Meridian | The Second Life III [COMPLETED]

4 - Spurious

- A N I Y A -

"So, we haven't done this in a while," Kemora comments, knocking an arrow into a compound bow and drawing back. Ahead are a few targets, some inside buildings and some behind cars. This range, just east of Battery, is where SPEC typically trains, though we're just using it for fun.

"We have not," I agree, watching as an arrow sinks into the outermost ring of the target. Kemora sighs in frustration. "It takes time. We're at the same level here."

Taking the bow and a single arrow, I line up a shot under the beautiful sunrise. It's somewhat cold now, but still surprisingly warm for the winter. "Deep breaths," I whisper to myself as I aim for a target on a nearby tower's third floor. Catey's record was staggering here; no one had come close to beating her.

My arrow fires in slow motion, sailing through the cold air and... missing the target completely. It bounces off the wall next to the window, landing on the grass below with an unceremonious thud.

"Nearly the same level," Kemora laughs as I hand her the bow.

"Hey, I'm trying!" I retort, laughing a bit. I'm thankful that now, after all the chaos, we two can live in relative peace. We're already fortunate to be alive, but after all of the hell, we're finally reunited.

- R I V I A N -

There he is.

I grab some breakfast in the Battery dining hall before walking to Zach. Nick and Caden had just got up and left the table with shocked faces. I make it to the table, setting my stuff down.

"Oh, hey Rivian," Zach says, surprised. "What's going on?"

"Hey, man," I reply, sitting down and leaning toward him. "I have a really random question to ask you."

"Shoot," he states, taking a bite of his bread.

"Have you had any weird frequencies or messages over the radio around the city recently?" I ask quietly. "Like, the last week or so?"

He looks at me, a questioning look on his face. "Nothing, no," he responds.

"No communications. Nothing?" I push further.

"Nothing unusual," he sighs. "Haven't heard Catey online in the last few days. Eagle and Blake are talking, but nothing besides wellness checks."

I didn't expect Blake to lie to me, but it still hurt to hear Catey's absence confirmed. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep last night. Trying to plot a rescue mission with no help is very daunting.

"What's wrong?" Zach asks. I guess my worries are visible. Great. I wonder whether to tell him what's happening; after all, it isn't supposed to leave Blake's office. Then again, he's blocking me from saving my sister. It's not a hard choice.

"Don't spread this around," I whisper. "Catey's gone missing. I'm trying to find out where she was last since Blake won't tell me." I relay the rest of the information to him.

"That's strange," he mumbles, deep in thought, organizing the info I had just given him like a puzzle. "Hang on. You said this was a scavenging run?"

"That's what he told me, yeah," I confirm.

"Odd," he sighs. "Then why didn't Caden know?"

"Huh?"

"Caden, you know him, right?" he asks, a concerned look on his face.

"Know is a strong word," I answer timidly. Not many times did Zach look this genuinely perplexed.

"Well, he pretty much runs scavenging down here," Zach states methodically. "If Catey had gone on a solo scavenging mission, Caden would've known. We discussed this yesterday; nothing like this came up in conversation."

I asked Zach for answers, yet here I am with more questions. "Good lord," I sigh. "I mean, couldn't Caden have just elected not to mention it?"

"I doubt it, RIvian," Zach claims quietly. "A solo scavenging run by SPEC's top member that was really far out? Caden would've been nose-deep in the details. He would've spilled that tea with me when we spoke."

I don't have to be a detective to realize something doesn't add up here. Maybe I'm just being paranoid- she's my sister, after all. This is concerning however I slice it. Zach's eyes dart to something left of me, and I look in that direction instinctually.

"Rivian," Blake says, standing there. "I wanna talk to you."

~ one minute later ~

Blake sits behind his desk, with Zach, myself, and... Evan sitting in chairs around the room. This is the guy that killed Adam. I'll never forgive him for putting her through such a traumatic event and recovery.

"Zach, I called you in to let you know that Riko found a piece of equipment to upgrade your radios. It's waiting to be installed," Blake states, and Zach smiles. "But I also overheard Rivian telling you about our private conversation yesterday."

Shit. "Sorry," I mutter.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad or anything," Blake laughs. "Just, don't spread it to the general public, will you?"

"That I can do," Zach announces.

"Perfect," Blake sighs, turning towards Evan and me. "Rivian. I thought about it last night. I'm... willing to let you go search for Catey."

I feel my heart leap. "Seriously?"

"Yeah," he sighs. "One catch, though."

I look at him with a face that screams, 'bring it on.' It doesn't matter; this is what I am willing to subvert the authority to do-

"Evan is going with you."

I snap out of it as quickly as I entered. Not him, not the traitorous fucking murderer. "You're kidding, right?"

"There was an assassination attempt last night," Evan says calmly. I could plant this dude three feet into the wall if I wanted to. "Someone who used to be with Colt. They may be linked."

"Oh, right, go to serve your own shitty interests," I taunt, staring him down. "You ever gonna do something to rectify the damage you've done?"

"This is a great chance for me to at least try to atone," he replies snippily, meeting my eyes. "And I've tried apologizing, for the record. She avoids me at all costs. I never get the chance."

"Your chance was at the bridge, murderer," I bark, eliciting a furious glance from him.

"BOTH OF YOU!" Blake exclaims, slamming on his desk. "I haven't had such a bad gut feeling about something since the Battle. If we're going to save Catey and get answers, you two must work together."

What a clown. He's making me choose between working with the source of Catey's trauma to save her or trusting Eagle? I'm not about to mince my words with this buffoo-

"I'll go too," Zach declares. "You two need a mediator, and I want to bring Catey home safe and sound."

"That is a great idea," Blake says, flashing him a thumbs up before looking at me. "I'm sorry I'm putting you in this situation, Rivian, but that's how this is."