The Perfect Run

Chapter 21

All was well so far on the Augusti Path.

Ryan had met Zanbato as expected, beat up Sarin at the harbor, and now repeated the exact same conversation which would lead him to crash at Jamie’s house. All was well and good, to the sound of crashing waves against the piers...

“I have to be sure about something,” Luigi asked the courier. “Are you a snitch or a double agent?”

“Well, I’m not really on anyone’s side,” Ryan replied, but then his mouth acted on its own, “But I’m a Carnival infiltrator, yes.”

… or not.

Everyone present turned to look at him, a tense silence settling in. The grunts raised their weapons, while Zanbato’s face turned from shocked, to disappointed, and finally, to furious.

“Uh oh.”

Okay, two lessons learned.

One, Ryan hated truth-tellers. Hated them, with a passion.

Two, Zanbato could make sashimi out of people with his laser sword. Ryan wouldn’t look at sushi the same way ever again.

But this time… this time, it would be different. The courier had rehearsed the perfect misleading answers. Luigi's power compelled Ryan to say the truth, but only according to the teller’s exact words.

“I have to be sure about something,” Luigi asked him again. “Are you a snitch or a double agent?”

“I can’t snitch on a group I haven’t officially joined yet, and I am not a double agent.” Technically, he was a triple one.

“Are you a mole?”

“Of course I’m not a mole, I’m human.”

There! Saved! He did it, he did it!

“Okay, I should work on my wording,” Luigi sighed but didn’t give up. “Are you, or do you intend, to relay information about us to another organization?”

“Well, yes, I intend to. Hell, I already did!”

Goddammit!

Okay.

Okay, third time's the charm.

Through timing and intelligence, Ryan had skillfully navigated through the chain of causality to avoid the fated question. He had put on the charm, befriended everyone, distracted the grunts with funny anecdotes. Now, the courier and Zanbato prepared to return to the Plymouth Fury, and go eat some delicious pizzas.

“Hey, Quicksave,” Luigi asked, as they took a few steps towards the car. “Before you go, there are a few questions I must ask every new recruit.”

“Luigi, seriously, please, don’t do it,” Ryan replied, his eyes pleading. “For your sake, don’t say this. It won’t end well, I swear it won’t—”

“Sorry, protocol. Are you a snitch?”

“Yes, yes, yes! Yes, I am! Is that what you want me to say, Luigi? Is that what you want me to say?”

Quicksave breathed deeply, fighting off his rising frustration.

“Luigi,” Ryan pointed a finger at the truth-teller, as everyone raised their weapons at the courier's face. “We’re going to have a problem, you and I.”

“Where’s Luigi?” Zanbato asked Grunt 1 when the truth-teller failed to show up at the harbor, leaving only the henchmen to deal with the operation. “Wasn’t he supposed to take care of the shipment?”

“Sorry, he was attacked yesterday night,” Gruntie said, carrying Luigi’s cell phone. Apparently, he would have to fill in for the Made Man. “He’s at the hospital right now, and he’ll be out of commission for a while.”

“What?” The news shocked Jamie, who clearly hadn’t been informed. “By whom?”

a hockey mask and stick, from what I

Ryan said absentmindedly, looking at

he starts opening his home’s door and then BAM! Some

almost chortled. “Why Luigi?

Grunt 1 replied. “Maybe it was

uh, passionate according to witnesses,”

out, “Maybe it

could be the Meta.” Zanbato crossed his arms. “But then how did they learn where

more time to find the hockey

staying at a hotel right?” Jamie asked Ryan. “I think you should crash at my place for the night, just in case. The city

don’t say,”

they played poker, went to

conscious mind entered when he couldn’t be

after a while, always reacting the same way to the

repetition would drive anyone

was necessary suffering to reach the perfect ending and soon, it would finally end. Everything would turn right when Ryan found Len. He

him back to reality, interrupting

Extensive looping and repetition often eroded

while Lanka had already left for Vulcan’s factory, the laying defeated on the ground. The message involved a photo of Rust Town’s orphanage, intact, and a text

care of. Children

Thanks for the tip.

lived for such surprises, good or

talking with Zanbato, Ryan expected events to repeat until he met Vulcan. The

“You,” Pluto asked Quicksave.

to repeat

“Have we met before?”

Ryan, as he didn’t expect that answer. “Possibly, I’m

it, we already met,” Pluto replied, her tone turning from curious to confused.

stood still next to Ryan. The underboss’ mere attention

Pluto said. “But

...

Did her power somehow mark him

Jamie joined the conversation,

your

invaded his personal space, putting a hand on his shoulder. You speak to her when talked to, he all but said out loud. “Quicksave,” Zanbato answered

trying to peer into his soul. The courier couldn’t explain

Pluto’s female bodyguard pointed out. “Maybe

his defense. “Quicksave may be odd, but he is reliable,” the Made

your name, Quicksave?” she asked Ryan, completely

with mock reverence, alleviating the tension. “Ryan Romano. I’m

“I’ve got places to be right now, but I will call you back soon to clear this up. Play stupid, play smart, run, or say no, and you will

No, wait, that wasn’t a threat.

follow her order, he would

the underboss leave with her bodyguard in complete silence until they were out of sight. Nobody dared to speak

said, letting out a breath of relief.

just as confused. “Or

Jamie said. “That woman is Pluto, Augustus’ sister and underboss.

follow her lead without question,” Ki-jung said, her face full of concern,

even here?”

crossed. “Vulcan will take command of the clean-up since she’s been itching to

a frown. “To attack him in front of his own house… if

it’s the Meta who did that though?” Lanka asked, skeptical. “I mean, it was just a guy with a hockey

unpowered junkie they paid off,” Jamie replied. “The Meta-Gang isn’t a big group. It would

followed through with his promise and stopped targeting the Augusti with

out though. It could threaten his entire infiltration mission, and he

every time he made

only had to play along until Vulcan told him how to contact or reach Len. He didn’t have to stay with the Augusti longer than that. And

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255