Audrea insisted upon finding a hotel, and it was up to Michael to get them there, because after all, he did know this city better than a British spy and a blue haired girl from the future would. They left the carnage behind them, moving on foot for around two blocks before arriving at a tall and rather luxurious looking hotel. There was silence between them the whole way. Michael didn’t worry about Divona, she was just being herself, but Audrea’s silence was a bit worrying. He could tell she was still trying to process everything that happened. He certainly didn’t blame her.
As they entered the hotel lobby, all three of them cleaned themselves up, patting off the dirt and evidence of battle as well as they could. Audrea made her hair and then casually walked up to the counter. Michael went to go with her but she insisted her stay back with a simple swipe of her arm. She spoke to the clerk, reached into her clothes and pulled out a secret stash of cash which she passed over. Afterwards they then took the elevator where Audrea up to their level which was one of the higher floors.
The silence was becoming awkward, so Michael decided to break it.
“So, uh, is this off the record?” Michael said.
“You lied to me Michael…” Audrea said, eerily. She peered over at Divona who seemed busy inspecting the panel of the elevator. “…You said you knew nothing. Who exactly, or what exactly is she?”
“Why don’t you ask her? She’s right there.” Michael said.
Audrea looked away uncomfortably as Divona peered right at her, studying her closely. The elevator then dinged and the doors shot open to reveal their floor. They turned left and walked down a hallway until Audrea pressed her keycard across the front of a door marked number thirty seven. It unlocked, and as soon as Audrea opened it, Divona rushed inside like a curious child.
Audrea and Michael looked at each other.
“I really appreciate how you helped me and Divona.” Michael said.
Audrea scoffed before walking in. “I shouldn’t have.”
The place was relatively spacey with a decently sized kitchen, a wide open living room and two rooms and a bathrooms. A giant flat screen tv mounted across the wall, as well as a spa off in the far corner that was a part of the common area. There was a window against the far end that basically filled the whole wall which had a great view of the city below.
Audrea leant across the kitchen bench and crossed her arms. “Talk. Now.” She said.
“How should I put this…”
“Tell me the truth.”
“Alright. Divona, well, uh, well you see, she’s from the future…like, literally from the future.”
Audrea looked away with conflicting thoughts. It would have sounded crazy coming from anyone, but given what they all just lay witness to before, perhaps it wasn’t so.
“You like movie references. Are you talking like the terminator?”
“Yeah, uh, I guess. She kinda came out of nowhere though, and ever since i’ve been looking after her. She’s constantly running low on power and seeks ways to recharge herself…”
Divona headed over to one of the wall sockets and Michael knew exactly what she wanted to do.
“Divona, keep it around two thousand watts. We don’t want to blow the power out here.” Michael said.
Divona said nothing but Michael knew she understood. She did that thing with her fingers where they expanded into long noodles and went into the little holes to draw out the current. Audrea didn’t even blink as she watched. Michael could tell she was just as fascinated as she was horrified.
“So she’s a battery…”
“She’s like you and I. We all need energy to live, don’t we?” Michael said.
“This is just too weird…”
“Apparently the time travel also messed with her memory so she doesn’t even know why she’s here.”
He turned to Divona. “By the way, Divona, you were really amazing back there…but Divona, you did say there wouldn’t be any more drones…where did that one come from? And why was it after me and Audrea?”
“I do not know,” Divona said in her usual monotone. “My calculations were based on the premise that I was the only time traveller in this time stream. It would seem that premise was wrong.” Divona said.
“But why would it be after me and Audrea? The drone actually asked me where you were, so I guess it was after you but also us? It just doesn’t make sense! And The people that captured me…they mentioned something about interdimensional law….what do you know about that?
“It is prevalent in my time. I do not know why it would be here.” Divona said.
“She seems awfully ignorant.” Audrea said suspiciously.
“I am not lying.” Divona said.
“I never said you were.”
“That was the implication.”
Michael grew nervous as Audrea made a sudden bolt over to Divona, standing uncomfortably close and leaning her face into the sightly shorter woman, scrutinising her closely.
“Alright, no more lies. Who are you?” Audrea said angrily.
Divona glanced at a nervous Michael for a second before turning back to Audrea who was giving her the death stare.
“I do not know.” Divona said.
“Bullshit. Who are you?”
“Hey, she doesn’t know…” Michael said, trying to defuse the situation but not getting anywhere.
