Chapter 2:Argo

A Chapter by Taylor Sherman

Chapter 2: Argo

After Elise had packed away almost all of the pancakes, I set about cleaning up. I whistled to myself while he worked, no tune in particular just whatever came to mind. After I finished I grabbed Kor’s arm and dragged him out. “Kidnapping him for the day Elise” I yell over my shoulder.

“Where are we going?” Kor asked timidly

“Shopping for some supplies.” I reply smoothly

“For what?” Kor asks with a curious look in his eyes

“That good sir is a secret until later.” I say with a gleam in my eyes

We continue walking in silence until we arrive at the mall for our district, I look up at it remembering all the times I had come here with Kor, and the times before I met him with my Mother. Mom…why did you have to go on that day… I absentminded pick through items grabbing what I need Why did you try to pickpocket him of all people? Kor gives me a look but I ignore it and stop at a magazine stand. “Here Kor, this is your other friend” I toss him one of the Magazines.

“Yuritel?” He asks me

“That is just her name that goes on her art.” I chuckle “Her names Ryan, and you’ve been friends for almost as long as you and I. She even came to your last birthday even though she was swamped with commissions from the wealthy.” We keep walking “Just like yourself” I add as an afterthought. Kor shoots me a glare but sighs.

“Yeah I guess I am pretty damn rich…Speaking of which, I’ve been paying for all of this haven’t I?” he glares even more but bursts into laughter “God knows I’ve enough money.”

We laugh as we stop at the fresh food department. “40 pounds of chicken, boneless” I tell the butcher. Turning to Kor as the butcher bustles into action “Tonight, we feast. That and I get bored when I don’t cook enough food to last a month” I turn and grab the giant container of chicken and set off home. After a while “Kor, do you remember anything about my life before meeting you?” I ask him. Kor stops and looks at me.

“All I can remember is that it was a different childhood from mine.” He replies after a while. I motion to the bench we’re by and sit down.

“Take a seat, we’ve a bit to go over before we go home.” I set the container of chicken down and lean over, head in my hands. “I come from a really poor family, just like Elise does, but a lot more desperate to get out of our current conditions. My mom had come to stealing from rich people, just like your parents were, but she targeted the wrong man one day.” My eyes glaze over with tears “He was the head of police, my mom thought she had gotten away with it but later that night he came to our door. Barging in and demanding to see my mother I went to get her. I wish I never did…” I wait a few moments before continuing “He demanded that my mother earn that money from him…so…he raped her, beat her, for hours on end, over and over, until she was crying and begging him to stop, but he wouldn’t…and when he was done…he shot her, once in the head, once in the heart, and once in her left shoulder.” I hold my head in my hands tears streaming down my face. “Your parents found out after you came to find me one day, and I told them everything while you sat in the other room waiting for me. Your parents had him removed from position as head of police, and I’m pretty sure they had him killed for what he did to my mother…” I turn my gaze on Kor “Your parents are great people, but don’t ever forget that they are scientists, they will do anything to get ahead on their research.” I stand up grabbing the container “Now let us get back, Elise will likely have a surprise for you also.” We walk in silence all the way home, Kor deep in thought. After we arrive at home I see a giant box discarded in the living room. “Damn her, she always goes overboard with gifts.” I whisper to myself

Kor stops suddenly as we enter the kitchen “What…is that?” He says looking up at the giant teddy bear.

“We can’t sleep together every night, people would start to talk” Elise shoots me a glance full of laughter “So I got you a giant bear instead.”

I burst into laughter almost dropping the chicken. “You two make yourselves useful and help me cook tonight’s dinner.” I say as I pull out the deep fryer “Kor get the bread crumbs from the bag, Elise start cracking eggs” We all bustle and are busy for a solid two hours as we finish cooking all of the chicken. “Now look at this feast!” I say as I set down the plate of fried chicken and French fries. I look at the two as they eat, trying to gauge their reactions.

“Damn Argo! This is good!” Kor says through a mouthful, Elise just nods her head in agreement shoveling the food into her mouth. I smile and pretend to eat waiting for them to finish.

“Phew, I’m stuffed Argo. That was great.” Elise says collapsing on the couch. I look at Kor, who is dozing in the chair. I flip the TV on and turn it to the news paying close attention to the headlines.

“The world famous scientists Mr. and Mrs. Palpador held an open conference earlier today…” I tune this out until I hear a familiar name “The model of the year Midnight has been charged with pardoned from her charges of murder of the first degree when she seemed to lose control a month ago.” I shake my head. The Claymore has awoken. I slowly let myself start to drift off to sleep.

“Breaking news, Breaking news, Breaking news” the TV chirps and Elise and Kor start to stir, muting the TV I turn on the subtitles and read each word carefully.

“Reports of this new fever causing virus and it’s victims are coming back from the Palpador lab. The virus is lethal to those who are Anemic, if you have Anemia please report to the nearest hospital” I cast a nervous glance at the Elise and turn the TV off, getting up I walk over to the window and cast my gaze at the light polluted sky “Looks like Rya will have to be called on..” I mutter to myself, drifting away into my thoughts. “Tomorrow will be hell”

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