To Escape From Gravity

Chapter Fifteen

The melodic whistle of the kettle filled Brisnick's house, quickly rising in pitch as it demanded to be heard. The snail-like pace at which he walked towards the howling culprit reflected the lackadaisical ease that Brisnick approached all of life with.

"Why do you scream like that, water? Do you object to being turned into tea?" he questioned the boiling liquid as he delicately poured it into his favored ceramic mug.

The faint smell of lavender began to drift up from the cup, bringing a smile to Brisnick's stubbled face.

In a world full of diverse people, Brisnick still had a difficult time finding a place to belong. Those who lived their lives on the ground had a certain harshness to them, which was counter to his calm demeanor. Yet those who lived in the sky cities were either occupied with a focus on indulgence, or a restlessness that came from living in such proximity to other humans. Brisnick lived with few possessions, and was able to find contentment in any dwelling. One of his simple pleasures was the warming feeling of a fresh cup of lavender tea in his hands. It never failed to uplift his mood.

Just as he prepared to fully settle into his favorite chair, a familiar growl and hum of voices grew louder as they approached his door. Though he couldn't make out the words exchanged, the tone of the voices were undoubtedly tense.

"You're an incredibly mistrusting individual, do you know that?!" Brisnick heard a woman exclaim. Though clearly exasperated, her articulation suggested a person of refinement and education, most likely a floater.

"Don't lie to me, then!" Reed's voice shot back, even more defined as the group approached Brisnick's house. The metal door scraped open, and the travelers piled inside with a flurry.

The first one through the door was a brunette, and the entrance of this new face caused Brisnick to jump up from his armchair, his tea sloshing around in his mug.

"It's not a lie if I actually don't know anything," the young woman grumbled.

Reed followed closely behind her into the house, with Harlem sneaking in just as the door swung shut.

From the library of expressions that Brisnick recognized in Reed, it was clear she was both agitated and annoyed.

"You've been full of surprises so far, Captain. It's clear you know quite a bit!" she spat out.

As the feuding duo stepped further into the living space, Brisnick caught sight of the weapon shoved into the shorter woman's back.

"Amareed, you best explain this situation quickly." His voice was low with warning. Holding a military official hostage was a fast way to find oneself in the grimy cells of a sky city prison.

The woman at gunpoint broke into a wry smile. "Finally, I have a name for the grimacing face!"

"I'll explain in a minute," Reed muttered towards Brisnick as she continued to shove Normar through the kitchen towards the garage's door.

"I don't like the look of what's going on," Brisnick said after her.

Normar looked back at him as she was being shuttled away. Her eyes were bright and lively. "Better listen to your dad, Amareed. He sounds like he's smart."

The verbal jab was close to breaking any restraint that Reed had left. She had the impulsion to put a bullet into the woman's shoulder just to shut her up. Instead, she roughly pushed Normar the remaining distance into the small garage.

"Harlem, guard," she directed towards the animal. He quickly took post on the small stoop inside the garage. "If you move, he'll tear your face off." Reed ended the warning with the slamming of the door.