Blinking away sleep, I stood and stretched. A shower was in order before I went to dinner, so I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom, stopping short when I caught my reflection in the mirror.
My lips were stained green.
Concerned, I called William.
“Jackson?”
“Hey. Yeah, there’s been a development, man.”
“Lay it on me.”
So, I told him about the dream. How the fruit was ripe, its flavor, size, the type of seed it bore, and how I had woken up with my lips and teeth stained with the juice.
“I see. Are there any ill effects? Nausea? Jitters? Cramps?”
“Well, no. Hang on. I did feel an odd vibrating sensation in my chest afterwards, but it seems to be gone, now.”
“Vibrating? Explain.”
“Kind of like a sugar high mixed with being over-caffeinated. Like my heart was about to beat out of my chest, but it wasn’t my heart that was pounding. It was something else. I dunno how to describe it. Kind of freaky, man.”
“Keep me updated, Jackson. Was there anything else?”
I racked my brain, recalling the walk on the pier several days ago. “Actually there is one more thing. How… How trustworthy is No-Face?”
“No-Face? Why do you ask?”
“Well, I might have had a beer with him a few days ago.”
“Hang on. What?”
I gave him the run-down of the encounter. “And then I came home and passed out. It was rather weird to actually meet the man.”
“I can imagine. I’ve never even met him. Kind of jealous, if I’m honest. But as for your question? Yeah. He will do exactly as he says. If he says he’ll leave you alone, he’ll leave you alone. If he says he’ll kill you, he will kill you.”
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I’ll also not speak of that meeting again. You and Lab are the only other people I’ve talked to about it.”
“Probably for the best. Was there another subject you needed assistance with?”
“No, sir. I’m going to get a shower and get ready for dinner.”
“Okay, Jackson. Remember: I’m here to talk if you need.”
The line went dead before I could reply. I guess he was just busy. I cleared my head and turned on the shower, intending to let the water carry my concerns down the drain. Ten minutes later, I was clean and clear-headed. I got myself dressed and sat back down at my computer to squeeze another hour or so out of my learning.
Unfortunately, forty-five minutes was all that I got. My phone buzzed and I checked it. Anna said that dinner was ready. I replied, then stashed my phone, stood and slipped on a pair of sneakers, then opened a door to the back lot of the Wendy’s again, then to the office. Bethany was waiting for me. She looked rather cute in her low-cut top and capris.
“Follow me, Jackson. Dinner is just about ready.” She took my hand and led me to the elevator, where she pressed the second basement button. “So. Tell me something?”
“Hmm? Sure.”
“Are you gonna run away?”
I screwed up my face in confusion. “What? Why the hell would I run away? I’ve actually got friends. Lab, Anna, maybe Jennifer and you. You are wanting to be my friend, I hope?”
She snorted. “Yeah. I’d like to be your friend, Jackson. Anna told me what you said to her a few days ago. About being able to disappear into the world.”
I sighed, recalling that conversation. “I did say that. I also meant it. Bethany, I need you to-” She shushed me, placing a finger against my lips. The doors opened and we started down the hall.
“Hush. I know you could vanish like a soap bubble, Jackson. I also know that Anna would stop at nothing to find you. She’s drawn to you for some reason, and that isn’t normal. Not with her ability. People usually shy away when they learn about how it works. You didn’t. That alone makes her want to get to know you, but there is something else that pulls her. I just don’t want her to get hurt. I do love her, after all.”
I nodded. “I promise, Bethany. If I ever get the urge to walk away from all this, I’ll at least let you two know. And maybe Lab. I will, on occasion, need to disappear for a few days, though. It’s just what I do. Hasn’t happened in a year or so, but it’s a definite possibility.”
“That’s fair, and yeah. I can get behind all that. But first?” She opened a door near the middle of the hall. “Dinner.”
The door she opened led to a rather spacious living room, and the distinct aroma of fried chicken filled my nostrils. I began salivating as I stepped in, feeling uncomfortably tall as I had to duck to fit inside the door. The ceiling had to be just a couple inches above my head, and I looked around, taking in the details.
A standard-looking sofa, loveseat and recliner took up about half the floor space in the living room, along with a coffee table and a TV stand, which looked to be rarely used. Several bookcases lined the walls, each one stuffed full to bursting with books on seemingly every subject, and more than a few fictions. I walked in and stood by the TV, gazing about as Bethany disappeared into the kitchen.
“Honey! I’m home! Dinner smells amazing. I’ll finish with the rest. Your man is waiting by the TV. Go. Shoo!”
I heard Anna giggle as her petite form stepped out of the kitchen. Her hair was plastered to her head as sweat ran down the side of her face. She wiped her hands on a towel slung over her left shoulder as she approached.
“Hey. I’m glad you were able to come. I hope you like fried chicken. I made a lot.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged herself to me.
I draped my arms around her and squeezed gently. I could get used to this. “We’ll see if it’s as good as my Grammy’s.” I felt her sigh into my chest as she squeezed me tighter, then let go.
