten anyone in my business, got it?


    Lou is nervous as he starts to defend himself. Saying how it''s all good. Idk if it''s because i am far from the table, but i swear some of his teeth are sharp. I mean little ivory daggers embedded in his gums.


    Marcy stands up and smiles, trying to defuse the situation.


    MARCY


    This isn''t what you think. He wasn''t threatening her.


    LOU


    I was explaining how the rules of a deal work.


    ADAM


    What deal are you talking about?


    LOU


    The "Little Mermaid Ursula" kind of deal.


    They sell themselves to a sea witch because... I am one.


    The storm is the only thing I can hear. Lou''s face is sensier, as is Marcy''s. Kate is giving a sly smirk while nodding.


    My eyes then lock on Manny, who is as confused as I am. I chuckle as that is the worst bull crap I have ever heard, and I let them know.


    One, we are in Austin, far as hell from the ocean. What if he got beached and then lost in Texas? Did he get so lost he went up the river to here, but I never heard of a river witch.


    Next, his vibe doesn''t scream "sea witch". It''s more of a cocky rocker kid with too many rings. Lastly, that''s dumb. Full stop.


    He takes all my words with a gritted smile. The whole table chuckles at what I said, except Manny, who can''t tell if this is a joke.


    MANNY


    Marcy, you''re dating a demon?


    LOU


    Sea Witch.


    MANNY


    You''re dating a Sea witch?

 Loophole (Part 4)

    THROUGH ADAM''S EYES


    A sharp pain travels through Manny''s side as Kate delivers a quick jab with her elbow. She glares at him, and the little confused puppy wonders what he did wrong.


    KATE


    Don''t you go judging her, Manny.


    MANNY


    You knew about this?


    KATE


    Of course, we don''t keep secrets from each other.


    MANNY


    And you kept it from me?


    Kate reads the hurt on his face. Her expression becomes gentle. I don''t know if she means it, but her tone is more compassionate than before.


    KATE


    I had to. It''s their business, and I shouldn''t spread it around, just like you wouldn''t want me to spread ours around. You get it?


    ADAM


    I''m calling bull on this. Where are your flippers and gills?


    MANNY


    I don''t know if I want to believe it.


    LOU


    Would you serve me if I had gills and scales?


    Damn, that''s a good point. I probably think it''s cosplay first, then once I know it''s real, pull the gun from below my counter with my bat and show him the full force of both flying irons. I should mention my bat is metal.


    I cross my arms and ask him to prove it. Lou rolls his eyes as he walks toward me. He mumbles something under his breath. I think it was along the lines of " Of course, on command, too. Everyone always wants me to prove it."


    How many times has he done t


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    Lou steps up to the counter, and we enter a stare-off. Lou grins with an air of superiority. I refuse to be looked down on, even though Lou has to glance down at me to meet his eyes.


    LOU


    Close your eyes and think of a numberbetween one and a thousand.


    ADAM


    That''s stupid. I¡ª


    LOU


    Just do it.


    I begrudgingly close my eyes.


    LOU


    Ready?


    ADAM


    ...Yeah.


    It''s silent for a second. I bet this is some suggestion magic. I''ve seen it on TV; I know how to beat them at their own game. I''ll pick the most random number. 773, that''ll get him.


    LOU


    I don''t know the number, but I know you arecheating on your girlfriend with someone named Alex. I jump back in fear and use both index fingers to make a cross to warn this demon away.


    ADAM


    Oh shit, he is a demon. Get back!


    That hit a nerve. I can see the vein on his neck pulsate as he speaks.


    LOU


    Why is everyone calling me that?


    Either he isn''t a demon, or my fingers weren''t holy enough as Lou reaches over the counter and gently moves my fingers to form the cross shape.


    LOU


    Let me guess: you want something more flashy. I can''t do this for free. So let''s say you throw a bag of chips for each of us.


    Lou holds his hand up in the air and closes his palms. I don''t get the show, as they look regular, and then his hands morph. His nails become sharp coral, and his hands are partially covered in turquoise scales. Lou''s eyes are red now.


    LOU


    Now for the show.


    The water droplets from everyone''s jackets and clothes float in the air. The water on the ground that they tracked flies through my store. The droplets accumulated in his hand and formed an orb of water in his grasp. More and more drops of water collect until the orb is the size of a small melon.


    Lou slams the orb onto the counter as a burst of light flashes from the sphere. The air reminds me of Puerto Rico''s beaches and the taste of salt lands on the tip of my tongue.


    The counter cracks as coral from the ocean''s depths breaks through. The coral is large and forms an archway on the counter. Colorful bubbles spew out of the coral as it adds to the atmosphere.


    The worst part of all this is that the arrangement improves my space. I wouldn''t say it fits my Llama theme, but man is it pretty.


    ADAM


    Okay, that''s cool.


    LOU


    Glad you see it my way.


    ADAM


    Then what was all that "finger" talk about, and why do I owe you chips?


    Lou walks back to the table, done with his show. I notice the bubbles follow him. Occasionally, they pop, sprinkling him with water. I wonder if this is his way of moisturizing himself?


    LOU


    To put it easy, I can''t use my abilities without a cost.


    Water swirls around him as we see a tapestry of the oceans deep with tropical fish swimming around. Coral swirls around him like clouds as


    LOU


    Everything needs a payment, a contract.I don''t like collecting contracts. If I didn''t have to, I wouldn''t. Feels gross being in charge of organs and souls. The bigger the request, the bigger the payment. Missed your bus; give me a few strands of your hair.


    Want that nice full-ride scholarship to the top university? Give me a liver. The highest price you can pay is your soul. You can get anything with that. Heck, you can get a lot with half a soul. The second most important is your heart. You can bring the dead back with that.


    I move from my counter and to the table. I am letting my nosey self lead me down a dangerous path, but isn''t risk just curiosity in a different suit?


    MANNY


    That''s why you are with him. He owns you.


    MARCY


    No, it''s not like that. Look, when we first met...

 Loophole (Part 5)

    THROUGH KATE''S EYE


    Great, we are talking about how they met. Now, don''t get this wrong off the bat. I don''t want you to think I am the best friend who hates her best friend''s boyfriend. I like Lou as a person. Dude is a good friend to me, funny, charming, cute, all that good stuff. He is just a shit boyfriend, and Marcy deserves way better.


    Now, he is rambling to the cafe owner, who is in all of our business, about when they first met. I remember that day. I can tell it better, but I''ll let him continue to say it as it makes him feel better, and we are all tense.


    Marcy and I have known each other since high school. We had the same class in the morning and afternoon so after a few days, she approached me and started asking about an assignment on the book we were reading, War of Newts, and we clicked.


    It was a simple beginning, but that''s what I love about our friendship. That''s why we went to the same university and met Mirabelle. A cute red girl with big brains but shallow pockets.


    Going to our university racked up a severe amount of debt. We all have it, but she had no control. I could have reined her in and helped, but I didn''t have the time with classes. She wanted to eliminate the debt no matter the cost, emphasis on those last four words.


    We booked a plane ticket to Puerto Rico, and before I could get a plate of mofongo or a bite of one of the world''s best Chinese food, we were on a beach making magic symbols with black sand Mirrabelle brought. She cut her head, and the dark red drops mixed with the sand.


    I remember that day so well, I could paint it. From the swim suites, we were wearing. Marcy''s bathing suit had flamingos; mine was an all-black two-piece, and Marrbelle was a green one-piece. Even how many circles were in the summoning spells, 34.


    Once she chanted the encantation, the water receded, and the black sand floated a few inches in the air as color seeped from the grains, leaving them transparent. When the water comes back, the grains fall, and a shadow looms over us.


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    LOU (O.P)


    Alright...


    What stood before us wasn''t the enormous muscular sea demon the shadow projected. It wasn''t a mystical being of wise ancient magic mystery. Instead, it was some shirtless dude in swim trunks and wet hair. He narrowed his eyes at us, waiting for anything to happen.


    LOU


    Why did you summon me?


    I didn''t notice that day, but Marcy would tell me she was instantly smitten. Something about him had her in a trace, and vice versa for Fish Boy.


    I was too focused on Mirrabelle''s questions and my own. Mirrabel crawled to him with her head down as she began to grovel. On the other hand, I walked right up to him and vomited a question to his face.


    Mirabelle


    Please, I need your help.


    I''ll pay for whatever cost you want as long as


    it doesn''t incur interest. Student loans are killing me!


    KATE


    You don''t look like a sea monster?


    Are you magic? Can you teach me?


    You can''t blame me for trying to learn a thing or two. Either way, it''s clear as day Lou was hooked by Marcy. He was called many things in his 19 years of life. The "demon of the trench," "The Sea Titan," "The Sinker Of Continents," but what I know him as is the bumbling over his head fool.


    Over our questions, Lou blurts out a stumbled question. I bet he thought he was so smooth.


    LOU


    I like flamingos!


    Maribel and I stared at him as he didn''t answer anything we asked. Marcy looked down at her swimsuit and blushed. Another worm got chomped on the hook.


    LOU


    I mean... I like the flamingos on your suit.


    Then they startedtalking, and now they are dating. Marriebel got her deal and now lives inAustin, working in tech. We were on the way to the concert to meet her as Itold her to do, but that wasn''t happening. I need to let her know what''s up.I''ll do it after we eat.

 Loophole (Part 6)

    THROUGH KATE''S EYE


    I tune in back to the conversation to hear Marcy finishing up how they met. You see, if she let me say it, we would be down by now.


    MARCY


    Then we <u>started </u>dating.


    I did make a few deals with him,


    but they are not why we are together.


    Lou has his arm around Marcy. It''s clear from his face that his love for her is real. Marcy smiles, but I can see she is uncomfortable.


    LOU


    Happy and still going strong.


    I see him reach for something in his inner jacket pocket. I can''t see what it is, and I don''t care.


    ADAM


    You don''t own her soul?


    LOU


    No, but I do have some stuff.


    Heart, kidney, lungs.


    Lou reaches for the opposite inner jacket pocket and proceeds to the stupidest, most offish things. He pulls out a sock monkey doll that looks like Marcy.


    This isn''t a toy or creepy fetish doll, though it''s creepy. No, this is what I learned I''d called a Conduit. This is the embodiment of Marcy. Attached to it are three enamel pins. One of her LUNGS, then LIVER, then HEART. Each is pinned to the appointed spots on the body.


    MARCY


    Don''t show people that.


    Lou blushes as he talks. He finds this all cute and is happy to discuss anything involving Marcy. Oblivious to how she feels.


    LOU


    Three months in, she came to me needing


    something important. It was for the most


    heartwarming reason, which is ironic


    because that''s what it cost.


    Lou is so into his story that he sees nothing wrong with his actions. Marcy remains calm, but I can see the cracks forming on the edge of her mind.


    MARCY


    Don''t talk about it.


    LOU


    Her dad was in this big accident,


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    and I wanted to help any way I can so-


    CRASH! Marcy breaks and shouts in front of everyone


    MARCY


    LOU STOP!


    Shocked and embarrassed, LOU put the doll back in the jacket pocket.


    LOU


    Sorry, I just like telling people how we met.


    MARCY


    It''s ...fine. Let''s just drop it.


    LOU gets up from that table. He is determined to make amends, but I know he won''t. He never does.


    LOU


    Let''s eat while we wait for the storm to pass¡ªmy treat.


    MANNY


    I don''t think he wants an organ-stealing


    fish here. Maybe we should leave?


    ADAM


    Do you guys have cash?


    LOU


    Well, yeah.


    ADAM


    Cool, let me know when you''re ready.


    Lou asks Marcy with a smile, trying to weasel his way in. Marcy is calm and even gives a soft grin. That''s her being nice, I can tell. She lets off these minute signals in her tone to expression that I can read. Lou''s poor brain can never tell.


    LOU


    You hungry?


    MARCY


    Yeah, thanks. Mind getting me¡ª


    LOU


    Cool, I''ll place the order for us.


    You don''t have to move.


    Boom, he''s gone, and Marcy is left with her mouth open, wondering if what she wants will come to the table. Me, I wouldn''t allow that. It is a fact. Manny is partway to the counter to meet up with Adam and Lou, and he turns to me.


    MANNY


    What do you want to eat?


    KATE


    I''ll have chopped cheese.


    The boy is deep in the love pool. Thats not a bad thing. I love him back, but it''s good to know there is a balance we both agree to in this relationship. The real issue is the rain. I planned our whole day, and this rain ruined everything I set in place. Eh, I should be able to reschedule everything.


    KATE


    They better be able to refund our tickets.


    Hopefully, we don''t have to drive in this storm.


    Marcy isn''t paying attention. She is just staring at her cup. I scoot closer to Marcy as I snap my fingers, trying to bring her back to reality.


    KATE


    Listen up, girl. Are you even here?


    MARCY


    I''ve been...


    Marcy looks back at Lou to make sure he isn''t eavesdropping. He is in his own little world, talking to Adam and Manny. She turns to me, mouth itching to speak, but nothing even though her words are crawling out her mouth, begging to be said.


    I grab her hand to comfort her. Marcy is still conflicted. I need to give her a little push, a nudge to the right mindset. All I want is for them to be happy, and If it means getting her to be in an environment that feels that way, I will make it. What better place to confess what''s bothering you than a 3-star cafe in the middle of a storm.


    MARCY


    Neverminded. I should let my dad know


    I''m off the road. I don''t want him to worry.


    KATE


    Don''t hide stuff from me¡ªno secrets between us. Tell me.


    MARCY


    I''ve been debating something in my head.


    You don''t have to worry about it.


    KATE


    When have you known me not to worry? I''m here for you.


    MARCY


    It''s been a hard few months, and things haven''t


    been easy. How Lou talks and treats everything.


    But we''ve been together for so long, and I know he cares.


    Marcy''s feelings grow as she tries to control them. Marcy''s eyes water as the words she is building up hurt her. I hold her trembling hands tight.


    MARCY


    You saw him, though; he just pulled


    the doll out. He is carrying the doll


    with him to a damn concert.


    KATE


    What are you saying?


    At this moment, the world is black. A single spotlight shines down and illuminates the table. We are on an isolated island away from everyone. The cafe has faded. The rain''s cold isn''t replaced with warmth but instead neutral.


    It''s just us, as her words widen my eyes. I know things were rocky, and the pressure was building, but I didn''t predict this happening tonight of all nights. Maybe the concert being canceled was a blessing as it gave Marcy the time she needed to think.


    She says the words that have been clamoring at her throat.


    MARCY


    I...want to break up with Lou.

 Loophole (Part 7)

    THROUGH MANNY''S EYES


    The thunderstorm is still going, and now I''m stuck with a demon and a stranger. I blame myself, to be honest. Lou and I never hung out by ourselves as it was always something Kate planned, but I''ve been around him enough times to have realized that he is a demon, er, I mean Sea Witch. What does that even mean?


    Luckily, I''m not the only one with questions.


    ADAM


    Are you from the Ocean?


    Lou and I lean over the counter, trying to order our food. Adam is too enamored with his question to care. Lou gives him a nod. Okay, so he is a fish. Wait, can I call him that, or is it offensive. He can''t get too mad at me. He never mentioned he was an all-powerful contract-making fish all this time.


    ADAM


    Which part, the Atlantic or the Pacific?


    LOU


    The Caribbean Sea. Let me order my food.


    Adam reaches below the counter and pulls out a bottle of water with a few missing sips. He jostles it as if we can''t see it. Lou rolls his eyes at it. On the other hand, I have my eyes bouncing back and forth as Adam is brave enough to ask all the questions rattling in my head.


    ADAM


    Is this bottle like a bottle of air to you?


    Do you need to drink it or pour it over your gills?


    BAM! A tip jar, the iPad register, and the muffins in the case fly a few inches into the air as a series of cracks spread from where Lou slams his fist on the counter. Both Adam and I jump back as Lou''s eyes glow red. His knuckles have the grey and turquoise snakes growing from them.


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    I tap the counter, trying not to get anyone''s attention. It''s hard, maybe made of granite or some hard rock. I''m not a geologist. I just know i would break my hand imitating what he did.


    LOU


    Can we skip the questions


    and get to my order?!?


