Reeves

by Serena Valentine

  All of the choices were terrible, but they were her only choices. “Life is a little hectic right now,” Reeves answered back. “You’re right about that, but these next few days you’re allowed to be here with me. I don’t know the future, and neither do you.” It was a terrible example, but she needed to understand. “If we get together, and afterwards you have to choose medication? Seraphina. At least we’ll have had these days.” She had a soft smile. Her eyes were so thoughtful. “After this we won’t get to have the interactive sex, you’ll only be able to please me.” Oh? No, he bungled again.

  “You’re not going to want to be with me if I’m on medication,” Seraphina countered him. “You don’t have to worry about that.” She turned in her blanket and joked nervously. “Can we go back to the non-hot oven rings?”

  “No.” Change of subject. She wouldn’t discuss it anymore. “We have five days, that’s it. This is pushing it as it is. I am preparing you the best I can for what will be measured on the test.”

  Chapter 25

  “Okay.” Seraphina stared ahead at her task. It was midafternoon, and she had finally mastered her hand landings and her foot landings within the oven rings. Now, Reeves wanted more. If she had been on medication right then, she probably would have been freaking out. “At least it’s a new experience.” She raised her arms up. “Okay.”

  Reeves jumped up and hung onto the wall. “Good luck. Remember, you must hit all the rings for the fire to go away. He pushed a button on the remote and the entire floor was surging with heat.

  Seraphina stayed between two rings as best she could as the entire floor of the ship turned a dangerous glowing red. She had to hit every single right spot on the floor with either her hands or her feet before the standard floor came back. Each time she hit a circle the light would go off, but that would be the only help she had. Oh goodness. Okay, I’ve just got to concentrate.

  Reeves watched her flip across the room and take out eight circles. “Good job, you’re doing well! You’re going to have to flip up the wall before you reach the- “

  “OW!”

  “End.” Reeves watched as one of her fingers got burned. He watched as she battled on though and ignored the pain. Flip, flip, too fast, not quite, oh, she got it, now flip, flip, flip, flip on the wall, then go backwards and-

  “OW!”

  Reeves watched her press on. She almost had it, just two circles on opposite sides of the room. Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip! “You did it!” He watched the floor switch back to normal and joined her on the floor. “Great job! We are ready to move on.”

  “What?” Seraphina held her hand up. “I messed up three times.”

  “You pressed on, and they weren't serious burns. That is about what I did when I ran this test.” Reeves smiled. “We are done playing with circles. Now, it’s time to learn something harder. Exiting.”

  “Exiting?” Seraphina had to ask.

  Reeves walked over to the front of the ship, clicked a button on the remote and as he suspected, a door opened to his flying machine. He never had to use it much before, and it felt strange not jumping down to retrieve it. “We are now in the air, we can't just walk down the tower. This is one thing you'll need to learn to use."

  "Is it that hard to learn to fly?" Seraphina questioned, "Guess I better get started, I know nothing about flying."

  "No, it's easy to operate, but they will time you in getting in it and how you get in it. From the end of the rewot and onward."

  Seraphina looked at the flying machine. “I have to land in it?” Okay, glowing hot floor was one thing. If she messed up, she got burned. If she messed up with this? “I could break my leg with that stunt.” “You have to, it’s the only way to get here fast enough. Or so they claim. I think it's an egotistical trip for Champion Adventurers." Reeves scoffed off. "On a quiet day I used to best it in 14 seconds. You need to do it in 20 seconds.” Reeves replied. “Try not to break your leg, or the practice will be over.”

  Used to? Seraphina began to wonder. Paladin was so different from Adventurer, yet Reeves seemed to go through the motions almost routinely. “So, I need to nail this landing just right, and I have to do it in 20 seconds?” Seraphina asked.

  “Yes. From the back.” Reeves pointed all the way back. “Like flipping across sector.” He admitted. “You'll get tired, and it will be harder to get it, so let's start one third of the way down first. Okay, 22 seconds.”