She looked up into my face. “Jeez. I never really noticed how tall you actually are. How tall are you?”
“Six four. Had to duck to get in here.”
She shook her head, then took my hand, showing me the rest of the apartment. It was rather spacious, with one and a half bathrooms, three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and a dining room, where she ended the tour, pulling out a chair.
“Sit. We’ll bring dinner out.”
“What? No… I can’t do that. Let me at least-”
She planted her hands on her hips and leaned forward. “Jackson Wernock, you will sit right there. Do you hear me?”
Oh shit. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll sit right here.” I nodded and sat still. Anna held my gaze for a moment longer, then went back into the kitchen. A few moments later, the pair of them emerged, carrying several bowls of sides, biscuits and a massive platter of fried chicken.
“Damn. This is quite the spread. Mashed taters, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, biscuits and…What’s that?” I pointed to a bowl of what looked like giant raisins, saying as much.
Anna snickered. “It’s called umeboshi, Jack. Pickled plums. They’re a good pairing with the chicken.” She and Bethany sat down on either side of me.
As they started loading their plates with food, I copied them, taking a little bit of everything, even the giant raisins. The girls, once all our plates were filled, each grabbed one of my hands. I felt somewhat overwhelmed as I heard Bethany clear her throat.
She spoke softly, almost a whisper, “To the earth that gives us food, to the sky that gives us breath, and to the fire that warms our hearths.”
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Anna closed her eyes, adding, “We thank the hands that prepared this meal, and the spirits that guided them. May this food nourish us, body and soul.”
The pair of them gently squeezed my hands, and they both ended in unison, “With gratitude, we share.”
They released my hands and began diving into the meal. As I bit into the chicken, my mouth was filled with savory spices and more than a little bit of heat. I began coughing softly, not used to the fire that was currently dancing on my tongue.
“You okay there, Jackson?” Bethany took a bite of her chicken, seemingly unaffected by the level of spice.
I attempted to clear my throat. “I’m fine. Just not used to eating fire. It’s pretty damn good, though.”
“Fire? This isn’t even that spicy. Anna went easy for tonight.”
I dabbed at my forehead with my napkin. “How considerate.” I turned my head to Anna, who was reddening. “Remember the General Tso’s at Mr. Chen’s?”
“Yeah? What about it?” She looked up at me, her face crimson as she took another bite of the chicken.
“That’s usually about as hot as I’ll go. This is more than a bit hotter, but I can manage it. It’s got a great flavor, so it’s not hard to eat, and I still want more. I like it.”
“Try a bite of the umeboshi, Jack. It’ll help.”
I shrugged, thinking that any relief from the heat would be welcome, and bit into the fruit. It was vinegar-sour and sweet. The acid cut through the greasiness of the chicken and the flavor seemed to lessen the effects of the peppers she used in the batter. I grunted softly in appreciation, and continued eating.
About twenty minutes later, with most of the food gone and the three of us were fat and happily stuffed, Bethany cleared her throat.
“So. About last night. I know you said you just watched TV, but that’s seriously it?”
Anna and I looked at each other and shrugged. “Yeah. I turned on The Witcher and after a couple episodes, she was asleep on my chest.”
“And no…fun stuff?”
I felt my face grow warm. Thankfully, Anna came to my rescue. “No, honey. I wanted to, but Jack wasn’t sure, so we didn’t.” She took my hand in hers and leaned into my arm. “I’m not upset or bothered by it, Jack, so don’t think that I am. I meant what I said. You’re learning your boundaries in this, and I am determined to support you through it.”
Bethany patted my other hand. “We both are, Jackson. If this is as new to you as Anna says it is, then I’m going to be there for you, too. You tell me if I ever do or say something that makes you uncomfortable, okay? I want to make sure you two have just as much of a chance of success as she and I do.”
I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my temple. “That’s another thing. I don’t understand just how this is going to work. Aren’t you two like, y’know… serious?”
Anna nodded against my arm. “Mm-hmm. Very much so. Neither of us sees a reason that I can’t be serious with you, also. Beth doesn’t feel like she could keep up with another woman beyond me, and I know I can handle being with a man alongside being with Beth, and she’s here for that.”
I slumped back against my chair, my mind warring to fit this new information in with my current ideas about the world. “I mean, I understand same-sex relationships. That part is easy. It’s the inclusion of a me that’s throwing me for a loop. I… um…” I looked down at Anna. “Do I have to start dating Bethany, too?”
The pair of them began sputtering, trying to contain their laughter. Anna squeezed herself to me tighter. “No, silly. You don’t have to date Bethany, too.”
Bethany squeezed my hand. “I’m afraid that while you are cute, I’m just not attracted to you like that. Strictly women for me, hun.”
“Oh. Okay. I’m glad for that. Not that I would mind dating you! You’re obviously pretty and smart and all that, but I dunno if I could handle dating the both of you.” I felt my hands grow clammy.