    Adam''s fear is painted on his face. He''s not alone there as Lou''s eyes are focused on the man, like watching a tiger about to mutilate a turkey. I don''t know how they would meet in the wild, but thats all I can see.


    Sweat beats down Adam''s face before he responds.


    ADAM


    You grant wishes?


    Lou gives in.


    LOU


    No, I make deals with people


    and can''t give this out for free.


    Adam''s stare moves from Lou to me. His eyes scan me from head to toe. I tense up as i go from leaning on the counter to standing straight and looking up. I can feel Lou''s eyes shift to me. I don''t have it in me to look down at either one, but I can tell when Adam is done.


    ADAM


    What''s your deal? Are you a


    Demogorgon or something?


    MANNY


    No, no, no, no. I''m human.


    This weird magic fish thing is new to me.


    CRAP! I said fish


    MANNY


    Oh, I am so sorry. I didn''t mean to offend.


    Lou leans on the counter while rubbing his head. I get it. He''s been getting grilled about this since he got here.


    LOU


    It''s all good. We don''t really talk much.


    Our girls know each other.


    Though, i thought Kate would mention


    this to you. She''s known since day one.


    MANNY


    She...didn''t mention this to me.


    LOU


    That''s weird because she knows.


    She''s always asking me questions


    and even borrows my books.


    MANNY


    Is that where she keeps getting those creepy things?


    Lou leans forward. His eyes stare into the distance at something we all can''t see. The image is made clear as he speaks, as it is a feeling I am all too familiar with.


    LOU


    I don''t know why she wants them,


    but she''s important to Marcy,


    and that''s all that matters.


    ADAM


    Your girl might be satanic.


    Worshiping fish people


    MANNY


    Hey man!


    I lean forward and join Lou. My mind drifted. It doesn''t focus on a single thought. No particular moment in my life, no specific spot. The only thing they share is that I share these memories with Kate as she is beside me every single one. We''ve been together for five years.


    We aren''t engaged as there is no rush for use. We both know we are a constant in each other''s lives. Equals tackling the harsh world together. From meeting in class to graduating hand in hand. So what if she is learning fish magic? People are allowed to have hobbies.

 Loophole (Part 8)

    THROUGH MANNY''S EYES


    MANNY


    You might be right, but that doesn''t matter.


    ADAM


    You''re cool with that?


    Lou takes the water that Adam showed off and opens it. He takes a sip. I wonder if he has a spell to block germs as he doesn''t know Adam but trusted the bottle to not carry any diseases, or what if he can''t get sick from human germs?


    I am overthinking it, and I am not the only one. Adam wants to get mad, but he controls his emotions. Well, the best he can, as it''s clear that ticked him off, but he isn''t going yell...yet, that is.


    ADAM


    I''m charging you for that bottle.


    LOU


    I get it. Little things like that don''t bother


    you once you have someone


    important in your life.


    ADAM


    That''s little? It must mean your


    relationship''s going great.


    LOU


    We''re going good, been going


    good for three years. We...


    MANNY


    Is there something going on?


    Lou grabs the collar of my shirt. My feet are a few centimeters off the ground as I dangle. i expected a face full of rage and fury, but Instead, it''s one of panic. His eyes look bigger, and his stern expression softens.


    LOU


    I need your help!


    Kate and Marcy turn from the table, hearing the outburst. My feet are reunited with the ground as Lou lets go of my collar. He throws his arms around my shoulder and pulls me in close. He flashes the table a smile. I pick up the context, wrap my arm around him, and smile.


    KATE


    Are you guys good there?


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    LOU


    Yeah, I just uhh.. got a little hyped.


    MANNY


    We were just getting excited by a magic trick he


    was showing us. Dude can make clams sing.


    MARCY


    You can make clams sing?


    Lou turns his head to me, still smiling. His eyes scream as they glow. I said the wrong thing, but my mind was blank, and I let out a...


    MANNY


    Yup, he has to show you later.


    LOU


    Yeah, I''ll... show you the singing clams.


    Manny will have to be there, of course.


    KATE


    Well, we missed the concert.


    I guess that can be a make-up one.


    What music do they play?


    LOU


    Metal?


    MANNY


    Folk.


    MARCY


    Sounds... cool I guess.


    Marcy and Kate turn back around to continue their conversation. Lou and I turn back to Adam, who is holding back a laugh. A few chuckles seep out. He opens his mouth, but Lou leans in close and whispers.


    LOU


    Don''t you even.


    MANNY


    I''m sorry I panicked. I just made something up.


    LOU


    And now I need to teach clams, Folk, and Metal. There goes my month.


    ADAM


    Wait, thats possible?


    LOU


    That doesn''t matter.


    What does is Manny now volunteered


    himself to help me since I will have less


    free time to tackle it later.


    I need you to distract Kate for me


    when we eat. She always clings to


    Marcy, and I want a second alone with her.


    MANNY


    That''s hard to do. What for?


    Lou takes out the doll of Marcy from his jacket. He places it gently on the counter, supporting the neck and back. He looks at the doll with a gentle smile. Even though it''s a doll, he gives it the same look he does when he is sitting across from her.


    LOU


    I own her organs. Technically, she gave them to me to fulfill some contracts.


    MANNY


    Oh god, I can see the heart beating. Are those her real parts?


    LOU


    No, these patches represent what she owes.


    Her heart is still in her body, but what happens to


    the doll happens to the debtor.


    Think of it as a bank having a


    title to the house. You sleep in the home,


    but the bank owns it.


    ADAM


    But if the bank rips the title,


    the house doesn''t get destroyed.


    Lou nods uncomfortably. I can see it in his face, the cracks forming in his words. They aren''t lies, but he isn''t being honest with us or himself.


    LOU


    That''s why this must stay with me.


    Can''t risk it getting damaged.


    There''s no place safe enough for this.


    MANNY


    Does that mean you can collect on her


    debt whenever? That is a lot


    of power over someone.


    LOU


    Technically, yeah, but she


    knows I would never do that.


    ADAM


    Can I pick it up?


    Adam reaches for the doll. The shift in Lou''s face was instant. He went from a gentle smile to his eyes burning red. His teeth are sharp, and the wrinkles on his forehead bend the scales growing there. A turquoise-scaled hand with sharp coral nails slams down on Adams''s wrist. He doesn''t touch Adam but traps his wrist like a cage. His nails imbed on the counter, causing further damage that I will not pay for.


    Adam looks up to meet Lou''s stern gaze. The air is filled with the intent to kill as I can see Lou''s mind crack. Making sure not to make sudden movements, Adam lifts his head and pulls back. He treats Lou like a wild animal ready to pounce, but he doesn''t. Lou raises his hand as he starts to return to normal.


    ADAM


    Got it, no touching.

 Loophole (Part 9)

    THROUGH MANNY''S EYES


    Lou raises his hand as he calms down. Adam puts on a brave face, but i see his lip quiver. I poke my head in between them as I speak. Hopefully, this will shift the energy back to a more calm state. Lou carefully places the doll back into a pocket that is three times smaller than the doll, but there isn''t a bulge.


    MANNY


    Why do I need to distract Kate?


    LOU


    I want to give this back to her.


    MANNY


    That''s great. Then let''s do it now.


    Awesome! I turn with a smile to head back to the table. Lou grabs my sweater collar and pulls me back under his arm. He isn''t radiating the hot rage from earlier but looks like a sweating child about to be tattled on.


    LOU


    It''s not that easy. She signed a contract,


    and these were the payments.


    Take back the payment, the contracts break,


    and everything goes to shit for her. I don''t want that.


    From another pocket, Lou pulls out a small blue box. Lou opened the top gently as he laid the doll on the counter. My eyes gawk at the most beautiful piece of jewelry I have ever seen. Inside is a silver chained necklace with a glowing blue gem hanging.


    The silver chain twisted like waves. It was simultaneously moving but still. An impossible beauty. You can see the depths of the ocean within the blue, literally. There is bright collared coral, fishes swimming by, and you can see the sunbeams touch the sand. There is also a strange bucket and two plastic swords i the sand. The one I would see in my nephew''s room. The water was pristine, and you could smell the ocean.


    Adam looks at the necklace with his face crunched. i can''t tell if he hates it, is confused, or finds it beautiful. Maybe all three


    LOU


    But if I offered a different payment


    to replace her flesh bits. Everything works.


    ADAM


    The price for her organs is Tiffany''s?


    LOU


    No. The gem holds half my soul.


    With this, I can make a deal with myself.


    I was planning on giving it to her at


    the concert, but a cheap caf¨¦ that


    barely keeps the rats away works, too.


    ADAM


    That wasn''t necessary.


    LOU


    Once she puts it on, I can return


    the organs to her, and we will bond.


    ADAM


    But what if she takes it off.


    LOU


    She''ll be fine. She just


    needs to put it on once.


    MANNY


    Bonded, that sounds serious.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    LOU


    It''s no big deal. Our souls intertwine


    forever; she gets baby gills,


    but she''ll live longer.


    Wait, what did he say? I wasn''t the only one who caught that, as both Adama and I shared a glance. One that screams, "Did he say some crazy crap?" Once our eyes met, we knew he did.


    MANNY


    This isn''t right. A healthy


    relationship doesn''t work like¡ª


    LOU


    Oh, and yours is great?


    MANNY


    Yeah, it is. We don''t keep


    secrets from each other.


    Adam leans over the counter to me and whispers. I know Lou can hear him, but our eyes are locked.


    ADAM


    You''re going to die, dude.


    MANNY


    You should tell her


    before you give it to her.


    LOU


    I''ll tell her after. Once she finds out


    what I did, she will be so happy.


    From under the counter, Adam pulls out a...GUN! Why does he have a handgun under the cafe? Yeah, i get it''s Texas, but it''s a cafe. He under-sold the lead as he pulled a baseball bat right after. My heart is going on hyperdrive. It was bad enough I was yelling at the fish witch, but to pull out a gun was excessive.


    Lou''s eyes glow brighter as he approaches Adam, who steps back. He keeps the gun aimed at the floor and his finger off the trigger, but the bat is on his shoulder, ready to be swung. Why am I in the middle of all this?!?


    ADAM


    I don''t care what you do,


    but if you four are stuck here until the storm is over,


    don''t cause drama in my store.


    I don''t need any of that.


    LOU


    Is that a threat?


    ADAM


    You can do some messed-up magic stuff


    and nearly chopped my hand off.


    I am allowed to be cautious.


    LOU


    Will you not serve us now?


    ADAM


    You still have money?


    Lou nods.


    ADAM


    You won''t kill me or do demon crap


    where you choke and hold me off the floor.


    Lou nods again.


    ADAM


    I want to hear you promise.


    LOU


    I promise I won''t choke


    you out villain-style.


    Adam steps forward, puts both weapons away, and holds his hand out to shake Lou''s. He returns the favor as both shake hands. I stand there, my heart still beating like it was injected with espresso.


    LOU


    Sorry for all that.


    I lost my cool, and that was wrong.


    It''s just that everything is so delicate


    and...I just want Marcy safe.


    Adam nods back with recognition. Lou turns to me.


    LOU


    My bad. Didn''t mean to go there.


    I bet you and Kate are great.


    MANNY


    Thanks. She means a lot to me,


    and I can tell she feels the same.


    Lou turns to head to the bathroom in the back.


    LOU


    Good to hear. I''m using the bathroom in the back.


    ADAM


    Last door on the left.


    LOU


    I appreciate it.


    Lou walks to the back, and Adam jerks his head toward me with a panicked expression.


    ADAM


    Do you think he pisses fire?


    No joke, I''m legit worried about my toilet.


    MANNY


    I don''t want to think about that man.


    Adam turns to head to the grill to make our food. He quickly doubles back and presses his face on the counter. I guess it finally hit him with all the damage Lou did. His eyes stare at every crack, and I can see them water. He whispers to himself, "My poor baby." I get it. It won''t be cheap to fix, and i doubt insurance covers fish with nails.


    There''s been a thought bubbling in my mind. Something Lou said earlier. Now that it''s the two of us, and after everything said, I feel it''s right to bring it up. The dude was asking twenty questions, so why can''t I?


    MANNY


    Was he telling the truth?


    Are you cheating on your girl?


    ADAM


    Why does it matter?


    MANNY


    I mean, I can''t think of doing that.


    I can''t even see why someone would.


    ADAM


    Good for you.


    MANNY


    Okay, maybe I can.


    But why don''t you


    break up with her?


    ADAM


    Dude, what''s your deal?


    I said it didn''t matter.


    I stop talking. I need to let the tension diffuse. It''s clear we are all jumpy from having our worlds rocked. I''ll apologize and let gentle breezes overtake this storm.


    MANNY


    My bad.


    ADAM


    It is. You act like you have it so


    much better. Don''t even realize


    your girl is playing you.


    Ok, that pissed me off.


    MANNY


    You don''t know anything.


    ADAM


    I do, and I know how it feels more


    than you do. You''re going to end up hurt.


    Our eyes are locked. The tensions floating around us make it hard to breathe. I can feel the sweat down my head. It''s different from Lou. There is a level of genuine fear. With Adam, it''s different. I can''t put my finger on it, but Lou is terrifying. But from what I can tell, it''s not a bad dude, but why do something so atrocious?


    MANNY


    Like you''re hurting your girl?


    ADAM


    I have to cook.


    Adam walks toward the grill. Trying his best to be out of the conversation. I went too far. Why did I push so hard? I never stick my nose in anyone''s business, but here I am, arguing. My head is feeling cracked.


    I''m just hungry. That has to be it. Plus, the storm.

 Loophole (Part 10)

    THROUGH KATE''S EYES


    Marcy and I sit at the table while the boys order our food. I double-check my backpack to make sure the papers inside are dry; they are. I should have left it inside the car, but you never know when I would need the stuff inside.


    Marcy is processing her thoughts. One by one, I hear the CRACK of her finger. A nervous habit I have asked her to stop as it can damage her finger in the future. Plus, they leave you with the phantom numbness that makes your joints feel swollen.


    The best thing I can do is be a supportive friend and listen to her vent. I occasionally throw a question in to help slow her mind down before it derails. I don''t mind listening. I get to know some sweet gossip, and in the end, Marcy feels better. That''s all I want.


    MARCY


    He... pulled it out. He pulled the doll out. Why does he think that''s okay.


    KATE


    I heard this place has good curly fries.


    MARCY


    I would be down for that, but I''m in the mood for mozzarella sticks.


    MARCY


    Plus, my dad keeps texting, worrying if I am going back on the road. I get it, but he should know I won''t.


    KATE


    You''re like... are you good?


    MARCY


    I''m good. Never said how I felt out loud before.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    KATE


    It''s never easy. So, when are we breaking Nemo''s hearts?


    Marcy leans back. Her hands move away from me to fidget the bottom of her shirt. Her eyes focus on me as she stays silent. SHIT. I shouldn''t have said that so cheerfully. I need to tone it down. This is real for her. I shift my tone to stern.


    MARCY


    Don''t say it like that. I don''t want to hurt him.


    KATE


    It''s going to hurt him; recognize that. Once you do, it''ll be easy. Don''t forget I have your back, so let me show...


    I hover my hand over an empty spot in front of me on the table. The hazel of my eyes flushes away, and grey pours into its spot. Of course, I can''t see it happen, but I know this happening. Colors bleed from the air and wrap around my hands. It looks like velvet ribbons composed of a kaleidoscope of colors, but I feel the salt of warm ocean water.


    My mind is focused, and I''m not the only one. Marcy is mesmerized by the colors. I get it. I would sit on the couch, hold my hand up, and let the ribbons dance on my hands. Marcy hasn''t looked away...in a while.


    Oh god, is this weird? It''s magic. It should be cool. It is cool. My face is starting to feel hotter.


    MARCY


    You good, Kate?


    KATE


    I realized I have never done magic in front of you, and I started thinking and l-like what if you think it''s lame compared to Lou and-


    Marcy''s smile spreads over her face, and her eyes glimmer. She is like a kid as she is jumping in her chair. This high energy helps ease my nerves.


    MARCY


    You''re finally doing magic! I didn''t know you made it this far.


    KATE


    I have been practicing day and night and want to show you.


