[EN] Unexpected Eletricity (an Apex Story)

Chapter 14

I was listening some TV in my apartment, when I heard someone knocking on the door.

''Natalie, it's me. I need to talk to you'', Renee told me.

I open it up and lay my puffy eyes on her.

''Oh. Are you okay, Natalie?''

''It could be better...''

She gives me a sorry smile. Like Mr. Nox, Renee is not the emotional type, and she is not sure about how to react in such a situation. Although very different, we nevertheless quickly built a strong friendship. We both sit on my couch.

''Elliott told me about you and Octavio.''

''Me and Octavio? What does he know?''

''He said that Octavio told him how sad he has been since you last spoke.''

My heart is tightening in my chest when I hear her words. She continues:

''Well, everyone noticed that there was a cold between you, I just did not dare to ask you why...''

She brushes her hand in front of her face, as if to say that she is changing the subject.

''That's not the point. Elliott advised him to go on a date he set up, so that he could clear his head a bit. Apparently, he really didn't want to because he is still thinking about you, but he forced his hand, so he has a date with a girl tonight. I thought you might like to know.''

She unwraps her speech very quickly and unnaturally, as if she had planned in advance how she was going to tell me about it.

''Huh... I thought we could get there, so you may end the date and explain yourself. It's obvious that you still care very much for each other.''

I frown, skeptical. It does not sound like Renee at all. She looks at me for a moment, beating her eyelashes, silent.

''Okay, Elliott sent me.''

''Oui, I figured it all'', I replied, giggling.

''I knew it was a fucked up plan, I hope you don't blame me. When he gives me his little puppy eyes, I dunno, I can't resist him. Goddamn Elliott.''

I smile at her and think for a moment.

''On ze contrary, I am glad you told me about it.''

I sigh.

''I've been trying to explain myself to him for a while, but I did not find ze courage. Looks like Elliott worked hard on zis plan. I think it would be silly to don't take ze opportunity he gives me...''

''I'll come with you if you want. We better leave now.''

We take the tram towards the restaurant. My cell phone has been vibrating for several minutes in my purse. I look at the screen and see that Crypto is calling me. I turn it off, annoyed by the incessant vibrations. It's not the time to get distracted, Natalie. I think about how I am going to express my deepest regrets to Octavio. About how I am going to tell him how much duller my life is without him. About how quickly I fell in love with him. Renee rubs my back, aware of my stress.

The tram has been stopped for too long. I look out the window and notice that some police officers are blocking the traffic. As we were near our destination, we exit, having in mind to walk the rest of the way. In the distance, we see people running and police cars rushing towards the place. It is as we get closer that we see the expression of terror on people's faces, and suddenly a police officer prevents us from continuing on our way.

''A police operation is in progress. For your safety, we ask that you move away from the area, ladies. Keep moving.''

''What's going on?'', I asked worriedly.

''The police is taking care of it. We cannot say anything now.''

The street is now almost entirely deserted as people have been evacuated on the periphery. I see with fright that the police officers are concentrating near the restaurant where Octavio is supposed to be.

''Please, I just want to know if zis is serious. My friend is in zis restaurant'', I tell him, with tears in my eyes.

''Madam-''

''Come on Natalie'', Renee told me with a calm voice, pulling on the sleeve of my shirt.

I try to protest for a moment, then follow her. I hear some witnesses talking about armed people who had entered the restaurant, and I burst into tears. She leads me to a corner and takes me by the shoulders.

''Natalie, I need you to stay focused. I'll make a portal for us to the restaurant. You can evacuate Octavio and the others, while I deal with the threat, okay?''

''Ou-oui... Be careful in there, Renee.''

''Don't worry. I am armed and I know how to defend myself. You, stay behind.''

I nod. Renee disappears and, after a few seconds, a portal appears near me, which I take. Inside the restaurant, I walk in the direction of the noises I hear and discreetly watch what is going on.

People are hiding behind tables, paralyzed with fear. My blood stops in my veins when I see a tall masked man who is holding Octavio's head against a table, a katana in his other hand. Octavio has a lot of blood and marks on his face, as if he had been beaten, as well as a laceration on his shoulder. The stranger shouts some words in a language that I do not know and in a particularly threatening tone. I catch a glimpse of Elliott who is slowly backing up as another armed individual moves towards him. With his hands in the air, he makes small movements up and down with his hands, as if to calm things down, and says:

''I guess it's just a misonder-a misunderstong-th-that it's a mistake, okay?''

Suddenly, Renee springs out of the shadows and slits the throat of the man threatening Octavio. Alerted by the intrusion, the other individual turns around and performs very wide movements with his blade. Renee dodges the attacks with agility, while retreating. With a gesture that says a lot about his dexterity, the masked man disarms her of her kunai. For a very short moment, I saw panic settling on Renee's face. Then, with a crash, the door opens, and a policeman exclaims:

''Drop your weapon! The establishment is surrounded. Surrender now!''

The individual then makes another very powerful movement towards Renee, which she barely avoids, before his saber sticks into the ground. I take advantage of this moment to grab a chair and get ready to hit the man with all my strength.

At the last moment, the man managed to extract his katana, and I felt the cold blade enters into my body, immediately taking my breath away. All my senses are blurred, and I only have time to hear someone screaming my name that I lose touch with reality and collapse to the floor.

***

(1) Oh I just wanted to say that it's not an incoherence with the previous chapter: Elliott just changed his plan a bit and decided to involve Renee.

And yes, this is sorta a cliffhanger. I always wanted to do that to be the villain writer. You can hate me now.

Don't forget to vote and comment, it makes me happy. :3