Norbert sat still, faintly hearing Luck in the background as she moved about the apartment. Still in shock, staring at the TV, not paying attention to the content it was playing. Other people were going back and forth with him, jumping through and progressing it, making changes there.
Thinking to Sally and Elizabeth, Norbert wondered how they could quickly create such large empires and high standing. Compared to him just running around and getting his feet on the ground and just getting swept with the flow, they had gone up the ranks in society. He shook his head, a fool for what had transpired between them.
Moved into action trying to get some answers, Norbert hopped off the couch and went into his room, hearing Luck whistle to herself a tune he didn't know. Entering the room, Norbert saw her just sitting on the ground, backpack in hand, as she started to put items of clothing and tools that could be needed.
"How did they do it so quickly?" Norbert asked her.
Luck stopped whistling, looking up to Norbert with a cheeky smile. "I will only say that they have been there longer than you. Anything else and you will need to ask the people individually." She said as she started to go on her knees, confident that she had packed everything.
"When we go to the other side, I can answer some of your questions, so for now, help me pack. I don't know where the sunblock is." She finished, throwing the half-packed bag to Norbert as he caught it.
Shaking his head in annoyance but knowing better than to push it, for what people said her wrath was great when it came. Heading into the kitchen, Norbert opened the pantry, pulled out the sunblock and looked at the expiry date, happy it was still useable.
Placing the hats inside, Norbert took a quick look; the only things not packed were water bottles and snacks they would need for the trip there. Taking some bars out of the kitchen, he placed them in the backpack, thankful for his spending spree and getting so many before now they were so handy and close by.
Leaving the backpack by the door, now fully packed, Norbert headed to his bedroom, seeing the bathroom light on and the water running. Knocking on the door Norbert asked, "You all good in there, Luck?"
Hearing laughter and a singing voice in return, "The Ballad of Norbert the strong, for nobody knew he was a PERVERT!" She shouted the last one, breaking the melody and going into a fit of giggles. "I'm all good in here!" She shouted through the running water.
Norbert just shook his head as he walked into his room, took his pyjamas out and placed them on the bed. He sat in his chair, firing up the computer and looking through YouTube, mind wondering how he could break his comrades out of prison, now have some extra time.
Opening up a notepad document, Norbert started to type in everything he could remember about the city, the ravine, the prison, and the streets around it. Leaning back in the chair, wondering if there were anything extra to remember, any little detail he could have missed that would allow there to be a success.
Two hands grasped his shoulders and pulled the chair back a bit, making the chair tilt backwards, jolting Norbert out of his thoughts, arms flailing around as he tried to stop himself from falling. Laughter coming from behind, spinning the chair around, staring at Luck, her hair mostly dry and falling around her shoulders, skin slightly pink from the warm water.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want", Norbert said to her as he stood up, taking his clothes for the night and walking out of the room to the bathroom. Seeing the mist still in the air Norbert turned the water on, letting him relax under the water, letting it wash down himself. As he started down at his unclothed body, noticing the muscles becoming defined, the fat slowly peeling off his body.
He was forcing the energy through himself, watching as it blazed through his body, allowing it to be visible even under light. Norbert showered carefully, squeezing the shampoo and conditioner bottles not to break them and cause a white explosion everywhere.
Showered and dried off, Norbert once more examined himself in the mirror, starting to get scraggly again from his lack of a proper shaver; his hair being cut off with his dagger, but the beard was a patchy mess still.
Warming his razor under the tap water before placing it against his chin, careful not to cut himself and to force it as it was getting caught on the long hairs. Washing his face, looking at himself, feeling strange to see how his face had changed in the reflection, the face that stared back at him starting to become different from the one he was used to before all this started.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Placing the razor back, Norbert turned off the lights and fan, hearing it slowly go silent. Walking through the darkened apartment, Norbert went to his bedroom, Luck lying under the covers. Going under the covers, Norbert held onto him in case they were transported during the night.
Norbert felt her heartbeat over his arms; her breathing slowed to an average pace. Unable to go to sleep and knowing he didn't need any, Norbert began thinking about what the next day would unfold and if he would confront the commander about her travels.
***
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Norbert untangled himself from Luck sometimes at night, having dosed off himself. Reaching over, Norbert looked at the time on the phone, saying it was 5:00 am. Norbert put it back down, wondering what crazy person would set the alarm so early. Reaching for the phone again, Norbert saw it was Luck's, wondering why she would set the alarm for so much earlier. Norbert placed it down and turned around to face her back.