  Seraphina looked around where she had to land. It wasn’t small circles, and there was a large enough area. As long as she paid attention, she shouldn’t break anything. She went about a third of the way back. “I'll try ten big flips and two small flips.”

  “Everyone's different.” Reeves got out of her way. He couldn’t help but smile, she was beginning to guess where she needed to be and how wide to make her movements to make the landing. “Okay. Go!”

  Seraphina flipped twelve times, timing it out as best she could and landed with a thud in the machine. “28.” Ooh, that wasn’t good. She went ahead and flipped out back to her starting position. She waited for his signal, and flipped even faster, still trying to be accurate. She landed again with a harsh thud. “27.” Not wasting time, she flipped out and flipped back to the starting position.

  FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER...

  Reeves tried not to yawn as he stared at the clock. "28, 29, 26, 27, your numbers are too long. “You must move quicker.”

  “I am doing my best,” Seraphina replied as she tried to concentrate. Accurate but fast, accurate but fast.

  “24.” Reeves smiled at the number. Her best time yet, but she still had a long way to go. “Good job, but you need to get down to 22. Even one second longer could cause a delayed response.”

  “I’m trying, Reeves.” Seraphina insisted. “I won’t give up until I get it right.”

  “Seraphinaaaaa!”

  Or unless Timothy comes, he thought. Reeves looked down and saw the steps they had climbed up now moving around. “You seem to have a visitor.”

  Seraphina walked over to the ladder and looked down. “Timothy?”

  Timothy held flowers in his right hand along with a card in his left. He was dressed in a tuxedo and shaking the ladder. “Seraphina. We need to talk. Come down.”

  “Go.” Reeves smiled at her. “See him Seraphina and then we’ll continue your training.”

  Seraphina nodded. She climbed down the ladder, wondering what had gotten into him now. She jumped off and stood in front of Timothy. “What is it, Timothy?”

  Timothy held out some roses to her. “Here.” He shifted around. “I know what I said was unfair. I didn’t mean you were not my Seraphina.”

  Seraphina crossed her arms. “It was cruel. You’re letting my sister stay with you, so you can get me back on medication to win a bet that doesn’t even matter to you.”

  “I know and it’s not that.” Timothy groaned. “Reeves has changed you. I don’t like what he’s done to you. In fact, I wish you never took that bet now.”

  “Timothy, don’t start.” Seraphina warned him.

  “I know, I know what you’ve decided.” Timothy held out the roses again. “Not seeing your face every day is what I miss most. Isn’t there something we can do, so we can still be together? Friends? I don’t want you to be mad at me. You’re my friend and I want to be with you. I just don’t know how.” He held out the roses again. "I was born in Hidden Secret," he muttered, "I don't want to be considered a typical resident, but I am lacking in some areas. Forgive me?"

  Seraphina looked at the roses, this time accepting them. “You’re still letting Tracy live there.”

  “I want you on medication, that has always been clear.” Timothy sighed. “In fact, you used to think the same thing. How many times did you promise me that you would not fall into this and let Reeves take you away? Huh?”

  “Timothy.” Seraphina looked back at the roses. “This is surprisingly sweet. You can be charming at times, but did Tracy put you up to this?”

&nb
sp; “Eh.” Timothy shrugged his shoulders. “Fine, what if she did? This I wrote, though, it's one hundred percent made by Timothy Varmen.” Timothy held up his poem and cleared his throat. “I hate people here, but I like you. I like the way you talk. I like the way you walk. I like the way you like me, even if I’m not the best. I really, really, really, really hope you fail this test. I am a bit of a villain, and even though you’re not. I still admit I like you, even though I got caught.”

  “Well,” Seraphina chuckled. That sounded like him. “Thanks for the motivation you jerk.”

  “Even if you pass it though, I still like you. I probably should have put that in there somewhere.” Timothy placed the poem above the flowers. “I didn’t mean the other day that I’d choose Reeves leaving over you. I just wanted both, but if I can’t, I’d rather have you. I want you back the way you were. I will deal with this, not much choice.”

