Chapter 4
Ace looked upwards as Eddy as he chuckled. "Hey man, I swear I didn't know, she was here, she might've wandered here by accident". "Hey, man…we don't need to tell anyone she was here….come on, now, Nastia, dear….you must've been sleepwalking…let's get you home". Ace said, nervously, as his dialogue shifted towards Nastia.
"No, man, it's alright….it's cool….Ace…wow, you're like the coolest person in school". Eddy said, with nervousness now. "I feel so starstruck….it's a cool thing". "But hey, if you'd like to keep her for just a few more minutes, and bring her home…I won't stop you". Eddy grinned a sheepish grin.
"Hmmm, you're that annoying, Eddy-kid….one of those dipshits who ran scams when we were kids". "What the fuck could I possibly do for you?". Ace said, regaining a sense of cruel, brutal, selfish, loathing authority now.
"Nothing really big…the question you should be asking is….what could I…do for you?". Eddy proposed. Ace nodded, smiling a nasty, wicked, slimy smile. "Ok, well if we're doin favors….my car is in the shop now bein' worked on….and I need new tires for my Electric Scooter, would you mind shootin' me a ride to school in the mornin'?". "We got that Student's breakfast at the Hilton Conference Center for those holdbacks, who didn't complete their Study Island computer shit in the mornin". Ace requested.
"Well, I'll have to see because…Nastia takes the bus….and I have first period all the way on the far side of the building….". Eddy began.
Ace raised an eyebrow. His voice thickened into a cruel rasp. "I wasn't asking". Ace said, with a lowered voice. He chuckled a bit. "You don't take me to school….you'll see some bad shit come your way, Edmond". Ace reminded in a cold, icy, yet chuckling, colloquial voice that held a gaiety.
"Yes, sir….I'll make sure of it". Eddy replied, as he swallowed hard. Ace chuckled. "You better believe it, bud". Ace said, as he smiled. "Glad we're in agreement, Edmond". Ace chuckled, running his fingers through his greasy hair.
"See you tomorrow, bright and early, bud". Ace said, brashly. "See you tomorrow, sir". Eddy replied, sheepishly.
"See you tomorrow, coochie". "I'm always so happy to see ya….I love you so much". Ace said, gently with soothingness, kissing Nastia's cheeks, lovingly. "And I love you as well". Nastia replied, as she felt Ace nuzzle her one last time.
Ace smiled a kind smile, as he watched Eddy scoop up Nastia, bringing her to the car, where he drove her home. Ace smirked a bit, as he retreated back into the shadows.
Ace took something from the hot tub, cleaning it, while bringing it back. He watched as the room turned a nauseating red color that almost emitted a whitish aura from it.
Then, the childlike, gay, creepy grin belonging to a diabolical menace. HIM was there.
"Hey, there, big guy….I delivered on my promise….to have her brought to us….that's somethin' we were lookin' for". "We could use her genius to accomplish our goal". Ace said, facing the spider-esque, 8 legged HIM with his face on a spider's body.
"That sounds delightful, Ace". "except for one thing you need to extract from her soul…her ambiance, and spiritual agility". "She holds the key to ultimate power…..and really, we could use her for…experimentation". "Dissecting her brain for further scientific research is what we need as a side-consultation….our main priority is using her spiritual agility, that could help us plunge Townsville, and perhaps the entire planet into darkness". "And you will pay me back for allowing you and your band of hooligans a place to live". "I will need the deposit shortly". HIM stated.
"Yeah, sure thing, boss". "We'll have that to ya in just a few short days". "For now, I plan to keep winning her trust….that is, before handing her over to you". Ace replied, as he smiled a tired smile. "You sound implemented in your endeavors, Ace". "I must say, I've never seen you this motivated to do anything this important". HIM stated. Ace nodded. "I've never actually been motivated, boss". Ace said. HIM smiled an impudent, passive-aggressive smile, as he disappeared back into the fog. But not before leaving Ace with this important message.
"You will find much in the way of achievement here, Ace". HIM stated, before disappearing away. Ace smirked a nasty, icy, cunning, evil smirk. "He's right, perhaps". "First time someone like him been right about anythin". Ace stated under his breath. He brought up the comptrolling records that were shared between He and HIM.