    I whisper words Marcy doesn''t understand, and the ribbons seep into the table. The spell book Lou let me borrow floats up out of a pool of black bubbles. Marcy leans over, astonished by the pool. The table is only a few inches thick, but the pool is bottomless and as deep as the ocean.


    The book itself is a sight to see. The cover and biding resemble a sunken ship with rotting wood. From the cracks of wood, Octopus tentacles slither out. I don''t mean plastic tentacles for aesthetics. I mean real tentacles. I pulled hard on one once, and a full octapose laded on my bed. I ate well that week. Finally, barnacles and golden seashells adorn the rim and spine of the book.


    I opened the book and started flipping pages, knowing what I left was between the pages. I don''t remember which, but hopefully, it''s not too deep.


    KATE


    This is an advanced book Lou let me borrow. Its pages are filled with his people''s magic and history.


    It has stuff about the creatures in the sea, like the Kraken, the Starfish King, and many spells. So tell me, what did he do?


    MARCY


    It''s not as easy as something he did.


    KATE


    Three years is a long time, relatively, I guess. It''s a good chunk of time.


    Marcy can''t look at me as she speaks. I get it. Lou sometimes gets me heated. Really, only when he is around Marcy. Outside of her, he''s cool. With her, he becomes an infuriating dude who needs to think more before he speaks. For a dude who is a master spell caster, he doesn''t understand the power of his words.

 Loophole (Part 11)

    THROUGH KATE''S EYES


    The more she speaks, the more visible the cracks in her mind are. The world around us is dark. We are isolated from the rest of the cafe. Having the spotlight on you means the only light you can see is focused on you. The rest of the world is dark.


    MARCY


    I lost my voice. It disappears when I''m around him.


    KATE


    Tell me he put a curse on you like he''s Ursula.


    MARCY


    Not literally. His voice carries more weight when we talk, so the conversation always tilts to his side.


    Makes mine so light; it''s like it''s not there. It''s hard to explain without making him look like a bad guy, and that''s not what I want to ¨C


    KATE


    Maybe he is.


    MARCY


    No, he''s not. He''s just¡ª


    KATE


    You''re too nice. There''s a reason you want to leave.


    I hear it. The soft step from down the hall. He was walking past the counter and headed...here. My hand covers Marcy''s mouth. The last thing we need is her letting anything said slip.


    MARCY


    Don''t act like nice is a lousy thing--


    KATE


    Shhhhh!!


    His red gaze. I can feel them behind us. Lou''s red eyes peaking from the shadow of the back room. I don''t even know how he got access to that room. I bet he "asked" the way he asks for things. Good in this moment, but not at us.


    He slips through our peripherals and lays his hands on Marcy''s shoulder. His gentle smile is genuine. I know Lou. I''ve hung out with him enough to study his habits. People may see him as a shark, ready to bite and thrash. No, he''s a rattlesnake, grabbing your attention before he laces you with venom- at least when he''s near Marcy.


    LOU


    What are you two talking about?


    Marcy opens her mouth to speak when... nothing. I need to take control as she''s floundering. I interject myself between the two. I Tapp the book to draw his eye.


    KATE


    About the book you let me borrow.


    LOU


    I thought you didn''t like this kind of stuff.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    He becomes a pubby dog wagging his tail at the idea that Marcy is excited about something he wants to do.


    LOU


    I can break it down for you when we get home.


    MARCY


    Maybe yeah.


    LOU


    Cool. I came here to see if you wanted a side with your sandwich.


    MARCY


    Yeah, that sounds nice. Can I get Mozz-


    LOU


    Cool.


    Before Marcy finishes, Lou is turned around and is on his way to the counter. Marcy is left there staring at her hands again, with me staring at the back of his thick head. He''s a dick.


    I place my hands over Marcy''s hands, trying to comfort her.


    KATE


    How long have you been feeling like this?


    MARCY


    I don''t remember when I started. Just that I do.


    Kate fiddles in the book, and Marcy tries to figure out the words to explain the situation.


    KATE


    Why not leave him earlier? Is it the lease? You can always stay with me.


    MARCY


    No, it''s... My stuff.


    Marcy looks down at the table. Around her, floating in bubbles, are the patches from the doll. Her heart, lungs, and liver. Each floats over the corresponding organs on her body.


    MARCY


    I need to find the right moment. There is too much at stake for me. It''s not like he would hurt or hold them against me, I think. I trust him, but this part of me is whispering in my head.


    MARCY


    What if I''m wrong?


    KATE


    I get it, and when he pulled the doll. That pissed me off, and I can''t imagine how you felt. Get this. I was looking over this book for some time, and I remember reading something that will help us.


    I go to the book. I see the corner of a folded paper I used as a bookmark poking out between the pages. I opened the page and grabbed the folded paper. The page is inconsequential, but I still slide the book to Marcy. Maybe she will be open to my idea if she sees what lies between the pages.


    I see her eyes scan the words. It''s been long enough. I hold up the folded piece of paper in between my fingers.


    KATE


    Here''s the plan. You break up with him tonight. When he asks why, you hand him this.


    MARCY


    I''m not doing it tonight.


    I hold the paper closer to her. I can feel the grey sparks in my eyes- a sign of a magic user, one I am no longer afraid to show Marcy. I need her to see what I can do right off the rip. It''s the only way she listens.


    KATE


    Then when? If you don''t do it tonight, you will be with him for another three years. Is that what you want?


    MARCY


    What will it do?


    KATE


    It will get your organs back.


    Marcy''s hand is outstretched, hesitant to grab the paper. I''m not worried; she holds the paper just like I predicted. Marcy goes to unfold the paper- wait, no! I grab her wrist and pull her hand away before she can unfold it.


    I see fear on Marcy''s face. I now realize how tight I am gripping her wrist. I let go, and I still see the imprint of my finger on her skin. She is shaking a bit. No, i need to let her know; I need to fix this.


    KATE


    I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to grab--


    I feel his gaze on me. Before I can turn, I see his overcast shadow. He is directly behind me. I look up as he stares down at me. He is taller than usual, and turquoise scales form around his burning red eyes. His teeth are sharp.


    The air is cold. I feel like I am floating in the sea at night. A blood moon is over my head, and the jaws of a megalodon are about to swallow the ocean when it bites down on me.


    LOU


    You two, alright?


    KATE


    Yeah, I got a bit too hyped.


    He glances at Marcy, who is rubbing her wrist but makes sure to do so under the table. She had already collected her nerves and flashed him a smile.


    LOU


    You good?


    MARCY


    Yeah, don''t worry.


    LOU


    Okay, let me know if you need anything.


    With a smile, he is gone from our conversational bubble. I look to Marcy. What do I say? What can i say? I messed up, and the reason doesn''t matter.


    MARCY


    What the hell, Kate? Losen your grip next time.


    KATE


    Sorry, it''s... If you open the paper before Lou can, it won''t work.


    Marcy looks at the paper. I can hear the thoughts in her head. She is imagining what could be inside the folds. Staring harder, hoping today she magically develops X-ray vision.


    MARCY


    If I use it.


    I grab her hand, gentle this time. She doesn''t flinch or move away.


    KATE


    I know what you are going through is hard. I mean the way he showed up. I felt cold. Death? I can''t explain it. You shouldn''t be with that.


    I push her hand, holding the paper onto her chest, right over her heart. What he has over her isn''t right, and tonight is the night we need to make a stand. Manny will be backing me up, so it will be three versus one. Us against him. This is what''s best for her. This is for Marcy.


    KATE


    We got this together. I got your back. You are ending it with him tonight, right?

 Loophole (Part 12)

    THROUGH KATE''S EYES


    Marcy and I sit at the table while the boys order our food. I double-check my backpack to make sure the papers inside are dry; they are. I should have left it inside the car, but you never know when I would need the stuff inside.


    Marcy is processing her thoughts. One by one, I hear the CRACK of her finger. A nervous habit I have asked her to stop as it can damage her finger in the future. Plus, they leave you with the phantom numbness that makes your joints feel swollen.


    The best thing I can do is be a supportive friend and listen to her vent. I occasionally throw a question in to help slow her mind down before it derails. I don''t mind listening. I get to know some sweet gossip, and in the end, Marcy feels better. That''s all I want.


    MARCY


    He... pulled it out. He pulled the doll out. Why does he think that''s okay.


    KATE


    I heard this place has good curly fries.


    MARCY


    I would be down for that, but I''m in the mood for mozzarella sticks.


    MARCY


    Plus, my dad keeps texting, worrying if I am going back on the road. I get it, but he should know I won''t.


    KATE


    You''re like... are you good?


    MARCY


    I''m good. Never said how I felt out loud before.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    KATE


    It''s never easy. So, when are we breaking Nemo''s hearts?


    Marcy leans back. Her hands move away from me to fidget the bottom of her shirt. Her eyes focus on me as she stays silent. SHIT. I shouldn''t have said that so cheerfully. I need to tone it down. This is real for her. I shift my tone to stern.


    MARCY


    Don''t say it like that. I don''t want to hurt him.


    KATE


    It''s going to hurt him; recognize that. Once you do, it''ll be easy. Don''t forget I have your back, so let me show...


    I hover my hand over an empty spot in front of me on the table. The hazel of my eyes flushes away, and grey pours into its spot. Of course, I can''t see it happen, but I know this happening. Colors bleed from the air and wrap around my hands. It looks like velvet ribbons composed of a kaleidoscope of colors, but I feel the salt of warm ocean water.


    My mind is focused, and I''m not the only one. Marcy is mesmerized by the colors. I get it. I would sit on the couch, hold my hand up, and let the ribbons dance on my hands. Marcy hasn''t looked away...in a while.


    Oh god, is this weird? It''s magic. It should be cool. It is cool. My face is starting to feel hotter.


    MARCY


    You good, Kate?


    KATE


    I realized I have never done magic in front of you, and I started thinking and l-like what if you think it''s lame compared to Lou and-


    Marcy''s smile spreads over her face, and her eyes glimmer. She is like a kid as she is jumping in her chair. This high energy helps ease my nerves.


    MARCY


    You''re finally doing magic! I didn''t know you made it this far.


    KATE


    I have been practicing day and night and want to show you.


    I whisper words Marcy doesn''t understand, and the ribbons seep into the table. The spell book Lou let me borrow floats up out of a pool of black bubbles. Marcy leans over, astonished by the pool. The table is only a few inches thick, but the pool is bottomless and as deep as the ocean.


    The book itself is a sight to see. The cover and biding resemble a sunken ship with rotting wood. From the cracks of wood, Octopus tentacles slither out. I don''t mean plastic tentacles for aesthetics. I mean real tentacles. I pulled hard on one once, and a full octapose laded on my bed. I ate well that week. Finally, barnacles and golden seashells adorn the rim and spine of the book.


    I opened the book and started flipping pages, knowing what I left was between the pages. I don''t remember which, but hopefully, it''s not too deep.


    KATE


    This is an advanced book Lou let me borrow. Its pages are filled with his people''s magic and history. It has stuff about the creatures in the sea, like the Kraken, the Starfish King, and many spells. So tell me, what did he do?


    MARCY


    It''s not as easy as something he did.


    KATE


    Three years is a long time, relatively, I guess. It''s a good chunk of time.


    Marcy can''t look at me as she speaks. I get it. Lou sometimes gets me heated. Really, only when he is around Marcy. Outside of her, he''s cool. With her, he becomes an infuriating dude who needs to think more before he speaks. For a dude who is a master spell caster, he doesn''t understand the power of his words.

 Loophole (Part 13)

    THROUGH ADAM''S EYES


    I pop a bag of gummies open, a cream soda, and Dr Pepper sit behind my cash and pop a video on my phone. The food is served, and that''s all I expect them to eat. The cursed woman got a chop cheese with her smiley friend getting the same. Demon boy Lou got a turkey deli sub, and the troubled boy got a chicken parm. Fries for all.


    I see their faces morph from low-expectations grins to mind-blown shock. Yeah, I take pride in my food, and I see myself able to go toe to toe with any chef and barista in Austin. Lou and Marcy sit beside each other with their respective partners.


    I know I should mind my own business, but the air is thick here, and it''s not because of the storm. I feel the air chill, and that table is about to break out into drama. As an owner, I should leave my customers be...nah, this will be good.


    MANNY


    Can I get some napkins?


    KATE


    You''re a mess. Let me guess, it''s on your pants?


    MANNY


    It has a lot of sauce.


    Lou hands Manny a napkin., While giving him the "look." You know, the "do what we talked about" look. Manny doesn''t notice. His head is down, and his eyes are on the fat marinara stain on his pants. He is wiping and wiping as his face starts to match the sauce.


    Lou nudges. Lou gestures to Kate, who isn''t paying attention. Manny gestures to his sandwich. Lou shakes his head no and gestures at Kate again, this time with more force. Manny gives in.


    With a gentle smile and a bead of sweat down his forehead, Manny speaks to Kate. She, on the other hand, has her eyes on her sandwich.


    MANNY


    We forgot the drinks. Kate, do you mind


    coming with me and picking out some drinks.


    KATE


    Take Lou instead.


    MANNY


    Well, he''s eating.


    KATE


    And I''m not?


    MANNY


    No, what I meant was...


    Marcy gets up from the table. Lou''s eyes lock on and shoot up like a puppy hearing the word park.


    MARCY


    It''s okay, I''ll get them.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    LOU


    Then I''ll go too!


    Kate grabs Marcy''s arm to sit her down with a smile. Marcy is caught by surprise.


    KATE


    Perfect, Marcy, you can sit back down. Lou volunteered to go.


    LOU


    Oh, I was going...


    Lou is defeated as Manny gets up from his seat. Both of me, with slumped shoulders, walk as Kate gives a soft smile and wave. Lou and Manny walk away toward the refrigerators.


    I catch Lou pulling Manny behind a row of snacks by the refrigerators. I turn to see Kate drop the smile. Her eyes focused on where Lou and Manny are. With me in the center and a beautiful view of the calamity.


    Lou whispers and screams, thinking no one can hear him. The table can''t, but I can. Kate, no smiles, all business, speaks to Marcy, who can''t hide her indecision.


    Both Lou and Kate are radiating a hot aura. It''s clear from both of their conversations that both sharks smell blood in the water. Both think they''re making the right choice for Marcy. Both are uncertain about their opponent''s next move.


    LOU


    What was that?


    MANNY


    I tried.


    KATE


    You ready?


    MARCY


    Now?


    LOU


    All you have to do is talk to Kate. Then I''ll make my move.


    KATE


    I''ll make sure Manny isn''t near, and you can go in and do what you need to do.


    MANNY


    It won''t work.


    MARCY


    This doesn''t feel appropriate.


    LOU & KATE


    It''s fine. I got this.


    With drinks in hand, Lou and Manny are back at the table. Lou raises a drink to me like I didn''t see him take it. He twists the cap and speaks.


    LOU


    Hey, I got these four.


    ADAM


    Don''t worry, the show will cover that.


    Lou raises an eyebrow at this. Doesn''t help that I am smirking, but the charisma is too sweet. Who has the guts to speak first? Will she still break up with him if he proposes? Will he freak out if she breaks up with him? ...I am now worried for my shop.


    Kate makes the first move. She feigns surprise and pushes her drink away. She is overacting, but everyone is too nervous to notice.


    KATE


    I''m not feeling this drink.


    Kate pulls Manny by the arm right out of his seat and toward the refrigerator.


    KATE


    Manny, come with me and help me pick out another one.


    I watch Mr Sea Salt Romance sweat in his seat. He watches Marcy pick at her plate of fries with her fork. Both struggled to think of how to speak. I''m tempted to run over and blurt it out, but I shouldn''t. This is their business, now mine. I''ll just watch the show.


    LOU


    You haven''t had any of your curly fries? Are you feeling okay?


    MARCY


    I wasn''t craving it. You can have them.


    Without an hesitation coral brains starts picking fries off Marcy''s plate.


    MARCY


    Lou, I have something to tell you.


    LOU


    Oh, me too. I should go first.


    MARCY


    Of course, You always must go first.


