Terminally Abstract

Chapter 8.5

"All my life, I've been, I've been waiting for someone like you, yeah." - Avicci

"Aagh!" I jumped what seemed like several feet in the air onto a nearby sofa. Plump and felt, it cushioned my landing. Arthur's cackles reassured my hurried breaths.

Mrs. Scherbius simpered shyly. Her gray hairs shimmered and her knuckles were crinkled. "I made cookies. Your favorite, peanut butter."

I started to climb my way back to my feet.

"Geez mom, why'd you have you shake up our guest?" Arthur teased and wrapped his arm around me. He was so comfortable with his mom, I grew envious.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to cook something up." She peered at me and to the cookies on the plate. With their shared pun, both had began cracking up as I groaned.

"Well, Michael. Arthur has been working on something quite special, you know?"

"Muuum! Don't spoil it!" Arthur squealed. He held my ears tight, his hands cupping out the sound.

"Oh come on now, I'm joking! Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. I'll be here if you boys need anything." She handed the cookies to Arthur and with a twirl of  her apron, she retired back into the kitchen.

"Thank you, Mrs. Scherbius!" I called behind her.

"Please, call me Sarah." she winked, her blue eyes twinkling. For a single mother, she could always handle the weight of her son with smiles. I admire her capability to do so. Living with Arthur? What a hassle.

"Come on, I'll show you what I cooked up." Arthur winked. I sighed, yet I was eager to see it.

We got back to his room and he pulled up his laptop, hiding underneath his bed. "Oh man, you'll love it." He perched on his bed and I took a seat next to him. His screen was filled with multiple tabs, endless essays, and countless codes. My mind began to become befuddled with the clutter.

"Soooo the "Perfect" gang was looking for you during lunch and after school today. I kept my distance and tossed a wink at Henric when he stared at me."

"You what?! No way! He didn't get upset?" I exclaimed.

"Pfft. No.I beat his ass last time." Arthur flexed mimicingly like Henric would in front of Tracy. "Impressive?"

"What's impressive is how you didn't get demolished."

"Tennis takes a toll on you. You should come back, I miss you."

"We literally see each other everyday."

"Anyways. Henric. My special boy. My main man. Has the oldest updated software for his chip. If you remember, the one implanted all those years ago?"

"Yeah I remember." And I could remember all of the violence he caused after it, as if his mind was trying to throw a tantrum to reject it. There were even rumors that he was doing more than just school wrongs. But of course his mother could protect him from any arrests he's had.

"So, drum roll please, what if I could actually hack a human mind?" He raised his arms up high as if he was praising the Lord himself. "Boom, baby!"

Hack a human mind? Henric's? We both know there must be more than what occurs at school. Something else must be triggering him. Even Arthur must feel alone at times. All four of his sisters have moved on with their lives, leaving him with his mother, alone.

"I don't know about this, Arthur." Arthur viciously snatched my hands, gripping them close.

"He hurt you, I can't move on like this. This won't even hurt him. I just want to make sure you won't get hurt by him again." I looked away from his eyes.

"What do we have to do?"