Chapter 21: Banter
I shoot Alec a quick warning glance when he slips his hand up my thigh. He's doing his best to try and get me in trouble. It won't work. I won't let him win.
"How are the pancakes, Kira?" I ask my friend, sending a quick kick towards Alec's leg under the table.
"Great." Kira replies, before sticking another forkful in her mouth.
The three of us pulled over when we came across a diner just inside of sector 10. Alec was a little surprised when he saw Kira and I exit the car smiling and laughing, but I whispered a quick explanation to him as we walked inside. As well as a quick warning not to do anything to piss Kira off.
We're now finishing off the biggest breakfasts on the menu. All three of us were starving, but Alec and I evidently worked up an even bigger appetite than Kira. We just sort of inhaled our food while she actually took the time to chew hers and therefore still has some left on her plate.
I take another sip of milk while I wait for my friend to finish, then decide I should use the bathroom while we're stopped.
"I'll be back. I'm going to find the bathroom." I inform Alec and Kira.
I try not to jump when Alec pinches my ass the second I leave my seat. He's so going to pay for that! I fume about it all the way to the bathroom and back. The way he raises his eyebrows questioningly at me when I return and the ill-concealed smirk on his face doesn't do anything to help his case either.
"Hey, Jess." Kira says, drawing my attention, "I've been wanting to take a spin on a bike for awhile and Alec said he didn't mind. Cool with you?"
I glance from Kira to Alec then back again. Why do I feel like I'm being set up somehow?
"Yeah, sure, I guess." I say.
On the one hand, it's weird to see the two of them doing anything but arguing. On the other, I suppose this will give me an opportunity to get back at Alec. Unless he's already planning something… I glance over at him suspiciously.
"I called Max to come pick us up." he informs me, the picture of innocence.
Calling Max did make sense since we had to ditch the car. We never would have gotten it through all the checkpoints between the edge of town and T.C. We had to sneak our way through the checkpoints on the way out of town, stealing the car once we reached the border. We'd ditched the thing outside of town and done the same to get back into Sector 10, although Alec was able to ride his bike through thanks to his sector pass.
"I'll make it quick and I won't leave the sector." Kira promises.
"We should probably just wait outside for Max, then." I say, knowing that Max can't risk showing her face around Seattle much anymore.
"After you." Alec says, nudging me to get me to slide out of the booth so he can get out.
I oblige, although I take care not to leave myself exposed for another pinching. Kira pays the bill with Alec's money, dropping the cash on the table. I'm a little surprised by the fact that he hasn't said anything about her hanging onto his money, but I don't comment. That's his problem.
Alec tosses Kira his helmet and within moments she's sped off down the road.
"So," Alec says as he starts to walk along the street in the direction Kira went, "I'm thinking we can get back to T.C. in twenty minutes, spend another ten minutes explaining things to Max, and then be in the shower in another five. What do you think?"
"You're...incorrigible." I reply.
Alec pauses for a second and thinks that over before he nods in agreement.
"Yeah, that's a good way to describe me. So about that shower?" he glances sidelong at me.
"Do you think about anything else?"
"What can I say? I'm addicted to you."
I trip over what I was about to say. It's hard to argue with him when he uses lines like that.
"What was that?" he asks, grinning.
"Nothing. Just shut up." I grumble, taking a close look at the ground.
"Oh, good comeback."
"That's it. You can shower alone."
"I'll be good." Alec says immediately.
"Somehow I doubt that."
"You know me so well."
"Smart ass."
"It's Alec."
"Whatever." I roll my eyes, "So, is this how our life on the road together is going to be? Witty banter and bickering?"
"Don't forget the sex. I fully intend for there to be lots of sex."
"And what about all that other stuff that normal couples do when they're together?"
"One, we're not normal. And two, you're more girlie than I thought."
That comment earns him a sharp punch in the arm.
"Ow! I'm just kidding. Well, mostly. We can do dating stuff. Just don't ask me to make you pasta." Alec straightens up suddenly and looks at me quickly, "Don't tell Max."
"What? Why not?" I ask, confused about what the big deal is.
"Because if you do...well, there'll be no living with her." Alec warns.
Realization slowly dawns on me and I grin.
"You mean, you won't be able to live with her because she'll finally be able to get you back for all the grief you gave her about her and Logan." I correct.