    I barely made out what she said as she spoke under her breath. Lou is too into his head to notice what she said. Kate and Manny''s conversation grows more intense, but they still whisper. I can''t hear what they say, but Kate, it''s clear by Manny''s dumbfounded expression that Marcy is explaining what Marcy is about to do.


    Lou swallows his nerves and, I think, literally as his Adam apple wobbles and speaks.


    LOU


    Trust me, you''ll love it.


    MARCY


    This is important, and I should tell you what I need to do.


    Marcy looks at her plate, avoiding eye contact. Lou goes for the box in his pocket but doesn''t take it out yet.


    MARCY


    Lou, we''ve been together for a long time.


    LOU


    Feels weird, right? Thinking about how many years it''s been.


    MARCY


    Please let me talk. I need to say this now, or I... we''ve been together for a long time¡ª


    MANNY


    NO!!!

 Loophole (Part 14)

    THROUGH ADAM''S EYES


    Manny breaks away from Kate and rushes over.


    MANNY


    Lou, you two need to listen to her before you¡ª


    Before he can finish his sentence, Kate covers his mouth. His words are muffled as he continues to speak. This is weird. I would suspect someone like Manny to be strong enough to break free. I guess he is just being kind to his girl.


    Marcy is confused, while Lou tries to hide his anger behind a gentle smile. His death stare gives him away.


    KATE


    Don''t you mess this up!


    I lean f forward on the counter. I make sure my voice is stern. I am all for a good show, but I won''t let things get violent here. I don''t know what damage fish fillets can cause here. My insurance won''t believe a Fishman destroyed my store.


    ADAM


    You guys better chill. I don''t mind kicking you back out into the storm.


    LOU


    We''re just talking here. Got a little hype.


    ADAM


    Happens a lot, huh?


    KATE


    Let''s leave them be. You two should continue your talk.


    Kate nods to Marcy, who is gripping something in her hand tightly.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    MARCY


    I think... I know...


    Marcy avoids Lou''s eyes. When She looks away, Lou pulls out the box. He gently opens the box and holds it up so Marcy will see it when she turns to him. All three of us nosey people lean in closer, waiting for the reveal.


    MARCY


    I want...


    Her hesitation is palpable. From my angle, I see her expression. Her eyes jolt back and forth as her hands shake. She is on the verge of tears as her body floods with emotion. With one brave inhale, she turns to Lou.


    MARCY


    I want to break up!


    Lou is stunned and silent as he holds the box open for Marcy to see the gem. Marcy is finally looking at him and now notices the box.


    MARCY


    What is that?


    CLACK! Lou shuts the box. A cocktail of confusion, sorrow, and rage pours on this man''s face. The cracks form on the edge of his gentle demeanor.


    LOU


    Where did this come from?


    Why do you want to do this to us? To me?


    Marcy looks over at Kate, who points at the paper. Marcy relies on pure instinct and holds the paper out for Lou. He is silent, staring at it, angry and confused. Don''t blame him. I would be, too.


    MARCY


    This... read this. It tells you why.


    LOU


    You can''t tell me? Why do I have to read it?


    Marcy stays quiet as she holds out the paper. Lou, reluctant, takes it as he stands up and steps closer to me. He isn''t coming to me for sage advice. It''s aimless. His eyes might as well have sunk into his head as his focus is only on how he feels.


    He''s hesitant to open it, and then it clicks in his head that he is right in front of me. He turns, and now his back is facing the counter. I look over his shoulder as he opens the paper. There are strange marks I can''t make out. In the middle, though, is a hand-drawn picture of a tongue in a circle of coral.


    LOU


    When did you learn my people''s language?


    My lights flicker as the storm''s winds howl. The bottle in the fridge rattles as the ground below shakes. My eyes jump back to the page as the marking glows gold. The ink on the page turns to golden flames and swirls around Lou''s hands.


    The lights shut off, and the flames are the only light source. The flames crawl up Lou''s arms and into his eyes. His hands become long and morph into talons of corral. The skin the threads of flames touch turns to scales. He never lets go of the paper, even though his screams of pain overpower the storm.


    The flames enter Lou''s eyes and mouth. He has scales under the bags of his eyes. I think he is trying to fight the flames. I''m uncertain of how his true form looks, but by his screams, I can tell the flames stopped him from transforming fully. Then he stops screaming.


    The lights flicks back on. Lou stands there, staring at the paper, partly changed. Steam rises from his body as the storm''s winds return to a soft hum. He doesn''t move. Kate chuckles to herself as she steps forward. Her voice grows louder as twisted as the chuckle becomes a maniacal laugh.


    KATE


    Finally!


    The doors are shut, and the windows don''t open. Yet, a gust of wind hits us as Kate laughs louder. The scent of sea air fills the air. Part of it comes from the steam Lou emits. The other comes from Kate''s direction. There is a soft grey and black glow around her. Strands of her hair float in the air, as if she was floating underwater. Her eyes are colder, and her body language went from open and kind to dominating.


    She wipes a tear out of her eye with a smile. Her energy doesn''t scream murder but...relief?


    KATE


    That took forever.

 Loophole (Part 15)

    Through Kate¡¯s Eyes


    Imagine you just got home. You don¡¯t have any groceries, and the only food you have is frozen and needs to go into the microwave. You slam that frozen dumplings and few taquitos in there, and now you must wait. Not seconds but minutes.


    DING, it¡¯s done. You can¡¯t eat it immediately as it will burn your mouth. You wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and then¡­ you take a bite.


    Yes, they are a bit freezer burn and were the cheap knockoff, but they taste so good in the moment, and you are satisfied beyond belief. You lack your lips. That is this moment, watching Lou stand there.


    Everyone stares at Kate as I walk over to Marcy. She has a bit of fear in her eyes. That¡¯s understandable.


    KATE


    I was afraid you weren¡¯t going to do it. I¡¯m proud of you, girl!


    ADAM


    Did you mess with my lights?


    I look up at the lights. Did I break them? Was that some kind of magical interference or the storm? They look fine. Either way, I can¡¯t afford to fix them. A¡ª


    KATE


    Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re not broken¡­I think.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    I snatched the paper out of Lou¡¯s hands. He didn¡¯t react or move, so my spell went without a hitch. I sit at the table, waving the paper between my fingers.


    KATE


    If they are, you can put it on his tab. Nothing to say? Right, my bad.


    KATE


    Lou, look at me.


    When I speak, my lips feel warm. I notice golden flames spark from my tongue. It doesn¡¯t burn, as the heat is comfortable. The look in everyone¡¯s eyes as they stare at the fire flying out of my mouth feels¡­good.


    Lou turns to me.


    KATE


    You can talk.


    Lou¡¯s eyes are full of rage. His words are laced with a burning malice. Yet that¡¯s all he is, a barking dog stuck on a leash. Lou¡¯s body stays stiff and doesn¡¯t move as I see the golden flames appear and restrict him every time a finger moves or even when a muscle tenses.


    LOU


    What¡¯s going on here?


    KATE


    I¡¯m helping Marcy.


    Marcy steps to me. She is cautious. I get it. This all came out of nowhere for her. A car battery shocks the nerves to see your best friend and boyfriend argue¡­. Ex-boyfriend.


    I pick some curly fries off her plate as I talk. I put some fries on a napkin and pass it to Manny. If this came as a shock to anyone, it¡¯s him. He just learned about Lou, and now he is seeing me like this. It¡¯s a lot to take. I know a snack will help calm his nerves; it always has.


    He¡¯s hesitant, but he does pick up the napkin and starts his nervous munching. I turn my focus back on the conversation.


    MARCY


    How is whatever this is helping?


    KATE


    You said you were afraid he would do something to your organs when you broke up with him. Now, I made it so he can¡¯t do anything without my say-so. Right?


    Lou stares at me, refusing to answer.


    KATE


    No answer. Then nod for me.


    I walk to Lou as he resists, nodding his head. It doesn¡¯t work, of course, as my word is the law. Everyone gawks as I get right in Lou¡¯s face. His sharp teeth are now candy corn, his talons are mere unkempt hygiene, and his overwhelming power is a remnant of the past.


    By their expressions, it¡¯s clear everyone is worried for my safety. Now, to show that there is no need for fear.


    KATE


    Give me the doll.

 Loophole (Part 16)

    Through Kate¡¯s Eyes


    Magical energy bursts from Lou as his muscles tense. He is resisting. The warmth returned to my lips as golden sparks emitted from my mouth.


    KATE


    Today, please.


    Lou¡¯s hand, still covered in magical energy and resisting, shakes as he reaches into his jacket. They no longer resist, as shaking the doll can hurt Marcy. He holds the Marcy Doll over my open hand.


    We both grip the doll tight. I know what to do, but¡­ no, I can¡¯t waver. I squeeze the doll tighter, and Lou instinctually does the same, not wanting to lose the doll. Then I heard it. Marcy doubles over and kneels on the ground. She grows in pain as she feels as if two hands are squeezing her stomach, her skin seeing in between their fingers.


    Lou catches this right away and lets go of the door. He is facing me, but his eyes are fixated on Marcy. My eyes jump to the counter as Adam with a metal baseball bat.


    Adam walks around the counter with a metal baseball bat in his hand. Manny holds him back. The head of the doll rests in the crevasse in my elbow as the body rests in my arm. Careful, gentle, and ensuring no harm befalls the doll, and the clothes don¡¯t have a single crease. Something I know Marcy must appreciate now that she¡¯s getting back on her feet.


    ADAM


    I don¡¯t want any more of these curses and lung business. Stop this.


    MANNY


    No, this is good. Now, Marcy can have her organs back.


    KATE


    Not exactly. It¡¯s like Lou said. Her deals with him are gone if I give her organs back. Even. The. First. ONE. We don¡¯t want that.


    MARCY (WHISPER)


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    No


    Boom, it hits her. The realization she was afraid of, but it¡¯s all good. I have the doll now. Marcy steps closer, but my eyes jump from the doll and back to her. My spell is foolproof, but one can¡¯t be too precautions.


    KATE


    I thought I could keep them. I mean, it¡¯s better for me than him.


    MARCY


    I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m comfortable with that. We should think of something else.


    KATE


    You don¡¯t trust me?


    MANNY


    It¡¯s not that, I think. If you want, we can keep it in a mutually safe location, like a safe deposit box.


    Why is he butting in? No, why does he agree with her? He, of all people, should know the doll is best with me. If he keeps feeding Marcy¡¯s plan, she will never see I¡¯m right.


    MANNY


    That way, she has access to it but doesn¡¯t own¡ª


    KATE


    Shut it! This is between her and me. Why don¡¯t you look at the snacks or watch something on your phone?!?


    That was too harsh, but it needed to be said. I pull my attention back to Marcy as Manny takes a step back. I¡¯ll have to apologize later, but not now.


    KATE


    Now¡­ right, the fish stick. What do you think we should do to him?


    MANNY (OP)


    Kate¡­


    Manny has a tear rolling down his eye as he tries to stand tough. His lip still quivers. I can feel the cracks forming in his mind. I went too far. I need to make it right¡­but not now. He is pushing back all the ground I made. I need to stay firm if I want Marcy to look at me as the person who can fix any mistake. I need to stay strong.


    MANNY


    Can we talk in private¡­please?


    KATE (OP)


    You won¡¯t stop bothering us till I do? Alright. Let¡¯s go to the backroom, but only for five minutes.


    The chair creaks as I pull on the plastic. I gesture for Lou to take a seat.


    KATE


    Why don¡¯t Marcy and you use this time to talk everything out, say your goodbyes, and all that stuff? Lou, sit.


    Lou is by the table, sitting across from the chair I pulled. His eyes fixated on me and not the doll.


    KATE


    I¡¯ll let you move a bit.


    Lou lunges over the table at me, his nails reaching for my throat.


    KATE


    But stay seated!


    The golden sparks hit his face as my command prevented him from gouging my throat.


    Manny holds the door open for me. I keep the paper tight in my hand and the doll gently cradled in my arms as I pass by Manny.


    KATE


    Stay at that spot until I get back from this talk.

 Loophole (Part 17)

    Through Kate''s Eyes


    The backroom acts as a large supply closet for snacks, to-go cups, and other items the caf¨¦ needs. There is an old beat-up chair and a small table that has a notebook and a used paper plate. There was also a cot with a pillow and blanket with a phone charger plugged in. This must be where Adam would go to take breaks.


    Manny foolishly believes that holding the door open will be the olive branch we need at this moment. I don''t look in his direction when I walk in.


    KATE


    What''s so important?


    MANNY


    I think... you might be taking things too far.


    He steps into the room, but he doesn''t close the door fully. Why, though? He''s with me? Fear paints his eyes.


    I get it. I have always been the one in charge, but I made an effort to make him feel like the gap of power we minuscule, a puddle on the sidewalk. Now that he sees me for all I am, it might be an ocean.


    MANNY


    Why don''t you give back the doll?


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    KATE


    Here we go.


    KATE


    You know I don''t like repeating myself.


    MANNY


    It isn''t right that you have that.


    With a deep breath, I feel the magical energy fill my lungs, course through my blood, and form in my hand. It takes shape as a dark gray and purple light.


    By the table, a chair rattles. I gently raise my finger and point at him. His eyes shut as I brace for the impact. The air shifts as the chair flies from the table and lands behind him.


    KATE


    Why are you closing your eyes?


    Why did I close my eyes? He must be exhausted as he collapsed into the chair. I need to be gentle and more mindful.


    KATE


    You don''t get how things are with Marcy and me. She''s okay with me having this, and if she isn''t now, then that means she doesn''t realize what''s best for her.


    The chair rattles once more as I force it to zip back to the table with him on it. His screams overpower the thunder. I shush him, as people can get the wrong idea of what''s happening in here if he gets too loud. Why did he scream, though? He knows I wouldn''t hurt him. I need to be gentler and more mindful.


    The air fills with my warmth as I step behind him. My smile is soft, and my hands glide on his chin. I raise his gaze to meet mine. His eyes are... terrified? Why is he like this? My fingers feel the sweat rolling down his cheek. What could cause all this distrust?


    My eyes! They are not the same green he is used to. Now, they should be a bright gray with a soft purple bleeding on the edges.


    KATE


    Don''t worry. My eyes change color when I use magic. The Source does this to them.


    MANNY


    How long were you planning this?


    Manny''s voice trembled. He must be worried that I can fail. No, I need to reassure him that I have everything under control.

 Loophole (Part 18)

    Through Kate''s Eyes


    KATE


    Since the first day, I asked to borrow his book. I originally wanted to learn some spells.


    My mind drifts back years, back to that night. My sweats were soaked, but not as much as my cheeks. My breathing was shallow as my world was shattered. I dumped my backpack onto my desk and, with all the papers, pens, and snacks, out a large gray book with teal and gold trimmings.


    KATE (PRESENT)


    You don''t get a lot of opportunities to learn magic. But then she wanted to make a deal with him. I did what was best for her.


    My find flashes forward and I remember night years later. Our last year of college. They were dating for around three years then. I am locked in my dorm room. Bubbles made of black water and scarred in a purple light float in my room, a spell of my doing.


    I hold up my hand and look at my unpainted nails. Waiting for all my years of practice to take effect.


    MANNY (PRESENT)


    That''s for you to decide. Why even make him your puppet?


    My nails liquified and morphed. My skin grew as scalls formed on my fingers. The nails harden to form a spiraling coral piece at the end of each finger. I would test their durability and found it easier to list the things they can''t cut than they can. Let''s say I didn''t key cars and ripped them to shreds more.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    My eyes shifted to the pen and paper on my desk. The same paper the would bend Lou''s will to my biding.


    KATE (PRESENT)


    He wasn''t going to give me the doll. The only way is if I made a deal for them. I''m not willing to pay that cost. No one is going to own a part of me. So, it was either the spell or...


    My mind returns to the present as I stare into Manny''s gentle eyes. I slide a coral fingernail across my neck as I make a grave hum. Manny gets my point about being speechless. It is not as tactful as I want, but it gets my point across.


    KATE


    That was the last resort. I feel turning him into my puppet is merciful.


    I hold the paper up, making sure not to shake the doll cradled in my arms isn''t rattled.


