Unforgiven

Chapter 8. Fake news

{Location: Stixxs}(Seliel's POV)

The door into this crappy shop falls as I knock on it. "What a dump." I step in with Cole and AJ right behind me. Inside is completely bare with dusty shelves.

"You could say that again," Cole runs his finger over a dusty shelf, "Ronin! Hello?"

AJ leans up against the door, "So I'm just clarifying here but we're here to recruit a theft because you're shorthanded now?"

I shrug as I scan the shop for any heat signatures, "I wouldn't say short handed but extra help never hurts." I palm my helmet as static start interfering with my vision. Next time I see Jay, I'll get him to fix this.

I step forward only to somehow miss a large hole in the floor.

At least Cole catches my hand, "Careful Pokie."

"Thanks," My voice is light and a little breathless, "What is a hole doing in a pawn shop?"

"Long story," Cole still holds onto my hand as I pull my helmet off.

AJ hums with dissatisfaction, "I thought this was a pawn shop so where's all the useless crap supposed to be?"

"Last time I was here this place was packed. Mabey Ronin got a new shop or something." Cole slowly starts lacing his fingers into mine.

I love it. I love how his hands feel against my gloves. Some part of me deep, deep down is scared of this. That part controls my hand to slip out of his, "Meaning we're too late. Perfect." I tap my fingers against my helmet, "We should probably head back to the island."

AJ rubs her face, "And I've got chaos to organize." She leads the way out as something interesting catches my eye.

A security camera.

"AJ," I point to it, "You have access to Ninjago's surveillance network right?"

She smirks, "Of course." She grabs a small wire and connects it to the camera, "Just need to put in my username, password and find the time when Ronin fled."

Cole still looks a touch out of it from yesterday's battle, "How long is that going to take?"

"Somewhere between not too long and a while." AJ pulls out her smartphone as she becomes glued to the screen.

I find a barrel to sit on. I am so thankful right now. Stixxs smells like dead fish and bad luck. I'd pick Crystal Pass' remoteness every time over a stink hole like this.

"So," Cole leans up next to the barrel, "What ya want to talk about?"

"I'd say Ninjago's under attack but that's a normal Friday for us." What to talk about? The weather? No, that's for when the conversation is really dragging. What else? Books? Movies? Dose Cole even like books or movies? "And I kinda don't feel like talking about heat sucking shadows or the knock-off Black Rose."

"Now we've got nothing to talk about," he smiles slightly with a teasing eye roll.

Somehow a worse topic to talk about flashes into my mind, "Have you thought about your mom lately?" WHAT IS Wrong with my stupid mouth?

A fraction of his smile disappears, "It's weird. She's not on my mind per say, but there's a..." he snaps his fingers.

"An eternal continuous thought in the back of your head?" Well, he's not curling into a ball and crying like I'd be if our roles were reversed.

"How do you know me so well?"

"'Cause I'm smart." I tap my forehead with a half smirk sliding over my face.