"I didn't give her any grief." Alec protests indignantly.
"Oh, come on, Alec. I know you better than that."
"I would never...okay, you're right. But it was just so easy! I couldn't help it." Alec whines.
"Sorry." I shrug, smiling to myself now that I know how I can get Alec back for his teasing earlier.
Alec's shoulders slump.
"Great. Just great. This is going to be fun." he grumbles sarcastically.
"I'm sure you'll survive."
"At least we're not as lame as Max and Logan." Alec consoles himself, "Not even close. Yeah, and you're way hotter than Logan, too. Not to mention..."
"Alec." I interrupt him.
"Yeah?"
"Stop psyching yourself up. It's annoying."
"My bad."
We walk in silence for a minute before Alec starts fidgeting and acting bored. I wonder if his short attention span is somehow the result of all the forced patience Manticore required from us. Manticore was all about don't speak unless spoken to, don't act unless ordered. Now, as Alec, it's like he always wants to be talking, moving, doing something.
"So, back when you escaped, what did you do after I let you go?" he asks.
"Not what you'd think. There were no celebratory parties or anything. It was mostly just a lot of moving. We were always running, going from one place to the next. We never stayed anywhere for very long. Never long enough for there to be any familiarity. Kira thought I was being paranoid, but I knew that if we ever stayed anywhere too long, you'd find us again. I mean, Manticore would find us again." Alec raises an eyebrow when I say that Kira thought I was paranoid so I add, "I wasn't like this, you know."
"What were you like then?"
"613." I answer simply.
Alec nods in understanding. He puts an arm around my shoulders and gives me a small squeeze.
"But I had to be, you know." I continue, feeling like I have to explain it to him anyway, "It was the only way to survive and not get captured. I'm not like Kira. She can somehow do both, be Kira and 772 all at once. I don't know how to do that. It's like when CAT infiltrated Terminal City, 613 was the one who fired the gun and took out the enemy soldiers, but Jess was the one who felt bad about it later."
I pause, seeing that man's face in my head again.
The name badge on the man's uniform had read Fulton. It had been the same man who had been on the news, talking about how he only wanted to make the world safe for his kids.
What kind of a person could live with the fact that they deprived some innocent children of their father? Maybe the tac soldiers had been right all along. Maybe we aren't really people at all, but just a means to an end, a weapon, a killing machine to be used and disposed of. Maybe they're right about emotions, too. Maybe we shouldn't have them.
Another squeeze of my shoulders brings me out of my thoughts and makes me look over at Alec. Just looking at him I know that my last thought, at least, is totally wrong. I can't live without the emotions I feel for him and I don't want him to lose the emotions he feels for me either.
"What's going on in that head of yours, huh?" he asks gently.
"Nothing much." I joke, offering him a weak smile.
"I doubt that."
I sigh, "I was just thinking about that stuff they taught us at Manticore. You know, about who and what we are."
Alec stops abruptly and I stop, too, looking at him curiously. His hand grabs my chin lightly and turns my face up towards his.
"Don't you believe that stuff. You're not just a walking investment or a piece of R and D or anything like that. Would I have let you go back then if you were? I don't spend time in Psy-Ops for R and D. I don't feel like this about science experiments."
With that he kisses me, an insistent kiss. I try to express my gratitude to him in my response. He's never really talked about what happened to him because he let me go, but I've always suspected that he must have suffered for it. I hate that he had to endure Psy-Ops again because of me. Yet another reason why it must have been so hard for him to let himself care about me.
"They sent you back to Psy-Ops." I say quietly.
Alec glances away. Judging by the expression on his face, he regrets letting that slip. I know he doesn't like talking about it. No one who had to spend time in Psy-Ops likes talking about it and he's had more time there than most between being an '09er twin, the sideways mission with Rachel, and then letting me escape.
Alec's eyes slide back to me and he heaves a sigh of his own, "Look, forget I said anything. I don't want you looking at me like that."
"I'm sorry. I just hate that I caused…" I begin.
"You didn't do anything." Alec interrupts, his voice harsh and firm, making my eyes widen a little at his tone. He pauses and runs his hand through his hair, "Just…don't feel sorry for me, okay? I'm fine."
I nod slowly even though I don't believe him. Cautiously, I step closer to him again, reaching a hand out to touch his cheek and direct his gaze back to mine. I don't want to make him relive that hell if he doesn't want to, but I need to make sure that he knows that he can rely on me.
