Landing on his bed, Norbert sat down in his pyjamas, wearing his mask. Staring at Obsius on his shoulder, Norbert opened his mouth. "Well, looks like we’re back again" he told her.
Receiving a chirp in response, the bird fluttered around, landing on the pillow before resting on it, curled up. Norbert just stared at the bird, opening his mouth to exclaim to the bird.
BZZZZ BZZZZ BZZZZ
His phone vibrates, taking him out of his train of thought. I stared at it and the number it was showing, not one in his contacts already. Just staring at it, Norbert wondered who could be talking to him. Remembering his conversation with Luck, needing to pay for the price, Norbert picked up his phone, taking his mask off so he could hear it properly. He held it to his.
"Hello, this is Norbert speaking?" Norbert asked whoever was on the other end of the phone.
"Thanks for the help, Norbert. My name's Francesco, and I have asked for your help." Francesco said on the phone.
Norbert just looked at his wall, waiting for Francesco to continue. After several seconds of silence, Norbert said, "Yes, what is it that you want?"
"The mafia has captured my family, and I asked Grosly for assistance; said to call this number the last time we spoke, that the person would help me," Francesco responded.
Norbert closed his eyes tightly as he rubbed at the brow of his nose. "I am aware; now, what do you want me to do?" Norbert asked him.
"Save them." Francesco replied.
"Look, pal, you want me to get your family out? Please send me a text with the details. I'm tired and need to go to sleep." Norbert said before ending the call before Francesco could respond.
Hearing it buzzed again immediately, Norbert left it for a second before picking up Francesco's voice. "Thanks for picking up, Norbert. I'm on a pay phone and will need to move off soon. They are currently being held in an Arnott's factory in Placentia. Ask for me, and I will appear. Thank you in advance and Norbert." Francesco said before Norbert just heard the beeping of the call being ended.
Flicking to his browser on his phone, Norbert searched, finding the town in the middle of Italy. Staring at his phone, he chucked it onto his pillow, the screen's light shining into the room.
"How the dickens am I getting to Italy?" Norbert asked himself.
Leaning over to lock his phone, Norbert left the room, leaving Obsius on his pillow. He walked to the kitchen. Getting a cup and pouring himself some water, Norbert filled it, hearing the water's tinkling. Chugging down the cup, he sighed as he finished it off. Placing the cup under the tap, he began to fill it up again.
"So, Italy, planning on having a vacation there?" Sarah asked from behind him.
Turning around, taking his glass with him, Norbert walked over to the sofa beside Sarah as he sat down, kicking his feet up. "Sadly, no holiday. Just the task needed for a potion I already drank, given by Luck from a god named Grosly." Norbert said to her.
Nodding, she asked him, "So, how are you getting to Italy?"
"Honestly, I have no clue; just get on the soonest flight, hope I have enough money, get the visa and hope I can get it over with quickly," Norbert said to her, taking a sip of his drink afterwards.
Sarah reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone. "So, what did the potion do?" She asked him.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Pulling up his top, Norbert pointed to the circle on his chest. "Got this bad boy from some ancient tomb defence system. I was told this would help me more than just with this little incident." Norbert said, pulling his shirt down.
Sarah's hand reached out, stopping Norbert from lowering his top as she turned him around, leaning forward to get a better look. Staring momentarily, she poked it with her finger, holding her phone. Before nodding, he let go of the top, letting it fall, sitting correctly on his body.
"Good thing you received that potion. That curse was slowly damaging you, but it would have been the end of you eventually. Now, it might be something that you can grow from." Sarah said, turning back to her phone as she began to type.
Norbert opened his mouth before closing it again, lost in thought as he sipped on the water.
After several moments of silence, Norbert stared at Sarah, still on her phone, the screen brightening up her face. "Watcha looking on there?" Norbert asked her.
"Something to help you out. The Frontier wouldn't leave one of their brightest talents completely helpless." Sarah replied as she continued to tap away on her phone. "And there we go." She said, placing the phone on the couch next to her. "You should have a look at your bank account." She said finally.
Norbert looked quizzically at her before spinning his phone around and unlocking it. He frowned when he went to his app and waited for it to load in, wondering what could have happened.
He was staring at his spending account, eyes wide at what he saw. An extra $10,000 had arrived in it. Unable to say anything, Norbert stared at her with an open mouth. All his thoughts go to what, the cogs in his brain unable to move correctly.
"You might be thinking why and how. I asked Jack about the show before. Said I owed you some money for something else. The why is because, like I said earlier. You are part of the Frontier, and you need the support. Not like you need much over there." She finished painting off behind her head.
"But what happened with you not influencing others over here, that entire rule?" Norbert asked her.
"Hah, everyone gives money like this, makes tasks, and. deals on both sides. No rules broken as long as nobody is killed." Sarah responded.
Norbert stared at her quizzically. "And what do I owe you for this?" Norbert asked her.
"When we get back after your mission is when you owe back this favour, and more if you do a good job," Sarah said in response.
Norbert looked back at her, turning his body to face her head-on. "And what will that task require of me?" Norbert asked.
"Just do what you always do; the rest will work itself out," Sarah responded.
Norbert just stared at her, shaking his head. "Whatever you say, Sarah, commander Sally," he said, standing up as he walked towards his room. Spinning around to look at her, Norbert saluted to her, finger pointed in the sky. Receiving a nod in return, Sarah also stood up, walked over to the kitchen, and began washing the cup.
Turning backwards, Norbert entered his room, turning his computer on as he waited for it to fire up. With the device finally awake, Norbert browsed the web, looking for the quickest way to get to Italy.
***
Stepping off the plane; he did not believe that Obsius could get through customs and onto the plane so quickly. As he walked down the tarmac to get to the airport's main building, Norbert wondered if any strings were pulled to arrange it. He was not caring as Norbert continued forward, out of the Italian wind.
Entering through the sliding doors, Norbert watched the writing, trying to determine where he needed to go. He planned to fly over to Italy, then drive or run to Placentro and rescue the people he needed to. Nodding in confirmation, Norbert looked around the strange airport; now, he needed to get out of this building.
Obsius was twittering in his ear as the bird looked around the airport, the people bustling around them. Norbert is standing taller than most, just a sea of heads with his standing just that bit taller.
"Yeah, that's how it is in a different country; everything is just different from what you used to," Norbert said to the bird in response to her question. Stretching his arms over his head, Norbert continued, "Well, enough of me standing still; it's time to get out of here." Obsius chirping in response.
Walking through the crowd quickly, seeming to pass for him, Norbert went outside again, following the signs until he was at the cab rank. Others were already here, taking bags and pushing them forward. Norbert made his way forward in the line; at the front, a silver cab pulled up towards him, the passenger window rolling down as the man asked Norbert in what he assumed was Italian.
"I'm sorry. Can you get me as close to Placentro as possible?" Norbert asked the driver.
The driver, for a moment, looked confused before nodding and waving for Norbert to enter. Shrugging his shoulders, Norbert went in, the first leg of his journey now behind him. Hearing the cab's tires screech as it quickly pulled away from the airport, Norbert looked behind and saw the next one pulling forward, the next person in line walking up towards it.