Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 53

Morning comes on time, and I find myself quite cool and collected, despite last night's events. Micheal had went into town and came back carrying more delicatessen from a restaurant he owned by the lakefront. As I began to reach for a sugary pastry, Dora grabs my attention for a second. How do you feel, Marika?

Like I'm ready to kick ass and a half, to be honest. I want to hit the road now, but I don't want to rush the others without reason.

I think you get to do that more than most women. Let me change your bandage quick. I take a bite from my breakfast and hold still. I notice her expression change as soon as the gauze is removed. What in the world?

What's wrong? I will admit, I like this pastry, even down to its toroid shape.

N-nothing. I'm just surprised to see a cut heal that fast. I run my fingers over the cut. Yep, it's still there, but I can tell it's quite a ways along for healing. I'll only have a small scar in a couple days. I shrug and grab another treat for a second helping.

Just one more reason why I want to learn about my family. I have no idea how, but I never seem to stay hurt as long as I'm supposed to. Even a broken arm heals in a couple weeks, if the bone sets correctly. I can't help myself, I grab a third item for the road. I notice Demi walking into camp; I didn't realize she left earlier.

I have the vehicles prepared for use. It's time to head back west.

Something crosses my mind. Hey, where's Ray? I'm sure he's not sleeping in - I was the last one to leave the tent. Nobody shows any idea of where he is. I look over to Micheal, since he was up most of the night doing paperwork.

He shrugs. I never heard him come back last night.

I reach two separate conclusions, and choose the more plausible one. Is he still at your workshop? I decide there's no chance at all that he got laid. We quickly pack up the rest of camp and make our way into town, stopping only long enough to collect my forgotten clothes. Micheal leads us to the nondescript workshop and opens the door.

Hunter Blades, are you here?

Ray, where you at?

Something shifts around out of sight, and I see Ray's face pop up from behind a table. Huh?

I notice bags under Ray's eyes. Were you working all night?

He yawns and stands up. I wanted to finish fixing the damages before we left town.

Why didn't you ask one of us to help you? Dora asks.

You know, I don't know. His face says the thought never crossed his mind. Hey, what happened to Marika?

I give a smile. A small scuffle. You should've seen Shalan. He really was mad. At everything.

He crosses his arms like a pouting child. I missed that?

Jeetoh speaks up. I knew he was wanting to visit us tonight. I figured that keeping everyone out of sight would lure him straight in. I kept everyone in the tent awake for that reason.

So why wasn't I invited to the fun?

You're the only one in our group who truly looks the part of hunter. He wouldn't come if he saw you. I could tell that Marika was a better choice to attract him.

Jeetoh's implication strikes me wrong. I was used as bait?

Partially. You also wanted to think to yourself a bit. Just scanning through your mind, I can tell you have a tendency to bottle up your emotions and fears until they manifest in your nightmares. You may eventually wind up like Mr. Landiet if you don't release in a better way. I wish I could express how I would've preferred to have been asked to volunteer as bait, but I can't quite put it in words, when he would understand just as well without a speech.

So you guys are leaving already, and I don't have the facilities to accommodate all of my tourists.

Unfortunately, I don't have the money to cover the rest of the repairs. I look over at Ray, and he picks up a hammer. I'll stay.

Huh?

I will stay and rebuild after our mess. Tell Etirn we're even now.

Ray.... I change my mind before I try talking him out of it.

I thank you for your help, Blades. Micheal turns to me. Marika, take care. I hope that you share your story with others to remind them of the value of life.

Before we leave town, I decide to stop by an armor shop. I notice that the samples on display look unusual, so I ask the shopkeeper to pull a piece out to look at. I try tapping on the piece with a claw, and am surprised to find my claw bounce off more violently than I swung. A long time ago, some traveler taught a guy how to direct emotion into metal. He sold it to this shop, and the secret's been in this business ever since. A full set, minus headwear, tailored to your stature will cost you 7,400 meseta. Whaddya say, lady?

I admit, it would protect me better than the bodysuit I have, but that's more money than I have. What if I say that I know Mr. Hernandez?

Give him a good word about my wares, and I'll part with a set for 6,500.

Five flat and I'll say this is the best armor I've ever seen. Truthfully, I haven't seen anything better yet, but I'm not exactly an afficionado, either.

It's a tough bargain. Tell ya what, I normally would refuse a price like that, but jes' lookin' at you, I think I have a used set I can part with for that price. Let's see if you'll fit. Not even a minute after the shopkeeper finished getting my measurements, he came out with a set of plate mail. I take off my jacket and don the armor over my shirt. It feels more comfortable than I thought metal would. You're in luck, lady. A few months ago, I hired a model to wear a set for an advertisement to put up in Kadary, and you're just a hair smaller. Granted, they were tailored to fit that lady without clothing underneath... The old man cracks up laughing. I could feel myself blushing a little as I fork over most of my money, and stash the armor away in a bag he gives to me. I don't know what the principal would think if he saw me wearing such heavy equipment. I quickly make my way back to the Land Rover, and follow Demi's Ice Digger to Kadary.

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