"Okay. But I'm here if you need me, alright?"
Alec nods, but he's still frowning and his gaze is still distant. I feel like there's something more that he's not telling me, more than just what I know about Psy-Ops. It has to be something to do with Manticore, but I can't imagine what.
The sound of a vehicle approaching draws both of our attention. I turn and see a van driving up to us, followed closely by Kira on Alec's bike. Alec quickly puts some space between us, clearly not looking forward to giving Max the heads up on our relationship, but I'm sure it's much too late for that anyway.
"Looks like our ride's here." I say.
Max pulls over and opens the passenger door. She's still a bit bruised and battered from her encounter with the Familiars, but she's looking much more like her usual self. She raises her eyebrow at Alec, glancing pointedly between us.
"Hey, guys." she greets us, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Hey, Max. We'll explain on the way." Alec says before she can ask.
"Cool with me. Put the bike in the back. Oh, and Alec, you take shotgun. You're the only other one with a sector pass."
"Got it." he nods.
Alec and I move to the back of the van and Alec opens the doors as I wave Kira to pull the bike up. The three of us load it into the van and Kira and I jump in the back after it. I take a seat on the floor behind Max's seat and smile at Alec as he gets in the passenger side and closes the door.
"Alright." Max says as she hauls on the steering wheel to turn us around, "Start talking."
"Well, it's like this Maxie..." Alec begins.
"He's in love with Jess." Kira interrupts, much to everyone's surprise.
I can hardly believe my ears. She didn't just say that, did she? I think Alec is actually turning red. I think I momentarily forget how to breathe.
"What?" Max chokes out.
"Yeah, and she's even worse. It's disgusting really. They're always touching and kissing." Kira rolls her eyes, "That's why he just had to come after us and she decided that we had to come after you so that they can be together. Because you need Alec to help you out so they figure we can tail you and that way we'll be within range if you need anything."
"Really?" Max asks, looking at Alec with a wide smirk.
"Oh, shut up." Alec grumbles, crossing his arms and turning to face the window as he slouches in his seat.
"I thought she wasn't your girl. I thought you were too smart to get dragged into a relationship. I thought you were the ultimate player." Max teases.
"Did I not say shut up? I could've sworn I said it." Alec mutters angrily.
"I'm getting this irresistible urge to sing 'Alec's got a girlfriend' over and over."
"I swear to God, Maxie..." Alec warns.
"Payback's a bitch, ain't it?" Max grins.
"No, you're a bitch." Alec corrects.
"Better believe it." Max agrees, then gestures ahead, "Checkpoint. You guys in the back keep down. Lover-boy, get out your sector pass."
"I told you there'd be no living with her." Alec glances back at me while he fishes his sector pass out of his jacket.
"She's not bugging me." I shrug, trying not to smile.
Alec rolls his eyes and mutters, "Traitor."
Conversation stops as Max pulls up to the checkpoint. I scrunch down lower into the shadows behind the seat, trying to make myself invisible.
"JamPony messengers." Max says as she rolls down her window.
She holds out her sector pass and Alec holds up his, as well. The sector cop peers at the passes suspiciously.
"I thought you were bike messengers." he says, eyes narrowed.
"Usually," Max agrees in what is obviously a forced sweet tone, "but we're delivering a bike today. Doesn't exactly fit in a messenger bag, you know."
The cop peers around Max's seat and I shrink even lower.
"Is there a problem, officer?" Max asks, drawing his attention back to her.
The officer doesn't respond at first, but finally he grunts out a reply.
"No. You're all clear. Move it along."
"Gee, thanks, officer." Max says in a voice dripping with sarcasm.
She drives past before the officer can even think of replying.
"You can't even fake nice, can you?" Alec asks.
"What are you yapping about?" Max demands.
"Oh, come on, Max. That was the worst sweet-talking I have ever seen in my entire life. I've seen X6s do better in training." Alec remarks.
"Ouch." Kira says quietly.
I glance at her and see she's smiling. She catches me looking at her, gestures to Max and Alec, and shakes her head slightly. I nod in agreement. Their banter is pretty amusing.
"I'll have you know that if I really wanted to sweet-talk someone I could do a damn fine job of it. I just don't see any point in wasting my time on sector cops." Max replies haughtily.