Audrea was getting agitated. Michael didn’t understand why she was acting so aggressive, and he suspected neither did Divona.
Divona simply stared back at her like a lost kitten before replying. “I am an alien from the moon.”
Michael heard that one before, and it almost made him laugh. That was Divona’s way of making a joke, which clearly went over the head of the British agent who clearly wasn’t amused.
“How do I know you’re not a threat to us all? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t call homeland security right now?” Audrea said.
Divona appeared stumped. Michael had never seen her like that before. He wondered how she would react. She simply tilted her head to the side before she responded.
“I have processed over ten trillion possible responses, Unfortunately, I simulate that none of them would satisfy your enquiry.”
“Try me. Tell me the one you ‘calculate’ has the greatest chance of convincing me.”
Divona paused as if she collected her thoughts.
“If I am deprived of energy, there is a fifty five percent probability that this planet will be destroyed by a singularity. If that happens, nothing will survive, not even your sun, nor I.” Divona said.
Michael face planted himself so hard he felt red. Out of all the possible answers he found it hard to believe that was the one Divona thought would work best. He wondered why it never occurred to her to say a lie instead. Anything but that. Audrea seemed flummoxed as she stood as still as a statue, staring tensely at Divona. A few awkward seconds went by as without a any further words being said. Michael noticed Audrea went a little white in the face after hearing that. It definitely had an effect on her.
Audrea looked over at Michael, appearing more angry at him than with Divona. Clearly, she wanted some kind of response from him, whether to confirm or deny what the crazy blue haired girl just said.
“You don’t want to know the details…Trust me…” Michael said.
“Oh I do. Both of you have all night to explain everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. If you don’t, I’m going right back to Hannah. I’m sure she’ll be glad to have you back.”
“You cooooould do that,” Michael said friskily, “but I don’t think Hannah will be very cooperative. After all, you did kinda help bust me out. This isn’t mine and Divona’s problem. This is all our problem. We’re all in danger here.” Michael said.
Audrea sighed. “…I guess the cats out of the bag…”
Divona tilted her head in confusion. “I do not see a cat nor a bag.”
“She doesn’t mean literally…it’s a figure of speech… Michael said.
Audrea rolled her eyes. She folded her arms in her frustration. “Damn you Michael. Why did you get me involved in this? I should be retired…spend my time in Hawaii…relaxing on the beach and drinking champagne, but no…this is all your fault..”
“My fault? I didn’t ask you to save me. You did that all by yourself. Thanks by the way.”
“You lied to me.”
“Would you have believed me if I told you the truth?”
Audrea sighed. She knew he was right.
Something caught Divona’s attention and she abruptly walked over to the window and looked down.
“We are discovered.”
“What was that?” Michael said.
“Twenty seven men are currently entering this building from three sides.”
Michael looked suspiciously at Audrea, but she threw up her arms. “It wasn’t me. I left my phone behind in the car…”
“How the hell did they find us so fast? I’m not going back to Hannah. No way!” Michael said.
“Give it up. They’ve secured the elevators by now. There is no way out. It seems like this is where it all ends.”
Michael knew Audrea was right, but he refused to believe it. He glanced over in panic at Divona who appeared just a little bit too calm for comfort. She was still connected to the power socket with her long string like fingers as she casually charged herself like there as problem at all. Michael wasn’t sure how much energy she used up in the battle with the drone earlier, but he hoped she had enough to spare for this situation.
Suddenly, as if out of no where, Audrea pulled out her gun and pointed it at Michael. He froze, and Divona’s gaze sharply locked on to her like an eagle to its prey.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not going down because of you…” Audrea said in a petrified manner. “Stay here…don’t you leave this room!”
She then backed out of the room while still point her gun at them. She closed the door behind herself and appeared to return down to the direction of the elevator. Michael began to panic as he pranced up and down the the room with his hands on his head.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“We need to think of some way to escape…oh man, what do we do….what do we do?”
Divona, in contrast, was still as cool as ice as she stared at him with a blank expression. He almost pulled out his hair from stress but across her there didn’t even appear to be a single thought.
“You are afraid.” Divona said.
“Of course I am. Aren’t you?”
“No. Do not worry Michael. I will protect you.”
"But you don’t have much energy. You weren’t charging for very long.” He said.
Me noticed a pause in her response - a worrying sign. Perhaps she was concerned after all.
"Michael, I have calculated the most efficient escape route. It has a ninety nine point eight percent chance of success, although I predict you will not like it."
