It's quiet.

Well, it's not as quiet as the silence that followed his talks with Normal Cell whenever he was in a philosophical mood, but it was close. Back in his past life as a Cancer Cell, NC had taken to walking wherever he chose. Back then, rules and regulations about replication and duty were of no consequence to him. Without any need to adhere to the body's rules, he had taken to roaming like a lost wanderer trying to find a home that would accept him.

That selfish desire of his had been briefly slaked, but it was not enough. Surely, if he were to traverse his old routes and haunts, he would come across his favorite blood cells to welcome him back.

So, he walked.

For the most part, a lot of the body's landmarks were still in place. A few were moved, destroyed by pathogens, or were under construction by the platelets. As much as NC would have loved to take in everything and simply act like a civilian playing the role of tourist (which he was, a turbulent past as a cancer notwithstanding), he needed to find his favorite cells quickly.

As much as he hated to admit it, NC knew that he was still plagued by the emptiness in his nucleus, of the fact that he could remember something, but it would slip away from his fingers. Memories of harsh injustice because of who he is—was—fueled every step he took.

Yet, there's something else that haunts him in those forbidden memories.

As soft smile.

A look of sadness in golden eyes that he swears could take his breath away.

Warmth.

A hand gently combing through his locks while he rests.

Something… something red, perhaps?

Those memories, sweet and beguiling as they were, fell gently through the cracks of his conscience. They should be of no consequence to him—the memories of the death of another cancer cell like him is enough information for anyone with a taste for vengeance, but that lovely smile… of soft skin… of understanding…

It haunts him.

He wants to have that again.

It's going to be a long trek, NC noted to himself. So far, he had traveled all over the body, all the sights somewhat familiar and as breathtaking as the first time he had seen them. In his head, he thinks the body would be better off if he were the one to be in charge, but those matters would be attended to later. Regardless of what he sees and remembers, he doesn't find the two cells that he finds himself hopelessly obsessed with.

After following the mass migration of red blood cells, NC decided to take a breather and hope that his next go around the body would fare better. How did his dear Little Miss Red and his favorite neutrophil manage to find each other? It seemed like it would take divine intervention for any one cell to find another specific cell in the mass of over a trillion of their kind. It wasn't until he started observing his Little Miss Red that he realized that his favorite cells usually timed their routes so that they could spend some time talking and spending the majority of their work time with each other.

NC felt his throat become dry and his eyes became narrow.

It sounded so… domestic. Tame.

However, NC knew that the bond between the erythrocyte and the neutrophil was something to be envied. Coveted, even.

And what NC coveted, he was eventually going to get.

No matter the cost.

However, even with the want growing deep and taking root within his cell body, he knew everything was for naught if he didn't find either of his two favorite cells. That meant…

He scowled to himself.

Looks like he was going to have to ask the locals for their whereabouts.

Ugh, but who to choose from the plethora of blathering idiots that didn't want to look outside the box for a new life? As NC surveyed the area, he noticed that there was a bridge connecting two arteries via a smaller capillary. However, some bricks looked loose, as if the water flowing underneath had eroded the structure. A batch of platelets were bringing ladders and buckets full of basal cells to help rebuild the bridge.

He watched, a little curious and fascinated by the way they used their skills to complete their task. A few of the platelets began pushing a cart filled with crates while others tried opening it. Some of the platelets used themselves as a ladder to make sure that the others could get a good grip on one of the crates.

If NC wasn't so focused on his self-imposed mission, he would have gone over there to at least help them and gain a sense of camaraderie with these cells.

He was about to leave when he caught sight of a young platelet with long brunette hair and a smile that could potentially blind him. Even when he was several micrometers away from the platelet, her voice could be heard even from where he was standing. He saw that she was busy divvying up different jobs for each of the platelets so that they could divide and conquer the work. So, she was the leader of these platelets, huh?

She looked familiar…

Another platelet, this one wearing his cap backwards, whispered something in her ear and then pointed at him. At first, NC wanted to be angry that he had been found out so easily, but then he caught sight of the female platelet's gaze upon him.

Perhaps…

As NC made his way toward her, the platelet with the backwards cap ran back to another group of platelets, probably intent on helping them with using crowbars to pry some of the crates open. Meanwhile, the leader platelet stared him down as she rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Excuse me," he asked in the most polite tone that he could muster. Really, it was like putting on an old pair of gloves; he easily slipped into his Normal Cell persona that he reserved for the unsuspecting locals. "Do you happen to—"

Leader Platelet, with the wisdom and aplomb of any young cell, stared up at him and said, "Are you a normal cell?"

Unfortunately, yes.