"Whatever you've got to tell yourself." Alec shrugs.
"You're an idiot." Max snaps.
"Well, somebody's insecure."
"Do you ever stop talking?"
"Not really."
"Ugh! I hate you."
"Wow, you're right. You are a sweetheart."
"Careful, your girlfriend might get jealous."
"Here I thought Logan had copyrighted the whole jealous lover thing."
"You so don't want to go there." Max growls.
"Your fault."
"How the heck is your utter stupidity and complete jackass-ness my fault?"
"First off, I don't think 'jackass-ness' is a word. Secondly, you started this."
"I don't know how Jess can stand you."
"Well Max, most women can stand me just fine. You're the oddball."
"Do you try to tick me off or does it come naturally?"
"A bit of both actually."
"When we get to T.C., I'm so gonna kick your ass."
"You know some people aren't afraid to use their intellect to fight their battles."
"Are you calling me stupid?" Max demands.
"I never said that."
"But you implied...you know what? I'm not falling for it. I know what you're trying to do."
"Oh and what's that, Maxie?" Alec asks with faux-innocence.
"You're trying to trick me into not beating your ass. Nice try."
"Would I do such a thing?" Alec continues, wide-eyed at the implication.
Max reaches over and smacks Alec in the back of the head. He bats her arm away, but she just smacks him again. I try to suppress a laugh, but I'm unable to contain it. Alec's eyes immediately shoot to me and he gives me a hurt look.
"I hope you're laughing because I'm so witty." Alec says, pouting.
"Somehow I doubt that." Max says dryly, saving me from having to reply.
"I don't know what your problem is, Maxie. I haven't screwed anything up for you in at least a week."
"I'm sure you'll make up for that later."
"Do you have to be so negative all the time? You're always 'pout, pout, the world sucks, fun is bad for you.'"
"I don't pout."
"Oh, please." Alec laughs.
"Don't laugh at me!" Max glares at him and punches him in the shoulder which only makes him laugh harder, "I do not pout, Alec!"
"And Logan's not a nerd."
"Don't call him that." Max snaps, but adds under her breath, "Even if it is true."
Alec's eyebrows rise at that, but he doesn't comment on it. Instead, he turns to look back at Kira and me.
"Well, kids, looks like we're home."
The van slows to a stop and Kira opens the back door. She climbs out and I push the bike back to her. Together, we get the bike out and I hop out after it. Immediately, the change in Terminal City is obvious. It's quiet, deserted. Despite what Alec just said, it doesn't feel like home anymore. It feels...empty.
"Kind of depressing, isn't it?"
I glance over at Alec and nod in agreement. He joins me in gazing at our surroundings before turning towards Max.
"So who's still here?" he asks.
"A few groups still have to leave but really just Krit, Syl, Joshua, and Mole." Alec raises an eyebrow at that last name and Max smiles slightly, "He claims he's sticking around because he has to make sure I don't do anything stupid. I think he's still here because of Joshua."
"What about Dix, Luke?" Alec asks.
"I asked Dix to stick with Gem, the baby, and Dalton. Luke wanted to head north with a couple others who miss the cold." Max looks down at the ground. When she looks back up, her eyes are filled with sadness, "I hate watching them go, Alec. It's like letting White and all those anti-transgenic idiots win every time one of them leaves. I mean, so much for making a stand, right?"
Alec sighs and takes a long, slow breath before replying, "Max, this is the only way. We all know that. And we are making a stand. Just by staying alive we're making a stand. They still have to deal with our existence. They'll have to deal with us until they wipe us out."
Max holds his gaze for a moment, as if trying to judge the sincerity of his words, before nodding in agreement. She almost visibly pulls herself back together before leading the way into HQ.
Alec falls in next to me as I follow her, sliding an arm around my waist. I smile up at him and wonder how he always seems to know what to say to make people feel better.
"Gee, Alec, is that a public display of affection?" Max calls over her shoulder.
"Gee, Max, shut up." Alec replies.
"That reminds me. I owe you a beating."
Max whips around, her leg flying up to kick at Alec. Only Alec isn't standing in that spot anymore. He's pulled me in front of him. Max's foot freezes an inch from my stomach.
"Alec!" I protest.
"What? I knew she wouldn't kick you. Me, on the other hand, she has no qualms with assaulting."
