Show Me a Hero

Chapter II

"Why can't I ever go with you?"

Nylekae glances askance at me before returning her gaze to the setting sun splattering swirls of pink and orange across the rippling surface of the lake. "It's just not possible."

"You're always so cryptic," I grumble. "The ooh, I'm so dark and mysterious schtick is getting kinda old."

If I hadn't been so focused on her face, I might've missed the fury that flickers through her eyes, there and gone, blink and you'll miss it. Then her expression closes off, cold and guarded in a way I've come to be familiar with yet loathe all the same.

"You don't understand anything."

"Then help me understand!" I shout, jumping to my feet to glare down at her. "Help me understand why you always have to fucking leave me!"

"I wouldn't wish that type of understanding on even my worst enemy, let alone you."

I tug at my hair, screaming. "Gods, you're so—so—impossible!" I ball up my hands and lunge at her with the unseemly intention of wailing on her with my fists, but she whips around and takes me by the wrists before I can do any damage.

"I just wanna remember you like this. Just let me have that, Niki. Please."

Tears well up in my eyes—out of anger, out of sadness, out of confusion, out of what, I'm really not sure.

"I have to go now," she whispers against the skin of my cheek. And with that, she's gone.

~*~*~*~*~

"Settle down now, y'all, no need to applaud," Nylekae declares to a swarm of DUSK agents that are decidedly not applauding. She then bows for good measure to the benefit of absolutely nobody.

"You're an idiot." Jim slides past her into Ryker's office. "Boss, I want a new partner, preferably one who isn't a total dork."

Crystal Riker raises a perfectly plucked eyebrow and unnecessarily smooths back her shiny black hair. "Where is—"

"Fret not!" Nylekae comes sweeping into the room, arms held up. "Your favorite has arrived!"

"And what makes you the favorite?" Jim challenges.

"'Cause I'm the pretty one," Nylekae scoffs, tossing her shoulder length hair. "Everybody knows that only those touched by the hand of divine beauty are considered to be the favorites of society."

"More like touched in the head."

"Children!" Ryker brings a hand up to cease their bickering. "I didn't call you two in here to listen to your sibling squabbles."

"I'm offended you'd imply I'm related to her in any way shape or form."

"Why, I never," Nylekae gasps, placing a genteel hand over her heart. "Must you wound me so?"

"Just..." Ryker pinches the bridge of her nose. "Tell me what's going on with McIntire."

"Dinner then probably fucking his brains out," Ny answers breezily, all pretense of hurt being dropped. She leans over Ryker's desk to fiddle with the Newton's cradle. "Seriously, boss, these scouting missions are beneath me, I don't know why you make me do 'em."

"Do you have to be so crude all the time?"

Ryker leans back in her chair. "Just don't fuck up the dosage this time. And please, for the love of all that is holy, don't leave Jim behind again."

"That was one time!"

"One time too many!"

"Your face is one time too many!"