《Echoes of the Apocolypse》 Chapter One She never imagined a great story for herself, and while others always told Natalie that she could be someone great if she just put her mind to it, she never really believed them. Not everyone can be great, and maybe this was the best she would ever achieve. She found some solace in that thought as another shift started just like it had any other night. No one would ever think that Natalie had such doubts about her own shortcomings. She was bright to look at. Not that Natalie glowed, but she seemed happy, and that happiness was infectious. She had nothing to worry about with no greater goals beyond getting through the day. Natalie went with the flow, and that made her popular at every job she had ever had. Natalie stood behind the brightly lit bar with her apron tied tight around her waist and doubling back to a bow at her hip. The button-up shirt was allowed to stay open to show off her minimal cleavage. The shirt¡¯s v-shaped neckline revealed a single teardrop necklace decorating her throat. The black jeans were tight on her thighs, almost like a second skin, but she took great care in ensuring no panty lines were showing. All good waitresses knew that tipping was easier when you cared about your appearance and made your customers feel like the only important person in the universe. You add a rough pub atmosphere, and somehow, it meant zero hints of undergarments. Natalie didn''t make the rules and just used them to her own benefit. The only part of her uniform that ruined the illusion was on her feet. The shoes that Natalie wore were simple black flats, but she didn¡¯t need the heels that other bar bitches wore just to appear tall and to reach the bottles on the top shelf. Natalie¡¯s almost freak-like height which been the source of a lot of bullying in middle school, had finally become an asset. Everything she wore, besides the necklace and shoes, was the official uniform for The Rhythm Fox. The bar''s name was stitched into her collar and back pocket as if she would dare to wear these things in public, outside work hours. The Rhythm Fox was not exactly a place to be bragging about. It was barely a club, and really just a tiny little throwaway place that seemed to attract the over forty crowds. The people who frequented the place were getting too old to keep up with the bar-hopping lifestyle and the clubbing madness of their youth but were still looking for a good place to have a drink. Natalie didn¡¯t hate working there. She had once worked at a trendy club where every other order was some overpriced cocktail. Here, it was beer and wine. The most complicated drink she ever had to make was a cosmopolitan, and usually, after one sip, the faux Sex and the City foursome would go back to wine like everyone else did after a few attempts. ¡°Behind.¡± Came a voice, and Natalie almost yelped as a hand swatted at her arse. Turning quickly, she came face to face with Ryan. Immediately, her features lost their stern edge, and Natalie could feel the warmth of his skin as he pressed up against her. He loved to sneak up on her, and it was widely known that Natalie was far too easy to shock. It was all the truer for Ryan. Ryan was just never on her radar until suddenly, there he was, and Natalie was happy to see him there. ¡°Ryan¡­¡± she laughed as she pretended to push him away. Half of her mind was on the people standing behind the bar, but she knew they were all ok for now. Even at their busiest, there was never a crowd waiting at the bar. ¡°You know work means work.¡± She reminded him, and yet she did not want him just to leave her. Dating your co-worker was something the boss frowned upon, but Ryan was too cute to ignore. They had been together for almost a year, and Natalie was very happy with him. With bright green eyes and a well-muscled form, she knew she was lucky to have him. Ryan was also a safe option for Natalie. He talked a big game, and like right now, when he was tempting her with a quickie right here against the wine rack, she knew he didn¡¯t mean it. Underneath all of that bravado, Ryan was just a sweet country boy. Ryan grew up in a city where he knew absolutely everyone, and the smallest dramas became town-wide gossip. He had adopted this intense masculine persona long before she met him, but she didn¡¯t seem to mind. It was like dating one of those leads from a tacky Christmas Hallmark movie. Natalie didn¡¯t even mind when he talked up their experiences to their friends, so it seemed far more exotic than it was. In reality, they had missionary sex a couple of times a week, and the one time he had pulled her hair had been a complete accident. ¡°Are you on until close?¡± Ryan asked, toying with her tied-off apron strings, pretending he needed to lean in closely so that he could be heard over the noise of the busy bar when really it was just an excuse to be in close with Natalie. They hadn¡¯t been alone in a long time, and he was starting to miss her. Natalie would never guess that her cute boyfriend was considering how to edge towards making things more official. Ryan was toying with the idea of asking her to move in, but he didn¡¯t think Natalie would agree. Ryan might be a simple country boy, but he knew that he was into her more than she was into him. Ryan didn¡¯t want to lose her, so he tried to give her space. She probably didn¡¯t even realise how carefully he watched her, hoping to keep her without being overbearing. ¡°Only until two.¡± Natalie looked at her watch, glad to see it was closer to one than she thought it was. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°Close.¡± Ryan frowned. Natalie ran a hand back through his hair and quickly kissed him before slipping out of his grip to return to work. ¡°We both have Tuesday off.¡± She reminded him, and immediately Ryan grinned, completely unaware of how it lit up his face. This was the boy that Natalie loved. The one whose whole face lit up because they got to spend the day together soon. Even if it was nothing more than watching Netflix and walking his dog around the same beaten path. ¡°I guess I have to wait for Tuesday then,¡± Ryan smirked, leaning in for a hard kiss that didn¡¯t promise to go any further than a kiss. Ryan¡¯s hand went to her hip, but he didn¡¯t linger, and as he walked away, he pulled on the belt of her apron, and the whole dropped to her feet. The promise was clear, and the imagery made Natalie blush. Ryan walked away laughing, and Natalie had no choice but to retrieve her apron from the floor. She barely managed to do it back up before she felt the room¡¯s attitude shift. She didn¡¯t need any warning to know exactly why. No one focused her attention more than when Armand entered a room. She spotted him first from the corner of her eye, but it was like her whole body was aware he was approaching her. Natalie didn¡¯t understand it, and it seemed like no one else in the room even realised it, but when Armand was there, it gave her whole body butterflies. He wasn¡¯t a very tall man, almost her equal at five foot nine. His clothes were not fancy, and Natalie knew they were not tailored for him. He just seemed to wear them so well you assumed they were. Jeans, a comfortable-looking button-down shirt and a jacket, were his usual attire, which was exactly what Armand wore tonight. He never seemed to dress up for her, but that didn¡¯t make him easy to miss. Her eyes followed his path as Armand dipped in and out of her sight. The crowd didn¡¯t move to let him through, and Natalie barely held back a smile as she watched him struggle just a little as he approached the bar. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you here tonight,¡± Natalie said, and it seemed to be the same line she used every time he came into The Rythem Fox. Natalie never knew when to expect him, which may have made her reaction to his presence all the more mysterious. ¡°You know that Ryan has been keeping tabs on you.¡± It was a half-teasing remark and a subtle reminder to them that this magnetic man was off-limits. Ryan had noticed that she was ''flirting'' about a month ago, and at first, Natalie thought he was paranoid, but when Mary mentioned it as well, Natalie did have to admit that maybe they were both onto something. She didn¡¯t think she had led Armand on. He knew all about Ryan, and Natalie felt like she had made it clear that she was happy to be his friend, but it couldn¡¯t be anything else. Why did Armand keep visiting the bar during her shifts? Personally, Natalie thought it was to make himself feel more comfortable. He didn¡¯t seem to have a lot of friends, and she was a familiar face in the city. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. She kept saying she wasn¡¯t leading him on out load to anyone who had accused her of it, but that wasn¡¯t how Natalie felt. Armand was difficult. She wasn¡¯t sure how any of their interactions were supposed to make her feel. She didn¡¯t love him like she loved Ryan, but he wasn¡¯t just a friend either. Armand had come into her life so unexpectedly that Natalie had trouble just trying to make sense of it herself. She never thought of trying to explain it to someone else, and looking into his face now; she felt that desire to reach out and tug on a strand of his hair that had fallen loose and put it back behind his ear. But she didn''t. Instead, she just smiled. Armand shrugged, looked towards Ryan, and gave him a short nod. Ryan¡¯s smile was stiff, but he couldn¡¯t stay there looking daggers at the pair when he had his own customers to look after. ¡°Your boyfriend is jealous over nothing,¡± Armand said. Natalie nodded. ¡°Of course.¡± She responded automatically, watching his dark eyes and admiring the tan that stained his skin, which seemed to be illuminated by the world around them. Even though she was sure it was just a trick of the light, it didn¡¯t mean it still wasn¡¯t mesmerising to look at. ¡°It is just a coincidence that you are here only when I am here.¡± Armand shook his head. ¡°Oh no, Natalie, that is entirely on purpose.¡± He said, and Natalie felt her pulse quicken as he stared at her. Maybe that was why Armand got under her skin. He looked her in the eye and never at her body when they were talking. After having most patrons stare at her body while working, no wonder it felt strange to be looked at directly. ¡°No one can pour a beer quite like you do.