    KATE


    Here is the spell that lets me do that. The first person to read it is under the control of whoever has the paper. Of course, I needed to grab the paper from him before anyone else.


    MANNY


    You... this isn''t right. Break the spell and let''s ride out the storm and discuss this when we get out of...


    Before he can say another word, I put the paper away and place my hand on his shoulder. A soft squeeze of reassurance and a calming tone should alleviate any stress he has.


    KATE


    This is all stressful. I get it. You don''t need to be involved in this. Relax a bit. I can bring you your food, and you can chill. Watch something on your phone. I''ll get to you when I''m done.


    MANNY


    I feel like you aren''t hearing me ou¡ª


    I kiss his forehead and make my way to the exit.


    KATE


    Great, I''ll be back soon.


    I leave the room. If he wanted to say more, he would have spoken up. Trying their best to hide behind the open door is Adam. He thinks I can''t see him, but he sucks at being inconspicuous. He has been easing, dropping in all of our conversations all day. Thinking I didn''t notice.


    Still, this could be useful. Manny might need some guy-on-guy bonding. Maybe Adam can help him. If he tries anything funny or to twist Manny''s little head to make this beneficial for himself, I can have Lou kill Adam with ease.


    KATE


    Good, he could use a distraction. This is all hard for him, and I would appreciate it if you weren''t out. However, don''t try anything stupid and mess with him, or you''ll end up dead.

 Loophole (Part 19)

    Through Adam¡¯s Eyes


    Here I am, holding a bat, looking at a gilled witch and his now ex-girlfriend as another witch argues with her boyfriend in the back. I thought I was going to be able to close early tonight.


    The bat is cold, it makes sense as the room dropped a few degrees when that lady went Super Sayin Witchcraft.


    Lou is sitting at the table, unable to look Kate in the eye. He¡¯s not all tensed up, not that Kate is out of the room, but I feel if he could leave the chair, he would have.


    ADAM


    You can¡¯t move, can you?


    LOU


    I can¡¯t leave this chair or spot. Whatever she did to me, my body couldn¡¯t disobey her.


    I turned to Marcy''s baffled stare. She¡¯s trying to drink this all in, but she can¡¯t. The way that all rolled out, thats an impact of a space shuttle. No one is expected to walk that off. Adam looks at Marcy, who is confused by the whole event.


    ADAM


    What about you? Have any magic powers I should know about?


    MARCY


    No... how is she able to do this to you? Aren¡¯t you stronger?


    LOU


    My people are naturally attuned to magic. Just being us makes one 100 times better at magic than humans, but that means Kate must have worked much harder to get this spell down. It was through a dirty trick, but she got me. I can¡¯t break the spell.


    Marcy stares at Lou, wanting to say something, but she loses her nerves at the last minute. I know she is safe here, plus they need time alone. The person in real danger is the kid in the back. I open the door to the back, but before I step into the hall, I make sure to leave these two with some advice. There is no sense in letting them walk through the storm without a light.


    ADAM


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    I¡¯m going to follow the witch girl and the kid. I think it¡¯s more likely she will kill him than a frozen mermaid killing you.


    Plus...It looks like you two have some talking to do. Just make sure there aren¡¯t any more secrets.


    You don¡¯t want to hide anything because they will always come knocking back when you least expect it.


    I make it down the hall to my little waiting area, slash storage room. I crack the door enough to get a glimpse and an earful. Adam is pacing the room as Kate ignores him. Then I see it all.


    The whole twisted interaction. I debate jumping in, but what can I do? If I ran in and hit her with a bat, all of this could be over, but do I really want to put myself in this. It''s not my business. Well, this is my place of business, but thats not my business.


    Kate walks out of the room. I press myself against the wall behind the opening door, praying she doesn¡¯t see him. It didn¡¯t work.


    KATE


    Good, he could use a distraction. This is all hard for him, and I would appreciate it if you weren¡¯t out. However, don¡¯t try anything stupid and mess with him, or you¡¯ll end up dead.


    I flash a smile, but I nearly shit myself. There is no quiver of her lip or twitch in her eye. She said that as if she was ordering food from me.


    ADAM


    Look at you, pretending to care about him.


    KATE


    Why do you think I am pretending?


    ADAM


    I hope that''s you pretending.


    I stepped inside and shut the door before she could respond. I got the last word, so that means I won that round. Luckey me, as I have a feeling I will lose the war.


    Javier stays seated. He doesn¡¯t turn to face me. I look over his shoulder to find him staring at a selfie of Kate and himself. He is wearing a stained black shirt. I know those stains. The battle scars of a working chef. Kate is in a hoodie and sweatpants. They are sitting at a table eating Chinese food in someone¡¯s home.


    My bat lays on the table as I join Javier. Not in hand but close incase someone barges in.


    ADAM


    Well...that hurt me, and I was just watching.


    JAVIER


    Of course, going to tell me how I¡¯m stupid?


    ADAM


    Nothing I said could match up to what she did. I can still see the lashes from her tongue on your face.


    He''s about to burst. I brace myself, as I know he needs his. He twitches and then relaxes. His clenched fist on the table relaxes as he lets it lay there.


    ADAM


    There you go, holding it in.


    Silence. We sit in it for a few moments. No one moves; we just sit in it. That is until I grow sick of it.


    ADAM


    What¡¯s the point of this? Does she pay your bills?


    JAVIER


    It¡¯s not money.


    Javier returns to staring at the photo on his phone. It took me now to realize that it was the wallpaper on his phone.


    JAVIER


    It¡¯s something more than that. Something real. It¡¯s how I feel when I¡¯m with her. Not tonight, but when it¡¯s just us.


    When we are alone, I think this connection is so strong that it lingers when things go wrong. Reminding me why I stay.


    I stay for the fun, of course, but there''s more.We have these mundane moments that happen every day, and that''s what makes them great.


    Something you wouldn¡¯t understand.


    He glares at me, the dark stare of someone willing to do anything to protect what he cares about, be it a person or reality itself. In this moment, a memory is awoken. One I tried to bury for years. I don¡¯t know if it was the look in his eye at the words he said, but in a millisecond, a moment Javier didn¡¯t realize what was happening. The past played out in front of me like a movie.

 Loophole (Part 20)

    Through Adam¡¯s Eyes


    A heat wave hit Texas that year. I was young, and I believed in my cooking skills¡ªI really believed in myself. I opened a cafe with my dad¡¯s credit score, and luckily for him, we believed in the right guy. My goal was simply to get it big enough to pay the bills. I would spend nights, sometimes a week, sleeping here to make sure this succeeded.


    Then she came in. She had wavy black hair and pale skin. She started off as a glimpse of the garden and became my Eden. Time passed, and what was an apartment I knew as much as a stranger became our home.


    One was where we shared meals, and the other was where she gave life as the only money I ever put into decorations for my cafe. Sleeping at the restaurant faded as I would rather return to our home.


    Then the day came. The term we grew. I hired someone to help run the cafe late at night so that I could spend every night with her to make sure she had all she could. She appreciated it, as, at the time, my focus was slipping back to work. Betting my future in the cafe was fine, but betting all of ours was horrible. Though we weathered the storm, I made sure to put in more effort, one our relationship needed.


    Then she was born, the only woman I could love as much as her mother. I found a balanced life, a garden full of sunshine, give or take some rainy days. I was¡­ yeah, I was happy.


    My daughter was three. I stared at her green eyes and felt at peace. Then I heard it. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.


    I opened the door to find a lanky man in a T-shirt and slacks. I assumed he was a new neighbor, but he wouldn¡¯t look at me face to face. I asked how I could help, and that¡¯s when he raised his gaze. Adorned to his face, draped in shame, are green eyes that bring me peace.


    The rest of that night was a blur. My wife sat on the couch crying as her past came walking into our home. I never yelled, as I made it a point never to yell in front of my daughter¡­ I mean, in front of Jewels. All I did was sit on the recliner and stare into her eyes, enjoying the feeling moments of serenity.


    A storm entered and never left. They can change the terrain of the land and alter the course of nature. The only way to let the rain pass is to let it fade. Let nature take its course, and nature can heal. I don¡¯t know how to do that, though. All I know is that I have become a raging thunder roaring through other people¡¯s lives.


    My eyes focus as I leave the memory and step back to the present. Manny looks at me, wondering how a calloused jackass can ever understand the inner working of love. I get it. I¡¯m not a good man. I want to be, but I¡¯m not. Shit, I need to end it with the both of them after tonight. Nothing I can do can heal their pain, but I can at least help this kid in front of me. Right?


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    ADAM


    They make you feel real. Every second with them makes you feel like you¡¯re not going at everything the world throws at you alone. You feel seen, tangible¡­heard. You love every moment. Being with them gives you this weird sense of wholeness. Not that you feel empty without them, but you feel full when they are beside you.


    Gets intoxicating a bit. Blurs your vision. Makes it hard to see what¡¯s really going on. Can¡¯t see that you¡¯re getting played.


    Manny finally stands up not taking it anymore. Good, he shouldn¡¯t, but he needs to.


    MANNY


    It¡¯s not like that!


    ADAM


    No shame, man, we¡¯ve all been there. Some of us have more than once. Really twists some people up. But that¡¯s not an excuse.


    Kate¡¯s shit. I know because I am, too. Real, recognize real. Shit recognizes shit. We spot our kind like a turd floating in a pool.


    It hits him. His words tremble, and I know I need to push more. I hate doing this. It¡¯s not my place, but after what I saw and heard, how could I not? Though, who am I to say I understand it all?


    MANNY


    She isn¡¯t shit.


    ADAM


    Whatever. I¡¯m not here to change your mind. Just talking out loud, I guess. Reliving a few mistakes. Trying to make sure someone else doesn¡¯t make the same.


    Manny grabs my arm, keeping me next to him. I don¡¯t make a move against him, but I know where the bat is in this room. An arm¡¯s reach away in case I pushed him too far.


    MANNY


    This isn¡¯t a mistake. Its¡­ a hiccup.


    ADAM


    Then let me get you a glass of water because I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ve been having this case of hiccups for a long time.


    MANNY


    You¡¯re all jokes.


    ADAM


    And you¡¯re full of excuses.


    Manny lets go, taking a step back.


    MANNY


    Why do you even care?


    ADAM


    I don¡¯t have to explain shit.


    He thinks I can see it. I don¡¯t say a word. He takes a seat on my cot. An old friend I have been reacquainted with in the past few years.


    MANNY


    How do you know when you¡¯re in something like that? How do you get out?


    ADAM


    Don¡¯t know. I¡¯m not the best choice to talk about this kind of stuff. If I had to tell you something.


    I guess¡­ Be real with yourself and the situation. Take a step back, I think. I don¡¯t know, man. I thought you said I was shit at relationships.


    Manny stares at his phone again.


    MANNY


    You are, but I don¡¯t have much room to talk.

 Loophole (Part 21)

    Through Lou''s Eyes


    Trapped in my body by my own people''s magic. If my brothers saw me here now, they would laugh. We would then kill Kate. No, wouldn''t kill here, depends on how far she takes it. Though I wouldn''t ask for help for that. I would ask the three if they knew where I went wrong with her.


    Marcy sits across from me, picking at her food. I''m surprised I didn''t knock our meals back after I tried to rip Kate''s throat. Woah, when did I start thinking like that? When I think about moving out of this chair, these golden threads of fire pull on my muscles and force me to stay seated. They make me a bit hot-headed.


    I chew a curly fry, stuffing my mouth before I say something stupid, but it''s bound to happen. I know it''s ridiculous, as we have more pressing matters, but I need to know.


    LOU


    Was it three months ago? When you started planning this.


    Marcy rolls her eyes at me.


    MARCY


    Do you think I would do this to you? I''m just as much in the dark as you are.


    LOU


    I''m learning a lot today, like how you hate me and have conspired against me. Having her borrow the books is a smart move.


    MARCY


    That''s why that''s right there. Do you even listen to me?


    LOU


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    Every word you say.


    She remained silent for a moment. I know that look. I''ve seen it a dozen times. Either we would clash because of different ideological views¡ªviews of what happens after death, whether my people should involve ourselves with the surface world, flour versus corn tortillas.


    We agreed on a bunch, though. If we should move in, what shows were good, and that mayo-ketchup is bomb. Most importantly, we agreed that we loved each other, or maybe that was only me. Either way, I know here, and right now, she is formulating her thoughts as we speak.


    MARCY


    It''s like... I''m trying to find the words. You don''t take over all at once. A pebble hitting a glass, hitting the same spot, day after day.


    Then, a crack appears on that spot. Now, it''s easier for that crack to grow when that pebble hits it.


    LOU


    What didn''t you tell me?


    MARCY


    How do you tell someone something like that when they have so much over you?


    What does she mean by that? Does she mean my current form? I only partially changed to try to stop the spell. To be more accurate, the spell prevented me from fully transforming myself, as that would have broken the spell. Only if I was in control. Now Kate has possession of both my forms.


    Marcy can tell what I''m thinking. She always could. She gestures to her side, stomach, and then her heart. Then, it all hits me.


    LOU


    Do you think I would do something to them?


    MARCY


    I don''t think you would, but I''m afraid you would.


    LOU


    That''s the same thing.


    Stay calm. I need to relax.


    MARCY


    They''re not.


    LOU


    You should have told me. How can I work on my problems if I don''t know what they are? I won''t be able to help if YOU don''t tell me anything.


    Stay calm, stay calm.


    MARCY


    Why is it my responsibility to tell you about your shitty habits?


    LOU


    Because I don''t know!


    My hands slam on the table, breaking it in half. I feel the warmth of tears down my cheek. My hands shake. I broke the table. I broke the table. Maybe she should be afraid. I broke the table.


    LOU


    Sorry. I¡ª Just sorry.


    Marcy stares at me. She isn''t afraid, but there isn''t compassion in her eyes. More of a steeled soul. I wipe my face and compose myself.


    LOU


    I don''t know how I''m supposed to act.


    I gesture to us.


    LOU


    This... being a this is new to me.

 Loophole (Part 22)

    Through Lou''s Eyes


    Her expression softens. My mind slips back to the beach, the day we meet. I know Kate and what''s her face where there but I don''t remember them. In my mind, it was only her and the sand in front of me. I didn''t know what to say. I think I blurted something about flamingos. She laughed though.


    From then on, I dedicated myself to what we could be. Making sure all our days were happy. Isn''t that enough? Were we both happy? I know I was.


    LOU


    When we first met, you made me want to change. I don''t know what it was, but I felt you saw past the deals and scales. You made me want to be better, but I don''t know what''s better for you.


    Her eyes look, and she feels like the Marcy I know. She leans forward, but her guard is still up.


    MARCY


    Relationships aren''t simple.


    LOU


    To me, they are. It''s as clear as any contract I write. How can the other person be wrong if it wasn''t said or known?


    MARCY


    Being together isn''t a transaction. There is no little trick or guideline that can get you out of how you treat the other person.


    LOU


    You should have told me.


    MARCY


    And what if I did and you didn''t take it well? You have my organs, my da¡ª You have a lot over me; even if you don''t mean to, you like to tout it over me.


    I reach into my jacket pocket and pull out the box. I open it and hold out the necklace. The pendant swings in the air with sparkles from the florescent bulb sparking of the gem.


    LOU


    I was going to give this to you.


    MARCY


    Jewelry?


    LOU


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    No, it holds half my soul. It was supposed to pay your contracts. That way, you can have your bits, and we can be intertwined or whatever. It doesn''t really matter.


    MARCY


    Intertwined?


    Crap.


    LOU


    You know, souls combined forever, you get these adorable gills.


    I look away, knowing what''s waiting for me after this sentence.


    LOU


    Become half Sea Witch.


    Marcy stands up from her chair and charges me. Her face is inches away as her curly fried breath slams my nose, and her yells beat my war drums.


    MARCY


    That shit right there. That''s why I don''t feel that bad. Were you going to tell me that before giving it to me?


    I don''t know how to respond, so I don''t. Knowing I can''t face her gaze.


    MARCY


    Wow, dude.


    LOU


    In my defense, that doesn''t happen when you accept it, just when you put it on.


    MARCY


    And that''s better?


