Chapter 3

-The Distant Observer

Chiro ran from the fast-food restaurant, a paper bag containing a hover burger wrapped snugly in his fist. Man, how could he be so stupid, following Antauri to Nova's workplace, he forgot to check his phone. Jinmay had called him three times asking where he was, guess he lost track of time. He had to dismiss himself from joining Antauri and get back to his mission on getting his girlfriend and Otto some food before they ate each other.

As he rounded a corner, something hit his foot and caused him to painfully hit the pavement. Chiro applied pressure to his bleeding cheek, the pain immediately burning his face as a hot prong branded him. Dang, what was that? He slowly descended to his feet; hand still pressed to his bloody cheek. Ketchup, mustard, patties, and the rest of his burger was spilled all over the place. Cursing under his breath, he knelt to scavenge what survived.

"There goes everyone's food, dang…"

Ice crept up on the back of his neck as a group of people walked next to him. None spared him a second glance as they kept sauntering to the next block. A shadowy silhouette masked by the others suddenly stopped, their eyes staring intensely at the chosen one. Chiro sensed this creepy vibe and discarded his food, slowly backing away in the direction opposite of the staring stranger. The person then turned their head and walked away. Confusion punched Chiro right between the eyes as he wiped the remaining blood from his cheek.

"What in the world?"

"Pup," a deep feminine voice laced around his ear.

"Eh? Oh hey," He greeted the elderly female simian that had just approached him. "What are you doing out here? Weren't you covering for Nova or something?"

"Was, till momentary isolation needed… gun-totting stooges the gold one instructs…"

Chiro snickered at the insult, "Aw come on, give them a break. Shuggazoom always relied on us for protection, it's going to be a hard habit to break."

"Time… often the best tutor…" Her eyes darted to the blood leaking from Chiro's face and the pieces of food exploded around him. "You… cross a disagreement… with another?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I just tripped and smacked my face on the pavement, in the process of losing my food." He laughed while tossing the wrapper in the trash, not like he'd be using it anyway. "Probably need to run back and get a new one."

She nodded and went on her way. Chiro yelled out to stop her.

"Hold on, um Vex… were you watching me earlier?"

"…Nyet."

"Oh, okay, just felt that shiver up my spine… usually get those jitters only when you're staring at me."

Vex paused, eyes starting at Chiro for a good long time, the city's clock ticking in the air.

"Feeling… similar…?"

"Yea, um, ah never mind. Been standing here for too long, gotta get another burger before lunchtime is over!" He laughed while waving at the old monkey a fond goodbye. "If you're going to visit Antauri, tell him I said sorry for ditching him so quick!"

She nodded as the boy ran back into the city, disappearing. Her eyes darted back to the pavement, contemplating the words the young man just spoke. Though her mind remained as numb as ice, a smidge of emotion would creep through since the recovery of her soul. Intrusive thoughts would sometimes come to haunt her.

Familiar pings started to fog her mind up as worry tried to stir up her gut. Reaching into her helmet, she plucked out a pill bottle, twisted the lid open, and tossed in two blue pills. Almost instantly the mental fog vanished, sharpening her senses and relaxing her tense muscles. She pushed the bottle back into her helmet and continued her way.

She was thankful the blue scientist had given her these pills that can control her mental exhaustion. The agony was still a culprit of her stress, but this new mental controlled medicine did wonders in relieving her of this pain.

Shrugging to herself, she turned and went to follow the signs that'd lead her to Antauri's facilities.

~With Sprx & Nova~

Nova sat with Sprx on their pod chairs, she handed him a newly made glass of wine. Which he gratefully took after giving her a deep kiss. Every second or so the red pilot would open his eyes to check and ensure the one receiving his kiss was Nova. She caught this and pulled her lips back, chuckling from his awkward look.

"You still haven't told me what happened."

"Nothing! I just went to check on you and saw… one eye and Antauri there." He flared red while snapping his eyes to look in another direction. Arms crossed as he pouted. Nova shook her head and stifled a laugh while pinching his cheek.

"Okay okay, I'll stop asking." She chugged her glass of wine till the cup was empty, tossed it aside, and got Sprx in a firm arm lock. Pinning the red monkey against the wall, her drunk eyes suggesting seductively devious actions.

"Hah, Woah!" He easily let her take her position in the dominant seat, not like he had much of choice given as the female's strength levels were miles ahead of his own. Not that he was complaining either, his excitement levels always skyrocketed when she moved to force him to submit.

"What did you have in mind?" He whispered in her ear before trailing kisses from the optics, cheek, and resting on her mouth.

"Hm… how about a walk?" She whispered through a slurred voice.

"Why a walk? Though we were gonna get some action tonight!"

"Aw come on, Sprx! We will, but I want to… get some fresh air first. Been cooped up for so many days, would like a refresher before spending the rest of our day inside."

Sprx smiled, how could he resist her? Nodding, he grabbed Nova's hand as she helped him up. When she was snuggly secured in his arm, they both wobbled to the door and out of the robot. The later evening air blasting a fresh breeze in their faces. Nova inhaled the pleasing city aroma while stretching her one free arm out.

