Veridis Quo

Chapter 11 - Back to Square Ten

"Nice view," I commented. But as previous attempts have shown; the driver was the silent type. Well, I tried.

Returning to the previous endeavor, I gazed out of the window. It was tinted, acting as a one-way mirror. Although the gradient was significantly altered, the view was no less breathtaking for the first time.

As far as the eye could see, a blue sea stretching beyond the sun just above. Thanks to the tint, I didn't require glasses, but staring at our star without the proper protection was dangerous. I averted my focus to the road, the railing curing with us.

The driver expertly maneuvered the vehicle, rarely straying to one side or the other, always in the middle of the lane. I chewed my tongue softly, my breath audible through the nose. Sniffing a bit, I bid the view away for now.

For the past... however long, since I left the warehouse decoy and entered the car, I've been as unproductive as a crackhead. It was no surprise, it was a ride to the school! It better be prestigious as the talk goes, as I've heard...

I didn't know where to go with my thoughts. The seats were alright, the interior was bland but mediocre, meant as a compliment. No one even glanced our way at that busy intersection. They called that industry? They should see what the factories in Shanghai- they don't exist anymore. Right.

Perhaps... a recap was in order. Too much worry, too little knowables. Yes, that'd be good for me, take a step back and reflect. As ugly as I may be, every house needs a mirror.

I was being driven to an elite boarding school in a city I did not know, in a country that was a parody of Japan, in a world where the human race went bye bye because of a supernova. I pursed my lips inwards as if I bit on a lemon, skin and everything. If I didn't know any better, I would've assumed it was a shitty sidestream manga produced in the Basement, the one where all great studios force the animators to work twelve hour shifts and shit into buckets.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. The difference in temperature made my hands sweaty. I didn't know how to feel. I actually, honestly, genuinely, fucking did it. I squeezed a deal out of a council of hardasses so I could muck around a school. I lie, we all do, but if a man lies to himself, what kind of character is that? I couldn't let go of the glory days, they weren't fully had! And I did want a certificate that said I had half a brain and that was undeniably real.

Everything will be alright, I reminded myself. Everything had to be alright, Miya made sure. Worst case scenario, I could always pull out. Ha. But there was a downside, a major error in my calculations. How would she react if, even in the first month, I told her I couldn't do it and quit? That was, bluntly, a bitch move! I couldn't do that to her after the headaches she endured for my sake.

I closed my eyes, the car slowing down over a speed bump. Jumpless. I was a man of integrity... mostly. I hadn't given it enough thought, I believed I had but was sorely wrong. And now, on the way there, turning back was not an option. I could do it, the same way a driver could go ninety in a school zone.

So, I came to a decision. I shall stay no matter the hardships, within reason. Thinking that a second time drew a snort out. But I didn't know what could happen. I didn't know how they'd react to my presence, I hoped they had everyone informed. If not; god damn it. The press was cringeworthy, a repeat of that was not on my bucket list.

Taking a deep breath, I embraced my paranoia. Whatever happens, happens. And that was that.

I returned to horizongazing. A flock appeared out of the sun, smaller than I remembered, fewer flyers. Did Miya have a flying license? Ha! A license to fly, how silly... and responsible.

The early purples were beyond gone, a dim blue dominated the heavens but the shadows were so long. It was still summer, so why did the clock feel like winter? I should investigate that but knowing myself I'll forget the next moment.