¡± He smiled, and the fleeting tension was gone, and Natalie found that she could laugh at his joke. Armand chuckled along with her as she poured his beer. ¡°You don¡¯t mind that I come here, do you?¡± Armand asked and hid the smile as Natalie eagerly shook her head. She was a strange kind of girl. Armand knew many different kinds of girls. The Giggle types and the sharp humour types. The ones who spent just enough time on their make-up to use it well, and the ones who didn¡¯t understand makeup at all. And then there were girls like Natalie. The ones who didn¡¯t realise that they were beautiful. She was aware enough to know that she wasn¡¯t entirely unfortunate-looking, but Natalie had no idea just how her skin glowed. Even when she was forced to wear that ugly shirt and show too much skin in hopes of selling liquor, Natalie still seemed approachable and fun. Armand supposed that was part of the selling, but he had a feeling that Natalie was also just one of those personalities. She called to him in a way Armand did not understand. From their first chance meeting at a crowded train station, where he had stood on her hand, he knew Natalie was different. It had been entirely accidental. A note had fallen out of her bag, and Armand had tried to secure it from blowing away at the exact same moment she reached for it. How she smiled and let him apologise let Armand know she was someone he needed to know. Even finding out about Ryan had not stopped him. He would be her friend if he couldn¡¯t be with her intimately. The world was just brighter with her in it. ¡°You might want to start seeing Ryan. I bet he can pour beer just as well as I can.¡± Natalie did not want to get rid of Armand, but if he was going to be a friend, then he needed to be Ryan¡¯s¡¯ friend as well. They had initially started off on the wrong foot, but maybe she could fix that. ¡°Hey, babe¡±, she called out to Ryan, waiting until he could join them. ¡°What is wrong? This man bothering you?¡± Ryan asked and hoped it was true. He didn¡¯t like Armand and had no reason to believe that he was looking for a friendship with Natalie. Why would any man want to be friends with a girl? Natalie laughed as if it was all a big joke, and Ryan forced a smile on his face. He didn¡¯t want to have this fight with her again while at work. ¡°No, can you pour him a beer?¡± Ryan raised his eyebrow and gestured to the one already set in front of Armand. ¡°How many beers does he need?¡± Ryan asked. ¡°I am just trying to prove a point.¡± Natalie stood back so Ryan could get the beer taps. Ryan looked at Armand, and while Natalie would tell him he was just silly, Ryan could only see the challenge in Armand¡¯s posture. He seemed to sit far too comfortably at the bar, but Ryan knew he wasn¡¯t here for the atmosphere. The only thing that brought Armand to The Rhythm Fox was Natalie. Ryan was willing to bet everything he owned that one of these nights, Armand was hoping that maybe something could happen between them. Ryan¡¯s fist wanted to clench at just the thought of that, but he forced his hand to remain calm. Armand had been a source of arguments since his sudden arrival into Natalie¡¯s life, and Ryan was desperate to prove that he was an open-minded man and not the country boy. With a long sigh, Ryan just shrugged and grabbed a glass. Holding it at an angle, Ryan let the beer flow and counter-measured the foam-to-drink ratios by righting the glass as it got fuller. The end result was a picture-perfect beer. He set it in front of Armand, who didn¡¯t seem all that impressed with the result. Ryan tried not to look smug as his beer sat side by side with Natalie¡¯s and appeared to be the perfect mirror image of what she had just poured. Natalie just smiled, triumphant in her moment, unwilling to communicate with the boys about their petty staring match. Ryan needed to back off, and Armand needed to be more aware of Ryan¡¯s feelings. She was willing to blame them both for this weirdness but didn¡¯t think now was the time to do it. She was supposed to be at work, but she found it funny that she was somehow the mature one here. ¡°See Armand. Ryan can perfectly serve you just as well as I am.¡± Armand grinned and grabbed the beer that Ryan had pulled for him. It had been a deliberate choice, in his opinion, to take Ryan¡¯s glass as a show of his gratitude. Ryan didn¡¯t seem to read the movement like that at all as his eyes narrowed on Armand as he brought the glass to his lips. In Ryan¡¯s mind, Armand had taken the glass as a show of defiance to remove Ryan from Natalie¡¯s life, physically removing his glass from being beside Natalie¡¯s. The whole exchange was lost on Natalie, who was all too focused on Armad''s mouth, the way his throat worked as he swallowed down the chilled brew. A fine stubble covered Armand¡¯s lower face, and when he finished the glass, the foam clung around his mouth. ¡°An elegant drink,¡± Armand commented as he placed the glass on the bar top. "Seems you have shown the boys everything you know." One eyebrow raised, and Natalie chuckled softly, although she didn''t know what was funny. The good mood faded as Ryan put his hands down suddenly on the bar. ¡°You need to leave,¡± Ryan said, the words a threat that didn¡¯t need to be vocalised more than it already was. Armand looked at Natalie instantly for confirmation, but she seemed to have come over as a frozen witness to the scene, and Armand was alone in defending himself against Ryan. ¡°I was just looking for a good place to drink after work,¡± Armand said, wiping his mouth with his hand and, at the same time, trying to keep the smile from appearing on his face. Ryan shook his head. ¡°No, you were looking for a way to get close to my girl.¡± No matter how hard Ryan tried to be a man, deep down, he was apparently the country boy who would fight any man who dared try to catch his girl''s attention, and it showed now as he mentally prepared for a fight. It was the only way this kind of guy would get the message. ¡°Even after you knew she had a boyfriend, that didn¡¯t stop you.¡± Before Armand could object, Ryan went on. ¡°You need to get out and never come back." ¡°Ryan, stop it,¡± Natalie said, tugging on Ryan¡¯s arm, but he would not budge as he leant heavily into the bar top to get as close to Armand as possible. ¡°He needs to learn his place, Nat,¡± Ryan said, ignoring her pleas. Really, his only focus was the man in front of him. Armand did not seem threatening at first. He was fit, but it appeared to be dumb luck and not from weight training. He dressed almost too casually, and his hair was always slicked back and looked greasy to Ryan. Clearly, Natalie did not see Armand with that same disgust because she kept inviting him into their lives. Ryan knew he should have done this earlier before Natalie and Armand got closer. Now, he looked like an overly jealous boyfriend. Natalie¡¯s voice rang in his ear; the bar was silent as they watched this unravel, but Ryan had crossed the threshold. There was no turning back, and even if Natalie would talk with him about this later, he didn¡¯t care right now. He could handle that when it happened. Armand stood up from the chair and put his hands up. He wasn¡¯t a violent man by nature, and even though he thought that Ryan was overreacting, he wouldn¡¯t bait him further. ¡°Armand, don¡¯t go.¡± Natalie tried to pull Ryan back, but he was stuck in this pose that was meant to intimate the other man. It seemed like it was working as Armand slowly removed his wallet from his back pocket and placed money on the bar between them. Ryan might have forgotten where they were, but Armand did not, and he would not be the one to cause a scene. Instead, he replaced his wallet and slowly backed away from the bar. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ryan, that you felt that it needed to come to this.¡± ¡°Leave.¡± Ryan felt hot, adrenaline pumping through his body and begging him to act. As Armand backed away and left via the front door, his senses slowly returned to him, and the death-like grip Ryan had kept on the bar was finally released. ¡°What the hell Ryan?¡± Natalie demanded before quickly getting out from behind the bar. ¡°Where do you think you are going?¡± Ryan demanded. Natalie didn''t respond to Ryan''s question and instead hurriedly followed Armand out the door. Chapter Two Armand was easy to find, standing just around the corner from the bar. He stiffened when the doors swung open, expecting it to be Ryan, and instead relieved to see it was just Natalie. ¡°Hey.¡± He said, looking behind her to ensure she wasn¡¯t being followed out, but it seemed Ryan had said everything he needed to say. ¡°I didn¡¯t go in there looking for a fight.¡± Armand found himself instantly apologised the moment she was close enough. She nodded, sympathetic and confused on whose side she was supposed to be on. ¡°Ryan is just going through a tough time right now.¡± Natalie was lying to him, and she felt Armand knew it. His hands were hidden in his jeans pockets, arms straight as he shoved them deeper. Neither of them wanted to acknowledge that Natalie was just being polite and trying to cover for her boyfriend. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him about it later,¡± Natalie promised. ¡°He is just jealous. I suppose it is to be expected.¡± Armand sighed, looking down at his shoes as she tried to add to her excuses with lies of his own. ¡°He has nothing to be jealous of.¡± He had said the line earlier, and Armand had been repeating it to himself for days as he continued to make excuses to see Natalie and try to convince himself that he just wanted to be her friend, and Armand was satisfied with that. Natalie bit her lip, crossing her arms over her chest to try and starve off the winter chill in the air. ¡°Really?