They were in Applease, but a long way from Heltons. They needed to get there as quickly as possible,but Shoto was slowing them down. He sug the continued without him. Ryan argued he needed to see Helton. They continued, Shoto was pushing himself and Lawhey could see it.
"I think we should rest here", Lawhey said.
They were close to the building, where they met Taipha. They went inside, as Ryan was going through his things he found Nam. It was the proboscis of an Adah mosquito. He stuck it in Shoto's neck. Suddenly he started to feel numb.
In minutes, he could move like never before.
"What was that", Shoto asked and removed the needle from his neck.
"A drug", Ryan said picking up his stuff.
Lawhey had been on Nam before, but never thought of using it like that.
They got back on the road and hours later, they were at Heltons.
Ryan entered the house, he was working on something. The moment he turned around and saw them, he got up and hugged Ryan.
"A real life, fire breathing dragon. You have some rear friends.", Helton said turning and poking Shoto.
"And what are you, vampire?" , Helton said opening Lawheys mouth.
Lawhey removed his hand.
"Helton we actually need your help, the Leach activated", Ryan said.
"What!... No no no", he went around the room. He tossed stuff around and finally brought out something that looked like a goggles. He placed them on Ryans and asked for the Status Ring.
Ryan gave it to him and he put it on Ryans finger. Suddenly Ryan status screen emerged.
"wow, how are we seeing, someones status glass", Lawhey asked.
"Oh my God", Ryan said.
Helton looked at Lawhey.
"Status Glass, more like Lie Glass. What you guys call Teck, is just a reap off of Smith Invention.", Helton said.
He kept going on and on, then Shoto said.
"Did you just say Smith?"
The whole place was silent.
"Do you mean Wordsmith?", Shoto asked.
"You brought me to a Smith, they are murders. They may not have stabbed anymore but they are guilty of murder.", Shoto turned around and left.
"I thought... he was okay with me being a Smith, because he was with you", Helton said to Ryan before he went after Shoto.
Lawhey went round the room looking at stuff.
Ryan saw Shoto outside kicking things. He kicked a stone. Ryan knew the drug was wearing off by the face he made.
"If it makes you feel better he's no longer a Smith.", Ryan said
"How can I trust him, he helped kill my race", Shoto said.
"I'm not sure he was even born then. He is the brilliant person I know. He can definitely help you. You may not trust him but you trust me. I believe that trust can be transferred. ", Ryan said.
Shoto walked towards Ryan and they both got back inside.