Fallen Idol
Chapter Four: Believe Me Or Not

I know, I'm driving you all nuts because this hasn't been finished. Don't worry, Christmas break will help out, too. As of right now, I have so much choir stuff going on that I don't think I'll EVER have time. ^_^ Oh, and here's your first glimpse of Von Reichter....

Mikae yawned as she slumped against the cold brick steps of Meridiana High. She was extremely tired, and she'd bombed the history test. With crashing colors. 5th period, also known as lunch, was going to serve as a nap.
HEY HOWDY HEY!
She started and slammed her elbow against the ground. Ow...dammit, Jer!
The mocking eyes grinned down at her. Rough night?
Like you wouldn't believe. Where've you been; I had you down for Missing in Boredom.
Talking with Mr. Seidelman. Jeremy sat down beside her. I think I need extra credit in his class.
How do you need extra credit? It's all poetry anyway. Mikae yawned again and rubbed her left eye. she grumbled, extra credit won't help you or me; I'm failing.
You stay up too late talking about Cybersix.
She's real, Jeremy, you've seen the news!
Yeah, right she's real.
I saw her last night! In the slums.
Your mommy wouldn't let you out that late, and down there. Heck, that's where the TEACHERS live.
Mikae smacked his shoulder. Be nice.
What's that word mean?
She stretched and stood up, pulling her bookbag onto her back. See you around, okay?
If I see you first, I'll run, okay?


Von Reichter leaned against his hand. A Fixed Idea had reported that there had been a girl with Cybersix just last night. Now, it wasn't that he trusted the worthless, brainless zombies, especially with a story like that, but there was something intriguing about the thought of Cybersix with a partner.
He shook his head. No, not a partner. She would never agree to that. She was a loner, as she always had been, and she wouldn't change that quickly. But then, who was the girl? I must find out...perhaps I can use her.
A smile crossed his face.

Cybersix, meanwhile, was tired at the end of a very uneventful day, considering the night she'd previously had. She was resting on her couch, dressed loosely in a robe, almost too tired to slink into her skintight costume. But there was the matter of that girl... There was something strange about her, something not quite soothing. It was as though Mikae wasn't happy with the life she led, and had chosen to dive into the life of a mysterious shadow.
Not a healthy habit, Cybersix sighed, and rubbed her forehead. Oh, I really should stop her before she gets any crazy ideas into her head. With a soft groan of resolution, she donned her costume and plopped her hat onto her head. Teenagers, she thought with a laugh, and jumped from her window.
It wouldn't be too hard to find the girl, or so she hoped. The name Krubens had been listed several times in the Meridiana Directory, and there were only four locations. If the address was even listed, but she wouldn't think that until her options were exhausted. The first location was empty, presumably condemned, while the second was nearly collapsing from the loud party vibrations. Mikae hadn't seemed like the partying type, and she was so utterly devoted that it was unlikely for her to be uncaring of a possible visit. The third address, however, proved very promising.
Rather than knock on the door (a polite gesture, but not to her liking for the matter at hand), Cybersix circled the small house until a soft blue light caught her eye from the upstairs window. It was obviously a computer screen's glow, and Cybersix leaped up to the roof to peer in through the window. This gives me a very wrong feeling. I shouldn't be peeping in people's windows at night.
But Mikae was seated at her computer, excitedly typing away, pausing, then typing again. With her enhanced sight, Cybersix could make out the words on the screen.

Private Msg From Seven7Siete: u think she's coming 2 nite?
Private Msg To Seven7Siete: Dunno. She might or she might not, but I don't want to miss it.

Cybersix softly tapped on the window. Mikae turned to look, and her eyes widened as a grin took shape. She quickly typed something into the chatroom, then signed off and rushed to the double windows, flinging them open. I just KNEW you'd come tonight!
Cybersix almost laughed, given what she'd said in the chatroom. Did you?
Well, I thought so, anyway.
Why were you hoping to get a picture of me last night?
You're my hero. And besides, my friend Jeremy doesn't believe you exist, even with all the newspaper headlines.
So you wanted to prove that I'm real?
Pretty much, yeah. What was that green stuff?
Cybersix blinked. Don't tell her... ...Mikae, stay away from things you don't understand. You could get hurt.
Yeah, what else is new? Mikae crossed her arms. It's not like Meridiana High is a piece of cake or anything.
Meridiana- Oh NO! you stupid woman! How could you have forgotten to check the student listings? Please, Mikae, I don't want anything to happen to you.
sighed Mikae, I won't go LOOKING for trouble. But...you'll be okay, right?
Cybersix smiled, thrown slightly offguard. There's no reason for me to get hurt. But will YOU be okay?
Yeah, yeah.
Cybersix leaped from the window.
Hey, wait a sec-! Mikae clambered out onto the roof. Just like her to disappear... but at least she exists! Hurray! And she headed back inside.

A Type scribbled something down on a notepad, then darted away into the night.