¡± she asked. Natalie didn¡¯t feel brave when she asked him. Her heart was pounding, and she immediately wished she could take it back. Natalie wanted to know some truth but wasn¡¯t ready to hear it. Was everything Natalie had thought about really one-sided, or was it possible that maybe Armand was coming to The Rhythm Fox to see her? He hesitated for a moment. Sensing her shivering, he smoothly slid out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders. "I don''t want to give him an excuse for what happened here tonight," Armand whispered, his hands strategically holding the jacket close around her, fingers subtly grazing the curve of her bust and settling at her waist. Their proximity became charged with an unspoken tension. Natalie, looking up at him, silently questioned her reaction to what was a simple display of chivalry. "I won''t tell him, Armand, I just..." Her words trailed off, her thoughts lost in the unfamiliar closeness. The scent of Armand''s aftershave enveloped her, and she was captivated by every detail¡ªthe stubble on his face, the taste of his breath against her lips. Swallowing hard, she licked her lips in anticipation, unsure of the emotions stirring within her. "You''re cold," Armand accused, pulling her even closer within the shelter of his jacket. "You are avoiding the question," Natalie challenged, stepping toward him instead of pulling away. Deliberately closing the gap, she knew that he could feel her body against his and her eyes searched for some kind of reaction. The dynamics shifted, and Armand recognized the pivotal moment to make their connection permanent. He needed to say the right words to keep her close, to make her forget everything else at that moment. "I''m lying," Armand confessed. "I have been meaning to kiss you since we met." A sound escaped Natalie, a small celebration of a revelation that would resonate in her memory. It was a noise she had never made before, carrying the weight of an irreversible shift in their relationship. "Why haven''t you?" she inquired, her curiosity mirrored in her raised eyebrow. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "Because of him," Armand chuckled, acknowledging the obvious. He recognized that Ryan''s fears weren''t entirely unfounded, and Armand had been playing the role of the bigger man while harbouring his own flaws. "And also because of you," Natalie responded with a simple raised eyebrow. "You don''t seem like the kind of girl who goes around just kissing boys who step on their hands. "I didn''t want to force you into a situation you would regret," Armand confessed, his eyes locked onto hers, revealing a vulnerability that transcended the pretence they had been living. Natalie frowned. ¡°Regret? Is there something wrong with being that kind of girl?¡± she asked him, a flirty smile tugging at the side of her mouth. Armand felt the extraordinary little place they had created slipping away. Whatever moment had been there was slipping away and he could do nothing to bring it back. He had missed it, and now the reality of their situation, of what he wanted and how it could hurt other people, seemed all too real. Sighing, Armand shook his head ¡°Natalie, what are we doing?¡± he asked her, trying to get some of that power back and knowing it was useless. This had always been her game to win, even when she didn¡¯t realise they were playing. Natalie got to make the choices, and Armand and Ryan were her pawns. "I''m not sure," she admitted, pressing her lips together. Her gaze briefly drifted towards the bar, but it quickly returned to Armand. "But it doesn''t feel wrong." Natalie refused to dwell on the potential consequences. She was acutely aware that her actions could jeopardize everything she held dear, but an intoxicating primal force overruled her usual caution. This kind of reaction was entirely new to her; she had always attracted guys like Ryan¡ªsweet, soft, and loving in every touch. Yet, tonight''s deviation from Ryan''s usual demeanour had propelled her into the arms of another man. What did that say about her? Looking up at Armand, Natalie realized he was awaiting her permission. "I want you to kiss me." Armand wasted no time. Utilizing his grip on the jacket, he effortlessly lifted her off her feet, capturing her lips in a heated and demanding kiss. At that moment, Armand took possession, and Natalie''s eyes fluttered closed in pleasure. The jacket, now loosely draped around her shoulders, seemed insignificant as his hands explored her¡ªfirm at her hip and delicate at her neck¡ªmoulding her frame to his will. Armand knew no bounds, and Natalie was desperate to reciprocate, her hands finding their place on his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palms. Unsatisfied with mere exploration, his hands roamed eagerly, and without hesitation, he pressed her against the brick wall of the bar. Encouraged by Natalie''s response, he trailed kisses down her jaw and neck. Armand''s hand found her breast, prompting a gasp to escape her lips. Natalie''s back arched, pressing herself more firmly against his touch. Small and perfectly moulded to fit his hand, he massaged her through her clothes, causing Natalie''s mouth to lose its rhythm in the kiss as soft moans of pleasure escaped her. The world around them blurred as their connection deepened, and the magnetic pull between them grew stronger with each shared breath. She knew he was aroused. She could feel him firm and ready in his pants, and that was the thought that gave her pause. He had been wrong about one thing: she was the kind of girl who went around kissing boys. But she did not want to be the girl who had sex in the street. The kiss ended as abruptly as it started, both of them staring up at each other, Natalie breathless and wide-eyed. "Come with me," Armand urged, and Natalie nodded, a sense of urgency filling the air. In that charged moment, he could have proposed anything, and she would have assented. Without a backward glance and scarcely a fleeting thought for Ryan, Armand hurried her into a waiting taxi, the engine''s hum echoing the pulsating tension between them. The city lights blurred outside the window. Chapter Three His apartment was close, and Natalie was glad he did not bring her to a hotel. While the taxi ride had been sobering to her, it had also been a revelation. Ryan could never make her heart race like Armand did. She wasn''t blind to Ryan''s love. He made it clear often that he loved her and planned to have a future with her, but for Natalie, the fact that she could be so easily distracted by another man confirmed her feelings. She really liked Ryan, but love? The deep kind of love he had for her just wasn''t something she felt. Their relationship was never the kind she wanted, but it had been perfect for now. Ryan had been so desperate for someone to cling to in the city; she had been ok with it because he was a good-looking guy. In Ryan, she could find the kind of corn-fed hero you only see on TV. As sad as it was to admit in these circumstances, Natalie had known from the beginning that Ryan was not her happily ever after. She also knew that Ryan did not agree with her, and Natalie was sure he had heard wedding bells the first time they slept together. But Natalie was lazy, and Ryan was right for now, for however long now was. Tonight had allowed her to act, even if the act itself was selfish. Natalie knew that she should have broken up with Ryan first, but she couldn¡¯t do it by text. One look at Armand, his arm over her shoulder and fingers teasing the loose curls of her hair as the taxi delivered them to his apartment stairs, and she knew calling Ryan was not going to happen. Natalie knew she would have this one perfect and selfish night before she did the right thing tomorrow. Ryan didn¡¯t need to know. She followed Armand to his apartment door, where he paused. Her heart sunk, a soft panic rising in her chest as she considered what that pause meant. Natalie could almost hear his sophisticated reasoning telling them both that this was wrong and that she should go home. Whatever the pause had meant, it was lost to time as Armand pushed the door open. Taking a breath, Armand stood back and held the door open for her to enter first. Nothing was surprising about the room, and Natalie was a little disappointed that Armand might not be as exotic as she first thought he was. A simple set-up and a moderate-sized TV made up his living room. Three beer bottles stood empty on the table beside a used glass. ¡°Trying to perfect my technique?¡± Natalie asked because there had been too much silence between them. Armand was quick to swoop by her and collect the stranded bottles.¡°Well, you weren¡¯t working last night. I had to entertain myself somehow.¡± He tried to joke, but there was a tension between them that had never existed before. He took the bottles with him, leaving Natalie alone in the space and took a much-needed deep breath. Armand stopped at the bin, taking his time as he dropped them one at a time into the trash. Of all the fantasies he had taken liberties with, the way he imagined whisking Natalie away from the bar and the prying eyes of her peers, and acting out every contortion he could think of, the reality was far less glamourous. Now that the opportunity was here, he felt it might still not happen. The kiss had not been a mistake; Armand knew that. But to go further... Armand was not sure if he could get back that impulsive passion from the street. He was also confident that Natalie might start to doubt this as well. Armand ran his hand back through his hair, gripping it as he nodded to himself. He was finally getting the time with Natalie that he wanted. He wanted this. She wanted this. Tomorrow, they can decide what this one night means. For tonight, they would just be two people. With this false bravado, Armand returned to his living room, seeing where Natalie had been left standing was now bare. ¡°Natalie?¡± he said her name and heard a deep breath reveal that she had moved herself to the couch. The top button of her pants was undone, the apron was lost, and her aqua-coloured bra peeking from her shirt made his mouth dry. ¡°I thought you left.¡± He managed to say. Natalie shook her head and beckoned him over with her finger. ¡°Afraid your stuck with me.¡± Usually, she wouldn¡¯t be so forward. Even just undressing just a little, she felt almost like she was part of a play, following a role. It felt unnatural as she reached to emulate the sensual creature she wished she was. But this was her fantasy, and she loved the role of the sex goddess she had assigned herself to play. Armand slipped into the faithful and needy man perfectly in tune with her persona. The weird tension that followed them into the apartment lingered but was fading as Armand stepped towards her. She smiled as Armand loosened the first few buttons on his shirt. ¡°Take it off.