Part thirteen
When a door closes, a window opens
„Sir? I'm looking for a Nicholas Carter ?"
„Yes, that's me."
Working for „Express Deliveries" was no piece of cake The boss had as little imagination as the title of the business suggested it. It was tough, especially when you had to carry heavy packages for 6 floors when the elevator was broken. At least the warm smile of the recipient allowed some hope for a generous tip. Now this was a guy he would be happy to see his sister marry. Tall, athletic, with brown eyes to match his hair. Kinda sad looking and even stern but still, somehow good natured. Not like the good for nothing money bags three times her age she was hooked up with right now. Too bad, wishful thinking.
„I have an express shipment for you. Where can I unload it ?"
The man pointed to an empty corner in the large living room.
„Over there. Just be careful, it's fragile"
*
Nicholas Carter would be due to work at the San Francisco Times in the morning, taking over a position as editor at the prestigious non-conformist newspaper. Until then he still had to unload and unpack the equipment he had bought through various online providers and had shipped over several other delivery services. He searched his pocket for some cash to tip the boy and refrained from looking at it too longingly. His last few dollars. Oh well... Starting tomorrow he would earn some more.
After the delivery boy left, the man slumped in the only chair available and perused the almost empty room. His thoughts seemed to wander off by themselves, reaching hidden corners of his mind he had thought sealed a week ago.
The worst case scenario he had ever imagined didn't even begin to describe the sense of doom and final destruction that had enveloped him after Seattle's shadows had been left behind. The thought of how he hitched a ride out of Seattle Zack-style made a bitter laugh escape his lips. He had stooped low in that respect, but then it was only because he had been on the run, still reeling after finally seeing her at the Space Needle.
He had never counted on losing anything else but his worldly possessions or his life. This was worse, so much worse. His heart was numb, his mind didn't fare much better, but other than that he was fine, just fine. It was for the best anyway. He managed to concentrate and underneath the contact lenses his eyes regained the hard, unyielding composure he usually hid himself behind. The red-blue and white Halloween mask was plastered over his face once again. Besides, Logan Cale might be dead, but Eyes Only could not wallow in misery, at least not today it seemed. Rebuilding the informant net was not going to be an easy task and he didn't need the distractions of the past to come haunt him. At least he had salvaged the laptop and some cash to help him start again.
He slowly rose from his newly acquired chair and headed for the window of his apartment. San Francisco was a beautiful city and he certainly wouldn't miss the rain in Seattle. After all there was no one to share a walk in the rain with. Darkness had descended over the houses that could barely be seen at the foot of the tower and he pretended not to hear the faint voice in his head whispering: „Forever dark. Somebody's angel". He pretended not to draw unexpected comfort from the words spoken long ago and the warm sensation they conjured.
Eyes Only would soon be back to fight corruption, the moment for soul searching had past. Just in time, too, since he didn't actually know how to explain away the sudden determination and strength he had somehow found in himself. Tomorrow was another day. He was ready for whatever fate would throw at him, whatever life decided to hit him with.
AN: So ? No, I haven't forgotten about Bling. That part of the story will be in posts to come...
