[EN] Unexpected Eletricity (an Apex Story)

Chapter 22

For some time now, security measures become more flexible, and we are more or less free to do what we want. Unlike on Solace, the complex where the Legends reside is in a more remote location, although the nearest town is still very accessible. The landscapes that can be observed nearby are breathtaking, and today we took the opportunity to go camping, so we can spend time together and reconnect with nature.

Even the loners among us are there. Earlier, Bloodhound went looking for mushrooms and other ingredients, as a few of us got our camp ready for the night. They are now throwing pebbles onto the water to make them bounce, while listening to what Anita, Gibby and Che are talking about while sitting on the shore. Nox prepared the fire by adding a certain combustible liquid to speed up the process and make the wood easier to burn. I joked that we could add one of my stims to speed it up even more. He just sighed and gave me an endless monologue about the incompatibilities between substances that can change their chemical properties and cause reactions, and blah blah blah. I mean... Not my fault if you missed the point, Doc. He does not mingle too much with the others and is sipping a coffee by the fire, but hey, at least he is here, which makes Natalie happy. Tae is fiddling with his drone on the table where I am sitting with Witt and Pathfinder, although he sat at the very far end of it, so he is set back a bit. As for me, I used to be one of the people who isolated themselves a bit more from the group, because the only person I really spoke to was Che, but I have integrated more recently. My lack of self-confidence made me think I was uninteresting and disturbing to others, but I realized that deep down other people like me.

I smile as I watch Natalie prepare tonight's meal with Renee. The latter does not really enjoy cooking, but has been spending a lot of time with Nat lately. According to her, Renee seeks to avoid Witt and Pathfinder, who she used to hang out with quite often. My sweetheart looks up at me and smiles back, as I give her two thumbs up.

"It's amazin' to see you happy like that, my guy", Witt said, patting me on the shoulder.

"Hey, thank you, amigo! It's true that things are much better now.''

''Yeah and looks like it's going really well with Nat. D'you think she's the one?''

''Frankly, yeah'', I responded immediately.

''It's cool! Hey... How d'you know, if I can ask you that?''

''I dunno, man... You can feel that kinda thing, that's all. I couldn't have answered that before knowing Nat, actually, 'cause I'd never experienced it.''

Witt nods silently, as if he wants me to elaborate further.

"Look... When you find your person, you share a special bond with them. It's kinda like they're a part of ya, and then, when the person isn't there with ya, you feel like there's... a void. 'Cause there's a part of you that's missing, that makes you incomplete, ya know. And amigo... you have no fricking idea how much I miss this girl when she's not around.''

I take a sip of my beer, before continuing :

''And then again, I know it might sound crazy, but sometimes I miss her when she's right next to me. Can you imagine? There are mornings where I'm waiting for her to wake up'', I said, before putting my hand next to my mouth and whispering ''because hey, this chica takes forever to wake up''.

I let escape a playful laugh and then, continue with my usual voice tone :

''... and I realize I miss her. Like... I miss her voice, the lil accent she has, the way she looks at me like I'm the only thing she really sees... And then, I miss feeling her warmth when she's against me, or talking to her and being able to share with her everythin' that's going on in my mind. Yeah...''