We stay cuddling for a while, until a buzzing phone breaks our peaceful silence. I tear away from Dennis slightly so he can reach into his pocket for it.
With a frustrated groan, he checks the caller then quickly swipes to answer. “Hey, Greg, what’s up?”
I could hear the other end of the call. “Denny, word is we’ve got a new member.” Greg says excitedly.
My eyes widen slightly.
I sure hope he doesn’t mean me! I haven’t agreed to any of this!
Dennis huffs, holding the phone away from his ear and putting him on speaker since I could hear him anyway. “First of all, my name is not Denny-“
Greg chuckles then cuts him off. “Aw, so cute, only mummy allowed to call you that?” He teases.
Dennis glares at his phone then gestures to me. “Can you hear this shit I have to deal with? Just cause I’m the ‘baby’ of the group.” He groans. I force a smile in response.
This is funny and all, but I really need more questions answering.
Greg mockingly gasps. “What a foul mouth! You-“
“Is the only reason for this call to piss me off?” Dennis butts in, clearly annoyed.
“I wanna talk to the new kid. You’re with him, right?”
Dennis takes one look at my displeased expression then sighs. “He doesn’t want to talk, this is all new to him. I still have a hell of a lot of explaining to do, so bye?”
“But!”
Beep. Dennis had hung up, thank god for that.
“Sorry about him, he’s harmless really. Like an overexcited puppy.” He states then sets his phone on the coffee table.
I nod slowly, ready to question further, when he completely distracts me by placing a warm hand on my thigh. “I’m starving, wanna grab some Burger Freeze? My treat.”
Taken aback by his suggestion, I hesitate.
I’d love that, but... I’m not allowed to leave the house without Mum or someone she trusts. And I’m sure Dennis is not on that list by the way she spoke to him earlier.
“I don’t mind your chair if that’s what you’re worried about.” He tries to assure me.
I let out a sigh. “I’m glad, but... I don’t think Mum will be very pleased.”
He furrows his brows. “Man, you’re what? Nineteen? She can’t keep you here, you’ll be safe with me more than anyone. Being a Surfer, and all that jazz.”
He’s right, but he doesn’t have to deal with her afterwards!
“Can’t we just order in?” I whine.
He raises a brow. “You could do with some fresh air, c’mon, Arthur, don’t be such a stress head.”
Without warning, he scooped me up into his arms and sat me back in my wheelchair. I send him an annoyed look as he secures the strap around my chest. He just grins then turns to pocket his phone.
“With my help, you won’t need that chair for much longer.”
My jaw drops. He turns to face me again, examines my expression then frowns. “What? I can.” He argues.
He drops a bombshell like that then expects me to believe it!?
“You can stop my passing out and my pain?” I urge, shaking my head in disbelief. “You do realise how ridiculous you sound, and how much that can affect me, right?”
With his lips pursed, he locks my arm into a wrestling position again. “Remember, this is called Pulseless, this is how you travel to the Paramension. Just by starting the process, you feel more awake, right?”
He’s somehow right, I instantly feel more alert, and even weirder… the horrible pain which always plagues my feet grows numb.
I stared at our colourful veins, pulsing with each heartbeat. Despite everything he's told me, along with this inhuman proof, I'm still in utter disbelief. The longer he held on, the better I felt. It's extraordinary.
"You'd need to spend at least a few hours in the Paramension to be able to have a day Faze free. Will you do that with me?” He asks in a serious tone, very unlike him.
Um… Sounds scary, if I'm being honest! How is all this happening!?
“Is the time zone the same? Like, Mum will be back around nine.” I mutter.
He checks his watch and shrugs. “Gives us eight hours, then. C’mon, Arthur, it’s horrible seeing you this way. So, why suffer it yourself when it can go away?” He stresses with tears in his eyes.
As soon as my eyes meet his, mine also grow teary.
The way he’s acting, it’s so different to the time we had our fight. He’s genuinely upset seeing me this way, I can tell, and he doesn’t usually show these emotions unless he’s really concerned…
“How do we carry it on to travel there?” I ask, my voice shaky.