"Does it involve killing?" Michael said.
"Yes."
"Then no. We don't want that on our conscience, at least I don’t…we’re not murderers…Is there any other way?"
"I have simulated a second scenario which involves no collateral. It has a ninety eight point five seven percent chance of success."
Michael clapped his hands once."Great, I like those odds. What is it?"
"Follow me."
The two of them left the room despite Audrea telling them not to. Michael wasn't sure exactly what Divona had planned, but he played along. He was enough of a movie junkie to think of the cliche laundry chute escape, but that seemed a bit too far fetched to actually work on reality. As they moved across the hallway back towards the elevator, Michael became worried that perhaps Divona wasn't as confident as she made herself appear to be. She seemed far too casual, even for her usual self. And then something happened. The distinctive sounds of gunshots from the floors below made Michael jump from shock. Michael wondered what was going on, if Audrea was alright, and If Divona’s so called plan was actually going to be as successful as she claimed. Divona stepped in front of the elevator, confusing Michael somewhat, but when the lights across the panel lit up, it was more than clear that someone was approaching their floor. Michael grew as the doors opened with a ding to reveal a hyperventilating and very worried looking Audrea.
"The bastards shot at me! I don't know who they are but they’re definitely not from the government...why are you guys here? You can’t go down this way.” Audrea said.
“I am aware.” Divona said.
“Hold on…did you know they would shoot at me?" Audrea said.
“I simulated that to be the case.” Divona said.
“Nice to have you back…Divona apparently has an escape plan. Wanna come with us?” Michael said.
“Yes! Take me with you!”
Divona then led them down the remaining corridor and through a fire exit where they were introduced to a concrete staircase that led, in a spiral fashion, all the way to the bottom of the building. Michael leant over the edge of the railings and freaked out by the hight. It was always one of his greatest fears.
"This is your plan? The stairs? They’re probably coming up right now through this way.” Audrea said.
Divona ignored her and instead walked up towards the flat concrete wall perpendicular to the stairs, and without even doing anything the whole thing began to dissolve away as if it were melted chocolate, allowing them safe passage to walk through an area that was once solid matter.
Audrea looked to Michael, horrified. "What is this? Magic?"
“Well, she is like a million years in the future……” Michael said.
“How far in the future?”
They cautiously followed Divona as they moved further into the once solid wall. The front section paved away to make space for them while the behind section reformed back into solid matter to prevent them from being followed. Divona appeared to make sure that the floor remained relatively untouched as safe for them to walk upon, although certain areas appeared to be liquified and would likely not support their weight. Michael and Audrea made sure to closely watch their steps as they tried to mimic Divona’s careful steps.
The whole time Michael felt a little bit nauseous. He often experienced cases of motion sickness when in boats or planes, but that could not compare to this experience. His brain could not compute the fact that he was literally walking though an actual wall. It simply defied all common sense but with Divona it appeared what was common to him wasn’t to her. Eventually they reached the end of the building where there was no more wall before them, but instead a view of the open city as they stood against the border of the building frame.
"Do not move." Divona said.
All of a sudden, the very platform beneath their feet began to move outwards as it broke off from the main section whole floating in the air like a magic carpet expect made from concrete. It was barely big enough to hold all three of them, and when Michael looked over the edge he felt his stomach tighten from an instinctual fear. It certainly didn't make things easier on him now that they were in an open space with the fury of the wind threatening to knock them all off balance and fall to their deaths. Divona seemed to be considerate about this concern, so she made sure to move the platform slow and steady towards the next closest building. The platform moved perfectly smoothly through the air without any sound or mechanical coarseness. It was lucky that it was late at night, because the likeliness of someone seeing them during the day would have been high.
Within no time they landed upon the next nearby rooftop where an instant sense of relief came across both Michael and Audrea who looked at each other as if they swore all this was nothing but a dream.
"What just happened?" Audrea said.
Michael looked over in concern at Divona. ”Divona are you alright? I hope that didn't take too much out of you."
“I am, but I do not have enough energy to create another platform. " Divona said.
"That's not good…Uh, I guess we should take the elevator down from here?”
Audrea shook her head. "We have no choice, but that’s still a bad bad idea. It will take too long and by then we may be noticed.”
Divona walked down towards the opposite end of the building, the one furthest away from the hotel behind them. She peered over the edge for a moment and then looked back at them with in a dubious manner.
