"Hey Rhett."
Cerberus entered the shop.
"Hey man. How've you been?"
They did their handshake and laughed.
"You still know it."
"Of course. Did you think I forgot you?"
"No, just figured you might have some hard feelings."
"Nah, man. You know me. I don't hold grudges or hard feelings."
"I know, but you know."
"I know. I'm just about to close up, you wanna get drinks somewhere?"
"I'd love to. I see you spiced it up."
"Yeah, I put my heart into this place."
"I see. Can you show me more?"
"Sure."
Rhett showed Cerberus his shop and garage.
"You wanna see what I added to my knife
collection?"
"You still collect those?"
"Of course, but I don't use 'em anymore."
They both laughed as they walked into the basement.
"Do you still cycle?"
Cerberus shook his head.
"Not anymore. My bike got stolen."
"That's a shame. Where do you live?"
"I live with Piggy now."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I thought you hated him."
"He's alright, I guess."
"Man, I remember how you used to complain and nag about him and-"
"Yeah yeah, I know. I guess i grew up."
"Did you?"
Rhett looked at Cerberus' knuckles.
"Okay, maybe not completely grown up. I'm getting there though. At least that's what Francis told me."
"Yeah, how is she?"
Rhett handed Cerberus knives at they talked about their lives.
"Oh right, shit. Do you remember Angel?"
"Yeah, he's a good guy. What's up with him?"
"He uh passed away."
"Damn. He was a good guy. Both in his work and as a person. How did he..?"
"He was shot."
-
I sat in my chair, reading a book and letting my body rest after my training.
Xenon rushed into my room.
I looked up, not feeling too excited to see him.
"What do you want?"
"Alexandra."
"What? How dare you-"
"Aleksei is here."
I immediately straightened my posture.
"Why is he here?"
"He's here for Neville."
I put my book down, feeling nauseous.
"Are you okay?"
"Leave me alone, please."
Xenon walked out.
Insects crawled under my skin.
My head spiraling, my insides clenching together.
Insects turned to fire ants.
My scars and wounds burning.
My heart yearning.
Would Neville be learning?
I snapped out of it.
-
Unknown texted Leo.
'I'm out front.'
He tapped on the steering wheel until she got in his car.
"Ready bud?"
"Always."
"Oh wait, Oligarch is calling me."
"Hmm?"
Leo picked up.
"Oligarch?"
"Yeah, Leo. You're with Unknown?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't leave. I got news, Aleksei is here."
"Aleksei is Neville's tutor, right?"
"Yeah, something like that. You cannot go to the Rabbit Hole."
"We can handle him."
"You can't. If you want to end up like Angel, go ahead. I warned you."
Oligarch hung up.
"What's up?"
"We can't go."
"Why?"
"Oligarch said we can't go because Aleksei is at the Rabbit Hole and apparently we can't handle him."
"We can."
"He said if we want to end up like Angel we should go."
"That's rude."
"He's rude."
"True."
"What do you wanna do?"
"Get your guns and your stamp booklet."
"Yeah!"