Reeves

by Serena Valentine

  Her condition. Those pills. He knew her condition. JNSQ, it had to be. It was so rare, and she had it too. That was the only reason she was lying around with the sector’s villain. If I switch her to the way I deal with mine, she won’t be attracted to that lifestyle. She’ll want to move. Be active. That meant him.

  This game was far from over.

  “Go outside and play,” Seraphina mumbled. “What’s going on?”

  “Don’t freak out, you’re in my tower,” Reeves informed her. He bent away from her again, giving her space. Women needed space, at least that's what they taught him in the retraining program. Seraphina had opened her eyes and seemed to stare right through him. Her hands trembled as a side effect from what happened. She slurred out a few words that didn't make any sense. “Daydreaming and slurring are not good signs.” Reeves clicked his tongue at her. "Especially considering the meds you’ve taken.”

  “No, they aren’t.” Her hands continued to twitch. “I need to go to a-I need-”

  “Don’t say more meds and a hospital won’t help you,” Reeves said. The nearest hospital was fifty miles away anyhow. “Why are you taking such a dangerous prescription?” He knew, but he wanted to hear it from her.

  “I need it.” Seraphina blinked her eyes, most likely trying to get used to the light shining through the windows up ahead. Reeves never put curtains up, there wasn't a need for them. His tower was high enough no one could ever see in, but he could easily observe anyone in need of help. Whether someone fell and needed a bandage or whether one of the older kids - err adults - got in a scuffle with a younger kid, the tower gave him a view of everything. Of course, a rewot would be much more resourceful than a tower but those were only for Adventurers. They were huge airships, towers on their sides that could navigate almost in a perfect circumference around the top of the colonial sectors. No gateways, no passes, just straight through.

  “Take a deep breath and relax. No stress,” Reeves said as he continued to hear her mumble.

  “Let’s go out and play Medina, the lights are still on to see.” Reeves watched as Seraphina closed her eyes and daydreamed again, “It’s blinding, grab your shades.”

  “I am not Medina,” Reeves tried to bring her back to reality. He touched her head gently and looked into her eyes. Beautiful green eyes with that auburn hair. “I am Reeves, Hidden Secret’s Champion. You pushed Simps out of the way, remember? A noble deed.” Not worthy of a villain. No, by making sure she ends up with me and not Timothy? It’s not bad, it’s good. Her future will be better. It’s the right thing to do. As Seraphina moaned, Reeves had let go of her head. “No hurry to remember then. Just relax and don’t move.”

  “I want . . . ?” Seraphina said as she appeared to break out of it. “Tracy?” With her head now focused, she took a better look at her surroundings. On her right were a ton of antique toys. A slapstick bracelet. A band that laid straight until you slapped it on your wrist, and then it curved. She hadn’t seen one of those since she was ten years old. There were lava lamps lined up along the sides in every color of the rainbow. There was an old red wagon, some building blocks, and a variety of knickknacks.

  “Tracy? I don’t know a Tracy,” a voice told her. “Your lack of daydreaming is a healthy sign. How's the light?”

  “Okay,” Seraphina said as she looked to her left and saw, not a ton of toys, but exercise equipment. Ellipticals, dumbbells, jump ropes, a tread climber, an exercise bike, and equipment she hadn’t even seen before. After her surveying, she turned to the front to see the Paladin, Reeves.

  Oh, Reeves. She’d noticed him more than a couple times, he was a bit of a hunk, and his smile could melt anyone’s heart. He’d be considered gorgeous if it weren’t for the out-of-place freckles he had apparently never outgrown around his eyes and nose. Then again, they had their own charm. Seraphina sat up in the bed, still putting everything together. Reeves must have been stressed with as much twitching as she had done. “Where am I?”

  “We are in my tower,” Reeves said.

  Seraphina looked at her hands and felt around herself. Leaving Calibri colony, a boy, and a car. She felt around her face and shoulders. “I’m alright?” She touched her chest, a sigh of relief escaping. “Is that boy okay?”

  “Simps is fine now,” Reeves said. “You risked your life to save him. Thank you.”

  “He was in trouble, I had to do something.” Seraphina took another deep breath knowing relaxation was key. “Where are my pills?” She felt around herself knowing she needed those right away.

