Another note.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ4Y6Gn7Ls
Achlys led the group to a hotel and somehow managed to get into the penthouse suite. With cash.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5IgjzOJuu
The lady at the desk reached for the phone during check-in, but Abyss figured Achlys found a work around. He couldn’t remember. In fact, nobody could.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcU6s35XDo
He probably would have dwelt on the bizarre circumstance had it not been for room service coming at the crack of dawn with a letter to Abyss. No one was awake yet. Abyss was trained to be an early riser by the Rosork, and apparently it worked. He was up by 5. The letter came around an hour and a half later.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCjH5SqJ7y
Abyss looked down at the enclosed envelope. He didn’t know why notes kept coming. He didn’t recognize the name, Mark or why the return address seemed to be coordinates, (38, -97), but here was a confidential stamp on it. Abyss didn’t quite understand how or why this letter found its way here and could contain anything confidential.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3O3LYI0Le
After the last confidential message he received, Abyss was afraid to open it .20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xCY7zbdt0
Still, curiosity killed the cat, and Abyss slowly ripped the seal.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhaQUvELL2
His eyes glazed over the note which read:20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oyPvAF3L0
Abyssal,20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv945Msiu8t
I hope this letter finds you well, I only really have a hunch where you could be. I read about the “attack” on a rebel base, and through some digging, I discovered you were behind it.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBF1XkRYGO
As a curious outsider, I would like to hear your side of the story. No one will know about this contact. I want to know if this was a planned attack or just you lashing out, if there was anyone else involved, maybe the entire article is a rouse to cover something else up. Was there a reason behind all this that you could tell me about?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4gL5rVY9S
I should probably introduce myself. Nedi The name on the envelope is different because I don’t want the police to track me. With such a unique name, it probably wouldn’t be hard.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS7K1YmDCx
Thank you for your time and understanding. I can only hope you respond soon.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRUfTJ43YV
Your friend,20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBiXRHD6xu
Nedi20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSrXFgTRtB
Abyss stared at the letter with utter confusion. Friend? This person was already calling themself a friend of Abyss? Even Achlys didn’t feel that way to Abyss yet. And what kind of name is Nedi20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ580JkGVL8a
Abyss wasn’t sure if he should respond part of him was somewhat relieved for whatever reason. He wouldn’t figure out that it was being given the opportunity to talk that made Abyss appreciate the letter despite how strange it was.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ngO3mPCP
He pocketed the letter deciding to ask Achlys her opinions later, but the time never came.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcNAX11D22
Achlys left saying she would be back with Queen Ember a week or two later to advance her plans to stage two. She advised everyone to stay here, much to Abyssal’s annoyance. The other guys shared this annoyance, meanwhile, the lady and Lucy were more than willing to stay in the suite to process current events and unwind. Lucy was just scared to do anything, which tugged at his heart. He shook off the thought but was now properly distracted from the letter.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzriH1bIRv
That is until Achlys was gone for about two hours.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrDOXz6cQM
Abyss went back to his room for a while and after a nap, Abyss saw the letter slipped out from his pocket.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmvh7G9UJw
He pulled up the piece of parchment and searched for a blank piece of paper of his own.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcis3Ksl3qP
After a little while, Abyss was able to start writing.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cE0gazvTv
Nedi,20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqe1nHF2UN
Your letter found me. I don’t know how. The truth is, earlier today, I wasn’t sure if I should trust you. Then I figured that I could share some things with you. Achlys left for a while, so you’re the only person I could think of who isn’t afraid of me. Besides, even if we just met in a letter, I think I trust you more than Achlys’ allies. I can’t explain it.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXsJjaLkwl
The truth is, I was upset. PISTOL sent my brother to die, and I wasn’t there with him. Achlys says it isn’t my fault. I have a hard time believing her.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPNnGzgU91
Whatever, it’s stupid. I shouldn’t be upset anymore. I destroyed PISTOL.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSslHLz2c2V
Abyss marked the send address with the coordinates and hoped the letter would find its way back. He addressed it to... Mark. If an uncommon name would have exposed Nedi he wouldn’t be having that problem with a name like this false one.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnP4xiUC9T
Abyss gave it to one of the people who worked at the hotel and retreated to his room to think. He thought about Volt, Mirio, Merry, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Achlys. He wondered if she was alright. He didn’t know why she asked for so much time for her mission. Did she know something he didn’t? Did she expect something bad to happen?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLsthJPSJE
* * *
A new letter came 8 days later.