¡± She said, and even though she had imagined the demand being vigorous and directive, her voice came out like a light whimper. Armand didn¡¯t argue, and casually, the shirt was removed with a sweeping motion over his head. Natalie was breathless as he revealed his lean body to her. Natalie bit her bottom lip, taking in the body of this near stranger and marvelling at how different he was from every other man she had known. Sprouts of dark hair sprung from his chest, allowed to cover his chest in their natural pattern. His body was lean and casually athletic. He had no tan lines to distract her from his masculine frame, and instantly, she was aware of the scant inches that separated their bodies. Armand suddenly hovered over her, and Natalie reached out to run her hand through his hair. She rose from the couch, just enough for their lips to touch, but it was like the magic of the first kiss had never left them. Armand stayed poised over her, making quick work of removing her shirt as Natalie was free to explore the skin that had been so tempting before. The bronze colour of his heritage seemed even darker against her pale skin. Running her hands through his hair on his chest, she broke the kiss as her back arched and his mouth latched onto her skin. Teeth found flesh, soft and painless nibbles that made Natalie giggle as Armand''s scent surrounded her. In a rush, her bra and shirt seemed to disappear, and her hands sat on the hard buckle of his belt. She felt no need to rush, her legs wrapping around his hips and her body rocking in the mimicry of sex. Armand¡¯s breathy groan in her ears was the only sound she could hear. His beer-tainted breath and the same spicy aftershave scent that followed him in the bar intoxicated her. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Blindly, Natalie reached for the zipper, panting in anticipation as his clothes revealed him to her. Before she could find an opportunity to explore him, suddenly Natalie was lifted from the couch. ¡°Where are we going?¡± she asked, giggling as he kicked off his pants before striding through the apartment. ¡°We need a bed for this.¡± The gruff sound of his voice made her body throb in anticipation, more than the knowledge of how effortlessly he seemed to be able to hold her as he walked. She was far more distracted by the man who carried her than to even think of where he might be taking her. His hands were soft on her skin, yet strong. She had never had a man who could carry her around, and Natalie realised that her first assumptions of Armand being casually athletic might have been too simple. Armand was stronger than he looked. Armand laid her on the messy bed. It might not be the right thing to do to Ryan, but she had never felt more right in her life as Armand started a trail of kisses that went over her collarbone and led his mouth to her exposed breast. There was never a thought of turning back or not following through, but the warmth of his mouth and the slick feel of his tongue cemented her desire. She felt protected as he undressed her, and her last remaining clothes were tossed as carelessly as the others. There was a scattering line of evidence that led from his front door and to the bedroom, her panties the final addition. Back arching, Natalie gripped his hair and quickly released them. The loose, messy curls were soft under her hands, just as she always imagined them to be, quickly giving into all of her demands as she raked her hand through them. Armand groaned, and goosebumps erupted over her skin in response. The groan had not been one of disappointment but one of animal response. He liked what he saw, and she felt glorious under his gaze. Natalie reached out and guided him back to face her by his jaw. Armand¡¯s eyes seemed darker than before, his body tense as he prepared to devour her and Natalie wanted him to do it. Natalie was panting in anticipation beneath him, but Armand said nothing. Although it was still dark outside, the street lights pushing through the curtain gaps and his clock radio, the only light illuminating the room was still enough to see by. ¡°Just stay exactly where you are.¡± He kissed her, demanding and sudden, before rolling to the side and retrieving the foil package from the side table. There was no denying that sound, and Natalie turned her head to watch as he lowered the condom over himself. Armand had met so many women who insisted on doing tricks or sexy things with condoms when really there was nothing sexy about them. He was surprised by her calm gaze, slightly inquisitive and yet not intrusive. He had been watching her for a long time, and it seemed like it was about time that she returned the feelings he had been fighting against for weeks. he knew he should feel self-conscious, but none of those feelings came when Natalie looked at him. He felt empowered, sensual and desired as she watched him toss the wrapper aside. His hand wrapped around her ankle, and with a grin, Natalie laughed as he pulled her closer and climbed back on top of her. Armand smiled, pushing her hair back from her face. The kiss he delivered was slow, and when she frantically grabbed for him, he took her wrists and pinned them back into the bed. Natalie struggled before she smiled. ¡°So, this is how it¡¯s going to be?¡± she asked, and Armand grinned in return. ¡°Just enjoy it.¡± He said, a stronger edge to his accent coming from his lips that Natalie had never heard from him before. She shivered, and when he kissed her again, she did enjoy it. Slowly, he explored her mouth, his tongue toying at the crease between her lips before she opened her mouth to him. Their breath mixed, and their hearts started to find a strange sync that Natalie had never experienced before. She was lost in that moment, never wanting to leave the intoxicating embrace of his arms. She let Armand set the pace, the kiss growing until he was devouring her, and she was a whimpering mess just trying to keep up. She was all too aware of where he touched her, his skin hot against hers, the need for breath fighting with the demand to stay attached to Armand at every point she could. Even the heavy weight of his body on hers, as he kept her pinned back into the matress, was a welcome one. He released one of her hands, but she had learnt her lesson the first time. She didn¡¯t grab at him like a starved animal but explored him like they had all the time in the world. Her body rocked up, pressing her breasts into his chest and bringing their bodies in sync. Just as he pushed inside her, Natalie¡¯s eyes rolled back into her head, and a shout of pleasure erupted from her lips before she shoved him away. Crawling backwards until her back hit the headboard, she stared at Armand from across the bed where he sat staring at her, his eyes wide for a moment before he recovered quickly. ¡°We need to go.¡± She said, grabbing at his sheets in a lame attempt at covering herself. ¡°Can¡¯t we just enjoy this?¡± he asked. She said nothing, ¡°Natalie, wait.¡± Armand sighed, but Natalie was already out of bed and looking for her clothes in the dark. The once romantic city lighting was now hiding her clothes from her view, and she turned her frustration back on him. ¡°No, Armand. We have work to do, and you know it.¡± She stood, draped in his sheet. She noticed that Armand had refused to cover himself, hard and ready, even as she looked at him. She didn¡¯t avert her gaze, but looking him in the eye was getting difficult. ¡°Where are the files?¡± she asked. ¡°In a PO box.¡± He answered. ¡°It is also almost two in the morning. There is nothing we can do until at least six.¡± Natalie stared at him with her lips pressed in a firm line, but finally, she had to admit that he was right. ¡°Fine.¡± She sat on the edge of the bed in a huff. Armand came up behind her, pulling her hair aside and kissing her neck. Natalie twisted away slightly, but not enough to deter him. ¡°So how will we pass the time?¡± he said, speaking into her skin and feeling her slowly relax as he paid her body more attention. His hand went over her hip, and as she opened her legs a little so he could explore further, he knew this fight was over. ¡°I know you wanted this body from the moment I saw you.¡± He said, cupping her sex and making Natalie press back against him. She parted her legs a little more to allow him deeper access, her arm coming up to find his shoulder, any part of Armand she could anchor herself to. ¡°But as soon as the sun is up, we get to work.¡± She tried to remind him, but Armand found her mouth and silenced her demands quickly. Chapter Four Natalie stared at her face in the mirror. She was dressed in the same clothes she had worn the day before, since the only option was to wear something of Armands, and that just wasn''t going to work. This iteration of her soul was too curvy. Natalie didn¡¯t mind the jeans and shirt combination, although the black seemed even darker against her almost colourless skin tone. She would need to go home and get dressed into something else at some point. She had always been more attracted to natural colours like green and blues than minimalistic colours like this, but that didn¡¯t always translate into her other lifetimes. ¡°Hey,¡± Armand announced before joining her, making eye contact through the mirror before kissing her shoulder. ¡°You left this on the floor by the door.¡± He handed her an apron with The Rhythm Fox printed on the corner and a few personal items in the pockets. ¡°Work uniform,¡± Natalie said, looking at her reflection again. Suddenly, the black-on-black clothing didn''t seem so terrible, and she held out hope that her regular wardrobe would hold fragments of her previous preferences. ¡°I think we are getting better at this.¡± She commented, taking the phone from the front of the apron and sliding it into a back pocket. She wished she had a wallet for the credit card and driver''s licence that sat loose with the phone, but for now, she would need to keep them like this. ¡°Remember in the beginning when we wouldn¡¯t even remember our names.