Page 2 of Remnants: Disruption
“Fuck,” I groan, my vision swimming back to the dark alleyway tucked between New Chicago’s best. The cold, wet stone of the alley presses into my palms.
“Arya?” Percy’s concerned voice is beside me, her warm hands on my back and shoulder.
I turn and am stupidly stunned by the way the Affliction lamps catch her brunette hair, giving her an ethereal glow. The slight messiness of the bun only makes her look more human and just as perfect.
“Arya?” she prompts, and I shake myself out of it. Her eyes wide with fear.
“Something’s wrong with my ability,” I grunt, hoping desperately that my stomach doesn’t revolt. I can taste the bile. “Or—”
“Or someone’s interfering?” Percy picks up on my line of reasoning immediately.
I let out a really gross hiccup, feeling the nausea cascade into my mouth. The taste of my own tongue is disgusting.
“Fuck,” I whisper, squeezing my eyes tight to ward off the way the ground wobbles.
Her hand makes warm, soothing circles on my back as her other hand helps me to sit back on my heels. My knees feel damp against the dirty alley. Her comforting perfume cuts through the otherwise trashy environment near dumpsters that haven’t been tended to in months.
“Come on,” she whispers, trying to pull me standing. I oblige, though taller and stronger than she is.
At six foot five, my fit build is only offset by my strikingly silver hair and eyes. So, it’s no wonder most of the officers detest me. If not for my proclivity for women or my appearance, they might actually at least tolerate me.
And they glare at me with this “what the hell, mutant?” expression as I put a steadying hand on Percy’s shoulder.
Her head comes just up to my ears at an impressive six foot. And, unfortunately, at this angle, I can smell the fruity soap she uses. And I can’t help but glance down her slender neck and naturally tan skin.
“Are you going to be okay?” she asks.
“I think so,” I say, knowing I’ve been less than useful this morning already. “I think it’s safe to say this isn’t a normal murder. Nothing interrupts my power. And gravity alone doesn’t do that to a person.”
“I can get behind that,” she says, her eyes not leaving my face. The amber irises flit around as if she might figure out why I’m malfunctioning.
Sorry, Percy, that’s just me.
“It’s four in the morning,” she says softly, “want to get a drink?”
“Sure,” I say, giving her a weak, but real grin.
“Don’t puke in the car,” she says with a ghost of a smile as she presses a hand into the small of my back. Her other gesturing back to the corpse.
One of the other officers gets the picture and leads the techs to the body, letting them finish their jobs.
“I’ll swallow, don’t worry,” I say, grateful that she lets out a soft guffaw at the innuendo.
As we reach the car, I turn to face the alley again while Percy rounds to the driver’s side. The sleek metal feels cold and steadying against my palms.
Nothing interferes with my powers. Nothing.
“Don’t worry,” Percy says, pulling open her door, “I’m still hiring you. How else will I deal with everyone else?”
I pull my own door open, smiling at her gratefully as I sit and strap in.
Her faith in me is misplaced, of course. Monsters don’t get their happy endings in New Chicago. Or anywhere in this post-Disruption world.
And they never get the girl they’ve been in love with for almost three years.
Chapter 2
Heart
