[EN] Unexpected Eletricity (an Apex Story)

Chapter 19

Octavio, Elliott and I were excused from participating in the Games for two weeks in a row to recover from our emotions and our injuries. Renee refused the two-week break, saying she did not need it. In truth, I know that the events have shaken her because she came to meet me in my room, one evening, to confide in me. She did not cry, but I had never seen her so much shocked. As for me, I have practiced extensively to master the use of my bionic arm, whether for my daily tasks or for the arena. I consider myself lucky to be able to benefit from the very best technology in terms of prostheses. Octavio was able to remove his cast recently and he has no aches anymore. When it comes to our psychological after-effects, we rely on each other to move on. I thought I was not good at talking about my emotions, but, unfortunately for him, Octavio is even worse. However, there is this special bond between us that allows us to read each other's thoughts. It comes in handy when one of us needs comfort, or just an attentive ear. Regarding Elliott, he stays true to himself and makes jokes about it, but I know he got very scared because he almost kicked the bucket.

We learned a few days after the attack, through police investigations, that it was specifically targeting Octavio. In addition to the four of us, being the witnesses to the case, Tae has also provided valuable information to the authorities to move the investigation forward. Apparently, he had discovered a few days before the events that something fishy was going on and that we could be targeted by an attack. He swore to me that he had no idea who would be stormed, or where, or when. It was only a few minutes before the incident that he decrypted crucial information and figured out what was to come, being the kidnapping of Octavio. For a ransom demand, or something, according to the police. I ignored his calls when he tried to call me, after he unsuccessfully tried to notify the main concerned person, but I do not think that would have changed the situation in any way. Afterward, Tae has been feeling guilty for keeping all of this information to himself because talking about it could have at least made us on our guard. He has been a little less cold and secret since then, and he even told us his real name. Before that, we just had to call him Crypto because he did not trust us enough.

We arrived two days ago at our new destination for the Games. Shortly after we arrived, Octavio surprised me and gave me a kitten, a white Persian with sapphire eyes, which I decided to call Nikola in honor of the electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. I have been feeling a little more relaxed since we have been here... I got to say that this change of environment is timely and will allow us to leave the negative of past events behind us. I will miss the canyons of Solace's Arena, but I find the environment of this new planet beautiful and so much more diversified in terms of scenery (1). I may have left our planet, Papa, but I will keep thinking of you as I gaze at the starry sky overhanging sulfide swamps, volcanic expanses and verdant plains of Talos.

Today we have our weekly game. I am looking at the screens announcing the teams, in the launch ship, and notice that I have been teamed up with Renee and Bloodhound, while Octavio is with Pathfinder and Mr. Nox.

''You know you can't help but make a disappointed pout every time you're not on his team? You can tell me if I'm that painful'', Renee told me with a deadpan attitude.

Renee is the only person who knows about me and Octavio. She is my best friend and the only person I trust enough to discuss about this. Meanwhile, Octavio did not tell anyone, as Elliott probably has a negative discretion level, if we had to quantify it.

''Oh stop, zat's not it'', I chuckle. "It's just zat I hate it, I don't know if I could shoot if I bumped into him in the arena."

I turn to Octavio, beside me.

"I don't think I could, mon amour."

"I couldn't either... Just the thought of inflicting you some pain... it terrifies me. All I want is to protect you, my Naty.''