Bethany grinned and leaned forward, letting her top fall open to expose her cleavage as she looked up at me through her lashes. “You think I’m pretty, do you?” I swallowed and nodded. “Prettier than little Anna?”
“Hey! That’s not fair, Beth! Don’t do that to him.”
Bethany quirked an eyebrow. “Well? Which is it?”
I closed my eyes. “I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might die, no matter what my answer is.”
“Well. I guess he is smart. But just so we’re clear, Jackson?”
I hazarded a glance in her direction. “Yes?”
“I’m just picking at you. It’s fun!” She straightened and took a sip of her drink.
I shied away slightly. “Terrifying, more like.”
“Let it be, Beth. I can tell he’s starting to get a little antsy.” Anna took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze, which I returned gratefully.
“I’m sorry, Jackson. I can be a bit… much sometimes. Or so I’ve been told.”
“A little bit, yeah. Zack’s a little terrified, too.”
“Zack?” Bethany’s eyes went wide.
“Yep. He remembers you numbing his arm quite vividly.”
“Hey. I warned him what would happen, but he insisted on being rude. He’s not a sleazeball, but he is pretty dumb. When it comes to interpersonal skills, anyway.” She shrugged.
I nodded. Looking back and fitting the pieces together, I had to agree with her. He never really seemed to be good at holding a conversation or saying the right thing in almost any context, so it seemed her estimation of him was pretty spot-on.
“At any rate, Jackson, Anna’s told me that this is actually your first relationship? How could someone so sweet stay single for so long?”
I ran my free hand through my hair and shook my head. That wasn’t a word I was used to hearing in conjunction with myself. “I’m not really that sweet, Bethany.”
She snorted. “You’re a terrible liar, Jackson. You’ve treated all of us with nothing less than kindness and care. You’re a sweetheart. Deal with it.”
“I’m a killer, Bethany,” I said softly. She looked at me sharply and I nodded. “Didn’t know that, did you?”
“What do you mean?” She leaned forward and glared at Anna, who shrank back a bit. “What does he mean, Annabelle?”
I leaned forward and shifted in my chair. “I’m guessing you weren’t told what happened during my interview?”
“No. William wants those things kept between himself, the applicant and the Filters.”
“I’ll offer this to you freely, then. When I was interviewed by the Iron News Network, there was a bit of an… altercation. Verbal, mostly. But there were things happening behind the scenes that I could clearly see. Did you happen to catch that interview?”
“No. I don’t care for any of the networks. What happened, Jackson?” I saw a thin sliver of metal appear between her fingers and nodded.
“Before I was interviewed by Stan, I met with the receptionist, Marge. She was a nasty woman with nothing but contempt in her eyes. She went out of her way to goad him into being flustered and potentially tanking the interview, and that was after intentionally misnaming me and being dismissive of me to begin with.”
“How do you know she was misnaming you?”
“Her desk calendar, Bethany. I could see my name “Portal” at the nine PM time block on the day’s calendar. The frustration she caused Stan that night, she delighted in. She had obviously done it multiple times before, too. As her health was visibly in a steep decline from her smoking, I knew that she wouldn’t even attempt to hear any kind of pushback to her behavior, and would just double down. So… I killed her. And she was far from the first, too.” I sighed, my hellish memory bringing back all the names and faces of people I’d killed over the years. I felt Anna’s arms wrap around my midsection as she hugged herself to my back.
“Just like that?” I nodded. “How? How can you do such a thing?” I saw tears in her eyes, and felt heat rush into my face.
“Because, Bethany. Some people live to hurt others. Marge was one such person. Others are just trying to get by the only way they know how, and just so happened to run into me instead of some regular Joe. I have never killed anyone just to kill them. I’ve always done it to either preserve my life, or to save someone else from prolonged harm. I see murder and assassination as just another pair of tools in my arsenal.”
Anna poked her head out from behind me. “Believe me, Beth, when he told us what he did, we were horrified. It was the obvious remorse that made us withhold judgment. He didn’t enjoy what he did. He simply felt it was necessary. The best option he had at the time.”
“But nobody was in danger, Anna! From what he’s said, she was just a rude bitch! And he just killed her. That’s murder, Jackson!”
I hung my head and sighed. “Yeah. I know that, Bethany. I murdered Marjorie. I did it because if I hadn’t, she would still be torturing Stan. She would still be a cruel, callous bitch to everyone she met. And do you know the worst part of it? The absolute worst part?”
She sniffled and shook her head. “What?”
I punctuated my words by jamming my finger into the table. “I’ll never get her face out of my mind.”
“What do you- Oh. Oh god.” Her hand covered her mouth. “You really can’t forget, can you?”
I shook my head, feeling hot, angry tears stream down my face. “No, Bethany. I’ll never forget her face. Her voice. The cigarette stink of her breath. Her vicious laughter as she reveled in Stan’s irritation and frustration. Not hers, nor any of the others I’ve had to kill. I am not the sweetheart you think I am.” I sniffled. “And I don’t know if I ever could be.”