The Rising - Ennead 2

Scene 15.2 - Grim Tidings and New Surprises

The guy following Jay is adept. One would think that he had some sort of sixth sense to tail her from so far off. Perhaps it's easier because she's now listening to music on these really dope, noise-cancelling headphones.

She takes a corner, and he takes a corner. She crosses a road, and the next time the man turns green, he crosses the same road. It's a lovely little dance if you look at if from the right angle. Look at it from any other angle, however, and it's downright creepy.

A few more blocks and she takes the broad, paved, stairs down into an underground station. A couple of moments later, her stalker follows. He's not made any threatening moves yet, so we can still hope for the best... right?

Finally they're both standing by on the platform, waiting for the next train. The atmosphere down here is suffused with that particular New York brand of 'eau de tunnel'. The air pumps try, but they can only do so much.

The stalker rolls his shoulders, and then rubs his palms together. There's a touch of a chill, leaves have begun to fall. But let's be honest. It's not that cold. He's hesitant. There's not a lot of people around, and he cases the area with dark brown eyes. They're young eyes yes, but experienced too.

He walks closer to her, casual. It's easy. He simply pretends that he's taking a look at a defaced poster with a bit of particularly imaginative desecration. Who does he think he's kidding? Scratch what I said earlier. I was perhaps mistaken about his experience.

He's only two feet away from his target now. Soon he's going to be in reaching distance. Just a couple of steps more. And then...

"You'd better have good reason to be following me."

Her sending cuts his mind like spike. He's surprised. He thought he was being more subtle than he actually was.

"Hi. The names Carlos. Carlos Estevario. Number 6 Berserker of the ..."

"I don't care about your stupid sector. Why do all of you think we need to know? - - - Just. I don't care what you want from me. Fuck off."

Carlos didn't expect that. Not at all.

"Don't you want to know why I was looking for you?"

"Nope"

He waits. A handful of seconds tick by, until finally Jay let's out a sigh and growls.

"Okay. Let's say I wanted to know?"

He grins and pulls up his coat-sleeves, baring the twin Chinese dragon tattoos coiled across both fore-arms.

"I have a message. About the person you were going to meet."

"You know Faith?"

"Yes."

The tone of her 'sending is deceptively demure as she says, "Great. Tell her that I said she should fuck off. If that princess can't tell me herself, then I don't want to hear it."

"Well that's a bit extreme."

She shrugs and 'sends, "Thought I told you to get? Stay out of my zone."

"Aren't you the least bit curious?"

She rubs the tip of her nose and sniffs. Next, she turns and looks at him for the first time, giving him a once over, before she glances at her watch.

"Funny you'd mention that, soldier. Aren't you curious?"

"Huh?"

"Think about it. Give your brain a little exercise for a change. How did I know you were Society?"