¡± she reminisced with a soft smile. Natalie returned to staring at her face in the mirror and was relieved that she could have a natural hair colour this time. Natalie could easily adjust to most of the new ways of whatever lifetime she was given, but the chemical smell of hair products would always make her nose itch. ¡°And it was far harder to find them out because there was barely a register for births back in the old country. Now I know everything about you from one little plastic card.¡± Armand smirked, and Natalie felt something relax in her gut. No matter what lifetime they were in, the changes to his face and body, that smirk survived it all. It seemed to be built into his DNA. ¡°You know everything about me?¡± she asked, looking at him through the mirror as she gathered her hair in her hands. ¡°Natalie Rocher, born twenty-eighth of May 1992.¡± Armand relaxed against the door frame as Natalie brought out the driver¡¯s licence to check his memory against the details written. ¡°Not an organ donor, live at apartment fifty-two, no twenty-five¡­¡± he quickly corrected himself before Natalie could do it for him. ¡°and apparently this¡­¡± he came over and tapped at the s under conditions. ¡°means you wear glasses.¡± Natalie frowned. ¡°I can see just fine.¡± She told him, and Armand just shrugged. ¡°Maybe you have contacts.¡± Armand seemed to have an answer for everything. She flipped the card to the back, turned it around again and shrugged. ¡°Well, since I am no longer a mystery to you, let¡¯s see what you have.¡± Armand handed over his own card. ¡°This isn¡¯t a licence.¡± She told him. ¡°Proof of age card?¡± she read the title out loud to herself. ¡°Maybe I was a dangerous criminal in this life.¡± Natalie smiled, but let Armand go on because she could see he had been working on this story for a little while. He constantly adjusted to the changes faster than she did. His memory of the laws and way of this timeline seemed to be a gift from Nosferatu to make their journey easier. She wasn''t sure what extra gift she had been granted. Maybe she was just an anchor to keep Armand on track. ¡°The ultimate bad guy. I didn¡¯t start off that way. Just looking for a way to make a little something in the world and ended up owing some favours to street thugs. To pay off the debt I became their getaway driver for bank heists.¡± ¡°Armand, I don¡¯t think bank heists are relevant¡­¡± she tried, but he silenced her with a firm shake of his head. ¡°Bank heists.¡± He repeated, and Natalie just nodded. ¡°First time I was fourteen, and could barely reach the steering wheel.¡± Natalie laughed and gave him the card back by firmly pushing it into his chest before giving it one last look over. ¡°Or maybe you lived in the city your whole life and never needed to learn.¡± He grinned at Natalie as kissed him quickly. ¡°Well Mr. Nepomuceno, I like both versions of that story.¡± but her eyes gave away her concerns. Armand knew her better than she gave him credit for. ¡°Natalie what¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked her. ¡°It''s nothing.¡± She turned her focus back to the mirror, pulling her hair up into an elegant French twist before she sighed and had to settle for a ponytail. She was lucky to have something to secure it with at all. Natalie didn¡¯t usually pull her hair back at work, and the elastic she had found wrapped around Armand¡¯s pen had been a happy accident. ¡°You were born in 1985.¡± Armand frowned. ¡°So. You don¡¯t like older men?¡± he was trying to lighten the mood, but Natalie refused to let him. . "After you had been killed during a mugging, I drowned myself only seven days later.¡± It was simply part of the curse. Once they found death, a new life would start, and somehow, no matter where they came from, they would be brought back together, the mental switch would flip, and they could start working again. If one died without the other, it got a little complicated. Armand and Natalie had died over and over for centuries. If anything she could count on in the future, death could be easily found in modern times and relatively painless if she felt like it. Drugs, or what she had once thought were poisons, were sold in every city of the world. ¡°It took longer than before." It was obvious to her, and she was sure Armand considered it as well, but she couldn''t help but feel the flutter of tension settle back in her stomach. It was a pattern she had noticed for a little while now, but this was the longest break she could remember. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°Natalie¡­¡± Armand opened his arms out to her, and she turned into them, hiding her face in his chest as his hands soothed her back. ¡°I still found you.¡± He whispered, kissing the top of her head, and she managed to nod against his chest. ¡°And I always will.¡± ¡°I know but, what if someday you don¡¯t, or you can¡¯t? What if we somehow find a life where we don¡¯t end up together?¡± Natalie looked up at him, tears forming in her eyes. ¡°That could never happen.¡± ¡°You sound so sure.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Well, I believe in the power that got us into this mess. We are giving up our lives, denying our souls rest to save the world. It is a noble thing to do, and we should be impressed with how far we have come.¡± Armand smiled gently. ¡°And you are too stubborn to let me just claim the credit without doing the work. You will always find me, because who else will do the heavy lifting?¡± Natalie smiled and hugged him tightly around the middle. ¡°I like you for more than just heavy lifting.¡± She teased. ¡°Oh?¡± Armand smirked, and she knew that look. The look that survived centuries and would always make any room, in any building, in any city, her home no matter when she woke up. She breathed in the unfamiliar scents of his apartment and his aftershave, but that smirk made them seem like a welcoming home gift. ¡°You are a great maker of sandwiches.¡± She joked, and Armand chuckled. ¡°I mean now they have USB sticks, so the files aren¡¯t as thick as they once were. Heavy listing hasn''t been a concern for a few long rotations." She jokingly reminded him. "I had to find a new use for you.¡± They kissed, and for now, Natalie was content. as Armand closed the Apartment door behind them. "I am curious," Armand began, leading the way out of the room, and Natalie trailed after him as they headed for the door. "Why do our memories of our lives take longer to hit us, but how this world works doesn''t?" Natalie pondered the question. It wasn''t the first time Armand had raised the issue, but this time she felt a glimmer of insight. "Well, we''re reminded of the world because it doesn¡¯t move as quickly as our personalities do," she ventured. It was a speculative answer, yet at this moment, it was the most logical explanation that aligned with some semblance of scientific sense. "Our memories of the world, its laws, and social cues are repetitive and directly connected to our past lives. But you," she paused, studying him and acknowledging that his current form bore little resemblance to the man who had forsaken eternal blessings to embark on this journey with her. "Armand..." she corrected herself swiftly. "He''s not the same guy he was four years ago, or even three months ago. Personalities change with age. Laws take longer," she summarised. Armand considered her response and eventually nodded. "It''s better than any theory I could come up with." "What did you think of?" she inquired, descending the stairs to the street below, casually taking his hand because she could. Her hand naturally belonged in his, regardless of the body she currently inhabited. "I thought I''d ask you." He grinned at her chuckle, responding with a mock dismayed shake of her head. "I know you''re the beauty and the brains of this operation. For a long time, I was just the muscle to keep you alive." Natalie shrugged. "I think you''ve learned a lot over the lifetimes. I believe that we''re on pretty even footing in the brains department now." "And the beauty?" Armand teased. "Oh, I still hold onto that title very comfortably," Natalie smiled as he pulled her closer, their lips barely meeting before a shout from a passing stranger interrupted the moment. ¡°This is where you were?¡± Ryan asked. He was still dressed in the same clothes from last night, just like Natalie was, except he had not had a few hours of peaceful sleep that Natalie had managed with Armand. It took a second for her to place his face, and the sudden gut-wrenching feeling as the memory knocked her back off her feet. She winced as Ryan stared at her. Panting, barely in control of himself, and still, he was giving her the opportunity to speak. This boy didn¡¯t deserve this, but how could she explain that she was really a soul-hoping entity who was racing against the clock in an effort to save the world before they died again? He wouldn¡¯t believe her, and Natalie wouldn¡¯t blame him. ¡°Ryan, I¡¯m sorry.¡± She said, and Natalie was. ¡°These things happen.¡± ¡°They don¡¯t just happen.¡± Ryan accused, and that anger she had witnessed last night came pushing through the fog. ¡°You told me that he was a friend Natalie. You promised me that he wasn¡¯t anything to worry about.¡± Natalie was compelled to swallow down the bile that threatened to come up as she was forced to take all of this data in a sudden shove instead of the slow process she was accustomed to. His hand came up, finger pointed, intending to poke her in the chest, when Armand stepped in to stop it. ¡°Look, Kid, let it go and move on.¡± Ryan looked at Armand, standing taller and fuelled by anger. Ryan managed to look intimidating, but Armand had time on his side. He knew how to handle himself, just like he had done in the club last night. They did switch lives and bodies every thirty years or so, but some characteristics never changed. Armand would always be level-headed in a crisis, and that was why Natalie had first fallen in love with him. ¡°I told you to stay away from her.¡± He moved his focus from Natalie to Armand. ¡°If you were giving the lady what she needed then she wouldn¡¯t have come to me in the first place.