"So, you are 100% sure that all of you are just friends, right?"
Julie… I hate you. From the bottom of my cold, dark, unfeeling heart. To think that I always wanted to have an older sister… what a fool I have been up until now. You never know what you have, until you lose it…
"For the last time father, yes! I happen to have other female friends apart from Susie, I don't think I'm breaking any rules here!"
"Dunno Jas-Jas… the way you speak to Kate, Feng and Megan is kind of sus, not gonna lie".
You shut the fuck up you troublemaking tyrant!
… wait…
"You didn't just unironically say 'sus', did you? Zeus almighty you are genuinely cringe!"
"I am cringe?! What about you?! Just because you are an atheist doesn't mean that you have to resort to cursing Greek gods!"
"At least they're cool, unlike you! I have the lamest sister this side of Canada, I swear!"
She gasps.
"You take that back! I am, as the kids say, quite epic, thank you very much!"
"Sure they do, granny. Let's get you to bed, before you skip out on your schizophrenia pills again!"
"I am not a granny, you little shit! Dad, help me here!"
"What?! You started this argument and then the second you start losing, you go hide behind dad's back?! You are beyond lame! Right dad?!"
Elias watches us argue back and forth, trying as hard as he can to not belly laugh.
"Dunno Jas, she got a point. Your sister is the prettiest AND coolest girl in Ormond, no doubts about it".
"Thank you! See?! He likes me better!"
The older man's smile in this instant should be classified as a menace to society.
"She could definitely do better in the brains department though!"
"DAD! HOW COULD YOU?!"
Justice has been served! What a man, for real.
"Don't look so smug Jason. Do I have to remind you about how you kept on wetting your bed until you were 10?"
THE ABSOLUTE AND UTTER BETRAYAL!
Finally, Elias Kostenko gazes at both mine and Julie's faces and bursts out laughing like a madman.
Both the tyrant and I stare at each other for a couple of seconds. Then she smirks lightly.
The dam breaks and we both join the third blonde. Well, now I get where we got our sense of humor. This dude is amazing, straight up, no questions asked.
We continue for almost a minute until we all calm down. A couple of snorts and giggles still follow, but for the most part, everything is back to normal.
Which means that the lighthearted atmosphere isn't bound to stick around for long.
"So… just five days, uh?"
Elias tilts his head down.
"Yes Julie. Just five days. It's the best that I could afford to take, with everything that I have to do…"
Seeing our downcast expressions, he tries to bring the mood back up.
"But my next job won't take nearly as long, I promise. No more three months straight away or anything along those lines. Two weeks at most!"
Three months?! He left his two children home alone for three months?! This is insanity! Like utter and complete insanity! He must have been extremely confident in both Julie and Jason's independence to leave them alone for that long!
But still, he's trying really hard to not end the evening on a sad note, so might as well go along with him.
"Where are you going then?"
"Italy! One of my oldest friends at work, Vittorio Toscano, apparently made some incredible discoveries recently. Our company needs to send someone to verify the authenticity of what he dug up and he specifically asked for me to go and see".
Dug up? So what, is it like some sort of… archeology based company? That's…
Pretty fucking cool actually.
Julie cocks her head to one side.
"Vittorio? That name rings a bell…"
"Neither of you remember him, but he was present when both of you were born. He's… something along the lines of your godfather, in a way".
A godfather…? Is that why this name feels so… familiar? Interesting…
"What did he discover?"
"That's… complicated. You see, Vittorio is a pacifist in every sense of the word. He despises violence in all of its forms, so his dream is to… either reach or create a 'perfect world' of sorts. A world where war, destruction and famine have no place. For that he's searching for an artifact. He wouldn't tell me much more, only that it's supposed to be a stone called 'Lapis Paradisus'. When he called a couple of days ago, he sounded so sure that he had found it… I can only hope that he's right".
Well… that's just naive. A world without violence? How do you even respond to that?! But still, I guess that there's nothing wrong with wishing the man luck. Either he fails and nothing changes or he succeeds and everyone will be better off for it. Nothing to lose, everything to gain, as they say.
"Speaking of old friends, does the name Max Thompson Jr mean anything to you?"