    LOU


    If you didn''t like me having parts of you, you shouldn''t have made a deal with me. Remember you came to ME. Not once, not twice, but three times!


    She takes a step back, and I see her face. Crap, I shouldn''t have said that. The first time, she was lost, and I could have said no, but how could I once I heard why? Still, I made an effort to never say that before, but here, I couldn''t stop the words as they rushed out.


    LOU


    No, I shouldn''t have accepted them. I¡ª Uhh... Why did this happen? Everything was going well.


    MARCY


    Was it?


    We are silent for a moment as Marcy returns to her chair.


    LOU


    You really have nothing to do with what Kate''s doing?


    MARCY


    No, this isn''t what I wanted, and I don''t want you hurt or her having my guts.


    LOU


    I can see it in her. You know I can. There isn''t a doubt in my mind. She''s going to kill me.


    MARCY


    That won''t happen. I''ll get you out of whatever she has done to you.


    A crack of thunder shakes the room. For a moment, I forgot about the storm outside. The flash of lighting brightens the room for a second.


    MARCY


    I don''t hate you.


    LOU


    I don''t hate you either.


    MARCY


    It''s just all these little things that aren''t little. I love who we were. I love who you are, but I don''t know if we are what''s best for us.


    LOU


    I think you''re what''s best for me.


    MARCY


    But do you think we''re what''s best for us?


    No answer comes to my mind. Marcy can sense my hesitation. She was always intuitive. Made me want to learn how to notice the small things like that. I wonder if I have gotten better at that. The storm rages outside.


    LOU


    If we went to the concert, would this still... I don''t want that answer. Thanks for your help. I''m glad you still care.


    MARCY


    Of course, I care. I still love you, but that doesn''t mean I will take back what I said earlier. I''ll say this out loud for you. This isn''t for you. It''s my choice.


    LOU


    Okay then... You''ll need to tear up that paper Kate has, which means you must go against her. Can you do that?


    I am asking something huge of her. This means Marcy will go against Kate, her oldest friend, the woman we now know has magical powers and holds her organs, the doll that holds two lives. Knowing all that, Marcy still nods yes.


    Marcy is the woman I love, and I don''t think that will ever change, and for that, I''m sorry.

 Loophole (Part 23)

    Through Kate''s Eyes


    I started this, I got this. I started this, I got this. I pace back and forth in the hall, calculating my next step. Marcy is cradled in my arms. This doll represents her body and what happens to it happens to her. Can she feel it? My intentions. After tonight, we three can live happily. I will save my best friend, and my boyfriend will see what I always intended.


    They won''t need Lou, as I know his people''s secret. He doesn''t know that I have set foot in his homeland; I have been to his family''s library. I have read more than he knows. Trapping him is the only way to prevent him from harming Marcy. He hasn''t before, but we can''t take the risk. I need to protect everyone. I have to be strong, the person she can rely on.


    I started this, I got this. I started this, I got this. They started this, but you must end it.


    The night this all began, lighting danced in the black sky to thunder''s music. Raindrops blanketed the earth. It was a storm as strong as today''s. A treacherous drive for any experienced driver, but for a high schooler who just got her license with her dad in the passenger seat, what happened to them only made sense.


    We were eating Chinese food that day. Manny is just off work, and I am in my sweats, procrastinating studying for an exam. My phone rang, and she was on the other end. She was riding the ambulance to a hospital near me. I bolted out the door, grabbing my backpack as inside might be the key to helping.


    I sprint as my lungs pound my chest and tears battle the raindrops on my face. I make it to the hospital, where I find Marcy sitting in the lobby. She has a few bandages but is alive and awake. I rush to the chair beside her, soaking the floor, but no one cares right now. It''s only us two in here.


    KATE


    I''m sorry I took so long. I came as fast as I could. Where''s your dad?


    Marcy looks into the dark. The bags under her eyes are dark and puffy. Her stare was hollow. Her gaze is fixated on the window. It''s so dark, and I can see our reflections. It''s like a mirror, but Marcy''s gaze stares past us.


    I wrap my arms around her. She doesn''t turn to me, but that''s fine. Her mind is focused on down the hall. It''s odd that I can hear the beeping of a heart monitor. It has to be his. It has a hypnotic beat. I can count the seconds between each beep.


    MARCY


    It came out of nowhere, and we had the green, and it hit his side.


    KATE


    It''s okay. The doctors can handle this.


    MARCY


    They say he won''t make it. He''s going to...


    She stops. Her lips quiver as the tears begin to fall. It is now. I reach into my bag and pull out a gray book with teal and gold trimmings¡ªmy first book of spells, courtesy of Lou.


    KATE


    There can be a way to fix this. Someone can help. Maybe I can.


    MARCY


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    There isn''t anything you can do.


    KATE


    I just borrowed this book. Maybe it has something?


    She glances at the book, not giving more than three seconds before replying.


    MARCY


    What can a book do?


    KATE


    This can do anything. Since we met Lou and discovered all this mystical,


    Gandalf shit is real, I decided to make it my life''s work in his book.


    MARCY


    You''re a wizard now?


    KATE


    No, I just got the book today. But what''s in this


    book can fix your dad. I just need some time.


    MARCY


    We don''t have time!


    I pull away. Why did she yell? I understand her situation, but Marcy has never yelled at me. She has always trusted me and let me take charge when things went south. I have always taken charge.


    BBEP! There it is again. The beep down the hall.


    MARCY


    He... doesn''t have time. You''re right, though. We need something these doctors can''t give. We need someone who can help him.


    KATE


    Where are you going with this?


    MARCY


    We need someone who can perform miracles. It makes sense.


    Marcy stands up from the chair and looks at me for the first time.


    MARCY


    We said we wouldn''t do this. He clarified that he doesn''t feel comfortable taking us to that level. Once I explain the situation to him, he''ll understand.


    KATE


    Who are you talking about?


    I know who. I needed her to say it. Only to confirm that she will make the worst mistake of her life.


    MARCY


    Lou can help.


    KATE


    No, you can''t.


    MARCY


    I can. It makes sense. I''m willing to pay the cost, and it won''t change that much between us, right? Oh god, what am I saying?


    KATE


    You don''t need to do that. Let''s check on your dad.


    MARCY


    There''s no point. He''s not conscious. I won''t get to say goodbye, but I''m going to do it.


    I grab Marcy''s hand as she steps away. I know if I were to let go, this would be it. Marcy and Lou would be on an inseparable path. One filled with mistrust and pain.


    Marcy needed to do the right thing and listen to me. Instead, she is walking out down the hall and out the door. Her mind zeroed in on what she believed was her final chance. If she was patient, she would not know the truth. Instead walks out into the rain.


    I run after her and grab her hand. Both of us are drowning in the storm.


    KATE


    Wait! We can get through this together. The price for what you''re asking for is going to be high. You two have only been together for three months. Are you okay with him having that over you?


    MARCY


    Can you get on his level of magic? Can you do what he can do overnight? I know I can''t, and I don''t think anyone can. It''s what I need to do. It''s my dad and Lou... I can trust him.


    I tightened my grip; I could let her slip away.


    KATE


    He will own a part of you. I can''t let that happen.


    Marcy pulls her hand away from mine, but she is lost.


    MARCY


    It''s not your choice. It''s mine.


    Marcy realizes her tone and hugs me. It''s tight, and the raindrop on my clothes seeps into hers. I want to cry, but I can''t.


    MARCY


    Thanks for being here and worrying. There isn''t anything we can do.


    KATE


    Just... listen to me.


    MARCY


    I have to go before it''s too late.


    Then she''s gone out of my view and into the storm. I was left standing there. The beeping happens every few seconds. That could have been my heart pounding. I was alone, alone with the book.


    I went inside and cracked open the page, knowing I needed to stop whatever happened next. I dedicated years of my life to the craft. And began to formalize my next move. It needed to be done.

 Loophole (Part 24)

    Through Marcy¡¯s Eyes


    We were supposed to go to the concert. It had been planned for months. It was for a band I¡¯ve been wanting to see. They aren¡¯t the headliners. If you looked at the poster of the line-up, they¡¯re credited as ¡°and more.¡± Still, I made sure to plan everyone¡¯s days off to line up today.


    You can¡¯t plan for the rain. In the morning it can be sunshine and record heat. In a blink, the sky is black as lighting acts as your headlights, and the rattle of the thunder reminds you that you are never on stable ground.


    Did I let Kate talk me into this? No, I wanted to break up. All she did was use the moment for herself. Her words, though, were valid. I love Lou, but that wasn¡¯t enough. We changed it, and I changed how we operate. I want him happy, but I need to be happy too. The first step I need to take to get us there is to walk out the back hall¡¯s door.


    My doll lies in the crook of Kate¡¯s arm. It¡¯s gentle but on display. The paper is gripped between her index and middle finger.


    KATE


    What did you come up with?


    She looks at me. Her appearance has changed more. The scalls cover more of her body, and there is a faint glow around her. Her teeth are as sharp as Lou¡¯s, and her nails are beautiful daggers at the end of each finger. Her smile stayed the same. It¡¯s genuine; it always was with me.


    KATE


    How are we getting rid of Mariana¡¯s shallowest douche?


    LOU


    Once I¡¯m freed, you¡¯re going to be a forgotten statue in the deepest trench in the oc¡ª


    Golden flames spark from Kate¡¯s tongue as her glare pierces his body.


    KATE


    Bang your head on the table.


    Without hesitation, Lou drops to his knees and bangs his head on the floor. Cracks spread like webs all around the cafe, and the boom overpowers the thunder outside. Pieces of tile are speckled on his forehead.


    Kate looks back at me, and her expression morphs back with the same smile. How can it still feel warm?


    KATE


    It must feel good watching this. Want to give it a go?


    MARCY


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    Then can I have the paper?


    KATE


    Or you tell me, and I can make him do it?


    I stand, making sure not to alert her. She doesn¡¯t move away. Why would she have a reason to mistrust her? We never had. She was there for me when my father was on death''s door, we were friends since high school. I trusted her words today, so why would she not trust me?


    MARCY


    It will feel better if I do it. Kate, don¡¯t you trust me?


    KATE


    I do! It¡¯s not that.


    Kate is no longer cradling my doll. Instead, she holds it in one hand and the paper in the other. Treating them with equal importance. They are two important objects to her. Seeing this hurts, but that¡¯s not the goal right now. I need the paper.


    I place my hand on her shoulder and look her in the eye. They may have changed color, but they are still familiar. I am used to this. When Lou morphed the first time, he told me to look him in the eye. The color changed, but he was still him. She is still Kate. That¡¯s what I want to believe.


    KATE


    This is delicate. If something happens to it, he¡¯ll be set free.


    MARCY


    I have your back. You¡¯re going to hand it over, right?


    She gives understanding and holds out the paper. My heart beats like a drum. What do I do once I get the paper? Release Lou, but what if he tries to hurt her? Maybe there is a chance to work this out?


    The thoughts battle in my head as I grab the paper. Before Kate lets go, the door to the back hall busts open, and Manny strides through.


    Kate smiles and begins to hand it over.


    MANNY


    I will not sit in the back room as all of this happens. I won¡¯t be passive.


    Shit, Before I can pull the paper, Kate pulls away and turns to Manny. Following behind him is Adam, holding his bat. His eyes widen as he stares at the damaged floor.


    ADAM


    What happened to my store?


    Manny strides confidently toward Kate. If this were any moment before today, I would be impressed. I was never a fan of how Kate treated him, and I told her so.


    He was more of an obedient dog than a partner. She always had the last say. To see him now standing up feels me with pride, but dude, read the room; you are messing this up for us.


    MANNY


    You need to end this!


    Kate turns sweet as she usually does when she wants him to do something for him.


    KATE


    Baby, I thought we talked about this.


    MANNY


    But I wasn¡¯t done. What you are doing is too much.


    Lou grits his teeth through a smile, not trying to draw attention to himself.


    LOU


    Glad to see you¡¯re finally out of that fog, but maybe now isn¡¯t the right time for you to grow¡ª


    MANNY


    I got this.


    MARCY


    Can I get the paper?


    KATE


    One minute.


    KATE


    Go back to the room, and I will get you when this is all over.


    MANNY


    I¡¯m not going. I think it¡¯s best if you give me the doll and we all take a minute to relax. This isn¡¯t you; I know you, and you¡¯re sweet and kind.


    You always treated me with kindness and never judged me. Kate, I love and trust you. So please do the same for me.


    I duck behind Kate as quietly as I can. I move slowly as her attention is on Manny. He, at the same time, is reaching for my doll. He won¡¯t be able to get it from her, but with her focus split, I can grab it and¡ª


    KATE


    Don¡¯t you touch it!


    Kate pulls away from him and bumps into me. She turns and opens her eyes. The warmth fades, and a chill grows as she looks down at my hand and then at the paper. I don¡¯t recognize who is staring back at me.


    KATE


    What were you doing? Were you going for the doll?


    No, it was the paper. Why do you want the spell?

 Loophole (Part 25)

    Through Marcy¡¯s Eyes


    Kate looks at Lou, who avoids her gaze. The frozen stares return to me.


    KATE


    What did you two talk about?


    MARCY


    It was just about us. Let¡¯s calm down.


    KATE


    There was more. If you won¡¯t tell me.


    Golden flames spark from her tongue as she looks down at the kneeling Lou.


    KATE


    What did you two talk about?


    Lou tries to resist speaking as Kate steps closer to his face. The golden flames spewing from her mouth singes his face.


    KATE


    Tell me. TELL ME NOW!


    LOU


    We talked about why she wanted to break up with me and how I¡¯m a mess.


    How she doesn¡¯t trust you with the doll, and how I can see what you truly are.


    Kate turns to me. Tear in her eyes. It¡¯s at this moment a flash hits my mind. The tears the warmth smile, it was all familiar. I looked at Manny; it was here I made a connection.


    We shared a bond. Kate stands there with his love in her heart, Lous will in her hands, and my being in her arms.


    KATE


    Is¡­ this true?


    MARCY


    Do you want to kill Lou?


    KATE


    Why is this on me now? He¡¯s the jackass who¡ª


    MARCY


    Kate, please.


    KATE


    It isn¡¯t my first choice but for you¡­


    MARCY


    Not for me. Don¡¯t put this on me.


    KATE


    Break up with a monster, and you think you can speak up.


    MARCY


    I don¡¯t feel comfortable with you having the doll.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    I step to Kate. The entire time she spoke, she had tears running down her face. Everyone in the room can make their assumptions, but I know they are real. The pain she is feeling is true. Though, that doesn¡¯t change anything.


    I reach for the paper and Manny the doll. With every step we take, Kate takes a step back.


    MARCY


    Let Lou go, and we can talk about this.


    MANNY


    I¡¯ll hold the doll so you two can talk.


    KATE


    Step back. This is for the best. Step back.


    I snatch the paper out of her hand.


    MARCY


    I¡¯m sorry.


    I feel a tingle on my tongue. My mouth gets hotter as the words form in my mind.


    MARCY


    Lou, get¡ª


    KATE


    DO WHAT I SAY!


    My heart stops. It tightens as an immense pressure surrounds it. The pain is fast and grows as the paper falls out of my hand. I drop to my knees as I gasp for hair. My longs donated expand. It feels like all the air is getting squeezed out. I can barely keep my head up.


    I see why. One scaled hand is squeezing my heart, the other my lungs. Kate grips the doll tight as he walks over.


    Marcy grabs the paper, but Kate has a firm grip on it.


    LOU


    Marcy!


    Lou tries to lunge forward, but he can¡¯t move. Kneels in front of me, reaching his arm out. Manny stares at Kate in horror as she grabs the paper from the floor. Once she has it in her hand, she loosens her grip on my body.


    MANNY


    What are you doing?


    KATE


    What¡¯s needed. I figured out a long time ago to


    protect those I care about, I need to be there with one hand on the wheel.


    Kate kneels and squats down to be at my eye level with Marcy. Kate¡¯s face is sorrowful, but she still has a soft grip on my heart.


    KATE


    Once I kill him, I¡¯ll let up, and we will talk about


    everything that happened today. All I ever wanted to do was heal all the wounds.


    MARCY


    Let go of it now. You shouldn¡¯t have it.