Ace looked at the data that would be manipulated thoroughly so he would receive 90% and HIM would receive 10%. Just a few more on the fake account. He would be earning the power in no time.
Nastia awoke the next morning….looking around. She went downstairs, with her blanket wrapped around her. Eddy sat out on the porch, smoking a cigarette.
The morning sky looked hazy….a fleshy pink color, while white lightning shot across, silently.
The darkness outside made it impossible to see. Eddy looked up from his cigarette, seeing Nastia. "Hey, coochie…how are you this morning?". Eddy asked, gently with kindness. Nastia looked upwards at Eddy. "I'm doing quite surreptitiously". Nastia replied. Eddy smiled a kind smile. "That's wonderful, honey". "I'm very happy about that". Eddy said, kindly.
"Thank you". Nastia replied. Eddy yawned, as he tapped ash from his cigarette.
"I'm happy you're having a good morning, honey". "You've impressed me quite a bit". "I'm so happy I have you". Eddy said, gently with softened kindness.
"Thank you". Nastia replied. "Mmm, I will say…my side has been hurting a bit…I might have to have my prostate looked at". "It's been acting up for a while". Eddy said, kindly. "What's a prostate?". Nastia asked. "It's a male organ that's located near the bladder, that sometimes acts up". "Men have it…only we do…and it's best when it gets checked". "I go to a special male urologist who looks at the prostate, and makes evaluations based on what he sees". "It's a good thing for me…I don't like the exam…but everything else is pretty well-off". "Gotta keep a man healthy". Eddy said, gently. Eddy kept smoking.
Nastia rubbed her eyes, tiredly. "Everything ok, honey?". "You seem kind of sleepy this morning….your eyes look worn out". Eddy said, kindly with gentleness. "I do?". Nastia asked.
"Well, you do look a bit tired". "Did you get enough sleep last night?". Eddy asked, kindly with soothingness. "Kind of". Nastia said. "I woke up late last night…but everything is ok". "I kind of….I kind of feel sad….and I don't know why". Nastia kept her blanket around her. She drank from her sippy cup.
"It's just a sad day…perhaps?". Eddy asked, gently. "It might be…I'm not sure….but I'm ok". Nastia replied. "Well, just as long as you're ok….I'm ok". "It's a relative thing". Eddy said, kindly. Nastia nodded. She ate her yogurt, looking around.
Eddy smiled a kind smile. "I love you so much, honey". "You're everything to me…you and I both know that….we've always known that". Eddy said, kindly. "I know". Nastia replied.
Eddy smiled, as he smoked his cigarette. "Well, how are things in school with Ace?". "Is he treating you nicely?". Eddy asked, gently with kindness. "He's treating me well enough". "He's a good man". Nastia said, as she looked around. "We've been having some good conversations lately, he and I". "we've been talking about my past…my adoption, and my birth mom….it was hard to talk about at first…but I've gotten used to it". Nastia said.
"Is it hard to talk about with him?". Eddy asked, kindly with gentleness. "sometimes…I feel like the past is an arduous barrier to reconcile with….since I've never even gotten past my other adoptive parents' passing". "It was a hard thing to assiduate". Nastia said.
Eddy nodded, kindly. "Ace has been nice to you…which is a good sign". "Usually, and at times, people like him aren't very nice…but I like the treatment he's been giving you…it's very classy". Eddy said, gently with kindness.
Nastia nodded. "He is a nice man….he really is when someone gets down to the heart of it….he means well". Nastia said. Eddy nodded in kindness. "He's a good man, and that's all that matters". "We can contend with that". Eddy said, kindly with an easy gentleness.
Nastia looked outwards at the flesh-pink sky. "It's been kind of hard coming to terms with my adoptive parents' passing….when I was 3 years old….It's been extraneously hard". Nastia said.
Eddy nodded, gently. "Yeah, you were pretty traumatized after that….but I think the benefits of a healthy relationship resides in what kind of nourishment you've received afterwards". "You've received all kinds of nourishment from us…..we've helped you to overcome that hardship". Eddy said, gently with a soothing, nurturing, manly voice.
Nastia nodded. "It was nice overcoming it". Nastia said. "I guess….being with you, and Damien…with mom and dad was pretty nice".