"Little Max? Of course I remember him! Why?"
I tilted my head towards the door.
"I met him yesterday. He opened a mechanic shop here in town, says that he owes both his life and his job to you".
Elias looks confused.
"Why would you need to go to a mechanic shop…?"
"I just accompanied a friend of mine to get her motorcycle fixed, nothing much. Back to the question, what's the story there?"
"Ah, I see. Well, it's not really much of a story. Little Max was born into an abusive family who treated him like an animal, both the father and the mother. We were paying them to allow us to dig in the area right next to their house, but when I saw the way they were treating the poor boy, I stopped everything and took him away from them. Whatever it is that's under their home was less important at that point".
I raise my eyebrow.
"It couldn't have been that easy. Taking a child from his family like that is bound to be difficult…"
He shrugs.
"Not in this case. They were both happy to be rid of him, so neither protested when I took him away. It makes me sick to my stomach, to know that there are parents like this in the world…"
Same, old man. It must feel horrible to be mistreated and abused like that, especially if the perpetrators are those who were supposed to protect and love you unconditionally. In a way, I guess I was born lucky…
Julie though, ever the insensitive asshole, was hanging from her father's lips like he was narrating a sci-fi story.
"And then?!"
"Then… nothing. I brought him to an orphanage owned by a friend of mine and frequently visited him, to make sure that he was growing up well. Mind you, all this happened a long time ago, neither of you were even alive at the time. But still, it's nice to know that Little Max made a proper life for himself. I'll have to visit him sometime in the next few days…"
And so, one question received an answer. I can't help the smile that breaks on my face. Good for Max, he deserves to be happy, finally. Which brings a thought to my head…
Sure, fixing everything is all nice and dandy… but what's going to happen to everyone? Will they go back to their original worlds? Maybe that would be fine for most of the survivors… but what about the killers?
Max would go back to the family that he slaughtered to free himself. Philip would be thrust right back in the middle of war. Rin was outright murdered by her father!
And Julie, Joey, Susie… even Frank would be back in the woods of Ormond, with a body to get rid of and hunted by the police.
Or what if…
What if they're all thrust right back into The Entity's loving embrace? More questions. More conundrums…
"Jas? Lil bro? Are you okay? You paled all of sudden…"
"I-I'm fine! All of this just reminded me of…"
I trail my sentence, not really knowing what to say. But… Julie seems to understand something.
"Jason, you can't still be…"
Elias interrupts her.
"Julie, sweetie, help me with the dishes. You can go rest Jas, you must be tired…"
I nod and get up. Damn it, in the end I was the one who killed the good vibe…
"Yeah… yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Goodnight you two, see you tomorrow".
The two answer in kind and, before I know it, I'm back in bed with a million thoughts racing in my head. Just a couple hours ago, the idea of "fixing everything" seemed like a no brainer, the best solution for everyone involved. But now…
Now I'm not so sure anymore… what if…
What if keeping things as they are IS the best solution? No more trials, no more torture, all of the mistakes that the characters have made erased. A fresh start to a new, proper life. But…
I know it's not that simple. It can't be that simple! Not to mention the entire core of the issue…
What will happen to Jason Kostenko? I groan, palming my face with both of my hands.
This is ridiculous! It shouldn't be such an issue! One guy versus almost sixty people?! It should be the easiest choice of my life!
But for whatever reason… it isn't. Shit…
What do I do…?
Sleep comes fitfully, like yesterday.
The bell for lunch break resounds around the school like a blessing from the gods.
The start of the day had been completely uneventful. Julie and I woke up together this time, had breakfast with Elias, chatted a bit until the rest of The Legion rolled around to pick us up and head to school. A normal start of the day for a teenager, nothing to report on that front.
During that time, I thought about and made order of all the issues that I'm currently facing. Whatever I fix… whatever the hell this world is about doesn't actually matter. My primary concern should still be to fish Jason back up from wherever he disappeared to and give him back his life.
Sure, he might be a tad confused on why Feng and Susie are friendlier than usual, or why the school's sweetheart acts like a blushing maiden around him… or why he's suddenly friend with a girl whose grandfather is always two steps away from discovering and murdering him, but I'm sure he'll be juuuuust fine.
