Path of Daisies: 02

The sound of the glass touching the cold rock counter pulled my eyes back. Louise was standing by me with the most normal face. However, this time she was the one lost in the darkness beyond.

- No, I can go on my own. 

Louise never seriously told me why she disliked the city so much. I could tell she had a deeper reason besides hating the dirty air. Didn't seem like the type of thing one just straight up asked, that much I knew. 

- If somebody is watching us don't you think it's best that we stay together? - she took her time looking at the path of daisies outside, didn't look at me until after she had finished her sentence. 

If Louise was really a target leaving her behind would be a huge mistake. Going to the city was something totally unexpected in her routine and would get the people watching off guard.

- Do you have something to wear that doesn't scream I'm-a-farm-lady-who- have-never-been-to-the-city? - I waited for the corners of her mouth to loosen up into a suppressed side smile just to see it disappear. A concerned look took over her face and posture. 

- What are you gonna do when we get there?

Automatically my mind travelled to the Main street. Would those people be okay after being unconscious for so long? I didn't have the courage to look for any other information online besides confirming what officer Abrom had told me. A black cloud covered Tier-1 from me. I didn't know what expected me there. 

- We'll go to my apartment to get some stuff and then We'll come right back. - Louise looked determined. Nothing would change her mind, still I worried. Leaving her home seemed to weigh over her, I could see how far away her mind was.  - We should turn in. 

-You go. I'll clean up first. 

Hesitation held me in place for a few moments. Her gaze was fixed on me, waiting for my retreat. Frustrated at my own inability to communicate, I left with a heavy spirit. 

Behind closed doors I opened the short window and crawled to the wooden roof. Even there, on the healthiest place in Tier-1 the sky was completely dark. Once upon a time history said stars populated the night. It was hard to believe that space was visible from Earth and we were not always trapped under a suffocating emptiness. 

Planes and drones were the new residents of the sky. I grew up looking at those synthetic stars, as Jk named them.

"I should let him know I'm coming back." 

-Connect to Jk.

A couple lights crossed from every direction before Jk loaded. I could hear a tone of noises and chatter but I could only see his chest. 

-Hey, what the fuck? 

-What do you want? I'm busy. - his voice was close and stuffy. I still couldn't see anything. Voices kept shouting indistinguishable words that sounded familiar but I couldn't understand.  

-What are you doing? - I sat up. In the background a known voice called out for the boy. JK ruffled around then without another word cancelled the call. 

The person on the back sounded a lot like the Manager.