  “No, no, no,” Reeves said, “you aren't taking those anymore, Girl.”

  “What?” Seraphina squinted her eyes. Did he say she couldn’t have her pills? “Without those, I’ll die.”

  “With them, you'll be in bigger trouble,” Reeves said. “We need to get you off of those. They are no way to live.”

  “It helps me. I live because of it.” Seraphina moved from the bed, wanting to get away from him. The suggestions the simple Paladin brought forth made her weary. Seraphina looked over toward the windows. She remembered seeing the outside of the tower whenever she came out. It was the tallest structure in the colony. No matter where a person went, it could always be seen. Was she at the top of that huge thing? “Take me back down.”

  “So you can go jump to your medication again?” Reeves questioned her. “No, you’re staying here for two hours. Trust me, you’ll thank me later, Seraphina Medina.”

  Seraphina’s eyes became slits as she also crossed her arms. She had patience, yes, but he was trying it. “Let me down.”

  “Who is Medina?” The Paladin changed the subject. “From the sound of your daydreaming, you were an active kid.”

  “Medina was my sister and I was an active child,” Seraphina answered with no nonsense. “I am thankful you saved me, but I need to go back down.”

  “You were active then, but I haven’t seen you on the streets at all,” Reeves noted. “You’re taking naughty medication that few people know about, so I have a feeling I know what’s wrong. Trust me Seraphina,” he flashed another grin at her, “I can help you get better.”

  Seraphina tried to keep her calm. Who did this guy think he was? “I’ve gone to several doctors, okay? Now trust me, Mister Reeves, I need that medication.”

  “No, you don’t. It’s all in your head.” Reeves uncrossed his arms and moved his left hand in a circle. “Forget the medication and I’ll show you how to live a much better life.”

  “You are holding me here against my will,” Seraphina warned him. “Paladin or not, kidnapping will not look good on your record.”

  I’m not kidnapping you, Seraphina, trust me.” Reeves tried to reason with her.

  “It’s Miss Seraphina Medina,” Seraphina corrected him, being able to take no more. She looked around for her cane, but it was nowhere in sight. “I want to go down.” The Paladin tried to talk with her again, but she refused to listen to his crap.

  “Okay, Miss Seraphina Medina," the jerk finally gave in, "after we have a brief talk about your scene, if you still want to, I’ll bring you back down.”

  “Fine, if Timothy Varmen comes up,” Seraphina insisted. She didn't know this Paladin, and he hadn’t exuded a friendly vibe since he told her to stop the medication. It was the equivalent of handing someone a gun and saying, ‘go play’. Seraphina waited until the Paladin gave up and Timothy was brought up to the top of the tower. She felt better seeing him there holding her cane. He must have been distressed by the incident. As Timothy walked toward her, Seraphina gave into the Paladin as she took his cane back. After all, he did keep his promise. “Okay. What do you think is wrong with me, Mister Reeves?”

  “It’s just Reeves, and you can’t eat food. Well, most food.” The Paladin put both hands on his chest. “We’re both the same. The sweeter the substance, the higher risk of death. Can a single teaspoon of sugar kill you? JNSQ, the unclassified allergy.” He nodded. "I know I'm right."

  “It’s not that simple,”
Seraphina said. “I’ve gone to many doctors since I was twelve. Even eating all-natural vegetables won't save me.”

  Timothy puffed on his inhaler, no surprise. He had such severe allergies and her near death experience wouldn't help any. He pointed at the Paladin. “Even staying away from everyday vegetables doesn't save her. Explain that idget.”

  “You’re the idget,” Reeves pointed back to Timothy.

  “You are.”

  “You are.”

  “You are.”

  “You are.”

  “I know you are, but what am I?”

  Seraphina blinked as she realized these men, who must have each at least been thirty, were acting like children too. Timothy had his moments when he seemed to revert to the sector’s strange childlike innocence. However, even the man, the person in charge of all the children and adults himself had the problem?

  “Shut up Varmint,” the Paladin yelled at her hapless boyfriend, “I am trying to have a serious talk with the new girl.”