For a split second, his gentle smile curled up in disgust at the insinuation that he was just as normal as any other normal cell, but then he chuckled and squatted down to her height so that they were eye to eye. Even if NC wanted to wipe that stupid, but knowing look on her face, he still had to gain her trust so that he could fulfill his plan to meet his favorite cells.

"Of course!" He also allowed himself to smile brightly at Leader Platelet. "Why do you ask?"

Leader Platelet pointed at her eyes and nodded meaningfully at the older cell. "You have green eyes! Almost all the normal cells that I've met have dark brown eyes!"

Although she didn't look like she was accusing him of being a cancer cell, it still stung to know that the one obvious trait that he was something special also happened to be a flaw. Or, as some would like to call it, a violation of the rules and regulations that governed the body.

NC sighed and noted that he had been squatting this whole time. His legs were already burning, but he really wanted to get the point across that he was as trustworthy as any other normal cell.

"Don't they look pretty? I think it makes me unique!"

Leader Platelet pondered that sentiment for a second before shyly nodding.

"They're very bright and I…" Leader Platelet, still unsure of what to say, looked at NC with a shy glance. At his encouraging smile, she continued while gaining just a little bit of bravery into her words. "I like them, Mr. Normal Cell!"

NC's small smile grew a little at her compliment. It seemed that she had great taste. If that was the case, then he hoped that maybe, if he were to become a cancer cell again, perhaps she could be on his side. It would be great to have another cell look up to him alongside his favorite blood cells. But for now…

For now, he had her trust and her compliment to tide him over.

"Thanks for the compliment." He didn't want to sound too smug or conceited, but it really brightened his day that this little platelet acknowledged how wonderful his flaw was. If he had his way, he would make the body as beautiful as possible with all flaws available to him. "I actually have a question to ask you. Do you want to know what it is?"

And just like that, any suspicion that might have lingered in the platelet's eyes disappeared. As eager as any child sized cell ought to be, Leader Platelet immediately jumped at the thought of being singled out and questioned by an older cell.

NC inwardly sighed in relief. It looked like the bait that he had set up had been eagerly taken. He leaned in forward so that he could whisper in her ear.

"You wouldn't happen to know where a certain red blood cell by the name of AE-3803 is?" A pause. "And a neutrophil named U-1146?"

There was no hesitation.

At his words, she began jumping down in excitement at the thought of Miss Red Blood Cell and Mr. Neutrophil. Even NC, who usually didn't care about such trivial things like cuteness, found himself smiling genuinely at her antics.

"I saw her a couple of minutes ago! She said she was going to take one of the main veins back to the heart." The platelet paused, as if trying to recall important information. It only took a few seconds, but NC was still somewhat irritated that she was taking so long. If he were to have any hope of coming across his dear Little Miss Red, he was going to have to leave now. "She needs to get her packages reoxygenated."

Ah, that would make sense. After thanking her for the information, NC began walking away. However, a slight tug at the back of his shirt stopped him. Much to his surprise, it was Leader Platelet.

As he glanced down at the young child cell, he saw that there was a glint in her eyes. It shined like the fluorescence in the room that he shared with his creator. Although, the brightness that was in her eyes wasn't as hurtful to look at first thing in a cycle.

She tugged at his shirt again.

"Um…" NC didn't know what to say. He had assumed—wrongly—that once he was going to leave, Leader Platelet would go back to her friends. He never expected that she would want him back already. Did he still look suspicious to her? "Did you need—"

"Do you like her?"

For some odd reason, a surge of cytoplasm colored his cheeks and burned the tips of his ears. It was such an unexpected reaction from his cell body that NC had to spend a second or so to think of an appropriate response.

Strange… Why was he feeling this way? Was he sick?

Or was this evidence of another flaw that he had not noticed before?

NC shoved those thoughts away. Right now, he hoped to maintain the same level of trust that he had in the platelet and then go back to the apartment complex.

"I… I happened to come across her while she was delivering my oxygen."

Not exactly a lie, but it wasn't a total truth either.

For a moment, the Platelet's hazel eyes seemed to bore into his own. They looked like they had caught wind of something, but before NC had the time to defend himself, Leader Platelet smiled cutely before reaching into her backpack of coagulation factors to give him something. That something was a small white handkerchief with some embroidery detailing on the edges. Unsure of what to do with it, NC merely stared at the object until the platelet waved it insistently.

"Please give this to her!" Leader Platelet explained. "I accidentally scraped my knee and she helped me!"

Well, that sounded a lot like his Little Miss Red.

As he folded the handkerchief neatly and placed it into the pocket of his pants, he finally bid the platelet goodbye.

It was time to get back to work.