“I have calculated another way down, but I predict you will not like it." Divona said. "Look down."
They walked beside her and looked down just like she said. Michael wasn't sure what Divona wanted them to look at exactly but before he could even ask, he was horrified when Divona pushed both him and Audrea over the edge. Michael felt a rush of panic engulf him as a rush of air ran blew into his face as both he and Audrea accelerated down seemingly to their deaths. Time felt like it had slowed down, and in their terror and shock, neither Michael nor Audrea could even scream. Their life flashed before their eyes, and the moment they prepared themselves to splat across the ground, their acceleration suddenly slowed as if connected by an invisible bungee rope that brought them to a gentle landing as their feet touched down across an empty side street.
“Divona!You could have warned us! I thought I was gonna die!” Michael said, feeling incredibly nauseous.
“Sorry. That was the fastest possible way to get down. I will always protect you.” Divona said.
"I've jumped out of planes before but even I wasn’t prepared for this…what the hell?” A sickly looking Audrea said.
Michael noticed Divona was a little wobbly on her feet. It worried him. He immediately forgot about his plight and headed over to her but when he did so, she appeared to lose her balance and fall over. He broke her fall and held her in his arms
"Hey! Divona, are you alright? Talk to me, what's wrong?”
“I require more energy.” Divona said softly.
Audrea, who seemed rather upset about this whole situation suddenly changed her tune seeing Divona in such a disturbing state. Michael looked over at the British agent with eyes of concern.
“We need to help her right now!” Michael said.
"Energy? Where can we… what does she need?" Audrea stressed.
"Anything. Food, electricity, fire maybe, I don't know!"
Audrea scanned their surroundings, desperately trying to think of some solution, until one finally came to mind. She looked back at Michael.
"Wait here, I'll be right back." She said.
Michael nodded, but Audrea was already off. She ran in the middle of the road and had her eyes set upon an approaching car that began to beep its horn at her. Michael was shocked When she pulled out her gun and ordered the driver to leave the car. The middle aged male driver immediately opened the door while raising his hands.
Audrea sat in the driver’s seat.
"What are you waiting for? Get in!" Audrea ordered.
Michael Apologized to the fearful man as he carried Divona to the back of the car. He opened the back door and placed Divona’s limp body down low across the seat. He sat down beside her and closed the door after himself.
"I'm really sorry. Truly.” Audrea said to the man before they sped off down the road.
Michael was too concerned about Divona to even know what Audrea was planned. At this point he had to put his trust into her as he held Divona in his arms, horrified at the lifeless look to her face. Her eyes were open but they were like glass, overly reflective and unresponsive, as was her entire face. She looked more like a life sized doll that wasn’t actually alive anymore, and for him, that imagery was a scary one. He had never been so afraid in his entire life.
Audrea drove relatively quickly but not so quick as to appear like a complete lunatic on the road. Traffic wasn't very heavy in this time of night and luckily there were no police to notice them passing at least two red lights.
"Are we being followed?" Audrea said.
Michael looked at the rear view window and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"No, I think it's clear. Where are you going?"
“I don’t think this place very well, but I do know some place I think will work well, hold on." Audrea said.
Audrea drove a flew blocks further until they arrived in front a electric car dealership, one Michael instantly recognised. Just one glance upon it brought Michael a massive sense of relief. Audrea pulled the car up to one of the nearest charging stations, where they both immediately exited the vehicle. Michael grabbed Divona and carried her towards the charging unit. He placed her gently to the ground whilst holding her head up with his hand.
Audrea reached for the charging nozzle, pulled it out, and held it awkwardly in her hand as if unsure where to stick it.
“What am I supposed to do?” Audrea said.
"Just place it against her skin or something, I dunno!”
"Where exactly?"
"Doesn't matter! Anywhere! Quickly!" Michael yelled.
Audrea grabbed Divona's right hand and placed the nozzle flatly against it, but nothing happened. She tried repeatedly pressing it against Divona's hand but there was still no reaction. Michael had never used a charging station like this before and he suspected Audrea hadn't really either. She seemed just as lost as he was. This station was designed to recharge electric cars and neither could be sure it would even work for a girl from the future.
"Are we supposed to pay? Maybe that's why nothings happening. I don’t see any way to insert cash or a credit card or anything!” Audrea stressed, madly fumbling at the controls.
"No, I think it should be free. I read it somewhere before.” Michael said.
"Then why isn't this working?"
