The Stigma (by Koltin Scott)

Chap. XVII

"Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive."

–Sun Tzu, The Art of War
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Elizabeth

"What the hell happened to you?!"

"I was attacked AllFall. Duh."

"By who?" Alien asked.

The Baron glanced at me, he had only walked in. He didn't look hurt but looked like he had skated across the room of the mansion with his backpack grapple.

"AllFall? Could you get Sarah from the academy and take her to the dojo for me? Don't get anything flashy and tell her I won't be able to check on her progress today."

He didn't trust me enough to hear much but hey, only people who really knew him was Weyha, Alien, and... A.o.D.D. Before he left he turned and added,

"And oh, AllFall? Please help Sarah with whatever work she gets from the academy, okay?"

Then he left.

Turns out I was babysitting with the chauffeur today...

We were in an old Escalade and we were heading into the poorer parts of town. I began to get alarmed; was this all simply a trap? Was he attacked by Angels that somehow knew me?

"Hey," I asked the chauffeur, "where are we going?"

He shrugged, "To pick up Sarah." He met my eyes on the rear view, "Why?"

I shrugged in reply.

"So," he asked hesitantly, "you were in China?"

"Yeah," I said it in a way that implied that he better cut to the chase.

"Well," he bobbled his head nervously, "I heard the seats are on the passenger side and all. T'was just wondering about the cars. Me and my brothers used to street race but we never went international."

"Oh really?" I said not entirely to interested but having some small talk was nice.

"Yeah, but uh... I've been kinda wanting to tell someone something."

'So much for small talk' I mentally groaned.

"I've normally went to my superiors about stuff but this is more delicate..."

"A woman?" I dryly guessed.

"I was Obsidian's chauffeur at the Boss' wedding," he started with determination to get it off his chest before he lost his chance, "and she was a crying sobbing mess."

Wow, wasn't expecting that...

I blinked a few times...

Then I recalled the strange and angry glances she was giving when the Angels came.

"Oh my God."

"Yeah," he said watching me in the rear view, "delicate."

I wasn't going to voice it aloud but Obsidian likes the Baron.

"I ain't no drama hound but I don't know if I can go to the Baron. Not only because of how delicate it is but because I am simply the chauffeur. It had me concerned, especially after the whole Magmantis thing."

And that was when I deduced that someone told him something...

"What had happened hmm?" I asked, fishing if he actually knew or not.

"You don't know by now?"

"I remember Alien saying something about Salamay in a love triangle? Did Alien put you up to this?"