Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 8: Static

"So...how does this thing work exactly?"
Nim asked, fiddling with the locket as I flicked endlessly through the book. After the logs, it became more of a diary about how this guy practically stalks the Guardians to find out his information.

"Just open it, I'm reading."
I muttered, scanning the pages.

"And what, she just comes out? How does she fit into this thing?"

"No, it's not like that. It's like a...rift, teleporter activation thing."

"And I just...open?"
She frowned.

"Yep."

"Alright...here goes..."

I heard the locket click open behind me.
And then immediately Nim gasping.

"She's Static, she's Nim. Don't argue."
I muttered, not bothering to look at them.

"J-James, don't you dare turn around!"
Nim yelled, fumbling with something.

"What? Why?"

"I...I think we brought her at a bad time...quick, here, I'll help..."

"A...bad...time?"

"For crying out loud, James, I was getting dressed!"
Static laughed.

"Oh...uh...sorry..."

I stood frozen for a moment as Nim desperately fumbled to help get Static decent.
Though that would still be difficult in a dress as short as hers was.

Once it was safe to turn around, I saw that she wore the exact same thing I saw her in the first time we met. In fact, both times we met.
Except now she wasn't wearing her gloves and the string went all the way down to her hands, looping each finger delicately.

"So, what's up? I hope there's actually a reason that you called me since you seem to have caught me quite...off guard."

"You said you've been around...a long time, right?"

"...right..."
She frowned, crossing her arms.

"And you said you know everything about everything. Right?"

"Almost. What're you getting at, kid?"

"Well, we were hoping you may know something about the guy who wrote this..."
I passed her the book, turned to the back so she could see the name and date.

Oddly, she just seemed to stare down at it with a blank expression, as if attempting to decode each millimeter of the swirly writing.

Nim leaned forward, looking over her shoulder.
"So, uh...do you know anything?"

Static didn't answer.
Silently, she turned the book over and began to flick through the Guardian logs.

"...Static?"
I urged, trying to see some sort of reaction, change of expression, anything!
But no.
She was completely and utterly blank. Pausing on Lumai's page, Static looked back up at me.
"...would you mind coming back to my place?"

"What, why?"

"Just...please?"
Finally, her face changed.
But she seemed to almost be begging...

"...sure. Nim, you coming?"

"Of course. Should I get Jake and Köleil?"

"Probably best we stick with just the two of you for the time being. If I can give you the information you need, then you can get them. If not, I'd prefer fewer people knew of my whereabouts."