Chapter Thirty-Three - You'll See
“Are we going to have a ‘We Saved the World’ party?” CJ asked, her voice full of hope and enthusiasm.
Hugo glanced around the Irish bar he’d taken everyone to for lunch. Everyone had gotten a restful sleep void of nightmares and fears, and yet they were all quite, subdued; almost lacking purpose. “I don’t see why not.”
CJ bounced on the bench, “Awesome! Let’s invite Christian, and Maggie, and Thoth, since they all helped and stuff.”
“I don’t know if Thoth will want-” Hugo began, but the idea had spread to Crysta and she interrupted him.
“And Dr. Arliss, he’ll want to know what happened.”
“Well, if that’s the case, Mr. Hansen should be invited too,” Hugo added, “If that’s ok with everyone,” he finished shyly.
Crysta waved her hand dismissively, “Of course that’s ok.”
CJ looked to Clem, almost glowing in her excitement, “Do you want to invite anyone?”
Clem shook his head, smiling, “No, I think that covers everyone that can be there.”
Everyone nodded, quiet for a moment, then Crysta broke the silence, “I’ll call Dr. Arliss. Hugo, can you go over to Maggie’s?”
Hugo nodded, “Sure, I’ll be right back.” He portaled to Maggie’s front door and knocked. She appeared several moments later, probably after looking at the security footage to make sure it was him. “It’s done.” Maggie nodded, smiling complacently as if she already knew because she’d been watching over them. “We’re going to have a little party, want to come? Dr. Arliss, Christian, and Mr. Hansen were invited too though.”
Maggie frowned, and then blushed, which was quickly followed by a brighter smile, “Wouldn’t miss it. Can I invite Nigel? Wouldn’t want to leave him here alone,” there was almost a smirk to her voice as she finished.
“Nigel?” Hugo blinked, “Do you mean Thoth?” Maggie nodded. “You found out his real name?”
Maggie’s smile quirked, “Because I asked.”
Hugo chuckled, “Yeah, I imagine that would work. And sure, I was going to invite him anyway. Are you ready to go then?”
“Sure.” Then she turned and yelled, “Nigel! Get down here, we’re going to a party!”
The next moment the man was standing beside her, looking utterly perplexed. Hugo gaped for a second because he’d never seen Thoth look so…normal. He was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt.
“What-” The man stopped himself when he noticed Hugo was with Maggie. “Ah, that kind of party. Do you really think I-”
“Yes, now let’s go,” Maggie’s tone was gentle, despite the implied impatience.
When Thoth, or Nigel, couldn’t find an immediate response, Hugo took that as his cue to create a portal back to the outside of the bar. Crysta waved them over once they were inside; the group had moved to a larger table.
“Good afternoon Maggie!” Clem said enthusiastically.
“Hi Clem,” Maggie returned, smiling.
Clem stood, offering his hand to the tall time manipulator. “You must be Thoth? I’m Clem, if you didn’t know that already.”
“Nice to finally meet you,” Nigel returned, his voice shy and soft.
Clem swept his hand over the table, “Please, have a seat, the party is just about to start.”
“Hugo, can you go pick up everyone else? They’re in Mr. Hansen’s office.”
Hugo nodded, and then walked outside to create the portal, surprised to find that all three men were waiting for him.
“I can’t wait to hear how it went,” Christian announced, grinning before he stepped through the portal.
“Hello Hugo,” Mr. Hansen said calmly, and then he smiled, “I must admit, I am interested too.”
Hugo smiled back, “Well then I’ll let CJ tell it, it’s more exciting that way.”
Dr. Arliss and Mr. Hansen chuckled, then followed Hugo to Ireland.
As promised, CJ recounted the fight in gloriously enthusiastic detail while everyone got royally drunk.
When Friday rolled around, Crysta was gracious enough to heal the hangover, and then Hugo and CJ went to have their date with Patrick.
CJ rose up in the car behind the shape-shifter and touched him with a lightning finger. He swerved off the road as his body jerked involuntarily. Hugo joined them at the crumpled car, looking in the driver’s side window. The airbag was deployed, pushing the unconscious man against the back of the seat. This was it. Sitting in the seat beside him was the thing that would inadvertently destroy Seattle, and then the world. Hugo leaned over Patrick to pull it out of the car, turning it in his hands to examine it before disabling the rather simple device. He created another portal to place it in a safe, so that he could dispose of it later.
CJ tapped Patrick a few more times, and each time the body responded with violent spasms. And then he was dead. And it was over. It was strangely satisfying and surreal that everything he had gone through had been for this moment. CJ shrugged, tapping Patrick one more time, and then they walked away from the car. Hugo opened a portal, and they went back to the Phoenix Foundation.
The Sound of Wind Page 116