Grabbing my head, Regius calmly instructs me, “Don’t touch anyone, don’t walk in front of me, and don’t make any strong movement either, without my permission of course. Remember, we are normal people in this all human world. Until we encounter the target, don’t do anything you shouldn’t” staring into his eyes, I notice that instead of just one color, Regius has two. Most of his eight eyes are dominated with purple but very small specs of red could be seen in each.
Sighing, he gently shakes my head, “Understand Winowna? This may seem like an adventure, but even your super strength isn’t enough to keep us alive.” Feeling his heartfelt concern, I nod my head obediently. Wilbur always said that when a person is emotional and serious at the same time, you should just agree. You can always just not do as you said you would later.
Following him out of the little room in the wall, I find myself in another room. It’s completely different from the one we were in before entering the wall. Watching Regius’s steps, I mimic them and step exactly where he does. Walking in sync we approach the entrance of the building. For some reason, it had no doors. Just these spinning sheets of glass. Turning around to glance at me, Regius steps into the contraption and walks around the moving glass sheets and out of the building. Mimicking Regius, I hold the bar attached to one of the glass sheets and walk with the sheet. Focusing on my feet, I take small steps and keep up with the glass sheet. Trying to push it faster, I watch the glass near the handle crack. Taking my hands off, I tiptoe out of the contraption.
Walking over to Regius who was waiting, I motion for him to lead the way. Walking on the side of the street, I ask, “Why can't we use the inner street? It looks much smoother and it’s less congested.” Gesturing to the sky he says, “It’s night right now so there are fewer people out, but the middle of the street is reserved for their carriages. You see, their carriages are made of metals and travel at speeds we only use in the sky. Watch, that's what the streets are for.” Leaning to the side around his broad shoulders, I see a shiny carriage with glass windows rolling towards us at a dangerous speed. “Wait, isn’t that dangerous for us?” I ask concerned.
Chuckling, he reaches to put his hand on my shoulder but retracts it halfway. Awkwardly scratching his head, he explains, “That’s why we’re not in the middle of the street. The black part of the street is for their carriages. Also, they call them cars here.” Watching my nod vigorously, he hands me a picture, “This is the target, keep an eye out for him, please. Don’t fight him, tell me first. His power in this world is invisibility, not only does he have enhanced strength because of this world technology, but the limit on his power has been reported up to a few hours. Easily enough time to escape any pursuit. We have to catch him before he knows we’re looking for him.”
Staring at the picture, I look at Regius. Looking back at the picture, I ask, “Did you happen to see the guy who licked my hand?” Stopping, he turns halfway around and as asks, “No, why?” Giving him the picture back, I twiddle my fingers, “The guy who I accidentally hit looks exactly like the guy in the picture.” Waiting for a response, I stare at his feet. These costumes really are comfy, I didn’t even notice I wasn’t wearing shoes. Normally A sharp rock would have gotten underneath and I would have felt the stupidest adaptation humans have, pain.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Stretching my toes apart and them squishing them back together, I marvel at the costume. If I have a pillow or even a bed like this, wouldn’t it be amazing? Smiling to myself, Regius shakes me out of my thoughts. “You saw him? Are you sure that the guy was him?” he asks frantically. Not really understanding why he is so worked up, I casually answer positively.
Running past me, he yells at me to follow. Tiredly shrugging my shoulders, I trace my footsteps backward. Happily humming, I take a few more steps backward before I hear someone yell behind me. Turning around, I find the same mustache guy on the ground. Looking closer, I notice his nose isn’t broken anymore. He must have some kind of healing power too!
Looking at me in disgust, he says, “Well, what are you waiting for? Help me up.” Confused, I grab his hand and carefully pull him up. Looking at me like I’m a lunatic he says, “What are you, slow? I can see you're not struggling at all. Why’d it take you so long to pull me up? Here, do me a favor give me a tight hug as compensation.” he says deviously.
Not interested, I say, ”I’m sorry mister but I need to go now” Trying to go around him, he steps in front of me. “Come on sweetheart, you hurt me. The least you can do is give me a hug?” Smiling nastily, he holds his arms wide. I don’t have time for this! I have to tell Regius I found the target. It’s just a hug, right? Reluctantly I give him a light hug. Careful not to use too much strength I wrap my arms around him. Clearly enjoying it, he says “Come on honey, you can hug me harder than that. Show some effort.”
Thinking back to Regius’s words, I did have this guy’s permission right. Smiling brightly, I give the guy a tight and warm hug. Squirming in my embrace, the guy screams as his ribs crack. “Okay! Okay lady, let me go! I won’t do it again.” Letting the guy go he flops onto the ground, struggling to breathe. He’s not as strong as Regius said. Glaring at him, I run back to the building. I gasp as I encounter the rotating glass sheets again. I can’t mimic Regius because they’re rotating the wrong way. Thinking about it, I remember something Wilbur taught me. If the path is uncrossable, you just have to make another. Nodding my head, I punch the wall next to the glass sheets and walk into the building.
Finding quite a few stares directed at me, I hurry to the metal plate. Gently pushing the button as Regius had done, I wait. As the plate slowly opens I get inside. Waiting for the door to close, I stare at the switchboard. Which one leads to our room? Deciding the at least one of them is correct, I press all of them. After watching the plate open and close several times, I finally see the tropical painting that I had seen before. Exiting the wall, I find Regius punching the mustache man over and over. Running over to him I say, “Regius! I found another outside! He looks just like this guy but without all the blood!”
The mustache guy gestures to me frantically. “Sorry,” Regius mutters and grabs my shoulder. “Please tell me he doesn’t know we’re looking for him,“ he asks.