  “Trying but not succeeding.” Timothy said back, “and what would the kids think if they heard you say shut up? I should tell.”

  “I am being serious here and they wouldn’t believe you anyhow Timmers, now quiet.” Reeves turned his attention to her again. “With a little help, you wouldn’t need meds anymore. You see, I can train you to be active. All the time, every day at first, just staying active. If you can do that, you’ll make it.”

  Seraphina tried to stand up with her cane, but her back ached from the hard fall. She pushed herself up and grabbed her back. “I can’t be active. You saw-”

  “The meds are responsible for that,” Reeves said.

  Reeves continued to yak at her, but she had no intention of bending. Timothy just spoke back to him for her. They got into their little arguments again. Once the room became silent, she looked at the Paladin. She saw him grinning a stupid 'everyone-adores-me' smile. "Constant movement and eating healthy. I would never have to take anymore medication again. Uh huh. Sure."

  “It’s true,” Reeves said, “and you would be fit again.”

  Seraphina didn't move, but her eyes glared up at him for that comment.

  “It's only at first before you level out, then you can take it easy again. You will quit to sleep,” Reeves added, "and you'll need plenty of rest. I always go to bed around seven."

  He went to bed before the colony lights went out at 9:00? Okay, it was official. The guy was a freak. Seraphina rolled her eyes again.

  “No way,” Timothy refused. “Don’t Seraphina, it's absurd. He’s no doctor; he’s no more than an Adventurer reject.”

  “It’s not hard. Once you begin, you won’t know how you ever dealt with medication.” The Paladin grabbed Timothy and gave him a juvenile noogie. Timothy groaned when he let him go, and the Paladin continued the conversation. “We’re different than others, Seraphina Medina. What d’ya say?”

  “Let me think seriously for two seconds,” Seraphina responded curtly, “uh, no.”

  “Okay,” The Paladin said. “One month of no medication, no inorganic and manmade foods, and some training by me. If you don’t like it, then you can go back to your medication.”

  “No,” Seraphina held up her finger and shook it three times. “No, no, and no.”

  “You have to have faith in yourself,” Reeves insisted once again. “Isn’t there any way you’ll listen to me? I have been where you are, and I know you should not stop taking medication from doctors, that is naughty, and I know I am not a doctor, but-but I’ve been in your shoes! I could give you my doctor’s address?”

  “Get out of the way you stupid asshole!” Seraphina demanded. Her anger had risen farther than it had been in years. Now was not the time anyone should mess with her. Her fists were drawn tight, large colony sector instinct kicked in, and she felt sorry for the next soul that messed with her. Her stature must have been enough to get the point across as the Paladin stepped out of the way and let her march through.

  Chapter 5

  As the days drug on, Reeves kept an eye on Seraphina Medina. Want it or not, he had to talk to her, but every time he got close to having some kind of conversation with her, the same person kept butting in. Timothy Varmen. He loved gloating over the fact Reeves wasn’t getting what he wanted. Dumb Varmint. He'd eventually help him get Seraphina, but in the meantime, he was living it up for all it was worth.

  “Hello there, Reeves.” Timmers winked at Reeves from the bench he was sitting on. Timmers gestured toward Seraphina next to him. “Are you here to talk to Seraphina again, huh?”

  Reeves couldn't smile. Few things had irritated him, but he couldn’t help feeling miffed. Everyone trusted him in Hidden Secret, everyone knew better than to disobey his advice. He was the chief, the final word. The strange woman didn’t understand that yet, and dang it, in the meantime it was annoying. The one eligible woman, sweet and kind enough to save a boy’s life, was dating a villain! He hadn’t had to work at the art of convincing anyone for many years but he was putting his all into it.

  “Seraphina, the wannabe Adventurer is here again,” Timothy smiled at Seraphina. “Do you want to speak to him?”

  Seraphina continued to hide behind a virtual screen device, probably reading an approved book. It couldn’t be news or an unregistered book, Hidden Secret’s virtual connections wouldn’t allow it. “Tell him to go away.”

  “Five minutes?” Reeves suggested, knowing the way it would be he’d better start with a high number. He could feel eyes on the back of him, watching his moves. Everyone expected him to succeed.