  “Timothy.” Seraphina rolled her eyes. “I know you want me on medication, and even though the flowers are sweet, and the poem was thoughtful, I’m not changing my mind.” It was also falling away from the friend zone. “I wish you could let me choose my own path. Don’t you understand?”

  “Oh, absolutely.” Timothy pulled out a flyer. “I was thinking of joining this fantastic club. What do you think?”

  Seraphina looked at the flyer. “Timothy. That’s a well-known cult.”

  “Yes, I know. I want to join though.” Timothy said.

  “A cult?” Seraphina was confused. “Timothy, you can’t join this. Cults change people and some even get people killed.”

  Timothy shrugged his shoulders. “I want to join.” He crossed his arms. “I wish you could let me choose my own path. Even if it changes me or may kill me. Don’t you understand?”

  Seraphina groaned. Hypocrisy. “Okay, I get your point.”

  “You may see fun in your future, but I see no such thing. I will stop you as best I can because I think your sister is right. Medication is best.” Timothy gently grabbed her hand. “You didn’t think I saw this?" He touched her fingers delicately. "You’ve burned yourself and for what? To become a sidekick. Things will just get worse. If I were smarter, I would give up on you, but I can’t.” He tried to give her a pleasant smirk. “Is any of this getting through?”

  Seraphina fidgeted with her fingers. Where was that old fashioned sense of anger? Nothing. She knew everything Timothy had done to her, yet just couldn't hate him. In fact? She felt sorry for him. He was depressed, anxious, and filled with regret. He was miserable on the inside. “I get it.”

  “So?” Timothy grabbed her hand closer. “How about we try a date again?”

  He went from wanting to be friends back to dating again. Say no. Say no. “You were very cruel. This is remarkably sweet.” Seraphina sighed. Reeves. He couldn’t be with her, she knew if she became a sidekick, it wouldn’t be allowed. It was best for him though, to forget her. She wasn’t what he needed. She wasn’t what Hidden Secret needed either. Best thing I can do for everyone. Oh, she was going to regret this. “Okay, but I don’t just want to- “

  “I’ll take you to Ahara tonight,” Timothy interrupted her. “Only an hour away, the sector is beautiful. I have reservations to one of their nicest restaurants.”

  “Really?” That surprised Seraphina.

  “Yes, at Seven O’ clock. Just promise me one thing?” Timothy put her hand back down. “Don’t burn yourself so much just to please him.” He shook the ladder again. “Hear me, you heartless Reeves! Stop making her hurt herself!”

  “Timothy, no!” Seraphina grabbed his hand off the ladder. He had used her gesture against her as he brought her to him and stole a kiss.

  “I’ll be waiting for you,” Timothy said as he took his lips off hers. “Hopefully, you lose so that your sister can get out of my house, and you can come in. You’re the only person I want to share it with.”

  Seraphina waved goodbye as Timothy left. She looked at the flowers and briefly smelled their aroma.

  “Done yet?” Voice. Gritty sand.

  Seraphina looked just a little above herself. Reeves and he knew what she just did. She felt all the same feelings coming from him, mixed with anger. “I’m done, Reeves. Let’s get back to training.”

  Reeves went up the elevator first with Seraphina following behind him. “Seraphina? There’s something we need to talk about before we continue.” He went into the rewot and gave her a hand up. “Timothy.”

  “There’s not much else he can do,” Seraphina insisted. “I know, I’m an idiot.”

  “No, you’re not. No matter what Timothy does, you won’t get angry at him. You’re even granting his fondest wishes because you can’t stand to feel him sad,” Reeves admitted.

  “I feel crazy.” Seraphina looked at Timothy's card again. “I want to feel anger, but I feel a sense of sadness mixed with sorrow, compassion and joy that he told me that he still likes me. Maybe there’s some irritation in there and a smidge of anger but . . .”

  “You feel everything more clearly, not just the dominating emotion,” Reeves reminded her.

  “It’s getting worse,” Seraphina complained. “Besides, if I’m going to be your sidekick- “

  “No, it’s an extraordinary thing. You’ll need that, it will make this job much easier. Besides, it'll look fabulous on your application. They will label it under superpower, and you get paid more. Nothing as fancy as ice or fire powers, but amiable benefits.” Reeves informed her, over her talking. He didn’t want to hear the truth.