    KATE


    You don¡¯t mean that.


    MANNY


    This is going too far!


    Manny rushes to Kate, but she backhands Manny.


    KATE


    I said stay back.


    Adam steps up with the bat and stares Kate down. His face is sweaty, and his stern tone trembles with every other word.


    ADAM


    I said I didn¡¯t want any drama in here. I¡¯m done with you.


    Kate glances at him. With not a smile or frown, with a tone you would give asking for stamps, golden flames spark from her lips.


    KATE


    Lou, kill him.


    LOU


    I can¡¯t stop myself. Run.


    Lou burst from in front of me. Adam stands his ground, scared shitless. Manny tackles Lou¡¯s side.


    MANNY


    Fight this, Lou! I know you don¡¯t want to hurt him.


    Manny looks up to see Lou unfazed and staring down at him with glowing red eyes.


    MANNY


    Or me, right?


    Manny is thrown at a glass door on the drink refrigerator attached to the wall. Kate turns to watch the show. I try to stand, but Kate notices and tightens her grip. I can¡¯t move, and I¡¯m cursed to watch this. All because of my choices.


    No, I won¡¯t do that. This was our choice. I am not alone in this shitty night. I wasn¡¯t the only one who had a plan for this night. We all did. Still, I need to understand that this happened because of all of us, and that includes me taking my portion of the blame.


    I won¡¯t let my life be dictated by that doll anymore. In my pocket is the answer. If I go down this path, I know I will be stuck this way. I can¡¯t go back. Our paths will never truly be separated. They never were going to be. We carry all our choices with us. The time spent together was never going to be erased, but maybe I can use it to my benefit instead of looking at it as a detriment of time.


    I opened the box Lou handed me and pulled out the necklace. I stare at the gem as I hear Adam swing the bat for his life, and Manny yells at Lou to resit. No more hesitation, no more looking for the right time. I put on the necklace.


    The cold rests on the back of my neck where the chain rests. The smell of salt water fills my senses as my body is floating. In front of me is a vision of the ocean; I¡¯ve seen it before. The rows of bright coral, the shining sand, and the variety of colorful fish. I am floating in the sea. Visions of Lous past with his family, practicing magic with his siblings, seeing vast spans of the ocean with his parents, and now him taking me here for the first time. This is Lou¡¯s home.


    I see our relationship through his eyes. The love he had for me, the moments of him adjusting to our new life. I see the moments that bother me. How he didn¡¯t pay attention to my words, and the distance that grew. I see the day we signed the contract and then the times after.


    My heart beats, and my lungs fill with air as I feel the magical energy they call the Source rush through my body. Waves of energy hit me as I stand.


    MARCY


    I want you to know this doesn¡¯t mean we are still together.


    But I know our actions caused this, Lou. So we both need to do what¡¯s right.


    I whisper to myself. He can¡¯t control his body, but I know he heard me. I can feel the pain in his acknowledgment.


    MARCY


    Kate, I¡¯m sorry I ignored how you felt and all the signs.


    I should have been a better friend.


    I stand, facing Kate. I can feel the scales grow, my teeth sharpen, and my nails calcify. I look down at my hands and see my scales are pink and spread around my body as my nails are gold. My hair floats as if I¡¯m underwater. I imagine I look like Kate and Lou right now.


    Kate stares at me, horrified, as if I am a monster.


    KATE


    Why Marcy? There were so many other choices.


    MARCY


    And I own this one.

 Loophole (Part 26)

    Through Marcy¡¯s Eyes


    Kate takes a step back. She didn¡¯t expect this out of me. I didn¡¯t either. However, there is a factor she is more afraid of. The scales of power have shifted.


    KATE


    You are willing to go all this way, go this far, to hurt me. Don¡¯t you trust me?


    MARCY


    You can end this at any moment. Let Lou go.


    KATE


    Please stop. I am only helping.


    I walk forward. I see her hands tremble. It¡¯s clear what she is about to do, but I let her.


    KATE


    You made me do this!


    Kate squeezes the doll tight. She expects a scream of pain or for me to drop onto my knees. I instead keep walking toward her.


    MARCY


    You don¡¯t have that control over me.


    She looks at the doll. The color of the badges has faded. The magical energy diffuses and disperses into the air and back to the universe. Kate¡¯s eyes burn as she looks into mine. I wonder what she sees. I jump toward her, and in a blur, I fly past her as I overshoot my shot. I slam into a shelf filled with snacks. A pile of gummies, wood, and screws covers me., yet no pain.


    I stand up, and there isn¡¯t a scratch. I can feel my body grow stronger by the second. That was meant to be a kick-off to start my sprint, but I flew across the store.


    KATE


    Marcy, You took it from me. All I have worked for is gone.


    Kate is still kneeling, holding the doll in both hands. Dark energy swirls around as her eyes glow. Black sea water flows from her eyes, mouth, and ears. It doesn¡¯t pour to the ground as the droplets float around her. They connect and form dark bubbles around the cafe. She drops the doll, it means nothing to her now.


    I hear the commotion behind me. I feel Lou trying to resist the spell. Adam swings his bat at Lou, who moves out of the way.


    LOU


    Please run.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ADAM


    You¡¯re not letting me!


    Lou slashes Adam¡¯s shoulder with his nails. Lou is hit on the side with a chair that breaks on impact swung by Manny.


    LOU


    Agh! Good, now hit me in the head. I can take it.


    Adam¡¯s bat crashes into Lou¡¯s face, but he is unaffected.


    LOU


    I figured that wouldn¡¯t work, but it was a good hit.


    Adam goes for a second swing, but Lou catches it. The bat sent an electric charge through Adam¡¯s body. I see the metal morph into a chrome electric eel. It slivers up Lou¡¯s arm and solidifies once more. They don¡¯t stand a chance. The only way to save them is to get the paper.


    Black bubbles and Kelp burst out from the ground and wrapped around my ankles and wrists.


    KATE


    Now you are like him. You¡¯re naturally strong. But I have been studying.


    The snacks rise from my feet and start to spin rapidly. They burst into balls of fire. I pull my arms and legs, and I can hear the kelp tear. Kate points at me, and the balls of fire rain on me. With a final push, I bust off of the Kelp and avoid the fiery explosion.


    There is no time to waste as I rush toward Kate. She has magic, and years of studying. Me, I have always been a good fighter. My fist slams into her face, and she crashes into the counter, turning it to rubble.


    ADAM


    My register!


    Kate gets up with a grin and wipes the blood from her mouth. A ball of fire is still in the air and slams into my back. The flame burns as the explosion sends me flying forward. Kate is waiting and slashes my abdomen with her nails.


    Kate looks down at me as she speaks.


    KATE


    Don¡¯t get back up.


    Kate whispers words tainted with magic as she walks to stand over me. The windows shatter, and the rain from the storm burst into the room.


    ADAM


    My windows!


    At that moment, Lou grabs Adam¡¯s neck and raises him off the ground. Water droplets swirl around his head and turn into a bubble filled with water. Lou holds Adam up in the air as he drowns him.


    Manny grabs a leg of the broken chair and swings. Before he can make contact, coral bursts from the ground and surrounds him. They are trapped in a web of coral pieces as he wiggles to free himself.


    Kate hasn¡¯t made a move. She wants me to see this. A way to show she has the power in this situation. She holds the paper up in her hand, knowing at any minute she can save him, but doesn¡¯t.


    MANNY


    Fight this!


    LOU


    I¡¯m trying. I really am!


    Kate shouts for Manny, but her eyes never leave me.


    KATE


    He can¡¯t. I may be human, but the spell I made is foolpro¡ª


    I push her again in the face, sending her across the room. The black bubbles fire at me. They move slowly. My senses are catching up to my new body as I duck between the bubbles and run across the room.


    Not all of them, though, as some hit my back, shoulder, and thigh. The black water burns my clothes and scales. The pain doesn¡¯t stop there as it is as if the water is coating my nerves as a toxin, and I feel my body burning alive. I push through the pain and clash with Kate.


    She goes to slash my face, but I catch her hand and hold tight. I go for a punch, but she catches my hand and tightens her grip, trying to match mine.


    Kelp wraps around my arms, legs, and stomach and pulls me back, but I don¡¯t budge. I¡¯m stronger than her, and she is afraid.


    KATE


    Was it worth it, Marcy?


    You are forever attached to that monster.


    Did you truly gain anything? Your sacrifice won¡¯t get you anything,


    and you won¡¯t have me bailing you out this time.


    More Kelp burst out of the ground and pulled me back, as my grip weakened and I slid back little by little.


    KATE


    But that doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t still be your friend.


    The Kelp rises me up in the air and retracts back into the ground. My back shatters the tile as blood bursts out my mouth. The pain, I can¡¯t deal with it. It¡¯s more than I have ever experienced before.


    KATE


    I just hope you learned to listen to me. I know what¡¯s best for all of us.


    My body refuses to stand as I turn my gaze to Kate. She isn¡¯t looking at me anymore. Her eyes are on Manny, who struggles to free himself and watches Adam drown.


    KATE


    The same goes for you, Manny. Next time,


    listen to me when I say to wait in the other room.


    Don¡¯t worry, though; that won¡¯t mean you¡¯ll die.


    She smiles. Everything she wanted was here.


    KATE


    End this, Lou.

 Loophole (Part 27)

    Through Marcy¡¯s Eyes


    Lou stands there, but nothing happens. By now, she is wondering why her lips aren¡¯t warm, why she doesn¡¯t feel the magic. Then she looks at her empty hand. The same one she uses to catch my fist.


    MARCY


    I knew I couldn¡¯t beat you in a fight. But I wasn¡¯t trying to beat you.


    My lips burn, and my tongue tingles as I speak.


    MARCY


    Lou, don¡¯t kill that man and free Manny.


    I feel the golden flames spark as I stand back up, holding the paper. Lou follows the order and drops Adam, and the bubble around his head turns into a puddle on the ground. He gasps for air but then gags as the water in his lungs flows out of his mouth. The coral retreats to the ground, and Manny rushes to Adam¡¯s side.


    Kate walks toward me. Her smile was warm, and the rage in her eyes was fading.


    KATE


    I know this is bad, but you must see this is for the best.


    All I wanted was for Lou not to hurt you. We can keep being together.


    Side by side, and I¡¯ll help you find someone new.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    We can get what we want. No broken contracts, no one loses.


    We got each other¡¯s back.


    MARCY


    Do you even know what I want?


    Kate is silent. As I thought. I rip the paper, and it bursts into a golden ball of fire. It floats up into the air, spinning at high speeds. That question hurt more than any of her punches. Golden fire erupts out of Lou¡¯s eyes and mouth as he screams in pain.


    The fireflies toward the ball. The golden light glows brighter as the flames enter its rotation. In a sudden flash, the ball is gone. Lou¡¯s body relaxes as he lowers. I can hear him breathing from here.


    KATE


    YOU IDIOTS! If you did what I said. You could have been happy.


    MARCY


    If you wanted that, you should have listened to how I felt. Not forced yourself on me.


    A light fog fills the caf¨¦. The longer she speaks, the denser it becomes. The storm raging outside quiets. It¡¯s not that it¡¯s no longer raining, but as if the fog is separating the cafe from the rest of the world. The cracking of boons and flesh stretching egos in the fog. A groan became a growl. Kate notices none of this. She is in her own world, yelling at me.


    KATE


    I¡¯m the only one who knows what¡¯s right.


    You kept making stupid decisions one after one. You sold him a piece of you.


    No matter the reason, that¡¯s stupid.


    You never knew what was best for you.


    I know what¡¯s best. I only wanted to protect you.


    An arm as thick as a log adorned in teal fish scales with speckles of gold. Coral nails as black as tar grabs onto Kate¡¯s shoulder. Breaching the fog is a form I have rarely seen. A sight Lou only takes when he is in his homeland with his family. The monster of the deep. Standing behind Kate, towering at eight feet, is Lou¡¯s true form.


    His body is thick with muscles and filled with scales. His upper body is decorated in scars from those foolish enough to think they can hunt him down or break a contract. He wears them with honor, remembering every face that gave him the wound.


    He has two patches on his neck made of pearls that hide his gills. Three horns made of Coral growing out of his forehead. His eyes burn bright red, and his face looks nothing like the Lou we knew. The rows of shark teeth fill the enlarged mouth.


    There is a reason he doesn¡¯t show humans this form, as it tends to be their last sight.


    Kate turns and sees what she provoked. She tries to take a step back, but Lou tightens his grip. A flurry of bubbles hit Lou¡¯s face, spreading their toxin into his body. Kate goes pale as the bubbles have no effect.


    The fog develops them, and the room goes pitch black. Echoing in the darkness is a sound I will never forget.


    Kate¡¯s final screams.

 Loophole (Part 28)

    Through Marcy''s Eyes


    Lighting flashed, and the lights flickered back on.


    The fog dissipates while Adam swings his arm over Manny''s shoulder while he gets back on his feet. His eyes look around the store. I can not afford to fix this place, but that''s not my concern. Standing in the middle is Lou, back in his human form. He stands there alone.


    MANNY


    W-where''s Kate?


    Lou looks at the book in his hand. The same book Kate was holding before. Look avoids his look, but I see the pain embedded in Manny''s eyes.


    LOU


    I couldn''t risk it.


    MANNY


    What did you do!


    Manny tries to lunge forward but Adam holds him back with the bit of strength he has. Marcy walks up to Lou.


    MARCY


    Lou, is she...?


    LOU


    I did what I had to.


    MANNY


    What gives you the right?!


    Manny leaves Adam and grabs Lou by the shirt collar. Lou doesn''t fight back.


    LOU


    She was going to kill us. You should be thanking me.


    MANNY


    No, we should have helped her.


    LOU


    I don''t see how we could have helped her.


    MANNY


    Of course, you don''t.


    Adam separates Manny from Lou, more for Manny''s safety. He looks up at Lou and then at me.


    ADAM


    Understand how he feels. Imagine if it was her.


    Adam puts his arm around Manny.


    ADAM


    Let''s head to the back. I need to sit down, and these two need time alone.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Manny breaks into tears as he can''t hold them back anymore. After everything that happened, he still cares. There''s a part of me that wishes I could cry. Why aren''t I? When I envision Kate. It''s not her as she appeared my whole life, but all I see are those glowing, hate-filled eyes. Maybe I should give myself longer than a few seconds to process this. Yet Manny cries. I wonder who that says more about.


    Manny helps Adam to the back, leaving Lou and I alone. I feel my scales fade, but the energy waves still flow through me.


    LOU


    I know she meant a lot to you, but she left¡ª


    MARCY


    Don''t.


    I bend down and pick up my doll. My finger runs through the patches, and I feel nothing.


    MARCY


    I knew her longer than anyone else here.


    I get how Manny feels. I do. The Kate I knew was the best person in my life,


    someone I could trust, but that wasn''t real.


    This was Kate. I see what I was to her, what everyone was to her. This is who she became. This was her choice.


    I hold up the jewel and stare at it. Every time I look at it, I see a new part of the ocean Lou has seen in the past.


    MARCY


    The necklace, it has your soul?


    LOU


    Half of it.


    MARCY


    Ha. I''m part fish now.


    He''s silent, which means he''s thinking. I need to give him time, this was alot for the both of us.


    LOU


    I''m sorry, but the deal was made the second you accepted the necklace and put it on.


    I can''t reverse the effect. We are connected, and you are now half of my people.


    MARCY


    You said it would cover the payment, and it did...right?


    LOU


    It did. I wouldn''t lie to you.


    MARCY


    I won''t head home and see him on the floor.


    Lou steps forward and reaches for my hand, then pulls away at the last moment.


    LOU


    I swear. Everything is paid.


    MARCY


    This doesn''t mean I take back what I say. We''re not getting back together.


    LOU


    I know.


    MARCY


    What happened to her? What did you do?


    LOU


    Sometimes, it''s best you don''t know the details.


    MARCY


    That''s not for you to decide.


    He nods. He puts the gem on the necklace. I look into it, and I am sucked into the ocean. I see the moon high up in the sky from below the ocean. There are no stars. I sink deeper and deeper into the ocean. I passed the beautiful tropical fish, the cascade of coral, and down a trench below the sea floor.