¡± Armand shot back. Natalie couldn¡¯t believe that Armand had said that, and it seemed that even Ryan was a little rocked in his bravado as he digested the insult. Ryan was a sweet and sensitive young man, and she didn¡¯t want this to haunt the rest of his life. ¡°Armand, get us a taxi.¡± And after a lasting glare at Ryan, Armand moved off to do as she told him. She knew the last glare wasn¡¯t a warning to Ryan or even a showing off. Armand just wanted to make sure he would be the target if this got physical. Natalie took a slow breath and watched as Armand took only four steps away from her and pretended to be waiting for a taxi to appear magically. ¡°Ryan, I am sorry.¡± Natalie apologised again, knowing she could never say sorry enough, but she still kept saying it in the hopes that it would make him feel better. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything you did or didn¡¯t do. We just aren¡¯t right for each other.¡± Natalie sighed, hugging herself because she felt nauseous. ¡°You know it¡¯s true.¡± Ryan shook his head. ¡°No, Nat, we are perfect for each other. I know it. I knew it from the first time I saw you that we were perfect together.¡± Natalie smiled softly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± It was all she could say as she turned to join Armand, who was waiting with a taxi door open. Ryan grabbed her hand and forced her to turn back towards him. The sudden movement made the world spin; the morning struggle of the sunrise made everything lose focus momentarily as Natalie thought she was about to pass out. Before she could fall, Armand was there, pulling her to safety and holding Ryan back at arm¡¯s length. ¡°Be smart about this,¡± Armand warned him, and when Ryan said nothing, he decided that would be the best he would get. Backing away at first and only turning his back on Ryan when he had to, the pair struggled into the back seat of a taxi and gave directions to a postal security box across town. Chapter Five The walls of the underground hideout were green and cream tiles with elegant archways framing the broader spaces. Over time, some of the tiles had been chipped away and missing, but deep in the belly of the tunnel, hidden from the main path and obscure tourists, was their little protected sanctuary. The walls were decorated by the occasional roots of the fig trees that lined Hyde Park above them, snaking through the concrete and tiles in their search for life. Trains rushed past them at a distance, creating a false wind that would flow through their own living space, but over the years, Armand found that he was more relaxed by the noise than concerned. He can not believe how quickly technology has evolved over time, and Armand wondered if a time will come when they would no longer be in physical bodies. The rise of AI and hybrids seemed to be a scientific certainty these days instead of a fever dream. At one end, there was a black lake, created from the bad planning of the city, and at the other, bomb shelters and old bunkers that had been used for a long-forgotten RAAF operation. Their little corner was just out of sight and, so far, had never been disturbed. Armand had installed a bed, a bathroom that was complete with a shower and flushing toilet, and their little kitchenette because home cooking was still Natalie''s preferred way of preparing a meal. If not for his partner, Armand would have changed more of their secret space, but Natalie could never let him completely upgrade their sanctuary and leave all the old-world charm behind. Natalie was sitting by candlelight, staring at the computer screen with her chin resting in her hand. There was electricity down here in the abandoned train tunnels that ran under Sydney, but Natalie liked to work with candle light ¡°I thought we were further along than this.¡± She murmured to herself, and Armand pretended again that he didn¡¯t hear her. He knew she was disappointed with their notes, but nothing could be done about it. Taking her glasses off and inspected them again with a slight grimace. There was a lot to be desired in this lifetime. Her usual likes had not made a large impact, and her glasses'' bright frames seemed to be a personal affront. Armand sat at a pile of newspapers, slowly looking through them and trying to find patterns or outcries that might give the pair a new starting point. When Natalie sighed again, he rose out of the comfortable chair and headed over to their little bar fridge. She had protested the fridge once upon a time, but when he poured her a glass of wine from the bottle and presented the cool drink to her, he knew that she appreciated his long-ago efforts to convert the unfinished train tunnel into something that resembled a proper living space. It was getting dangerous to leave their information just sitting around. Once upon a time, there had been files and records of information just sitting in boxes. A small stick of digital information left in a box for years was not so odd and far more accessible. Modern technology was a godsend, even if Natalie liked to pretend they didn¡¯t need it. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Natalie took her time with that first sip of wine, letting the fruity flavours settle on her tongue before she swallowed. ¡°I just thought we had more.¡± She sighed again. ¡°You will work it out.¡± He promised with a kiss on her forehead. ¡°And then we will save the world.¡± Natalie smiled to herself. ¡°I remember when we were both young and believed that we could make a difference.¡± She stopped staring at the computer and looked up at Armand. ¡°We really did think that joining that cult meant something progressive and exhilarating.¡± Armand sat on the desk. ¡°I still feel like it was the best decision I ever made. It got me to you. We have a life no one else can imagine, and it isn¡¯t a lonely one.¡± He pointed out, and Natalie found herself nodding. ¡°I know that, but Nostradamus was a mysterious and enigmatic man. He spoke about things we never should be aware of, ideas too big for us even to comprehend then and barely make sense even now. It is a lot of pressure.¡± Natalie sipped her wine again. ¡°What if they picked the wrong people? What if we misunderstood his words?¡± ¡°You need to stop thinking about what might be Natalie and start thinking about what is. The world is full of distractions. I need you to stop wondering and start knowing.¡± Armand caught her chin with his hand and forced her to look up at him. ¡°Whatever is coming, we can handle it. But we won¡¯t be doing the world any favours if we stop working.¡± Natalie¡¯s resolve grew, and she nodded, setting her drink down. ¡°You are right Armand. Thank you.¡± She got up from the desk. ¡°Here, you look at the files while I go back through the newspapers.¡± Armand didn¡¯t argue; he just let her change direction and hoped it would be distracting enough to engage her. Natalie was not acting like herself, and Armand was concerned about how this would affect the mission. Usually, she would be all over the case files and look up the smallest of leads. Twice now, she had been close to hysterics, challenging the very thing that brought them together in the first place. Rescuing her wine from the table, he set it before her. ¡°Let me know if there I anything else you need,¡± Armand said, and when she gave a gruff noise in response, Armand wandered back to his assignment. Armand would always be her protector while he had picked up a thing or two from her over the years. Nothing would change his feelings towards her or his desire to keep her safe. Armand was starting to feel the first tiny seeds of doubt. Never did he need to consider it before now, but Armand would be a fool if he weren''t concerned with just how well he could protect Natalie from herself. Chapter Six Natalie coughed loudly, causing Armand to swing on his chair. ¡°Oh, here it is.¡± She said, raising the paper off the stack she had been sorting through. ¡°An asteroid has been found, and it is significant enough to cause the kinds of effects we know about the dinosaur era.¡± She exclaimed, looking for Armand, but he was already approaching her to look over the article. ¡°They say it is going to miss us.¡± Armand pointed out, seeing the words only seconds after he started reading, but it seemed that his observation only ruffled her further. ¡°Well, of course, that is what they are going to say, Armand.¡± She shook her head as if he should know better. ¡°if they announced now that there was an asteroid heading towards Earth and might kill us all we would have rioting in the streets.¡± "If we have learnt anything, then immediate death starts with roits but ends in orgies." Natalie turned to look at him; one eyebrow raised. He dipped his head as a sign of an apology. Armand nodded. ¡°Ok, so what do we do now boss?¡± He asked, already feeling better about her attitude. She was showing all of those old signs he had been missing. The rush she got when she discovered a new lead and the absolute determination on her face. He had seen her wearing every skin colour, and every assortment of features to create her face, but they could never hide this expression from him. ¡°We need to get to Parkes. They have some of the best telescopes in the southern hemisphere.¡± Natalie paused in her thoughts for a moment. ¡°We will need false id badges and credentials.¡± Armand kissed her on the side of the head, forceful and sudden, so she was forced to move with it. She only barely kept her feet under her. ¡°That¡¯s my girl.¡± He had complimented her before Armand moved off to do precisely as she had asked. It felt good to be busy, and Natalie was starting to get into the swing of things. While Armand goes to work on IDs and paperwork, she hit the internet and started finding the best ways to get to Parkes. Lucky for them, they were relatively close. She retrieved the credit card from her pocket and sighed. She really should have been saving more. Natalie always wished she had saved a little more before their meeting moved their goals forward. Before waking up, Natalie had only an elementary life. Middle of the range high school grades, and no drive to be much more than what she was. She worked at Mcdonald''s until she was twenty-two and then got her RSA so she could serve beer in bars. After some job hopping, Natalie had finally settled down in The Rhythm Fox. She lived in a nice apartment and spent more money than she should have on things she didn¡¯t need. Unfortunately, she did not like the slowly accumulating debt of having a credit card. It had been a bank error that had worked in her favour and got her the credit card in the first place. Putting the numbers in now to pay for the flights, Natalie knew they needed a better plan to help save money while they were sleeping - a word they used to describe the time before they found each other. They had tried it before, hiding cash, but people tended to find money and spend it. This was a digital age now, but death would still impact their digital savings. Natalie checked the time. They still had a couple of hours before their flight. Quickly, she focused on the computer and got into her online banking. She started a new account, depositing most of her savings into it and then looked into the policies surrounding bank accounts and what happens in the account holder''s death.
