Awakening - The Last Science #1

Chapter 18 - Breaking the Rules - I

  "Now what?" Alden said in dismay. Rika pocketed her phone.

  "What's got you wound up?" Rika asked, pulling on her coat. "Rachel's gonna handle it like she always does, and this gives us plenty of time to go talk to our guy. Win-win."

  "We're not gonna go help?" It had felt like exactly the right moment.

  "Didn't we just do that?"

  Alden sighed. "I figured, if they're gonna get in a fight, you'd want to help. Take down the murderer and clear your name."

  "Fuck that. She'll be fine. I've got more important fish to catch." Rika cocked her head to the side. "Aren't you forgetting your whole mission here too?"

  Alden shook his head. "It's not that urgent or anything though."

  "You don't know that."

  "Huh?"

  "What if your mystery sibling dies before you find them? What if your enemy gets them, or gets you? Don't forget, someone had to do this to you. There's no magic just floating around doing things at random here. Everything's gotta be done by someone, which means someone out there's got a real hate boner for you."

  "Uh..." Hailey said. They both looked at her, Rika as if she'd totally forgotten the two were still standing there.

  "What's up, birdgirl?"

  "...Birdgirl?"

  "Look, I've been awake way too long. This is my best material right now."

  Hailey shook her head. "I want to come with you guys."

  "You do?" Alden asked.

  Rika looked even more surprised. "You do remember the entire town hates me and half of them think I killed a bunch of people, right?"

  "I know. But you didn't, and I want to help you," Hailey said firmly. "I've been thinking I was alone for a whole year now. I want to get back into the world. I'm one of you guys now, I guess. You know what it's like to not have anyone to talk to for months and months? I couldn't really talk to normal people anymore, not with this massive secret hanging off my neck all day. They just don't understand the world like we do now. So I'm sticking with you. Maybe we can find something to help Jessica someday." She glanced at Jessica, who gave them all a smile but clearly hadn't understood the exchange.

  Rika frowned. "Nice speech. Look, nerdy girls usually aren't my type—" Alden elbowed her in the side, cutting her off. "Sorry. Anyway, if I ever hear anything, I'm happy to let you know. But you don't really need to tag along for that. I'm sure we could find you."

  "Are you forgetting what I can do?" Hailey asked pointedly. A sudden gust of wind swirled through her hair.

  Alden winced. "She's got a point," he muttered.

  Rika sighed. "How the fuck did I end up with a gang of stalkers... All right, fuck it. We only have so long before Rachel comes home. Let's go talk to Mr. Wizard."