"I don't know!"
Michael grabbed the nozzle off Audrea and tried to press it against Divona's hand himself. Nothing happened. He pressed it down again, this time firmer, and at last there was some sort of reaction. Divona’s skin began to fuse with nozzle the way a wound heals over a bandage, except the whole thing worked in real time. The skin appeared to attach itself to the nozzle until it was firmly attached. It seemed enough to hold itself so Michael let go off it and allowed the rest to happen automatically. A small green light began to blink across the nozzle, and it became clear that the device began charging as it should. Almost instantly, Divona reanimated back to life. her eyes instantly focused on to Michael and it was clear that she was back.
Michael was so relieved, he found it difficult to hold tears of happiness back. He brought her in for a tight embrace to which she returned equally.
"Divona, I’m so glad you’re back. I thought you were dead! I thought I lost you!”
“I wasn’t dead Michael. I was in a low powered state. ” She said over his shoulder.
“You could have told me. Don’t you ever scare me like that again!”
They pulled apart and quickly got to their feet. The sight of seeing Divona strong enough to walk again made him happier than he had ever felt in his entire life.
"You had no reason to be afraid. The earth was in no imminent danger of being destroyed. I could survive for a long time in such a state.”
"I couldn't care less about the earth….i… I know how stupid that sounds, but I don't care…I couldn’t bear to lose you.” Michael said.
At first Divona threw him a strange look as if she was confused, but then a reassuring smile grew across her lips, one that was overly warm and comforting to him. She smiled as much with her eyes as with her mouth, and in that moment Michael could have been fooled she was an ordinary human girl. He wondered whether she even had the ability to think and feel the same way he did; if she could love the way he knew he could. He was a pessimist by nature but as he stared so passionately into her gleaming blue eyes, he swore he glimpsed into her very soul. He never really did believe in that kind of mystical stuff but Divona if anyone could make him believe impossible things it was Divona. Since she wasn’t entirely human, It was possible that everything she did was a manipulation in order to get him to do what she wanted. His brain urged him to be wary, but his heart told him to believe.
Then Divona then did something that instantly dissolved all those negative thoughts. In the spur of the moment, she leant forward and planted a kiss upon his stunned lips. His mind instantly went blank, and his heart began to beat like a stallion as all that existed was the warm gentleness of her lips as they lingered tenderly against his own. Afterwards she pulled away, her closed eyes gradually opening as she looked at him with a new sense of passion.
Right in that moment, he was in love.
“I hate to break it to you love birds…but we need to get going…” Audrea said with her arms crossed.
They both looked at her. They knew she was right.
“This charging station provides a lot more power than a usual power socket…How long do you think you need?” Michael said.
Divona’s attention turned to the closed electric car dealership nearby. She then turned back to Michael and smiled playfully.
“This machine called a ‘car’, would you like a new one?” Divona said.
Both Michael and Audrea looked at each other oddly, but before they could even figure out what Divona exactly meant by that she decided to make it very clear. Divona disconnected herself from the nozzle and then they followed her towards the dealership, walking straight towards the glass display section with all the range of demo vehicles behind it. Just as they suspected the glass dematerialised to create and opening for them to head through, reforming the moment they were inside.
“…What about security? Cameras?” Audrea said as she nervously looked around.
“I’m guessing she disabled them, right Divona?” Michael said.
“Correct.” Divona said.
They took a moment to glance around at all the brand new cars around them, all shiny and polished to perfection.
Divona turned over to Michael.
“Which one would you like?”
“Oh, Uh…let’s see…hmmm.” Michael said.
He took a moment to have a proper think, but he already has his mind set upon the red sports model in the center. It was the most expensive and powerful model of course, the one he had seen in a magazine once.
“I like that one, but, isn’t this stealing?” Michael said.
“It’s not like the government isn’t already after us…well, maybe not the government but they may as well be.” Audrea said.
Divona walked up to a different model and placed her hand across the bonnet. The way a spark could be seen emitting from her hair made it apparent she was absorbing whatever electrical charge was stored within it. After a few seconds she then moved on to another, and then another. Finally they headed towards the sports model that struck Michael’s fancy.
Divona headed to the driver’s side door, unlocked it remotely, and sat inside. Michael was caught a little off guard as he did not expect her to sit there, and neither did Audrea.
“Get inside.” Divona ordered.
Audrea smirked over at Michael. “I hope your girlfriend can drive.”