With a weak grin on his lips, he unclips the restricting strap and lifts me to my feet with his free hand, never breaking the lock of our hands. I stumble at first, my legs quivering beneath me like they’re about to give way. I can’t explain the odd sensation rushing through my feet, which I’ve barely stood on for so long. Not to mention the relief of no pain, which is definitely indescribable in measure. I look up at Dennis with pure joy, tears flowing freely down my cheeks, now grinning myself.
He studies me proudly. “Ready?” I nod without hesitation, surprising myself. His grip tightens and he locks eyes with me. “Other hand.” I hand it to him, my strength still growing. He clutches it tight and crosses our arms over, then… FLASH! A blinding light stuns me, I squeeze my eyes shut to shield them.
The strangest feeling courses through my entire being, it was almost like pins and needles attacking my nervous system. I wince, but keep my eyes firmly shut. That is until a huge force suckerpunches me, making me choke and gasp for air. My eyelids flew open, as they did, my jaw drops at the completely new environment around us.
Oh, my god… If any part of me still doubted all of this, this is a huge reality check. Ha, reality check, funny choice of words, but I’m right.
Gobsmacked, I scan the electric blue leafed trees in awe, as well as the neon pink grass, freshly cut, and the seemingly endless rows of high rise buildings ahead. All the exteriors seem to be glass panels, which the bright rays of a baby blue sun reflect against.
Whoa… This is like something straight out of a sci-fi movie!
I jump up and down in excitement as my breath finally regulates itself. Without warning, Dennis suddenly drags me behind a blue hedge. “Shit.” He curses, face palming.
“What?” I ask curiously.
He releases both of my hands and scopes the area around our spot nervously before answering. “We weren’t supposed to appear out in the open. Damn police have interfered with the Surfing balance again to expose us rogues.”
My eyes widen with fear. “What? I dunno what a Surfing balance is, but we’re in trouble with the police? How?” I gasp when I realise what him and Eve had said. “You’re a gang, so you’re obviously in trouble with them. Oh, god…”
Panic builds up inside me at an alarming rate.
Why did I agree to come again? Why did that key information leave my brain!?
Dennis places a hand on my shoulder. “Man, chill. We’re not a gang that hurt people and shit. It’s the police that are seriously corrupt. Hell, the whole dimension is. Pretty much every Surfer here is monitored and has no privacy, let alone freedom. Us rogues fight to save others, to try to make this dimension a decent place.” He stresses.
I nod very slowly, trying to comprehend that.
Lines up with the other stuff he told me, I guess.
“Then why did you bring me here if it’s not safe for us?” I question.
He purses his lips. “I honestly didn’t realise we would turn up here. This is like a twenty minute walk from the hideout.” He huffs and hides his face in his hands. “Fuck, I’m gonna have to call Greg to pick us up.” He discreetly reaches for his phone, then swears again. “He tried to warn us. Ugh, he could’ve opened the call with that.”
Oh… This is bad, isn’t it?
My thoughts were confirmed when I spotted three men dressed head to toe in a black uniform, armed with massive guns I do NOT want to get shot by. They were standing roughly thirty metres away, and thankfully haven’t spotted us… Yet.
I nudge Dennis with my elbow and point a shaky finger in their direction. He lifts his head and his eyes immediately widen. “Shit. Arthur, you need to follow my lead, okay?”
Without an answer, he yanks me to my feet as he stands, pocketing his phone, and tells me to just walk naturally down the street in the opposite direction of the men. That is a challenge in itself. I haven’t walked in so long, I doubt I’ll look natural. Even worse, I peek down at my feet and realise I’m not wearing shoes. The pain always prevented me from being able to wear them, but boy, am I gonna stick out like a sore thumb?