Nudging Luck awake, hearing a groan in response, Norbert whispered in her ear, "Alarm's blaring; time to get up", Norbert whispered. Only hearing more protests in return, Norbert let her lay there for some time, not seeing the point of rushing anything.
After several minutes Norbert heard Luck fall back to sleep, her breathing deep again. A couple of seconds later, another alarm was set; Norbert seeing it was her phone again, Norbert wondered how many more alarms she must have set, seeing the reason now.
Picking up the phone, Norbert placed it next to her head, letting the alarms go intermittently throughout the morning.
With the sun starting to come through the window, Norbert felt some movement next to him; turning his head, Luck stared back at him, hair a bird mess as she looked foggy. "You’re finally awake?" Norbert asked.
Luck flopping her head back on the pillow, Norbert wondering why she set it so early if there would be so much resistance. Sitting up, Norbert threw the blankets off her, Luck groaning and wriggling around, stopping as she was curled into a ball.
"You're not getting out of this that easily," Norbert said as he reached forward and picked Luck off the bed. Hearing a squeal in response, "I'm up, I'm up, ok. Just put me down!" Luck screamed.
Flipping her around so she was on her feet, Norbert held her steady, allowing herself to get her balance. Norbert saw her pink pyjama's bunched up in places, getting pinched in the elastic. Pulling it down so she was presentable, Norbert saw as she swayed out of the room, heading to the bathroom.
Smiling, Norbert followed her, heading to the kitchen instead and setting the kettle to boil. Getting out two cups, Norbert filled them with coffee and spoons of sugar in each, waiting for the kettle to boil. Hearing the click of the kettle finished, Norbert poured it into both cups, the smell of coffee going into his nose and filling the apartment.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Luck walked out, half-illuminated by the bathroom light. Hearing the click, she was consumed in darkness before leaving the corridor.
Sitting at the kitchen table, Norbert placed the cup before her. Receiving a nod and having a big slurp, she sat silently while cradling the coffee. The two sipped their drinks silently, Norbert waiting for Luck to wake up.
"You know, it still surprises me that a goddess will have such a hard time waking up", Norbert added as he finished the coffee.
Luck downing hers as well as she stood up, heading into the bathroom again to get changed and fix her hair. Shouting through the open door, "Human body remember, no goddess here. You say the same thing every morning; it's getting boring." She finished as Norbert just laughed, going into the bathroom and getting ready for their outing.
Several minutes later, both ready for the day, Norbert asked Luck, "Anything else you need?" As he walked through and picked up the bag by the entrance.
"Nope, have phone and hat, so that's everything", She finished as she patted both items when calling them to Norbert. Nodding his head that they all had everything, Norbert left the apartment, locking up behind them as he put the backpack over his shoulder.
Walking hand in hand, knowing they had to play it up for Jack, they left the complex. Looking down at the time, Norbert saw they still had plenty left. Whistling to himself, he went down the street, following the same road that had taken him back from the previous station.
The train station in sight, Norbert heard two machines howling behind them, turning around. Norbert saw Jack and Sarah on their bikes, coming to a stop at the station and heading to the parking station. Norbert shook his head, stopping pinging that Jack was riding around the place, wondering what his Mum would say the next time they met.
Tapping on, Norbert went to the appropriate platform, seeing the next train in ten minutes. Knowing they had plenty of time, they sat on the bench, the only ones at the station in the morning.
Luck kicked her feet back and forth; they waited for their companions to arrive. As the train rattled into the station, the two turned, hearing footsteps storming down the stairs. They saw Jack and Sarah rushing down as Norbert stepped forward, holding the train door so they wouldn't miss it.
Both tumbled onto the train as the doors closed behind them, panting heavily. Jack looked at Sarah. "Told you we would have enough time," he said through panting breaths.
Norbert, an evil grin forming on his face, "Oh, enough time to fit what in pray tell? And you're both so sweaty? Hmmmm, I wonder what it could be?" He asked, talking to himself as he wiggled his eyebrows at Jack.
Receiving a thump on the back in return for his riling, Jack nodded to the seats, "Enough you, just sit down and let me catch my breath", He said.
Norbert smiling in his victory, let Luck sit down first, gazing out the window as the rest piled into the seats. The train now past the station as they grew closer and closer to the theme park.