Note: Thank you so much for all reviews! You have no idea how happy they made me. For those of you who were confused, This is a fanfic where Max never escaped, (and, because I feel like it, Logan was never shot). She's Manticore brain-washed, so her point of view of the world is different. Sorry if you didn't get that. Please keep reviews coming! I'm considering being a writer when I grow up. Here's Chapter 2.
-That face was Logan Cale's-
I mentally kick myself for being caught so unprepared. My entire mission rests on what happens now.
"Hey," I try to be neutrally friendly. From what I read about the guy, he didn't seem like the type to pick up a slut.
"Hey." He doesn't seem incredibly interested in me. He turns his gaze back to the stars. I take the chance to study my enemy, thankful for my cat-vision. His blonde hair seems to be going in any and every direction, framing a handsome, sensitive, face. He's fairly well muscled, but against me, that doesn't mean squat. I'm a little disappointed, he doesn't really seem remotely threatening, much less a worthy opponent. He glances at me again, and I change my mind. There's something in his eyes, an intelligence, a strength, that say this is not a man to cross lightly. Maybe I'll get my challenge after all. He looks at me again.
"So what are you doing out at this hour?" he's started conversation. Good. Think.
"I like the night, it's peaceful." Damb, he'll think I want to be left alone, talk some more. "What about you?"
"Pretty much the same, I like the time to think."
"About what?" I wonder how far I can go with this. I lean against a tree and try to seem casual. A flash of…something crosses his eyes.
"About how many gorgeous women are likely to come up and talk to me tonight." (gag) This guy must think pretty highly of himself if he thinks I'm going to be impressed by a line like that. I snort. He hears me, and grins.
"Point taken. I was actually thinking about boring things, like work." I raise an eyebrow. "I'm a journalist." He explains, and offers a hand. "Logan Cale, and you are?" Perfect. I take the hand and grip it.
"Max Guevara. I'm…a bike messenger." I let go. "So what story were you thinking about?" Maybe I could stop him from broadcasting it, kill two birds with one stone.
"I'm not aloud to talk about it, not until it's published." Hey, he actually has some sense. "So how long have you lived in Seattle?"
"I just got here today." He looks surprised, then thoughtful, cocking his head to the side.
"Would you like me to show you around then?" His eyes have dropped what little guard was there, and are now purely flirtatious. This is working perfectly. I smile a little and shrug.
"Sure." I spend the next couple of hours wandering down the abandoned streets with Cale. He didn't actually show me anything, but we talked longer than I've ever talked before in my life; him about his childhood, me about the past that Manticore had made up for this mission. He's interesting, and courteous, and after the first ten minutes or so, I actually enjoyed myself, almost forgetting that I was going to kill the man beside me. After being invited (and agreeing) to meet at his apartment for dinner the next night, I make my way back to Original Cindy's apartment. I'm proud that the mission is going so well, but why do I feel so damb cheerful besides?
I opened the door to O.C.'s soft snoring. I glance at my watch. 4:32. I was out for longer than I thought. Still have a few hours to kill though. I head to my room, I don't really need sleep, but I might as well.
I try, but I can't fall asleep. I'm happy that the mission was going smoothly, I know where Logan…Cale lived now, and I've gained his trust, to a certain extent at least. Lydecker's going to be proud. But my thoughts keep on drifting back to my time roaming the streets with him- it was almost going to be a shame to have to kill the guy, he seemed pretty nice…I snuffed that thought out. I'm a soldier, and he's the enemy, it's as simple as that. My thoughts straightened, I relax and fall asleep.
I wake up to someone shaking me. It's Lydecker! I jump out of bed and snap to attention…to find myself in an apartment room with no Lydecker in sight, and O.C. half-kneeling on my bed, looking at me like I just sprouted horns. I blush slightly and relax.
"You okay boo? You looked like you just seen a ghost." I blinked. She was worried about me. Was I hurt? I check-nope. I look back at her, confused, and shrug.
"I'm fine, I just have quick reflexes." She stands up, but she still looks worried.
"Sorry if Original Cindy scared ya," scared me, was that what she was worried about? Jeez. " I just thought you should know that Normal ain't gonna be happy if your late on your second day." She strides out the door. I glance at my watch. Shit. Screw breakfast, I've gotta fly. I throw on some clothes and bolt out of my room and down the hall, sliding to a halt in front of O.C., who is drinking some coffee in the kitchen with an amused expression.
"Aren't you coming?" I ask, franticly tying my shoes.
"Sure Sugga, soon as I finish my coffee." This girl was nuts.
"But you'll be late."
"Original Cindy been working for Normal for a long time, she ain't gonna be fired, and she don't really care." My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head. If she were at Manticore…but she's not, and I guess that's what makes the difference. I pull myself together and blaze out the door.
Panting slightly, I arrive at work 10 minutes late. I sigh a little as I walk up to Normal's desk, expecting to be chewed out at the very least, but he just shoves a package at me and walks off to find some other worker. Judging by all of the other people he's hired, I guess he expects me to be a slacker. Works for me. I hop back on my bike and do the run.
O.C. arrives an hour later, striding in like it's nothing. All Normal does is issue the same threats he did yesterday. God this guy's a pushover. I wonder how far I could go…better not risk it, I'll form bad habits. Still, it is tempting to walk all over him.
"Hey Max! I don't pay you to stand around-get back to work!" I suppress the urge to smack him and hop back on my bike.
By the end of the day I'm getting really fed up with Normal. Yeah, he outranks me, but he really is a pain in the ass. What is with me? Thinking about him like this, it shouldn't even be relevant. I need to get my head in the game, I'm still meeting Logan tonight.