Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 48

While Louis and Justin stared each other down, Will edged towards the ATVs.

"So, are you here to take us back to Everett?" Will asked, hoping to cut the tension between the two men. "Because we could sure use the ride."

The other agent, who had not taken off their helmet, nodded.

"And from the look of your face, get you some medical attention," said Justin to Louis. He gestured to his chin. "Did you get in a fight with a donkey? You got something right here."

Louis wiped at the blood streaked from this nose to his chin. The rain could only wash away so much. "Wouldn't be the first time I fought with an ass."

Will wiped at his bottom lip, feeling the sting of the split but his hand coming away clean. The still helmeted agent got back on the ATV, patted the back of the wet seat and held out a spare headgear. Will hesitated, and then stepped back.

"I'll go with Agent Cowl, if that's okay with you?"

The agent nodded. Will leaned down, voice low.

"Take it easy on the bumps if you can. Agent Patriarch might have a concussion." Will didn't need Louis' injuries to worsen when they were so close to getting out.

The agent nodded sagely.

With a passing sneer, Louis hopped on the back of the ATV and strapped the helmet on. As they rode out, Will noticed that Louis hung on with only his right hand. He wondered how badly his left hand had been injured.

Justin looked Will up and down with the same judgmental sneer Louis had earlier. Will wondered if Louis picked that up from Justin, or Justin picked it up from Louis. He barely caught the helmet tossed to him.

"You coming or not, man?"

Will nodded and put the helmet on. The wet seat squished as he gingerly grasped Justin's shoulders.

"Hold on tight," said Justin, revving the engine. The voice was louder than Will expected, a communicator built into the helmets. Watch One really did get the cooler toys.

The vehicle lurched forward with a fast vibrating roar and Will tightened his hold on the man in front of him. Damn his wrists hurt. But better to have sore wrists then be thrown off the ATV. Once they were in view of the other ATV, the rumbling of the engine lessened.

"What's with Patriarch's shades," said Justin. "Has he gone blind and you're his keeper?"

"What? No," said Will, thinking of a proper excuse. The fact that Louis could still hear him through the SkySprecht also a factor. "His eyes get sore easily."

"Do they now?"

"Why don't you ask him when we get back? He was your partner first, right?"

"Easy for you to say. How long have you been with him; two months?"

Will thought back, counting the weeks. Two months of being a newbie, then Freewill, then the Luvor...

"Almost five."

"Five? God, you're either whipped or Louis had a stroke."

"I doubt that would stop his cantankerous nature."

"Unless there's something else going on between the two of you. I always wondered about him, not really having a girlfriend and all."

Will's muscles stiffened at the underlying accusation, but played oblivious. "What does Louis being single have to do with his work ethic?"