With that in mind, I make up my mind and decide to do the unthinkable for any student with a modicum of self respect…
Head over to the library during lunch break and research things that have nothing to do with school.
I'm… that desperate already. Good thing being an investigator was never one of my dreams, because I can already tell that I suck at this.
But still, the school library is smack in the middle on the third floor, so that's where I decide to head, dodging students and teachers like a pro while I go.
Entering I see that, predictably, the place is basically devoid of life. Or… almost.
I smirk lightly, somehow not really surprised. I can't think of a better place for someone like Mikaela Reid to spend her free time. I'm gonna go on a whim and bet that she's reading something about magic.
She has her standard skin, like most people, minus the hat. She has a big, thick book in her hands, about…
Witchcraft. Yup, called it. But still, as much as it is nice to see her, I got a job to do. It's not like I'm even going to interact with her, if I can help it. So I look around, searching for anything regarding old myths and legends, in hopes of maybe being able to find any additional information that I don't already know about The Entity or anything along those lines.
I'm still looking, when a voice cuts off my train of thoughts.
And… quite the Irish accent might I add.
"Looking for something? I know this library like the back of my hand, if you need any help…"
"A-Ah, don't worry, I can search on my own! Wouldn't want to disturb your reading…"
I stuttered a bit there… something I was afraid of, in a way.
Curse my natural weakness to gingers and redheads!
But still, I trail off my sentence intentionally, to give her a chance to introduce herself. Chance that she immediately takes.
"Mikaela Reid. Just Mikaela though, please. And don't worry about interrupting me, I was just about to close the book anyway".
I chuckle.
"All right then, Just Mikaela".
She raised an eyebrow, a coy smile on her face.
"My, aren't you a funny guy! Shouldn't you be introducing yourself as well?"
I chuckle nervously, hoping beyond hope that she won't catch on to my nervousness.
"Jason Kostenko. Nice to meet you!"
Her eyes widen.
"Kostenko you say? Wouldn't you happen to be the same guy that Kate befriended yesterday, would you?"
"T-That would be me, yes. You know what happened?"
She giggles and my knees suddenly become weak. This is worse than usual, what the fuck!
"If I know? Buddy, everyone in the fifth year knows what happened. And we're all very grateful for what you've done for her. Kate is a good friend to all of us… or most of us, apparently…"
She trails off, giving me the chance to change the subject. I really don't do well with praise… like at all.
"So, y-you wouldn't happen to know anything about books of myths, legends or supernatural events?"
If she notices my (obvious) attempt at stirring the conversation away from… that clusterfuck from yesterday, she doesn't comment.
"Yeah actually, I do. There are some pretty decent volumes on that shelf over there…"
She points towards the end of the library.
"... and if those aren't enough, there's something on that one as well. Not as well furnished as the first one, but it might be of interest to you".
I nod, memorizing the position of everything.
"Got it. Thank you Mikaela, you've been a big help…"
She smirks again, tilting her head.
" I 'have been'? My my, you wouldn't be trying to get rid of me, are you…?"
Shit, she caught on!
"Welp, not gonna happen. I was just wondering what to do now that I'm done with that book.. and you, my new friend, are just what I needed. I think I'm gonna stick around for a bit".
It's my turn to tilt my head.
"Friend? We're friends?"
"Any friend of Kate is automatically my friend as well".
She draws closer to me.
"Sorry dude, seems like you're stuck with me for the time being…"
Why do you have to sound like that?!
Almost robotically, I turn around and rush to the shelf that pointed at earlier, the sound of her laughter following me. She's having way too much fun with this…
When I come back with the proper volumes, Mikaela is sitting at a table, waving me over with a smile.
"There you are! I thought that some book swallowed you whole! Come here, lunch break is almost over!"
I sigh, relenting to my fate. No point in running away, it seems.
I put down the two books that I picked and take the first one, while Mikaela cracks open the second.
"So, what'cha looking for exactly?"
And there's the loaded question… how do I convene what I want to find out without giving it away? This could be a problem…
I blink lightly at myself.
Except that it isn't because she doesn't remember shit. Am I stupid or what…?
