Deep in the sewers of the Rock, an orb of light bobbed up and down in front of Squiggy - only to turn down a tunnel to the right and disappear. As he ran Squiggys heart beat faster, energizing the limbs that were now caked in the grime of the sewers. Although the rush of blood warmed his body, Squiggy felt a sudden chill as he heard the muffled roar of falling water echo through a tunnel up ahead. Squiggy slowed down and groped the wall beside him until he reached the corner and turned right. A glowing lantern hung high above him, illuminating the upper walls of the chamber but not his path. Squiggy pulled out his own light to flick it, flick it, flick it on , but by a third failed attempt he realized his device had short-circuited. A sudden swish from behind caused Squiggy to leap forward and land in the middle of a pool of water.
He waded forward now, lifting as much of his jacket as he could to avoid touching the oily film on the surface. The sound of rushing water grew louder. Squiggy hurried onward only to hear it even louder this time. He tried to stop - too late - for the tug of the current pulled him under. Squiggy panicked and reached for the walls, but inch-thick slime slipped under his fingertips. Even with his head underwater Squiggy could hear the waterfall thundering up ahead now. His eyes shut as he slowly exhaled.
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Jacey ran. He ran with the urgency required by his situation. He remembered the initials on the cryptic message and the stranger who had bumped into him while he walked with Yume that night. He understood now that it had been his master who had carefully inserted the folded note in his pocket.
Why couldnt he have spoken to me the way he always does? Is something big happening soon? Is that why hes already summoned me back from the bar? Jacey was concerned about this mysterious way of contacting him.
Or maybe he wants to give me some advice about girls... Jacey said, remembering what had happened with Yume earlier that night.
Why was he afraid to look at her when he whispered to her? What was he afraid of seeing in her reaction? Jacey knew too well his own vices and his insecurities. But try as he may, he couldnt remember what had happened at the Boozerama Bar. Something about a massive headache lingered in his head, and stealing that kiss from Yume was an experience hed never forget.
And why did he take that moment - out of all moments - to ask her...? He remembered now. Looking at the beautiful girl walking beside him and getting caught up in the moment, Jacey had whispered to her, Do you feel about me the same way I feel about you?
Why?! Jacey stopped running. Why would I have even said it like THAT?!! He yelled in anger at the night sky. I can be so eloquent sometimes... and other times I just blow it all away with some dramatic bull**** I learned to do in school!
Jacey started walking forward again.
And how can I be so shallow? I dont even know her yet!
Jacey had rushed into his relationship with Yume, and, having realized this too late, he didnt know where to go next.
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Muscular arms yanked Squiggy out of the rapids just before the current threw him over the edge into the sewers greatest depths.
Squiggy spluttered and thrashed wildly as a second pair of arms pinned him down. A hairy hand struck him on the side of the face, silencing him. Squiggy opened his eyes.
He was on a dry ledge about ten feet above the river of sewage.
Two beady-eyed creatures in violet robes were crouched over him, as both human and alien blinked curiously at each other.
Suddenly Squiggy was rolled over and wrapped tight in a large purple cloak. With a quick jerk the two creatures lifted him and swung him upwards. A third pair of hands caught him. Down briefly, then up higher. Down, then up! As Squiggy was tossed back and forth up the shaft, his eyes adjusted to the dim light. Out of small holes dug in the walls, little robed creatures poked curious heads out. Squiggy saw their little eyes reflecting the lamplight even from within the burrows.
Fascinating... I think Ill call these molepeople... How wonderful it would be to come back and study them some day... Yes... molepeople... thats clever... and what an original name, too... Oh, Im sure theyve got marvelous technologies... Dizzy with the swinging motion, Squiggy stopped mumbling incoherently, closed his eyes, and tried to enjoy the ride back to the surface.
==========
Done regretting himself for the moment, Jacey decided to move on. He still had an important rendez-vous to show up for. He accelerated back to full speed while his mind raced just as fast to keep up with all the thoughts swirling through his head.
==========
Squiggys body was launched completely out of the sewer and hit the street with a dull thud. Loosening his cloak about him, Squiggy shook off his motion sickness and looked around.
Who? What? Oh, God, Im thirsty...
Then he saw the No Name.
"Well my employer won't mind if I'm just a little late..."
==========
Demons head perked up immediately. Something smelled absolutely terrible , but he couldnt tell where it was coming from. Still, it was a relatively common odor, and Demon couldn't help wondering, Isnt that the smell of...
Crap, Squiggy muttered angrily while flicking off caked bits of muck from his fine lavender cape.
Tilting his head up to admire the decor, Squiggy recognized the bar and braced himself in case the boy who had thrown him out earlier might still be around.
He wasn't.
Squiggy calmed down and looked for a place to sit. Currently one man sat alone at the bar while a pair of gray-skinned aliens chatted animatedly with the bartender and a female. On the opposite end a woman in black sat by a black dog. The latter seemed to have a disgusted look on its face.
Hmmm... smart dog... Squiggy muttered under his breath.
Then, spotting an empty table with a laptop on it, Squiggys eyes lit up. Perfect! He walked quickly over, pulled out the chair and sat down.
What are you doing?! The man at the bar bellowed, his white eyes glowing with fury.
Squiggys dirty fingers hovered just an inch above the keyboard.
Oh, of course... said Squiggy, rubbing his hands on his robe.
May I have your permission to borrow your computer for a moment? I would like to test the beta version of a program Ive just designed. Squiggy reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a tiny chip.
Please? He smiled at the Hacker as he waited for a reply.
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I'll so offend to make offence a skill,
redeeming time when men think least I will.
- Hal
