Judges

Chapter Nineteen

Infinity

"What was that? What was going on?" Back in Alastair's stark office again, and this time I take a seat.

"A mistake, a small mistake. Nothing really major..."

"What did you do?"

"We had to save you!"

"Of course." I say plainly, and I glare at him. "Of course it wasn't your fault. Nothing you do ever goes wrong."

"Augusta-"

"No, shut up! How do I explain that? Did everyone see that?"

"The freeze? No, time stopped, nobody saw anything. And we're erasing that. All of it. You shouldn't have to do any work convincing anyone of anything when you get back."

So something went right, for once.

"We're going to start all over. We're going to put you back, fix the belt, make sure the ride goes smoothly. Work out the... the 'kinks' as they're called."

Great.

"And think, this went the best it could have. If you hadn't gotten on the ride first, it would have been him falling out of the ride, wouldn't it? He would have died. We can't fix that, we can't resurrect anyone but our own Judges. That's how it works." He can't conceal his smirk, I notice it, but why he is smirking, I don't know.

"So I'll hit reset, you go back, fix everything, have a good day, and you shouldn't need to see me unless something goes wrong or the bosses need a status report. That's all."

"Great, so I shouldn't see you ever again? That's nice," I say, and glare.

"No, you don't mean that." He looks hurt.

" I don't want to have to see you again. I said I quit after this one."

He grows red. "Did I mention you won't remember this either? Try to be nice next time, maybe I'll be nice to your little boyfriend. Maybe I'll break his heart."

"He's not my-"

Everything's black.