Hybrid

Chapter 25: Time

We finally landed in front of the Statue of Liberty, Alice taking in a couple of deep breaths, "Holy hell, that was a flight..." She leaned against the wall of a fancy looking building, a hand over her stomach. "I will never enjoy flying in time-stop."

"I still think I could've just teleported--"

"Nah, it was better this way." She shot me a look that said 'shut up' and then smiled, hooking her arm in mine. "Got to know more about my 'date'." 

Now, I know now that I should've just played it off like I knew what she was talking about, but I kind of freaked out a small bit. I glanced around, starting to worry that I had missed something. "Um, what?" 

Alice had an extremely fake smile-- it looked like a mask, her eyes darting around the little clearing, at the other people around here, then at me like I was supposed to know about this. "Oh, don't play dumb." She slipped out her phone and shook her head, "You knew what you were doing when you asked me to this thing."

I opened my mouth to very adamantly reject what she just said when my phone buzzed. I looked at her and she rolled her eyes. I pulled the phone out and swiped it open-- I guess for something so cheap you just throw it out, so no need for a lock, huh? 

What are you doing? Just relax. AH.

I glanced at Alice and she smiled wider than before, her eyes closing slightly; just go with it? I guess she picked it up from Jole. I nodded, "Yeah, you're right." 

"This is a big night, no need to be stressed if you don't have to be." She nudged me with her elbow. I don't know why I was freaking out, it wasn't like Amy didn't know about this-- and even if she didn't, it was just Alice. Though, the way Amy looked at me, I wouldn't be surprised if she never trusted me again... 

"Watch out!" Someone shouted from above us, causing Alice to push me back before I could react, just in time for someone to land where I had been standing not a second before. 

I cleared my head and laughed off the fact that I had nearly been squashed. "So, where does this thing happen?" I looked around and there wasn't really a clear indication of where to go. There were people all over the place, mostly crowding in front of the statue, dressed like there was a prom going on here. Most of them didn't look out of place, with the exception of a few red-eyed people, but all of them were just straying in different directions. 

"Not really sure... Maybe we should just look around? Wasn't your friend supposed to be meeting you here? John, or Joe, or something?" 

Though I had been a bit slow on the uptake thus far, I actually picked up on that one. "Yeah, he did say he was taking the quicker option, so he should be here already." As I said that my phone buzzed again. "Hold that thought." I looked at the phone, still in my hand to see a new message pop up.

I spotted something I liked, going to check it out. Stay sharp. JS.

"Looks like he's gonna catch up with us a little later." I showed Alice the text and sighed, "We're on our own for the moment."

"Alright. Well, I guess we should explore a bit; it's not every day we can come see the Statue of Liberty." She tugged me slightly, leading me towards the statue's entrance. 

"I mean, we kinda can? You can fly and I could teleport to the top."

"Well, when you say it like that..." She trailed off with a snicker, glancing in the entrance of the base of the statue. "C'mon." She led us into the building. The door opened without any resistance, though, I thought for a brief second that I saw her armor on her hand. We walked in and though it was pitch black it was also, to my surprise, completely empty.