I quietly point this out to Dennis, clinging onto his arm to steady my steps. He takes one look at my feet then takes a sharp right, pulling me into what appears to be their equivalent of Starbucks. We stand in the short line, and I pray in my head no one notices how out of place I am. Thankfully, the place isn’t too crowded. As we reach the counter, Dennis orders me a hot chocolate and a serving of mac and cheese, which is odd to have in a coffee shop. Anyway, after handing the lady currency that didn’t seem too different to British currency without close examination, she told us to take a seat and she would bring it over. Dennis escorts me to a booth in the corner and whispers in my ear. “I’ll go get you some shoes, you just sit here and eat, don’t engage with anyone, just wait for me to come back.”
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I send him a wide-eyed look. “You’re just gonna leave me?” I gasp.
He rolls his eyes. “You’ll be safe in here. You won’t Faze out anymore, remember? So, I won’t be long. Shoe size?”
I purse my lips and mutter eight. He nods, ruffles my hair then leaves, leaving me completely alone in a dimension which I haven’t got hardly any information about.
Argh, I can’t believe he’s just left me here!
I hold my head in my hands, sighing sadly, when I hear someone clear their throat. I quickly look up to find the lady with my order. I force a smile and thank her as she places it in front of me. With a friendly smile in return, she turns on her heels and rushes to greet the next customer.
The mac and cheese is steaming hot, as is the hot chocolate. I busy myself by grabbing what appeared to be the local paper which must’ve been left behind by someone.
Huh, ParaExpress, the main headline is about the police commissioner of the dimension, Alan Williams. He’d made a statement about the recent data breach of the ParaNetwork and assured everyone no personal data was leaked, and they stopped the rogue’s operation within mere minutes.
Must be what they call their internet or something like that, the ParaNetwork, I mean.
I curiously look through the other pages to try and grasp an understanding of it while Dennis is gone, occasionally sipping at my hot chocolate, which is the best I’ve ever tasted.
“You must be incredibly bored if you find that interesting.” Some guy says, and I’m pretty sure he’s talking to me.
With a gulp, I look up from the paper to find him towering over my small, sitting frame. His grey eyes study me, and he strokes his stubbled chin with a smirk playing on his lips. I shrug in response and look back at the paper, trying to hide my nerves.
Please take the hint and walk away! If I speak to him, like Dennis said not to, I’m gonna expose myself.
A deep chuckle escapes his throat. Nervously, I glance up to find him sliding into the seat of the booth opposite me, a crooked grin now replacing the tedious smirk.
Great, he’s not leaving. Oh, god…
"I saw the guy you walked in with, why would he leave such a handsome man such as yourself to sit alone?"
My eyes nearly pop out of my head.
Is he flirting with me!? What the hell!?
Speechless, I couldn't answer him even if I wanted to. I look up at him, and he has a cheeky grin plastered onto his face. "Ah, now I've caught your attention. Care to tell me your name?" He rests his elbow on the table then leans his head in his hand, studying my uncomfortable self. Hell, uncomfortable is an understatement.
"Sorry, I'm not into guys." I try to say confidently, yet I can't even look him in the eye.
His grin somehow widens and he laughs harder. "Oh, is that so? Your boyfriend is going to have a shock." He chuckles again as I completely fail to hide my blushing cheeks. "Can I get you another drink?" He offers, gesturing at my empty glass.
I shake my head. "No, thank you." I dig into the mac and cheese, seriously hoping he'd take the hint now.
"I'm Phillip, by the way." He introduces himself, I inwardly groan.
Ugh… He's not leaving, is he!?
"My boyfriend will be back soon." I say to make him leave.
He doesn't even budge. "Dennis, right? I've heard of him." My eyes widen, and he lowers his voice. "He works for Eve as a part of Disruled. Not a good rogue group, if you ask me."
Crap, he knows everything without me even saying a word! How the hell!?
"I've tried being polite." I state, gulping back my nerves. "Please leave me alone."
An amused smirk still plays on his lips. "You're a newbie to this, right? Not chipped or registered?" I blank him, hiding myself back behind the newspaper. "With the right training, you'd fit perfectly with my lot."
Wow. No, no, no!
"I just wanna go home." I grumble under my breath.