Abyss,20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm6yFCbBPJ
The letter you sent me was an unexpected treasure. I am thrilled that you responded, but the response took longer than I expected. I waited a week.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhzoNnfTy0
I made an account on an obscure website called Facebook. I thought this might be a faster way to communicate if you have access to the internet.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69NH5n1RJX
As for your brother, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. There’s so much I want to tell you, but things are crazy here. People keep talking about oncoming war with the aliens. Is that crazy? The aliens have given us so much, but it turns out that was out of greed and manipulation. Surprising, I know.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNlUbFKGAx
Hopefully we can keep in touch.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZBki0naaD
-Nedi20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1lumJJ8nB
Abyss tore the sides of the envelope in frustration. He had to figure out how to get access to the internet and learn how to use it. The Rosork never allowed Volt and Abyss access to human technology. It was too primitive and full of distractions. Rosorken technology was efficient. Communication across 2 or 3 solar systems was normally plenty. Besides that, ships, and the cartridges, the Rosork didn’t need much. They believed entertainment was one of the reasons humans advanced so slowly.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZEcVA88vv
Still, Abyss spent the rest of the day looking for a computer. He had to ask one of the employers, and they said they had an old computer Abyss could keep. The laptop was a dinosaur that barely functioned. It used something called Windows 11, which was supposed to be far outdated.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gH1clWmDb
Still, Abyss took anything he could get.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhqOEWYkIz
* * *
Nedi was right. His name was incredibly unique. After scrolling past some consumer protection laws crap, Abyss found the strange website named Facebook. He clicked the blue button and was taken right to Nedi’s page.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1QwAziwiy
It took Abyss about 40 minutes trying to figure out how to make an account. He had to work around not having a... “email” or a “phone number”.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcCdNAbvKB
Eventually, Abyss sent a message to Nedi.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncHEn5zvUg
Does this work?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqoW1fvFHT
-Abyssal20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQeDxtJ66H
It only took 13 minutes for Nedito respond this time.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX6oaVjVwb
It works. Keep laying low. Something big is going to start any day now. You need to stay safe. Besides, your brother wouldn’t want you to take revenge on everything. He would just want you to be happy.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzLzLJOIct
Abyss stared at the message on the screen in bewilderment.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFD1u7lBUj
How can I be happy? Are you okay? Where are you?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D2rIKoshr
Abyss waited a long time for Nedito respond. He waited 13 minutes, then 19 more.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbOXLlFDYa
Are you ignoring me?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcW2P3Y2en
Abyss aggressively hit the send button on this message. An almost instant reply.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh5dF7jn4e
I can’t talk right now, and I couldn’t answer your questions anyway. It isn’t safe anymore. I have to go.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIHPwErON9
Go where?!20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ishPYcB5X
Stay where you are, don’t message me anymore.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn5bsuYOFC
This was the last straw. Nediwas being unreasonable. He couldn’t just say he was in danger and demand Abyss stayed in place.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMC9Rf7XRs
Abyss rushed out his bedroom door without even closing the laptop.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Yk7ew4r8
The others waiting in the lobby were talking and laughing. “Knock it off, Vivian!” Lucy giggled as the older girl ticked her. The young boy glared at the two and the larger man placed a hand on the boy’s head.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtaF0lz1nk
“And there’s our emo teenager!” The man bellowed jovially, throwing up his arms. Abyss froze for a second before shaking his head and moving to the elevator. “What are you, deaf?” He asked, moving away from the younger boy and to Abyss. “Don’t approve of my phraseology? We all talked about the rolls we would have in our hypothetical families, see? I’d be the dad, Lillian’s the funny aunt, Antonio’s the stubborn middle child, Lucy’s the youngest, and you’re the oldest son who hides in his room all depressed. Achlys is your-”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKiJac7BKW
“I don’t care,” Abyss said stubbornly, pressing the button. “I don’t even know you guys. Now if you’ll excuse me, some things are more important than playing house. Besides, my father never did crap for me. I don’t need a new one.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLFDyCUD1q
The elevator dinged open, and Abyss walked in. The spirits of everyone else in the room fell.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifhFZAaVig
“Where are you going?” the large man called out in desperation. “Achlys said you were in charge.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIysUpOSW9C
“Some job I’ve done. You’re in charge now, Dad. I’m out of here.” The elevator door closed and cut off the bitter farewells.
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