  “I can’t date you and work with you.”

  She flipped back to her starting position. “I agreed to a date at eight.”

  “I heard.” Reeves said. “You won’t have as much energy tomorrow when you're getting to bed later.”

  “I couldn’t say no,” Seraphina said, “and I should have wanted to, but I didn’t want to see him hurt.” She smiled at Reeves. “But now you hurt too. Someone’s always going to hurt. Don’t worry, it’s just a small date. Not that you need to think about it that way. I’ll still perform great tomorrow.”

  Chapter 26

  “See? A nice restaurant in Ahara, as promised.” Timothy gestured around as he put a napkin down on his lap. He tried to ignore her slight yawn she covered up.

  “Sorry.” Seraphina apologized. “I’m used to going to bed by now. I’ll wake up though.” She smiled. “Thanks for the ride.”

  Timothy looked at his menu. “The rabbit food is on the back.”

  “Oooh.” Seraphina looked at the salads. “That sounds really good.”

  “Mine will be much better.” Timothy bragged. “I can of course have anything I want, so there is no competition.”

  “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy mine.” She glanced around. “This really is a nice place, thank you for bringing me.”

  "You become a vegetarian yet?" Timothy had to ask.

  "No, I have to be careful though. Hidden spices in meat, smaller portions of things and such." Then Seraphina added, " Reeves isn't vegetarian. He just watches his food intake."

  "He watches everything," Timothy chuckled. "Remember? You once called him an after school special."

  “He keeps the sector in synch nevertheless."

  "Keeps the sector in synch?" Timothy scoffed. "Don't say such a foolish thing. He's the reason the sector can continue the way it is."

  "He takes care of it," Seraphina disagreed. "Why can't you just let-"

  "-pests play endlessly in it like it's a gigantic fun park that never ends?" Timothy looked up from his menu. "Every child grows up, Seraphina Medina Johnson. Every kid leaves a sector at least once. They get a job, they get fired, they split up, they get together, know love, and have other kids. That's the way it's supposed to be." He slammed his menu down. "Look at the residents, the grownups. Take Daryl and Amanda and Chuck and Emily. Every one of them should have left, gotten married, divorced, had kids, or done something. They can't do anything. They don't even have jobs. You've noti
ced that, right?"

  "Yes, I have." Seraphina admitted. "I was wondering how-"

  "They grew up there as permies. Permanents, their parents left them. Kept up the bills for the house, but never returned except for visits here and there. They went through Hidden Secret's education system up until the third grade. That's as far as you must go here. The Third grade. It’s not busy work either, children take their time to advance. An extra three years in second grade, who cares, right? The government doesn't want to add anymore, after all, they'll never do anything with that knowledge. They'll stay here, forever, never growing up and always playing because they think that's life. You know it's not; you've been on the outside just like me."

  "If it's the way they choose to live-" Seraphina began but was cut off.

  "There's no choice, they know nothing else. One day I grew curious when I was playing tag at seventeen years old and wondered what was out there. I applied for retraining. A program that would retrain me about everything I knew and about the outside world. Once finished, I came back and swore I would change that sector. There is so much out there, and they'll never know because they are too busy playing."

  Seraphina didn't want to listen, but she knew he was right. She had believed it too before she came to Hidden Secret. If some species had that way of life, it was understandable. Not all species were the same, but it was mostly humans there and humanoids. Humanoids deserved to grow up.

  "Reeves, the best role model of all time to you?" Timothy continued, "refuses to help them. Just lets them carry on playing, never learning anything more, and never directing them to where they should be going in life. All he does is come down, play, share his wisdom and have bandages on hand." He picked his menu back up. "You think he wants to help them? You honestly think he's the best thing for Hidden Secret?"

  "Timothy, it's complicated," Seraphina said. "He grew up here too, he went through the retraining as well, but he still believes this sector is the best. I think it's a matter of opinion, but he does what he can in this sector."