¡°What are you doing?¡± Armand asked her. ¡°Starting a savings account. It has decent interest, and I''m figuring out how I can reclaim it when Natalie dies.¡± Armand nodded, but Natalie caught that mischievous glint in his eye, and she sighed. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Oh, nothing. It''s a great plan, one that I bet we''ll really need someday.¡± Armand smiled to himself, attempting to hide it but failing. ¡°I just think my plan is better.¡± Natalie pushed away from the desk, putting her hands behind her head. ¡°Oh, and what plan is that, Armand?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to come back as a rock star. Free jet and amazing cars just waiting for us to use.¡± He grinned, but Natalie didn''t reciprocate the smile. ¡°But now we have this as a backup, which is also a great plan.¡± Natalie barely managed not to roll her eyes at him. ¡°Well, until we get a free rock star jet, we are flying in about two hours to Parkes. It¡¯s only an hour-long flight, so I''m sure you can handle coach, Mr. Rock Star.¡± Armand leaned in, a teasing glint in his eyes. ¡°Remember when it was so much easier to travel around?¡± he signed, seemingly wanting to reminisce. ¡°It is certainly easier now to fake the paperwork than ever before. I¡¯m not so sure though if travel is much safer.¡± Once, there was a time when women were not even allowed to be seen without their husbands. Armand was tied to her for that purpose alone. Now, a single woman could fly the globe if she so chose. She knew it wasn''t perfect, but as someone who witnessed the rising fight for equal rights and women''s suffrage, she trusted that humanity was on the right track. She reached for Armand''s hand. "I''ll always need a travel partner." she promised him. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡­¡­¡­¡­ CSIRO Parkes Observatory looked exactly how Natalie had expected it to be. Clean buildings in the centre of a security fence. Tall eucalyptus trees stood at attention. Natalie had been expecting more firepower, yet the fence separating the road from the main path to the observatory was low and almost casual. A simple no-entry sign marked the post; that was all the security it needed. Even from the main building, it was very easy to see the satellite dish. The sixty-four-meter radio telescope was grand, and as it shimmered back rays of light into her eyes, Natalie was struck by its mechanical beauty. She did not love the modern age as much as Armand did, although she enjoyed the many new achievements that made life easier. This was the first time she had seen something made by man that actually reminded her more of art than a necessary device. It was beautiful. Armand got out of the car first, coming around to open Natalie¡¯s door when she stopped him with a look. They were pretending to be American scientists, and while it was sweet when Armand still had some of those old-school flairs about him, it certainly did not look professional. So he waited, hands behind his back, and did not take her hand when she arrived beside him. Outside the building stood an older woman, her hair pulled back into a bun and wearing typical clothes. While there were sections of the laboratories where coats would be worn, most of the people who worked here just enjoyed casual clothes far more often. ¡°Hello, I am Doctor Elizabeth Grant. I am so sorry for the mix-up.¡± She apologized again, and Natalie recognized her voice as the woman she had spoken to on the phone. ¡°It is quite alright. We are only human after all.¡± Natalie joked, and Armand chuckled along with her, which caused Elizabeth to join in, although clearly she was flustered. The sudden phone call announcing that two American scientists were on their way to Parkes was not entirely unexpected. After all, many people from all over the world came to the observatory. It wasn¡¯t just the best in the Southern Hemisphere but also one of the best in the world. It had been the news they would be landing in an hour that had forced her to try and stay calm under pressure. Elizabeth had personally scanned their profiles, and it was clear that the codes the two scientists gave them were correct. It immediately appeared that someone had forgotten to file the paperwork away correctly. It had been embarrassing to admit, and Elizabeth felt she owed them something more than just greeting them at the door. ¡°So, how long will you be staying?¡± she asked. ¡°As long as we need too.¡± Armand interrupted, moving past the woman to the open door. ¡°But if the findings we have are correct then hopefully we won¡¯t be taking up too much space here.¡± He chuckled, but no one else seemed to enjoy his pun, so he didn¡¯t try and force it. ¡°And what are your findings?¡± Elizabeth asked, easing the door closed behind Natalie as she followed Armand into the building. Natalie was better at play acting than Armand, but seeing him dismiss her and take on this scientist persona made her want to laugh. She was glad that she stood behind the absolute expert in the room. ¡°We have been tracking an asteroid,¡± Armand answered, the trio banding together so his story could be heard equally between the women, although Natalie had heard it before. She had created the little cover story for their operation, but as progressive as this world had become, Natalie quickly assigned him the vital role. Armand never questioned her old-fashioned habits. Let the man do all the talking and negotiations in person. Natalie was his right-hand man and observed everything. ¡°It was discovered only a few short days ago, and quickly determined by our tracking systems to be heading towards Earth but it should miss us.¡± Armand continued, and Elizabeth nodded, looking for confirmation from Natalie, but she didn¡¯t seem to need to add anything to the conversation. ¡°My assistant and I have reason to believe that the trajectory might be underestimated, and the asteroid will hit Earth at a staggering speed of 30,000mph.¡± Elizabeth paused for a second in her step, shocked. ¡°That would be as if a megaton bomb went off.¡± She gasped, and Natalie nodded. ¡°Many scientists back home seem to think that with the atmosphere as it is, then it will pass through the ozone layer and be slowed and damaged enough that the final impact will not be as damaging as we both fear it will be.¡± Armand continued, sure to keep the conversation on the script. ¡°We have fantastic surveillance at home for this kind of work, but we both know that your machines here are better.¡± Elizabeth smiled, proud of her home base and the historical influence that the Parkes Observatory had already played long before she got here. ¡°As I told Natalie over the phone, we are happy to help in any way we can.¡± She leads them to an observation room. ¡°This is Ted and Nathan. They are our leading techs available for you to use as you need them.¡± The men stood, one with light oriental features and the other seemed to be European. Australia had always been multicultural, but with the observatory''s pull, they got applications from all over the world, even when looking for cleaners. Armand offered his hand first, introducing himself before Natalie followed his lead. Ted, who was named Theodore but hated the name, was more senior than Nathan, but it didn¡¯t make a difference to Armand or Natalie. They could do all of this themselves if they needed to. It was part of the programming that came with their lives. There was not a single unknown element in this world to them. They could perform brain surgery and change a tire. Whatever was needed to survive was automatically made available to them. A distinct advantage over the rest of the world was using all the advances in one mind. Unfortunately, the world¡¯s knowledge was scattered worldwide, and very rarely did the right circumstances allow the right minds to converse in just the right way to make pivotal changes to the world. But Armand had told Natalie that taking over the computers at Parke¡¯s would be rude, and after some consideration, she needed to agree. So instead, she would read their findings and look for the truth in the numbers she sent them to find. Chapter Seven It was a long day before they even got to the observatory for the fourth day in a row, and now Natalie was finding it hard to concentrate as she looked down at the printout sent automatically to the iPad she had been given. She missed the feeling of leather and paper. ¡°Hey, it is Dr. Rocher right?¡± Nathan came and sat beside her in an empty chair. ¡°You can just call me Natalie,¡± Natalie said, accepting the coffee he offered her. She had not asked for this coffee, so straight away, she was expecting Nathan to ask her questions. She knew from experience that he had just brought the coffee over here, looking for an excuse to talk to her. ¡°Natalie.¡± He repeated the name softly, and the accent changed the way her name sounded just a little, but she couldn¡¯t quite place where he was from. The slant in his eyes and her skin tone gave away only so much, and it seemed rude to ask. ¡°How long have you been working with Dr. Nepomuceno? He asked her, sipping his coffee cautiously. ¡°It feels like thousands of years.