Peppermint

Chapter 28 - Can't Stop This Thing We Started

***ALEX***

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuu-"

I can't even finish swearing, my face hurts so much. Never mind how much ice is covering and healing my wound, it's not doing me a lick of good in the painkilling department. And while we're on the subject, I'm pretty sure I'll be bad at licking anything for a while. Even ice cream.

It could've been worse. That cut could've gone all the way through my cheek and left me a second mouth hole. And then, from there, it could've taken out a tooth or two.

Still, it's going to leave a mark.

And while I can't swear out loud, my brain is screaming how much this fucking hurts!

Out of the corner of my one open eye, I see Gideon hang up the phone - I think he called the cops - then turn to give AK a hug. Both of them visibly tremble against each other, even AK, who mercifully missed the actual moment of Dio's death. I never actually knew the guy, but I'd heard Gideon talk about him a few times, saying he was the best boss ever. Of course, he was the only boss Gideon had ever had, but still, I took his word for it. Enough that I even wanted to work here myself next summer, something I'd wanted even more after learning I'd be working with my cousin.

Have I told AK yet about how the Second 'Verse works? If I have, I've forgotten by now. Either way, I'm sure I should tell him that he'll likely still get a chance to say goodbye to the old man.

In the meantime, it's now registering to me that music is playing all around us. Is there a jukebox in here or something? Nah, I doubt there'd be ChronoWulf on a jukebox. Certainly not "Another Place."

Wait, it's my phone ringing.

Who's calling...oh crap, it's Kelly. And she's trying to do a video call too. Dammit, she's going to get an eyeful of my pretty new face. Well, she's seen other fluids of mine, and in greater quantities too. This shouldn't be too bad for her.

I sit up and answer the call, holding my phone in front of my face and trying to angle it to minimize the amount of scarring she sees. "Hey, Kel. Listen, it's kinda not a good time-"

"I can see that." On my screen, she raises her eyebrows at me, and her voice sounds strained. "I know you'd like to build a snowman down in your town, but you don't have to, you know, be the snowman."

I can't help but laugh, even though it pains me. "It's my elemental. Why not?"

"But seriously..." Kelly shakes her phone a bit, making the connection turn blurry. I'm surprised it was as clear as it was for the last twenty seconds or so, since we're calling across dimensions and all. Unless she hopped across the Bridge? It wouldn't be impossible since she's staying in Coldfire Creek with her family for Christmas. "Alex, you look like shit."

Leave it to my girlfriend to be so beautifully blunt. "I know. Give me a day or two and maybe this scar will go away. Maybe."

She raises her eyebrows again - I can see it now because the only snow on the screen is falling behind her onto what I'm guessing is the semi-frozen waters of Coldfire Creek itself. "What's going on? Do you need me or Ty to come help you out?"

"Maybe next time," I say. "No, no, wait, what'd I just say-"

"I'm holding you to that," Kelly says. "But you sure? You know Ty and I can kick ass with the best of them-"

"We got plenty of ass-kickers here this Christmas," I say as fast as I can. "I love you, Kelly. And Ty too, I suppose."

"Say it like you mean it and maybe I'll honor your request," Kelly says. "Ty?" She waves offscreen, and the man himself steps up behind her, adjusting his purple-and-gray-striped beanie with gloved hands.