    The further I drift, the darker it becomes, until it''s pitch black. I continue to sink further as the trench feels never-ending. When my feet finally touched the sand, the gem closed. There is no life in this part of the sea. No fish, seaweed, or microbe. The gem is the only light in this abyss. I move the light around, and a shape reaches out to me.


    I swim back, gripping the gem tight. It is a stone-scaled hand with talon nails reaching out for help. I am the light to reveal a statue embedded onto the sea floor. The face is filled with tears, but it isn''t of pain or fear. Her heart is broken, and her eyes hollow. Kate is perched on the sea floor. I don''t know if she is alive or dead. If she can see me or not. It wouldn''t matter as I don''t know what I would say.


    With a blink, I am back in the cafe, and Lou makes sure to look me in the eye.


    MARCY


    You had other choices.


    LOU


    Easy to say that when you weren''t the one who had to do it.


    He''s right, but that doesn''t make it hurt less.


    LOU


    I know you still cared for her. It was quick.


    I let the necklace fall back on my chest. My thumb rubbed the feet of the doll before I presented it to Lou.


    MARCY


    It''s only fair you get to keep this. Now that it doesn''t have a hold on me.


    Lou hands me the book he once let Kate borrow.


    LOU


    Take the book. I would offer to teach you how to handle your powers, but I know


    I wouldn''t be able to handle that, not now. After some time, I would be happy to help.


    My finger grazes the necklace.


    MARCY


    I''ll keep it safe. I swear.


    LOU


    I know you will.


    MARCY


    You gave me half your soul.


    LOU


    Think I overpaid?


    MARCY


    No, because I think you still have part of mine.


    This silence is nice. After the chaos, it''s nice to have a sense of serenity that night. A flash from outside grabs our attention, and in three seconds, we hear the thunder shake us back to reality.


    The wind has calmed, and the flooding has lessened, but the rain continues to pour.


    MARCY


    ...You think by now the storm would stop.

 Loophole: Case Status

    It is past ten at night on what should have been an early night. Since the events that took place were close to the office¡ªwell, close enough¡ªEdward was sent to interview and investigate the events of one stormy night.


    Though the rest of the case is closed, it has been marked that all individuals should be watched for some time. Both Manny and Adam have a five-year time frame in case of any acts of revenge or uses of  the newfound magical knowledge. Marcy and Lou are placed on an indefinite watch. ]


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Lou will be watched as he decides not to return to the ocean and to continue his life on the surface. For what purpose are we not certain? Marcy has assimilated into regular society, though there is fear she will be in contact with category red individuals Lahar and Aubrey. That would be the worst-case scenario, so the INTERNET must stay observant.


    Edward finishes his report for the night and plans to leave before the storm worsens.

 Annoucment!

    That concludes Loophole and the end of Volume 1


    There is so much more to come, and I am excited to share it with y''all! Before I do, I will be taking a short break. I will be on hiatus from October 23rd to November 27th.


    Internet 24 will return on December 4th with a winter-based short story.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The series will then go on a short two-week break on December 25th for the holiday season, with posting returning on January 9th.


    THE GOOD NEWS. Starting January 8th, Internet 24 will update twice a week¡ªonce on Wednesday and again on Friday every week! I am excited to share more stories, from short, quick bites to longer adventures and even a return of a Accepting Work case.


    Alright, I will see y''all in December for the next story, and I''m looking forward to sharing a bunch more in 2025!

 Report: B02019822374

    A cup of coffee always signals the start of a new day. A tradition the world follows, with some aspects being traditional. Rico''s family is from Puerto Rico, and they have ingrained in him the same mentality that two cups of coffee a day is "cutting back."


    The exhaustion is caused by two things. One is the new "dog" the Internet sent to his house to watch him: Rom, a creature made of pink slime and in the shape of a corgi. Though he is cute, he lets it pass. The second is the endless piles of files stacking on his desk. After doing this job for two weeks, he feels exhausted, mentally drained, and, most of all, isolated.


    He is never alone though. First, there are the roaches in Rico''s room. One tries to cling tio the shadows but crosses Rico''s path. The brown pleather shoe rises and is about to squish the roach, when he stops. It wasn''t due to a sense of compassion, but confusion. He looked down at the insect and swears he was wearing a clown and had a small plastic sword with a chipped piece of a box cutter attached to it on its side.


    The roach scurries into the wall, taking a sigh of relief. His journey almost ended right there, but there wasn''t time to waste. The entirety of the building, or even the world, lies in his insect hands. Rico is unaware of all of this. Instead, he focuses on seeing the other person in his office.


    Rico sits at the table, staring at Laurel as she swims in her bowl. The bowl always remains clean. Rico tends to it, making sure his only coworker is comfortable in their workspace. However, on occasion, he finds items in her fish bowl that weren''t there before. He once found a candy wrapper, a diffrent wcastle toy, and a functiong underwater cellphone.


    Rico learned that when it comes to the Internet, it is best to leave this curiosity as unanswered questions. Still, there are things that pique Rico''s curiosity.


    RICOUnauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    So what''s your deal, Laurel? Can you talk?


    Silence. A series of bubbles come out of her mouth.


    RICO


    Are your bubbles Morse code?


    Silence again, only more bubbles. Rico tries to read the bubbles to test his Morse code theory, but he doesn''t know Morse code. To him, they are a bunch of bubbles rising to the surface to be popped.


    RICO


    I''m talking to a fish. God, I sunk low... wow that quick.


    Laurel, you could say I sank like a ship.


    Silence, but there were a few extra bubbles thrown


    in the mix after his joke.


    This went unnoticed by Rico.


    RICO


    Really, water humor doesn''t work.


    Wait, Anchor would have worked better.


    Rico picks up the top file while staring at Laurel.


    RICO


    It''s time for work, not jokes, Laurel. There''s a time and a place.


    Rico flips through the file and reads it.


    RICO


    It looks like this one was gathered from a brain strip.


    Oh, there are a few of them. An agent followed one man,


    the last "survivor" of the town. Wow, this isn''t like the last one.


    Rico remembers Brain Strips from filling out reports when he was a field agent. They look familiar to old movie film strips. They are the physical embodiments of someone''s memories. The fresher the memory, the more vivid and undistorted it is. Older memories tend to be distorted by the person''s personal bias and the person of time.


    The main benefit of technology isn''t the archiving of memories. The written word can work just as well for the majority of cases. The reason INTERNET uses Brain Strips is because they work on the dead. Depending on how fresh the deat and how intact the hippocampus is when extracted determines the potentcy of the strip.


    INTERNET can''t interview the dead, so this will have to be done. Other methods are being worked on, as both on the mystic floor are dabbling in necromancy magic and spiritual mediums to contact the dead. No concrete results have been found yet.


    The microphone is clicked on, and the recording starts.


    RICO


    This is Agent Rico, head of the 24th division of INTERNET.


    With me, as always, is agent Laurel.


    This Audio recording is of incident B02019822374,


    which took place in Perch, Minnesota, on January 12, 1983.


    Code name, FRESH RED

 Fresh Red (Part 1)

    I don''t wanna die. It''s not a controversial statement, but it needs to be said. I''m the last one here. The snowstorm can be heard from inside the security room. The hum of the monitors fills the room as the last worker of the warehouse. Everyone who has left this damn warehouse has been butchered. There isn''t a living soul left in this town except for it roaming outside. I don''t know what it looks like or how it goes about killing people, but I remember the bodies before they were buried in the snow.


    It''s painting this town with a fresh coat of red. All I know about it are the prints it leaves in the snow. They have heavy, enormous feet by the indention. They are easily distinguishable in the snow, carrying a faded red hue.


    My car sits in the warehouse garage, but the streets are filled with cars. I can still see the red stains on the seats or what''s left of the driver. I remember seeing MRS Sanchez''s car speed down the road from the cameras. I wonder if she made it. She had a tire blown out and blood dripping down her face. The storm has only grown heavier since then. I hope she made it.


    The weather keeps me immobile. I am the last one here. Just me, the soft glow from the wall of monitors I sit in front of, and a damn too jolly voice filling this icebox. I play a small radio, hoping it will drown out everything my mind is forcing me to think. He is acting as if everything is fine. I bet the DJ is far from here.


    RADIO DJ


    The snow isn''t stopping any time soon.


    As we all dream of summer and sunburns,


    the polar vortex break guarantees at least a week of snowstorms.


    I hope everyone stocked up on some supplies causeStolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    you''re going to be stuck inside for quite some time.


    Well, now let''s play some sweet tunes wh-


    I smash the radio on the wall, and bits of plastic and circuit board are flung around the room. A week- I won''t make it a week!


    I shouldn''t have thrown the radio at the wall. The scattered pieces remind me of how short-sighted that was, and now I have no music. The roads aren''t the reason I''m trapped here. I mean, the only reason. If I were born under a lucky star, that would be the case, but no. I watch it from one of the monitors plastering the wall in front of me in the security room.


    I am cut off from the outside world right now. Radio silent, my fault. The internet was cut, and there was no signal. I am alone in the warehouse, with just the sound of rats rushing in here for warmth, escaping the tormenting wind outside. Maybe they can keep me company? Either way, it knows I''m alone. I bet this monster tasted the marrow of every person in this town- if it eats us, that is.


    The way the bodies were thrown about. None were eaten, and so many were killed at the same time. I don''t think it''s for survival; it''s playing with us. Maybe I''m giving it too much credit. I would rather overestimate it; that way, I won''t end up with a pound of snow covering my corpse outside.


    My eyes scurry from monitor to monitor, trying to glimpse where it is. I know it''s still out there, just like it knows I''m still in here. Red-stained snow prints circling the building slowly get covered by the new snowfall. Has it stopped casing the place? Maybe now is my chance? This can be my only chance to leave this damn tin coffin. I can''t wait here, that''s what it wants.


    I make it to my car parked inside. The metal garage door separating me and the outside world rattles from the strong winds. My hand grips the steering wheel. I turn the keys, and the engine coughs as it tries to brush off the frost forming on it. Now is my chance. I would rather die in the snow than be toyed with in here. My finger hovers over the remote to the garage door, ready to press the button and open the only thing separating me and the snowstorm.


    Something heavy smashed on the garage door. My eyes look up from the remote. With each bang echoing in the room, a dent the size of a pumpkin forms on the door. This continues until I turn off the engine. I can''t leave, not yet. This is what it''s waiting for. My car won''t make it far with how it is, and that''s when I lose my life. Either when my car skids off the road or when it finally lets inside and tears this door off as quickly as it will tear me in half.


    I need to stay inside.

 Fresh Red (Part 2)

    The sun starts to set. My eyes grow heavy as the days here take their toll this night. My head nods, and I blink. This invisible hand squeezes tighter on my head every minute I refuse to go to sleep. It presses on my eyelids, trying to keep them shut.


    I can''t fall asleep; I will know when I do. The second I drift off, It will make its way inside, and by the time I realize where it is, I will be the fresh coat of red on the walls. My eyes strain as I focus on the monitors. A loud metallic clang surges through the warehouse.


    My eyes widen, and I focus on the monitors. I can''t see it as I look at each screen individually. Then, I hear the rats running around. A camera catches the vermin scurrying in the break room and a metal thermos jittering on the ground. Someone must have knocked it off the counter. Well, that''s what I tell myself.


    I look back at the other monitors and continue watching. The snow hazes my view as it comes down harder. I can barely see across the street. My eyes catch something- a shadow jumping out of one of the cameras'' gaze. The fading red circle around the building is now vibrant. The monitor that shows the outside of the garage door steals my attention.


    Laying in front of the door is a half-eaten white rabbit. From the tears on its body seep the red that paints the white of its fur and the soles of its killer''s footprints. A present to remind me that it''s waiting outside?


    Conditions are still rough. I can''t drive yet. I must stay patient and awake. I walk to the break room in the basement for coffee to keep my eyes open and my mind sharp. Tucked in the top corner of the room is a thin glass window covered by a few inches of snow.


    The scent of the black coffee creeps into my body as the machine brews me a cup. The warmth travels through me as I take a sip. I usually have it with too much cream and sugar, but I need it as bitter as possible.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The rats hide in the corner, watching me. Usually, I would kick them out of the warehouse. Had to keep this business reputation up, but not anymore. We have plenty in common. Both just trying to stay warm and survive. Both are unwilling to die, so we horde up in this warehouse, the only thing separating us from the outside.


    I''ll let the warmth of the coffee just take over my body for now. It doesn''t last long. A feeling of ice rolling down my spine overpowers my senses. It''s watching me. I can feel its eyes piercing my chest as the grip from the invisible hands squeezes tighter on my head. I see the snow covering the window has been pushed away, and a hot breath still fogs the glass.


    I rush to the monitor room, and it starts banging on the walls from outside. Its strikes are powerful, and it feels like the sound is coming from inside. It''s trying to make its way in, but I know the doors are locked shut, and the gates are down. I make it back and slam the door. My eyes frantically jump from monitor to monitor, trying to find a shadow of where it is. Then one of the monitors turns blue.


    The words "No Signal" appear on the screen, then another, and another. With every passing minute, the room becomes a shade bluer as the monitor starts to show one by one.


    "No Signal."


    The warehouse is silent. The roar from the snowstorm outside seems minuscule to the sound of my heart ramming into my chest. I try to control my breathing, but every exhale is thicker than the last. It leaves me one camera, my only connection to the outside. It''s of the rabbit as if to taunt that it has control over what I see now.


    I can''t look away from the carcass. The red is already covered up by the snow. I can''t stay any longer. I would rather face the storm and risk freezing to death than be toyed by this monster. I turn to grab my coat and check for my keys.


    Another metallic clang sends my nerves on fire. It must have been the rats running around after all the noise it made outside. I look at the monitor one last time before I leave, just to see if I can get a glance at it. The rabbit is gone. There is a new red puddle over the snow.It''s a rat. The same frosted chill from earlier runs down my spine. I''m being watched. Come to think of it, I haven''t heard the rats running in a while.

 Report Status: B02019822374

    RICO


    The case is still open as the creature has eluded capture.


    We don''t have a depiction of the creature asThis tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    all the brain strips we gathered don''t show the creature.


    It makes sense, as the brutality of how they meet


    their death makes the footage blurry.


    I am glad I didn''t have to watch it.


    End Recording.

 Goodbye

    I want to thank everyone who reads INTERNET 24 on this site. I won''t drag it out; INTERNET 24 is moving.


    I took time off to think about my two years of posting INTERNET 24 as a Webnovel. From how the series grew to my personal experience working on it, I came to the conclusion that anthology series don''t tend to do as well as a single long-running series. It was such a fun and valuable learning experience. Thank you to everyone who commented, liked, and shared the series!


    I won¡¯t do that thing where I say, ¡°The Story Is On Hiatus,¡± and never check in. No, for now, the story is finished on webnovel platforms.


    I feel it is best to move the story to Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. I will still be posting new stories there, as INTERNET 24 IS NOT DEAD AND DONE¡ªit''s just moving.


    I started making some new moves during the break by releasing a Sci-fi Fantasy Adventure series called ¡°Your New Slime God Cid¡± right here. It updates regularly and already has multiple chapters.


    I know some of you may not like this news. I apologize, but I know it''s a move to grow my writing career.


    Stolen story; please report.For the stories out now, here is what''s happening.


    Welcome To Internet/On The Road/Light Years/Accepting Work Case 1/Missing Ailse will be removed with a notice where to find them, as Kindle Unlimted doesn¡¯t allow multi-distribution.


    Loophole/Fresh Red will be up but taken down later once they are up to pre-order on Amazon (months from now) so that you can read them if you haven''t caught up.


    As I said earlier, I have way more stories in the INTERNET 24 universe to come, and even a comic series based in the world will be posted on WEBTOON Canvas and my socials, but for now, this is it.


    Thank you for reading. You have no idea how much it meant to me. I understand if you don¡¯t want to read INTERNET 24 anymore since it won¡¯t be on this platform. Thank you for the time you took to read my stories. If you are willing to continue the journey there on Kindle or by reading Your New Slime God Cid, then I promise to work harder and make fantastic stories!


    Thank you.