  “You heard the lady, now shoo.” Timothy laughed as he made a shooing gesture. “Run along now, go play somewhere else, Reeves.”

  Reeves crossed his arms stubbornly as for a split moment he thought of all the things he could do to Varmint. Naughty thoughts, terribly wrong. “Two minutes, I want to talk two minutes.”

  Seraphina flipped the newspaper to the next page and sniffed. “Look at that.” Seraphina nudged Timothy to look at her newspaper. “There’s a lovely house in the colony Rustenberg. It’s big enough to be named after itself. Ooh, and look. There is no mention of any Paladins living nearby to pester you all the time.”

  “It’s Champion or Champion Paladin,” Reeves corrected her. Not a book, and not news. She was looking at house listings. Damn it, I haven’t even had a chance to try anything yet. Don’t go. “Sixty seconds, brief, no time wasted. I will not bother you for the rest of the day.”

  “I do have a stopwatch.” Timothy pulled out a stopwatch from behind, clearly enjoying himself way too much.

  Seraphina gave Reeves her usual ‘I-don’t-care-you’re-beneath-me’ look. “Why not, you’re only going to stalk me tomorrow.”

  Reeves wasted no time. “The drug combination in those pills are lethal, Seraphina Medina, every time you use them your chance of fatality rises. You know that too, and they reduce what energy you are physically and emotionally capable of expressing, you cannot be holistic.” He took a moment to breathe, knowing he had to talk fast. “Those pills will be the death of you if you don’t let me try and help you. I want one chance. One month to show you what life can be like without being on those things. I almost died from taking those, which is why I stopped and found my own inner peace. It will work, all you have to do is try.”

  “Dying?” Timothy looked back over at Seraphina. Apparently, Miss Seraphina Medina didn’t indicate that to her boyfriend. “Is he right, can they hurt you?”

  “With or without them,” Seraphina said, “but I have better chances with them and it’s not until you’ve been taking them thirty years or so until that risk surfaces.”

  “Liar, liar, pants on fire!” Reeves pointed at her with his left hand and with his right he held up all his five fingers with so much passion they were trembling. “I had been on my fifth year taking them when I had a terrible experience. Do you know what happened after that? After the hospital stay, I was told to stay on the prescription. Fifth year, Miss
Seraphina Medina, how long have you been taking them?”

  “It’s rare,” Seraphina said to Reeves. “Most likely, you mixed something with it that you shouldn’t have, or you were too hyperactive.” Seraphina picked up her cane that was lying next to her and smiled at Timothy. “Don’t worry, I have many more years left. When these pills get risky, they introduce me to others. I’ll live well until I’m forty or fifty.” She patted his cheek softly. “I know that doesn’t seem long, but it’s ten more years at least.” Seraphina looked back at Reeves. “That’s my choice.”

  True. She understood the risks. Anyone else, and he would leave them their dignity, and let them go. But for her? JNSQ is a hero malformation gene. Once she gets off, she’ll have energy, and she might even have powers. She’ll want to move. Then he could have a chance to get to know her. “Stop being hard-headed,” Reeves complained. “Let me help you.”

  “I don’t need help, and your time has been up, Boy.” Seraphina clicked the stopwatch for Timothy and then smiled at him. “Want to go back to your place for some dessert?”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” Timothy nodded as he put the stopwatch away. “So long, Reeves, you ignoramus. We will see you later.”

  Reeves watched as Timothy and Seraphina both walked away. He pouted and stomped his foot. “Seraphina Medina!” He felt something tug at his shirt and saw Simps. “Don't worry, I'm fine, Simps.” Reeves had on a strained smile. He hadn’t even seen the young boy there. Then again, most of the permies and tempies were probably listening.

  “You yelled out Seraphina’s name,” Simps looked concerned. “Really loud and kind of angry. What did she do?”

  “It’s what she’s not doing.” Dating me. Reeves tried not to sound bitter. He had to be the best he could be in front of the kids. Every move he made, every word he spoke was generally considered the law, so when he messed up, the whole sector would mess up. “My previous actions are not looked upon with favor, it was an accident brought upon because of frustrated feelings. I have to convince her to trust me, and I don’t know how.”