"Stories of different dimensions, for the most part. Anything relating to parallel universes or alternate worlds would be ideal".
"Roger that!"
She gets started, while I take a better look at the volume in my hand. The title is…
Stories from the Witch Café. This also sounds extremely familiar…
"Oooohhh, good pick on that one! You have some nose bud!"
Mikaela grins at me.
I furrow my brows and strain my (massive) brain, which finally gives me the answer.
This is the book that she wrote herself. And if I remember the content correctly…
I may have just hit the jackpot! Go me!
The two of us read in silence, with the girl occasionally jotting down something on a notepad. The minutes pass quietly, until I check my phone for the time.
"There's five minutes left. I think we should wrap it up here…"
Mikaela nods, closing the book she was reading.
"Yup, good idea. Here, this is what I was able to find out. Sorry if it's not much, but…"
I snap a picture with my phone, smiling.
"No problem. I'm just grateful that you even took the time to help me at all, really…"
Her notes are a bit messy, but I can easily manage. If I can decipher my own shitty calligraphy, I can read anyone's.
"I'm still going to do better next time, I promise".
Next time?
"Mikaela, really, I can manage on my own, there's no need for you to waste your free time to…"
"It's not a waste! Who said that it is? I actually… kind of enjoyed myself, if you can believe that…"
"Y-You did?!"
Damn it, why did I shout?!
"I-I mean… how come?"
She looks a bit bashful. Which is a surprise, considering how confident she was just a moment ago.
"I… don't really get to spend time with people. If they're not outright ignoring me, they all act extra careful, like I'm delicate or something…"
I tilt my head. Again.
"Why? You seem pretty normal to me…"
She smiles in a wry manner.
"I'm dyslexic. I have difficulty reading, which really sucks, considering how much I love it…"
… that's it? Some dyslexia is enough to become an outcast? I sigh. High school will always be high school, no matter the universe…
"Well, don't worry about it, gingerbread. You got me now to back you up, so you don't need those assholes. Not to mention our mutual friend".
I grin, hitting my chest with my fist.
"Leave it to us, okay?"
She's stunned for a couple of seconds, mouth slightly hanging open. During that time, her eyes are unfocused though.
Like… she's seeing something else.
When she finally comes back to the land of the living, her smile is massive.
"Of course! Thank you, Jason… truly. Thank you…"
There we go, much better.
Walking back to the table, I pick Stories from the Witch Café and the volume she was reading, heading to the librarian to check them out, after which I thrust the book back into her hands.
"If you still want to help, then here. Let's exchange numbers, so you can send me anything that you find. I'm counting on you, partner!"
She nods so fast that I'm afraid her neck is gonna snap. We exchange phone numbers and then we separate to head back to our classes. And I can finally breathe again.
Mikaela Reid… maybe I sound callous right now, but I've been hoping to never meet her. Honestly, even just Susie alone was enough to distract me, on multiple occasions. No wonder I'm always fawning over how cute she is...
Gingers and redheads are MOST DEFINITELY my greatest weakness.
Hello?! Is this thing on?! It is?! Noice.
Welcome back, dudes and gentleladies to another episode of AIOS, the show where awkwardness at the dinner table is just a minor inconvenience!
And finally, the last "important" character has been introduced. Our dearest Mikaela, in particular, will cover a fundamental role later on, so this is far from the last time we will hear from her. Also, since she's basically the only character whose nationality is unknown, I decided to play into her last name origins and make her Gaelic. I'm particular, she's Irish in this story.
In the meantime, I do have a question for you guys. As of right now, Meg, David, Frank and Joey are the only characters that still didn't get much focus, so next chapter will mostly be about them. Should I add Yui to that list?
I ask mostly because, while she appeared only once so far, she already got a "solo segment" all to herself. But then again, as already said, she hasn't shown her face in a while, which also isn't exactly right. What do you guys say? Want another segment with our favorite badass biker while we're still in the first arc?
Also, disclaimer: I am NOT a active English speaker. I consider myself decent, but things like accents or regional specific mannerisms are lost on me. Which means that, while different characters have different accents, I'm not comfortable enough to portray said accents in written form. Soooo... power of imagination, in this case.
That's all folks! Ta-ta for now!