"Such a beautiful day…! Smells amazing…"

Sprx fought the urge to cringe, the air most certainly did not smell fresh. More like smoke from the factories, steam from heated hover cars, and other smells usually found in the big city. But the warrior was drunk, so everything was going to be blown out of proportion.

"Come on babe, let's go to the beachside."

She snuggled her head into his neck as both lovers began the journey to their destination.

~With Antauri~

Antauri gave an empathetic look to his patient.

"Don't let vengeful feelings cloud your judgment… instead, focus on the new life that is ahead of you."

"I understand, it's just hard to remember that."

Nodding, Antauri noticed that this appointment had gone over fifteen minutes. He chuckled and patted the man's hand before reassuring him all would be okay. Not willing to charge him for the extra time, Antauri simply marked it off the clock.

"If you need anything, be sure to e-mail me."

"Thank you…, "The man shook the silver monkey's hand and exited the door.

As Antauri began cleaning up his desk, a shadow whisked by him. Alerting him, the robotic monkey scanned the entire office. From the potted plants to his mini xen garden, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. A pencil rolled to the center of the floor, sitting there as if it had a mind of its own, beckoning him over.

Once the male got within range, a purple light flared up from his window.

"Gah!" Antauri yelled as he fell backward off his chair. Summoning his ghost claws, he lunged for the shadow. But the black shape easily dodged each swipe before large claws grabbed his ghost paws, halting his attacks.

"Easy… love." Vex answered as she brought her head closer to the office light could shine the shadow of her appearance.

Antauri breathed in a deep sigh, deactivating his claws and nestled his arms around her in a firm hug.

"How many times must I request you stop sneaking up on me…?"

She embraced him back, inhaling the scent of his meditation candles fuming off him. Such a peaceful smell.

"You… requested entrance by inconspicuous means…"

"I meant for you quietly come, not crawl in through the window and stalk me in the shadows. Just alert me and I'll let you in." Once he released the female, his eyes widened. "How did you get past the front gates? They're the only way in to even allow you a place to scale the outside of this facility."

"Disabled alarm system…"

Shaking his head, Antauri took her by the hand and led her to sit on the sofa. Vex might've been making tremendous progress in changing her ways, but movement and choice and actions were still a cause of concern.

"Vexahlia…" he sighed and sat next to her, bringing her hand to rest in his lap with both his own paws on top of her's.

"Apologies… a manner of importance needs to be… brought to attention."

"What is it?"

She opened her mouth, but then paused, unsure of how to explain this concern, or if there even was a real concern.

"The pup keeled over… lost food for loved ones. Admitted he… felt a sense of fear. A feeling one endures when… I apparently stare from... a distance."

"So…" Antauri tilted his head, eyes squinted to understand. "You are trying to say Chiro was startled by your presence? Well, that is understandable… given your choice of approaching people."

Vex quirked a single brow, moving to correct her silver mate before he brushed aside her words with a wave of his hand.

"My next appointment ends soon, if something is wrong, tell Chiro to come by." He looked to the banged-up formless monkey. "You have taken your medicine today… correct?"

She opened her helmet to show the concealed pill bottle. "Haven't forgotten… but the concern is not a sense of disillusion." Rubbing the ridge between her nose, she got the male by the shoulder. "Why not… treat me?"

"You know I cannot, treating family, friends, or spouses is strictly forbidden here. But we can discuss things when I'm out of the office," he leaned forward and captured her in a hug. "I am relieved to know you're taking your medicine and seeking help… I am beyond proud of you, my beloved."

"Gracious to hear such words…" she hugged him back till he released her and glanced to the clock.

"Time is soon up, best be going, call me as soon as you get back. My heart goes with you, my beloved."

Nodding, she slipped out the window and closed it behind her. She inhaled a frustrated breath, not exactly how she hoped the talk would go. Oh well, she'll just bring it to his attention later.

~Sprx and Nova~

"Wait wait, hold on…! You mean you blew off work and one-eye was covering for you?" Sprx smacked his forehead. "I don't know… w—what you were thinking babe, but that was…" he hiccups, "A terrible idea!"

"Ah, she's a good sport…" Nova laughed as they stumbled along the beach. Sand getting flung when their intertwined bodies hit the dirt.

As Sprx laid on Nova's chest, his laughing was slowed to a love-struck chuckle. Running a finger over her yellow fur, he planted another sweet kiss. The power her jaws alone possessed was awe-inspiring as she nibbled his snout back. He broke off to give them some air before planning another sloppy but fiercely passionate smooch.

As they clumsily drooled over each other, pheromones burning, someone was in the distance. Eyes watched the two rollings around in the sand as the salty waves soaked them to the bone. The stranger's feet started strolling towards them, unblinking eyes firmly locked on them.

As Nova pinned Sprx beneath her this time, the air started to grow cold. Blinking in confusion, she looked around, but the liquor exhausted her mind as she simply dropped back to Sprx's lips.

All was good in their presence, till everything went black.