He tugs the newspaper down to look me in the eye. "I'll let you come and go as you please once you're settled in. I pay far better than Disruled, plus I rather fancy the look of you. My partners have been known to be spoilt rotten." He flirts. My face practically bursts into flames.
Whoa! He's a part of a rogue gang, too! And I have NEVER been flirted with before, let alone so full on!
He grins from ear to ear, examining my embarrassed state. "So adorable… Your boyfriend doesn't treat you like this, does he?" He continues to flirt then clicks his fingers in the air. A server immediately runs to his rude action, readying a notepad.
“Yes, sir?” She asks happily.
Phillip looks me in the eyes and replies. “A muffin for the handsome lad.” He winks, and I immediately escape his gaze by bowing my head. I grip the bottom of my seat anxiously.
C’mon, Dennis! Hurry the hell up!
“Of course, sir, I’ll bring it right over.” The server chirps then hurries away.
“I have a feeling you don’t get out much.” Phillip guesses rightly then chuckles. “The lack of shoes is a big indicator.”
I bite my bottom lip nervously.
Crap, he noticed. Do I run for it? But then I’d risk other people noticing…
“Mine got ruined, my boyfriend is getting me a new pair, he should be back any minute now.” I say very unconvincingly.
He cocks a brow. “Oh, you’re actually talking to me.” He clears his throat. “Ruined how?” He sits up properly and folds his tattooed hands in front of him.
He’s got me there. How, Arthur, how!?
I shift in my seat uncomfortably. Considering every excuse I can think of is pathetic and nowhere near plausible, I don’t answer.
The server comes back with a triple chocolate muffin on a china plate and places it in front of me with a friendly smile. I force one back, and she clears my empty glass and finished plate of mac and cheese. “Thank you.” I say as she walks to the next customer.
I look back at Phillip, awkwardly pushing the muffin towards him. He purses his lips as his fingers drum against the edge of the table. The repeated pattern put me more on edge than I already was. “If your so-called boyfriend is coming back soon, I guess I should hurry up and offer you a deal you can’t refuse.”
I pull a face, incredibly wary. “And what’s that?”
His smirk reappears. “It’s simple, really. Instead of joining the shithole that is Disruled, join me-”
I cut him off. “I was never going to join them. I just want to go home.” I state sadly.
A pout forms on his lips. “I don’t like being interrupted.” He also states, but with a dark tone.
With a gulp, I slowly nod for him to continue. He inhales deeply before returning to his point. “I want you to join me instead. I pay an amount almost as handsome as you. And all I’d want you doing is occasional work that will never be out of your depth, especially early on, considering your ignorance of the Paramension.” He smiles warmly. “I’ll provide you with a safe place to stay, food and hot water, every necessity and more. All you’ll have to do is accept my offer and sign over your loyalty to me.”
I stare at him in a state of shock, struggling to take that in.
I don’t understand… I really don’t. It’s like, due to my ignorance and absence of this place, I’m a rogue magnet. Why is that?
I fall silent, trying to think it over. He grows impatient. “People like you come once in a yellow sun, I’m not passing up this opportunity. So, what do you say?” He urges for an answer.
Doesn’t he mean once in a blue moon? Oh, for god’s sake! HURRY UP, DENNIS!
“What if I say no?” I question, wary of the answer.
He shrugs. “Then Disruled will trick you into signing over your loyalty, pay you practically nothing, and send you on dangerous missions you’re not ready for. Is that what you want?” He asks shortly.
I laugh nervously. "Obviously not…"
He nods sternly. "Then let's go. I have a car waiting outside." He stands then offers me his hand.
I stare at him in utter disbelief. "I'm not getting in a car with a complete stranger." I gasp.
He lets out an exasperated sigh then leans close to me to whisper. "Do you want to make a scene and be confined to this world instead?"
Again, obviously not…
About to have a panic attack, my breathing takes a nosedive into the dangerous territory.
"Arthur?" I finally hear Dennis' voice, though it is laced with annoyance.
Oh, now you decide to show up!
