Chapter 16: Popsicle
Kail and I drag ourselves up the stairs of Smoosh's apartment, our steps heavy and slow. Every muscle in my body protests each movement; I'm sure Kail feels the same, but neither of us mentions it. Despite the fatigue that weighs us down, one thought keeps me moving—Strange. We've dealt with DJ, but he's still out there, and it feels like I'm giving him a head start.
Ignoring the way my head throbs and my vision wavers, I try to push myself up from the couch. "We need to go after him," I start, but Kail grabs my shoulder, his hand firm and unyielding.
"JLC, stop. You're barely holding yourself together," he says, his voice almost a low growl. "This isn't just about you. We can't risk running into another fight like this. Not now."
The frustration boils up in me, a heavy anger at having to wait, at being forced to stay still when Strange is out there, but deep down, I know he's right. It's not just about hunting down Strange; it's about keeping everyone safe, including DJ, who's barely clinging on.
"Fine," I mutter, finally giving in. "We'll head over to Prime Maid Services. Maybe they can help us out with DJ's condition."
The streets outside are dark and quiet as we trudge the few blocks to Prime Maid Services. Prime Maid Services is an unlikely destination for people in our condition. It's spotless, sleek, the floors polished to a gleaming shine, and every surface gleams as if it's been scrubbed within an inch of its life. As we step inside, it feels surreal, a place of calm after the chaos.
I spot Michael right away—he's sitting in the corner, head bowed, hands clasped tightly in his lap. His long dress flows around him like he's rooted there, and the usual confidence he carries looks worn down, eroded by something beyond exhaustion. Kail speaks up first, his voice tinged with worry.
"Michael, have you heard from Galaxy? We haven't seen him since everything happened."
Michael looks up slowly, his face a mask of grief and fatigue. "Galaxy..." His voice catches, and he looks down, as if the weight of his words is too much. "Galaxy was taken... Strange took him. We have no idea where, and no one's been able to track them. Strange got away with him."
The words slam into me like a punch. Galaxy—powerful, fearless, the one who'd always seemed unbreakable. Knowing that he's been taken is a harsh reality, one that gnaws at me. I realize in that moment that if someone as skilled as Galaxy could be captured, then all the strength and power I've been clinging to might not be enough on their own. Strange beat him. And it drives home a truth I hadn't let myself fully consider—strength alone can't win every fight. There's a better approach, one that I need to find.
Kail and Michael are both silent, their expressions dark, as the weight of the situation presses down on us. For a long moment, none of us speak, lost in our own thoughts. I've always thought of myself as a fighter, but maybe there's more to this than swinging blindly at the next threat. Galaxy's capture isn't just a loss; it's a lesson that maybe my role isn't just about fighting head-on.
I shake off the lingering thoughts and focus back on the task at hand. "Michael, we came here to find somewhere safe for DJ. Somewhere he can recover without anyone risking him waking up."
Michael nods, bringing himself back from his own thoughts. "There's a freezing chamber downstairs. It's not ideal, but it's functional and safe."
"A freezing chamber?" I echo, frowning. "Why would you even have that?"
Michael shrugs. "Sometimes... things get complicated. Sometimes, there's no other choice."
It's enough of an answer. Without another word, I lift DJ again, following Michael down a narrow set of stairs, each step colder than the last. The air around the freezing chamber is frigid, my breath forming clouds as I move. The chamber itself is sterile and lined with frost. The sight of it, the raw chill in the air, somehow feels fitting after everything we've gone through.
Once DJ is secure inside, his unconscious form barely visible through the frosted glass, I take a deep breath. It feels like a weight lifting, but it's a hollow relief. This is only a temporary fix, a pause button, while the real threat remains.
As I turn to head back upstairs, a realization settles over me, something I hadn't allowed myself to admit fully. I may be skilled in combat, but tonight, something shifted. For the first time, I can see my role as more than just a fighter. Galaxy's capture was a heavy loss, a reminder that even with power, I can't do everything alone. DJ nearly overpowered me on his own, and if Kail hadn't been there, things might have ended differently. If I was alone, maybe I wouldn't have made it.
Back upstairs, Kail and Michael are talking in hushed voices, their faces serious. I join them, and Kail raises an eyebrow as he sees me.
"Well?" he asks, crossing his arms.
"DJ's secure," I tell him. "But I keep thinking... if Galaxy got caught, then maybe we're missing something. Maybe brute force isn't always going to be the answer."
Kail's expression shifts, and he gives a slight nod. "Maybe not," he says. "We're stronger together, but we're only as strong as we are smart."
Michael, who has been listening quietly, looks between us and then nods in agreement. "It'll take all of us, and probably more. If we can figure out a plan, a way to beat Strange... maybe we'll stand a chance."
It's a moment of clarity in the aftermath of chaos, and as we each go our separate ways, I can feel a new determination settling in. We've taken a hit, but we're not out. Not yet. Strange may have gotten away this time, but this fight isn't over. Not by a long shot.
