Ruins

Chapter 8

"Cynthia!" Seth shouts and I sit straight up and have Seth, who was leaning over the bed, in a choke hold before I'm even fully awake.

"Shit. Baby I'm so sorry." I say as I quickly let him go. "What's going on? Why did you yell?"

"The president is on video chat in the main room waiting to talk to you."

"What? Damn it. Okay. Yeah." I get up and look down at myself. "What the hell am I wearing?"

"Pajamas, you said last night that you haven't warn them in a while but you like them."

"By 'haven't worn them in a while' I meant I haven't worn these since I was 13. I can't wear this to talk to the president. I've talked to him in shreds of my gear and soaked in blood, and I'm pretty sure he saw my boob and as embarrassing as that was, this is worse!"

"Are you really going to make the president wait while you change?" Seth sounds extremely irritated, which I want to be pissed about, but it's his first time being around for a call from the president and he doesn't realize just how common an occurrence it is, so it's not really fair to be mad at him.

"Yes I am. It'll only take a moment, just go out there and tell him I'll just be a moment." I say with a sigh as I head into the closet. I stop when he doesn't move and turn back towards him. "Please babe." Seth sighs loudly.

"Fine. Fine. Just be quick." He pauses. "Please." I smile as I head for the closet again and he turns to leave. I'm in and out in 2 minutes. I come into the living room and the first thing I see is Seth sitting awkwardly on the couch in front of the large screen on the wall where the president Is sitting patiently at his desk.

"Ah, Cynth. Finally."

"Mr. President." I say politely. It's always better to start these interactions on a pleasant note, they go south quickly sometimes.

"There is no need for the politeness CeeCee, we've known each other long enough that it's just unnecessary now." So he says...

"Would you rather me call you Prezi? Cause I could." I say with a chuckle. Seth gasps in horror.

"Cynthia! You can't talk to the president like that!" The president looks at him apprehensively before looking back at me.

"Who's the new, uptight guy?" He asks and Seth's eyes go wide. I can't help but laugh. I didn't really try not to laugh, but I thought about it, which sort of counts. 

"This is Seth, he's my mate. He doesn't understand how we are yet. Like you said, he's new. Anyway, I bet you've got a reason for calling. What's up?"

"Where's Carter? You know what, it doesn't matter. I don't want to know. Right. So we need to talk."

"Wow, no kidding. I would never have guessed."

"Smart ass." He grumbles with a smirk but quickly gets serious again. Bad sign. "It's about New York." Damn it. I'd hopped he wouldn't find out so soon. I'd hopped it wouldn't be happening so soon.

"The city or the state?" Best to act completely unaware than to let too much slip.

"City."

"Okay, what's up with it?" The president looks around his office before answering. He's scared. This is not going to go well.

"We are about to order immediate evacuation. It's been nearly completely over run. I need you and all of your people out there. If Carter is out that's fine but I need you to tackle this problem immediately." All of them? He's actually listening? Crap. I stare at the screen for a long moment before pulling myself together.