I shoot to my feet as Phillip glares Dennis down. "He's coming with me. If you've got a problem with that, go ahead and make a scene. The Surfing balance has been compromised, so prove you're not an idiot, and let Arthur come with me." He threatens in a hushed tone.
Dennis gulps and glances at me with a sorry look. His eyes then return to Phillip with a fake smile, holding out a bag which held a shoe box to him. "He'll need these."
I blink in shock, my jaw agape.
He's just gonna let him take me!? Do I not get a say in this at all!?
Phillip scowls and pushes his gesture away. "No, I'll get him a pair. Your taste is far, far away from mine."
I look between the two of them, completely baffled.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?
Phillip grabs my hand then drags me out of the coffee shop. I look back, begging Dennis with my eyes to save me. He mouths to me. "Wait."
My eyebrows furrow together in confusion.
Wait? Wait for what!?
It soon became clear as I spotted Eve charging our way as we left the coffee shop. Phillip notices her and rolls his eyes, pulling me to a stop with him. "Of course, I was wrong to think you'd let him go that easy." He sighs. "Name your price."
Wha-!? He's trying to buy me!?
He lifts my jaw which had practically dropped to the floor and stares Eve down. She scoffs and crosses her arms under her breasts. "He's not for sale, Reed. I know you treat your other men as objects, but he’s not gonna be one of yours.” She spits then tilts her head to the side and nods at me. “He’s a liability to you, surely. How do you know we didn’t plant him here for you to stumble across?”
“Because you’re idiots. You just proved so by saying such a thing.” He quickly retorts with a roll of his eyes.
Eve kisses her teeth and shakes her head. “Just jog on. I’m not scared to start playing dirty.” She threatens.
Phillip laughs. I still stand there awkwardly with his iron grip on my hand. “Oh, I’m sure you’re not. Word on the street is you’re never off it, whore.”
My eyes widen at his response. She just laughs it off with him. “That’s big talk for a guy who buys into the industry. Isn’t that how you got your last ‘boyfriend’?” She uses air quotes. “Is it true he slept with your mother?”
My eyes widen even further than I thought possible. His grip on my hand is now close to crushing bones, I moan in pain.
“Keep digging your grave, Eve. Keep on.” He hisses.
I barely notice through my pain that we’re starting to draw attention to ourselves. They are quick to notice soon after me. “Let’s take this elsewhere.” Phillip states.
Eve shrugs carelessly, not moving. “Nope. Here is fine. Got a problem? Drop the poor boy’s hand and leave.”
With a huff, he finally releases my hand, letting me sigh in relief. I wince as I lift my hand into the other.
Damn, he is strong…
"This isn't over." Phillip warns Eve.
She smirks and mockingly waves goodbye as he storms into his waiting car. It soon zooms away.
Before I can react, Eve grabs my arm and drags me back into the coffee shop where Dennis sat in the booth waiting. He sends me an apologetic look and pats the seat next to him. I begrudgingly sit there, my head hung low.
"You're lucky we were drawing attention, otherwise newbie here would've been his." Eve hisses quietly, sitting the other side of Dennis.
Dennis doesn't dare glare back at her livid expression and lowers his head also. "Last thing I wanted was for Arthur to fall into his grubby hands." He bravely argues.
Eve scoffs. "Then you should've waited for me to get here, then bought the trainers."
They bicker amongst each other as I sit here trying to calm my breathing still.
I just want to go home…
"Arthur…" Dennis says gently, dragging me away from my thoughts.
I look up at him with tears lacing my eyes. "Please take me home…" I beg.
His lips purse, which already hints to me that there's not much chance of that. "The Surfing balance is fucked right now, which means none of us can go anywhere for at least a week."
A WEEK!?
I struggle to maintain my composure, which they both notice and immediately take different approaches. Dennis gently rubs my shoulder and tries to comfort me, whilst Eve sends me daggers.
"Should've just let him take the big baby." She spits.
My shakes worsen, and Dennis tells me in panic to breathe. Before I know it, I fall far too deep into the anxiety pit.