Assignments from Collective Systems resumed. Nigel started to get a little worried; his access to Collective Systems resources was only possible during assignment windows. Nigel was learning that interns didn’t enjoy the same privileges as full employees. Figures.
Nigel received some assignments from Collective Systems and two text messages at the same time, one from Milo and one from an unknown number. Nigel prioritized the texts before the assignments so the countdown didn’t start.
Nigel opened the message from Milo first.
“Hey, Nige, how you doing? My sister Cassidy will be texting you soon. Her number is 555-3627. She won’t tell me why she needs to talk, but I think she has a message from Jet. Not sure if you know this, but they have been friends for a couple of years now.”
Sure enough, the unknown number matched Cassidy’s.
“Hello, Nigel, you don’t know me well, but we’ve met a couple of times when you were visiting Milo. We have a mutual friend, Josephine. She asked me to contact you since her father made her block all communication to your number. Jet is in the middle of packing. Her father is moving her out of the state. I will be meeting her tonight. She asked if I could contact you on her behalf.”
Why does her father hate me? Nigel wondered.
While he pondered, Cassidy sent another message.
“So here is the plan. I’m going to Jet’s house to say goodbye. We will have a short window for a video call on my phone. You will have five minutes to say goodbye. Please reply as soon as you get this text.”
Nigel replied to Cassidy, saying that he would settle for a video call if that was the only way he could say goodbye. Several minutes later, Cassidy sent another text.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“We’re all set. Can you talk now?”
Nigel glanced at his watch. He still had several minutes of grace time left before he had to accept or deny the assignment.
“Sure, I can talk now,” Nigel replied.
Nigel’s phone rang with the video call tone.
“Hello!?!”
Ahh, I sound weak and vulnerable! Nigel thought.
Seconds later, Jet appeared. Her pink streaks were gone. Her face looked off; Nigel couldn’t place the expression. The camera on the phone panned, and he was able to see most of her body now. Cassidy must be controlling the phone.
“As you can see, I’m pretty messed up right now,” Jet said. “I haven't been able to get on a computer to find you in-game, and my father is so angry. He blames you for the attack for some reason. I tried talking him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen. I hope you don’t mind that Cassidy is here with me.”
“No! Not at all. I’m glad that someone is there,” Nigel said.
That’s not want I wanted to say. Nige, you are so stupid, Nigel thought.
Jet didn’t seem to notice his awkward word choice. She winced and changed positions slightly, as if it was painful to even have this conversation.
Better make your next words count, Dummy!
“Jet, I sent you this in an in-game message, but I want to say it in person. You are the most selfless person I have ever known. I just hope I can repay you someday. It is my deepest desire to see you again under different circumstances. I hope your father realizes how important you are. You are so very important to me.”
Nigel wanted to say more, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. His eyes were getting blurry. Nigel wiped the tears from his eyes.
Jet abruptly took the phone from Cassidy with her good arm. Her expression changed; she looked as if someone hit her hard from behind. She pulled the phone close, and the image blurred. Did she kiss the phone? Nigel was perplexed as he mulled this over.
“I will get in touch when I can. Stay safe, my love,” Jet said, then disconnected.
Nigel stared at his phone in stunned silence.