"Using your girlfriend as a shield." Max shakes her head and makes 'tsk' sounds, slowly lowering her foot.
"Stop that! She, unlike you, cares about my welfare. She wants to protect me." Alec turns to me with his sad, hurt expression, "Don't you?"
I sigh. He knows I can't resist that face.
"Of course I want to protect you." I agree, "But I have no problem with punishing your stupidity."
I back up my statement by smacking him in the back of the head like Max did in the van earlier. Max and Kira both laugh and I smile. Alec pouts and rubs his head.
"That's my girl." Max says, giving me a high five, "I think you're going to be real good for him."
"Shut up, Max. That was your fault. You're a bad influence." Alec accuses.
Max opens her mouth to reply, but doesn't get the chance because Krit leans out the door to HQ.
"Max?" he calls, "I thought I heard bickering."
Krit waves us over, holding the door to HQ open. I glance behind me as I walk inside and catch Kira and Krit sharing a look.
"Hey." Kira says quietly.
"Hey." Krit replies, smiling, "Told you I'd find you again."
"Lucky for you. I was getting impatient." Kira replies, smiling back.
"You two coming?" I ask over my shoulder.
"Yeah." Kira nods, sliding around Krit and finally entering HQ.
Krit follows after her and the door finally swings shut.
"It's about time." Mole grunts at us.
"Little fella." Joshua greets Max, hugging her. It's a quick hug, however, because he soon turns to Alec and envelops him in an even bigger hug, "Medium fella."
"Uh!" Alec cries as the wind is squeezed out of him, "Hey, big guy, easy on the ribs."
"Alright. I've had my fill of touching moments. We've got police activity, people." Mole remarks, gesturing with his cigar for Syl to explain.
"Yeah, they've noticed our movement, finally. White's been on, trying to blockade off the city. We've got a number of groups moving slow who aren't out yet plus those who are still here, Max." Syl reports.
Max nods, "We'll take them out. We'll provide cover fire, get everyone out at once."
"Sounds like fun." Alec remarks.
"I've got a few calls to make. You guys gather everyone here and get ready to move out." Max commands.
"Yes, ma'am." Alec salutes sarcastically, grinning.
"Get out of here." Max snaps at him.
Alec continues to grin and gestures for us to follow him as he strides toward the door. I roll my eyes at him and hurry after. Not many people would appear so happy when they're about to enter a life-and-death situation. Then again, that's what we were trained for. Maybe that's why there are grins on not only Alec, but Krit and Syl's faces as well. Even Mole looks happier than usual. This is our element, I suppose.
"Alec." I call to get him to wait a second for me to catch up.
Alec glances over his shoulder, pausing until I reach his side.
"Ready to tangle with my good buddy Ames?" Alec asks.
"I'd say I'm ready to settle the score with him." I nod, "I don't appreciate being shot in the leg."
"Funny thing, most people don't." Alec jokes.
I punch him in the arm, but smile up at him. He returns my smile for a moment before his eyes darken and the smile disappears. I frown and raise an eyebrow questioningly, wondering what's crossed his mind to upset him.
"You've got to promise me you won't be getting shot anymore." Alec says quietly.
"Me? You're the one who takes stupid risks, Mr. Bullet Sponge." I reply.
"Jess, I'm serious. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"Sure. After you." I stubbornly insist.
"Jess." Alec says, his voice low and strained.
I sigh, knowing he won't let up until I promise.
"Fine. I promise I'll be careful." I relent, glancing up at him again, "But you've got to promise me, too."
"Don't you worry about me. I'm always alright." Alec says, giving me a half-grin.
I see through it, though. He's trying to avoid making a promise he doesn't think he can keep. I can tell he's already thinking ahead to all the risks he'll probably be taking, all the danger he might put himself in just to protect the rest of us. I know that's what he's doing and I'm not going to let him get away with it.
"Listen, Alec. Don't do that to me. Just don't. I know you too well for that to work. So, knock it off and promise me that you won't do something idiotic."
"Do you want me to lie to you?" Alec demands.
I glare at him, but I'm distracted by a figure appearing in our path. It's a cat-like transgenic I don't recognize.
"Alec?" she purrs.
"We're moving out, Kitty. The others with you?" Alec asks, pretending like we're not in the middle of an argument.
"This way." she says, gesturing with her head, then leading the way down a side street.