¡± She smiled at her joke, looking over to see that Armand and Ted were in a serious discussion about whatever the information was saying on the screen in front of them. ¡°But it has just been a few weeks.¡± She admitted to Nathan. ¡°We kind of got brought together because we have the same differing opinions on this asteroid, and when no one else wanted to discuss the possibilities of it, well it was only a matter of time.¡± Nathan nodded. ¡°You two seem really comfortable around each other. I thought he might be your um¡­¡± Natalie chuckled and shook her head. ¡°We are what we are.¡± She smiled. Boyfriend and husband were such small things in their lives together that the labels felt useless to describe what Armand meant to her. They had been married several times when they had been lucky enough to survive that long together. Once upon a time, it had been vital to her, and he was dutiful in fulfilling her every desire. Now, she was a little wiser and knew no one would ever find the right word to describe him for her, so why bother trying to make these labels stick? ¡°So that means you are single?¡± Nathan asked, and that stopped Natalie in her little daydream trip down memory lane. ¡°Um, technically, yes,¡± she answered. ¡°But I just broke up with someone, it was pretty serious, and I¡¯m just not looking for anyone right now.¡± She felt the lie being said with the same surety she had said everything else. This was not her first time being hit on by someone who wasn¡¯t Armand, and it wouldn¡¯t be the last. Drawing on the emotions of Ryan¡¯s outburst just made it easy to say. If there were any other follow-up questions, she wouldn¡¯t be lying. This girl she had been before the zing had happened had been in a relationship for eight months before Armand came along, and Ryan had been important to her. He just wasn¡¯t all that important to her now. Nathan nodded. ¡°it probably wouldn¡¯t have worked out anyway.¡± He said, sipping his coffee. ¡°Why not?¡± Natalie asked. ¡°Well, after this you are going back to America, right?¡± ¡°Oh yeah, of course.¡± She almost wanted to say that next time, she might be a little more available for at least a tour of Parke but was luckily rescued from that terrible mistake by Armand calling her name. ¡°Excuse me.¡± She rose and headed over to where he was standing with Ted. ¡°What did you guys find?¡± ¡°Exactly what they said at NASA,¡± Armand said, and Natalie¡¯s eyebrows frowned. ¡°I checked the trajectories twice, and we ran every variable we can think off, and the only way that thing is going to hit Earth if it aliens intervene.¡± ¡°And there was no sight of aliens?¡± Natalie¡¯s voice must have sounded too hopeful at the prospect since both men raised an eyebrow in her direction. ¡°It was a joke.¡± She murmured, glad she had the coffee to distract her from her attempt at humour. This was why she let Armand be the funny one. He was naturally good at it. ¡°No, no aliens,¡± Armand said and pressed his fingers into the bridge of his nose. ¡°This is not the news we were hoping for.¡± He said, eyes closed, and Natalie nodded. ¡°I can run a few more statistics for you. We will be tracking the nature of its course, but it is classified as a Rank One on the scale right now, so there isn¡¯t much chance of an impact.¡± Ted seemed awkward at Armand¡¯s display of emotion. This was affecting him, but not for the reasons that Ted assumed. Natalie was never tempted to tell others about their unique position. No one would believe them, and it would be a wasted effort regardless. They were desperate to find the solution to save the human race and ensure that Nostrodarmus'' vision never came to pass. They had both thought this was it. Finally, their souls could rest together. Natalie had been so sure that this was their doomsday that Armand had not stopped to question it. She was their brains and powered their drive. When Natalie said this was it, he had to believe her because that was how it went. Never before had she been so confident about something, yet still here they were with just another failed attempt to save the world. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Armand took the coffee from her hand, set it aside, and took Natalie''s hand gently. ¡°Come on. We should get to the hotel and sleep before flying out tomorrow.¡± She was aware enough to keep on her persona for their audience, blinking into Armand''s eyes. ¡°Thank you for the help. I will be sure to leave a good recommendation for you both whenever you need it.¡± She pulled on Armand¡¯s sleeve, and he gently took her arm and followed him out obediently. She stayed in this moving coma to the car, getting into the passenger side without too much prompting. No one had seen them out, and Natalie was glad for it because she wasn¡¯t sure if other people would be as polite as Ted and Nathan had been. ¡°Are you ok?¡± Armand asked quietly, the car travelling so smoothly on the roads that it was easy to have a hushed conversation. ¡°I really thought this was the one,¡± Natalie said, and she sighed, looking out the window. He took her hand blindly and laid it on his thigh, putting his hand over hers and squeezing it. She let him take the comfort while he continued to drive. It was a country road with very little traffic. ¡°I checked all the findings twice, Natalie." He reassured her. "I really checked. I ensured he was inputting all of the information exactly like I told him to do, and none of it worked like I thought it would.¡± Natalie nodded. ¡°We have been through this before, Armand." Natalie''s voice sounded far away despite her statement, "We have followed leads that eventually lead to nowhere. We need to get back to our files and get back into it." She looked out the window and kept her hand on his thigh as she watched the world go past. ¡°This is our purpose Natalie." Armand gently told her. "And the end of days is coming. We can¡¯t be sure when or how exactly, but we need to trust the teaching of Nostradamus and interpret his words to guide us. I am pretty sure that is the gist of the speech you gave me only a few days ago.¡± Armand sighed and squeezed her hand. ¡°I haven¡¯t given up on the mission Natalie. I was just ready for it to be over.¡± ¡°Do you tire of me Armand?¡± Natalie asked in a voice so softly that he was not sure if she had spoken at all. ¡°No, Natalie. Oh no. I adore you.¡± He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her. ¡°No, never could I want to be away from you. I am ready for us to just live. That is all, Natalie. Once we save the world, then we can finally live out one typical lifetime together. I really want to grow old with you.¡± He seemed attached to that idea, and Natalie didn¡¯t want to argue against it. Privately, it was the same goal she was attached to as well. They drove silently and parked outside the hotel they had been staying at. Neither made a move to leave the car just yet. ¡°We have lived many more years like this together than we could ever have in a single lifetime.¡± Natalie was quiet as she spoke, playing with her nails, and Armand nodded. ¡°I have also seen you die many times.¡± He said, and Natalie had to agree that witnessing Armand die had never been a highlight of this existence. She didn¡¯t like the grisly death she would often have to inflict on herself after he died just to ensure they could find each other again in the next life. ¡°Burned at the stake for witchcraft was not a good look for you.¡± He interrupted her thoughts. ¡°When is it a good look on anyone?¡± She sighed. ¡°Not knowing if you had been killed during the first world war was the worst for me. Every day, just waiting and terrified that I would never find you againb, that I had waited too long, and somehow our souls would miss each other next time.¡± Natalie took a calming breath, feeling that claustrophobic panic arising again was all too familiar from when he had been missing during the war. ¡°I have forgotten what you look like.¡± He admitted after just a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°In the beginning, I was easier to see you behind every new face,¡± Armand said, and Natalie nodded. ¡°In the beginning, it seemed we were going to be stuck in our little part of the world so we kept our own ethnicity at least.¡± Natalie chuckled, but there was no humour in it. ¡°I don¡¯t remember your original face anymore, either. It has just been too long. But I do remember the time when you wanted to die because my boobs were too small.¡± She playfully accused, starting to feel a little more natural as they sat in the car. ¡°You said it was to make sure I didn¡¯t feel emasculated over my dick.¡± Armand laughed at the memory. ¡°I didn¡¯t kill myself.¡± he reminded her. ¡°And I still worshipped you, small dick and all, for five years.¡± She chuckled, and the noise seemed to chase away the last doubts. Armand nodded, his tone sober even though he was smiling. ¡°But that is all we get Natalie. Five years here, three over there. I think the longest we got was twenty that one time when we were in the south of France.¡± Natalie smiled, turning to face him. The seat allowed her to cuddle into the thin cushioning, seeking its warmth as if it could offer something of what Armand had. ¡°I want more than that.¡± He seemed to be talking to himself as he stared out the front window. ¡°Me too.¡± She sighed. ¡°And we will have it. We have to be rewarded for this sacrifice. That was what we were promised. Eternal happiness, or something.¡± Natalie yawned. ¡°It was so long ago I hardly remember any of the ritual.¡± Armand nodded. ¡°We should leave the car before you fall asleep.¡± Natalie shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not going to carry you.¡± Natalie smiled, put the small USB stick out of her pocket and placed it inside her bra. ¡°You will be moving the files. That is your job remember.¡± Armand saluted her, his arm rigid and posed. The action jokingly meant, but his body remembered the training from the years he had served the armed forces during all the significant battles. She didn¡¯t like it. But Natalie said nothing as he bounded out of the car and came to collect her from the seat. "Only for the safety of the files." he commented as she tucked into him.