Eddy nodded. "I'm happy we could help….but there is one thing that really needs to be addressed, sweetie". Eddy said, kindly with a soothing voice. His soothing voice cut through the sullen, mystifying nature of the clouds.
"What is that?". Nastia asked. Eddy smiled a gentle smile. "We need to focus on the wounds we can't see…the invisible wounds". Eddy said, in a gentle, loving, soothing voice. "What would those be?". Nastia asked…curious.
"Usually, and it doesn't happen all of the time…but…generally, children who grow up to be people who have experienced a great deal of trauma in their lifetime, develop emotional disturbances….and in some cases, mental illness….we need to address these things….that way, you're as healthy as you can be". "Because, you are the smartest person I've met….and one day, you'll be the happiest as well". Eddy said, soothingly with kindness.
Nastia glanced around, curious. "How will we vilify that?". Nastia asked. "We can accomplish that by talking with someone we care about". "We can always talk to a counselor….Ms. Mary Bellum….she'll help you through the process of healing….and though you might have to open the wounds, you'll be at peace with what you've accomplished". Eddy said, with an amount of soothingness behind his voice. "I set up an appointment for you this afternoon".
Nastia nodded….then, cocked her head to the side a bit. "Doesn't Ms. Bellum help the mayor?". "I thought that was her job". Nastia said.
Eddy smiled a cunning, charismatic smile. "Yes, it indeed is…however, she does counseling on the side…she has a doctorate in Developmental Pediatrics, as well as a Bachelor's in Psychology and child nutrition". "She'd be able to help in an excellent way". "Not to mention, she has a 3rd degree in chemistry". "Another Bachelor's". Eddy explained soothingly with gentleness. "I think maybe, being with a woman will help….since, there's so much to relate to". "You and her, you both are well-read, and intelligent, you should communicate effectively". Eddy smiled, as he smoked his cigarette.
Nastia nodded. "Very well, then". "I'll give her a try…I'll see what she says". Nastia replied, as she drank from her milk sippy cup. Eddy rubbed in his cigarette.
"I think you should….it'll help at least". Eddy recommended, kindly. Nastia nodded, in somewhat of a confident manner.
Eddy smiled, confidently as well, yet, his smile was a sappy, softened, smile. He rubbed Nastia's back, gently. "You'll be alright, honey". Eddy assured, kindly. Nastia nodded, as she looked upwards, knowing she'd get the hope she wished to receive.
Eddy stood up from his chair. "Let's get ready to pick up Ace….I'm sure he's waiting for us". Eddy said, soothingly with kindness. Nastia followed Eddy inside, confident in the future.
Eddy drove by the city dump, Ace's hideout, as Ace got in…buckling his belt. His seatbelt. Ace rubbed his eyes, tiredly. "Hard night?". Eddy asked, as he looked over at Ace. "yea, it wasn't nothin' that bad, though". "Just had a couple drinks, did a couple good stuff, I'm beat today though". "Hopefully, my baby girl don't follow my example". Ace said, as he chuckled.
"I'll be sure she doesn't". Eddy said, as he turned the truck onto the backroads to get to school. "Yea, she's too sweet for my bullshit". Ace said, chuckling again.
Ace looked back at Nastia, while resting his head on the seat. "Hey, coochie….good mornin". Ace said, kindly with gentleness. "Yeah, you look good this mornin' baby….daddy is so happy to see ya". Ace smiled. "What have you been up to?". Ace asked, kindly with soothingness.
"I just got ready for school, I just ate my breakfast…I'm doing well". Nastia said. "Yeah, see, I did the same thing". "I'm ready for stuff as well". "But hey…you an' I are cool". "We're tight, aren't we, coochie?". "You're daddy's girl". Ace said, gently with kind soothingness, while looking back at her. "We are, and I am". Nastia replied. She looked up at Ace…happy she was one of the guys.
She and Ace shared a laugh. Ace smiled, making a kissy face with his lips, while winking at Nastia. Nastia nodded, as she smiled as well. The exhaust, and the steamy, cold, energetic, distant feel of the truck made it seem like it was a man's playground.
Ace smiled a gentle smile, looking back…staring back at Nastia with gentle eyes. He just stared at her, warmly, as he winked at her a few times. Nastia nodded.
Ace's mouth corner twitched at some intervals. It wasn't threatening enough to be considered neurotic. They arrived at school…where they had a good time.