"This way." Alec calls back to Krit, Syl, Mole, and Kira who are lagging behind.
Frustrated, I wait for the others to catch up instead of going ahead with Alec.
"Trouble in paradise?" Syl asks with a grin.
I shoot her an angry look, but realize quickly that I'm angry at Alec, not Syl.
"Alec's an idiot." I explain.
Syl smiles and nods.
"That's okay. He's a guy. They all are. At least he's cute." she says consolingly.
"If I hear one more female talk about Alec being cute I'm going to march out there and ask somebody to shoot me." Mole complains.
"You jealous, scaly?" Syl asks, grinning up at him.
"Please." Mole grunts, pushing past us to continue down the street.
"Syl, your new boyfriend isn't very social." Krit comments.
"You just don't know him like I do." Syl jokes.
"Something wrong, Jess?" Kira asks.
I notice her hand entangled with Krit's, but I don't comment on it. Instead I shake my head.
"This way." I say instead, finally heading down the street.
I catch sight of Mole just before he disappears into a building. I head to the spot where he was last and find an open door. Inside a large group of transgenics are amassed before Alec.
"...to get you all out at once." he's saying, "We're going to have to move fast. No mistakes. Any questions?"
"Do we know how much opposition we're facing?" a male X-series in the back asks.
"Enough. Sector police and White's people plus Familiars. But you guys are only concerned with getting out of the city. We'll handle the rest. If you get in a spot, disarm and run. Once you're out, split into teams and go to ground. You all know the contact number. Check-in is in one week. Anything else?"
For a moment no one says anything. Then, another transgenic woman with some extra animal DNA in her cocktail speaks up.
"Do you really think we stand a chance out there?" she asks.
"Look." Alec says, glancing around at everyone, "We're fighters. We've had it tough our whole lives. Manticore never handed us anything. We've learned how to survive against the odds. We're quick, we're smart, we'll figure this out. They may not like us around much but they'll learn to live with it when they figure out that we're not going anywhere. This is just a tactical retreat. We'll regroup. We'll get through this. You've just got to tough it out for a while while we figure this out. You guys think you can handle that?"
There are no shouts of agreement, but there are some nods. That's more than I expected.
"So, gather your stuff and let's get out of here. Max wants everyone at HQ." Alec dismisses them.
I have to admit he's a good leader, a good SIC to Max.
"Come on. Let's help these guys get ready." Syl says, disappearing into the throng of transgenics.
I follow after her, trying to assist in any way I can even if that's just helping some X8s fold their clothes and pack them, which is what I ultimately end up doing. The people begin trickling out of the building and heading to HQ until finally it's only Alec, Krit, Syl, Kira, Mole and I left. Mole is quick to head out, too. Syl gestures to Kira and Krit to follow. I find myself alone with Alec. I'm pretty confident it's not an accident either. Syl isn't that subtle. But I'm not about to let her manipulate me that easily. I walk quickly across the room to the door.
"Jess." Alec's voice makes me pause.
I hear his footsteps as he walks over to me, but I keep my eyes straight forward.
"I'm sorry." he says.
"Not good enough." I reply shortly.
"I know." he agrees.
His hands on my shoulders turn me to face him. Then, his hands move to my face and lift my chin up so my eyes meet his. I know he does this when he wants to impress upon me how serious he is and stubbornly I want to resist him, but I relent and meet his gaze,
"You have to understand. I take stupid risks because it's what I have to do. You also have to understand that I can handle it. I'm 494, remember. I'm not going to make you promises I know I can't keep. Besides, you'd know if I lied." he pauses for a breath and I nod slowly, starting to turn away. He catches my shoulders again and brings me back to face him, "But you should also know that I have a hell of a lot more reason to make it back now because of you."
I search his face, desperate to make sure he means what he's saying. There's nothing but sincerity in his eyes. Relief washes over me and I feel that's as good as a promise. I grab the front of his shirt and pull him into a kiss, determined to make sure he remembers that he wants to get back to me.
"Ahem! You two ever coming out of there?"
I take a quick step back, breaking away from Alec and glancing over at Syl. I suppress the urge to feel embarrassed, especially when I can almost feel Alec grinning. Syl rolls her eyes.
"Come on." she says, heading down the street.
I glance over at Alec who gestures for me to go first. I mentally shrug and follow after Syl.