FINALE
Local time : 10:59 am Tuesday – Nashville, TN
(Cindy's POV)
"Excuse me, I was thinking about you guys could come at the library later. They'll be open till 9 pm. I'm gonna give you guys this paper so you could —"
Scoff. "Um… yeah, sure. We'd love to be in the library for a long time."
I'm glad about it hearing them saying that. "That's great! It's a perfect timing I talked to you guys about it. See you all later!"
(Sam's POV)
"I can't believe she expects us to go for it."
"Yeah, more like being suffocated in that boring place."
"I know, right. Plus, her breath smells awful… ugh, ew…"
I heard the girls who got invited to the library talking behind that girl's back.
Andy saw it, too. But he just looked away and left.
Sighs. I can't believe I witnessed something horrible such as this.
- Lunch break -
There's just a few people there, I can't let Andy see me.
If I keep on watching him, it won't make sense at all. I should do something to get information.
While hiding behind the garden, I saw that girl passed by me.
I grin. "I think she can be a little help…"
I took a deep breath. What should I do? Should I be friendly with her? Would that make sense?
I just shrug it off and follow her.
She's at the School supplies store. Seems like she'll get something.
Clears throat. She looks at me and gasps.
"It's you! You're gonna get something for the upcoming report?" She asked.
"Uh…no, just gonna buy some pen." I plainly said.
She nods. I saw her hands are trembling and she look pale.
She looks at me again. "I forgot to remind you. Today's the 15 hour open time. You coming after lunch?"
I don't know what to answer.
She sighs. "It's fine if you can't go. Don't worry, I told the others to come, too. Even from our class."
I remember the ones she asked to come won't actually go.
"If you wondered why I asked you to come, is that the first day you come to class, I saw you mesmerizing the books that were placed nearby the professor's desk. So, I thought you could be someone who's interested in books." She smiles.
I look at her. "Can we have lunch together?"
She look surprised. "Lunch?"
(Cindy's POV)
I can't believe I invited him without even asking if he wants to. That is so making me over thinking. But inviting him seems right to me anyway, I don't even know why.
He asked me to have lunch with him.
I usually eat a packed lunch and go back to the classroom.
I've never had meals together with someone ever since my sister and I separated.
---
"What will you get?" he asked.
"What? Oh, I don't have to get something. I have my packed lunch here." I laugh a little.
He looks at me. "Packed lunch?"
"Yeah, you can get something for you. I'll wait at the table."
I find somewhere vacant for us to sit.
Grunts. "I forgot what I packed earlier…" I opened my bag.
"Oh, no. I forgot to bring it." I bang my head to the table. "How could I forget about it? Urgh."
He sat down holding two plates.
"It's barbeque chicken…" He said while fixing his chair.
I gasps. "Barbeque…"
"And umm… I chose corn and potatoes for sides. What do you call this —"
"It's Meat and three meal. This is a very popular food in music city." I look at him. "How'd you know I love potatoes and corns?"
He blinks his eyes. "I just bought it randomly…"
Gee, that was embarrassing, Cindy.
"Ah, Hahahaha. Good guess."
(Sam's POV)
She laughs nervously and bow. "I'll eat it now."
"You know, you should always take breakfast before you start the day. You'll get through a lot of unpleasant experience. Migraine —"
"Mmmm! This is so good!" she said it with her mouth full.
I just realize, maybe that's why she had trouble with her mouth breathing. It's because she sometimes skip breakfast.
I was startled by her expressions. I smile forcefully. "Mmm-hmm keep eating…"
I took a bite and pause for a while. "Wow, this is so good."
"Right?! I told you so. It goes perfectly with the potatoes and the sweetness of the corn."
I nod smiling. And suddenly realized I am being a fool. What if Andy sees me? Get back to your senses, Sam.
Clears throat.
- After lunch -
"I had a good lunch. Thanks to you. I'd definitely repay your kindness to me." She said and smile.
"It's nothing."
"Still…" She glance at her watch. "It's almost time. I'll get going now!" Waves and left.
Sighs heavily. "I just wasted my time having meal with a stranger."
(Cindy's POV)
"Can we have lunch together?"
I slap myself. "What in the world are you thinking? He's just being nice to you, nothing more nothing less. Just that, okay?"
I took a deep breath. Exhales. "Now that you're full, Cindy. Let's get back to work!"
I head to the library.
(Sam's POV)
Local time : 1 pm – Nashville, TN
"Come on, girls, we have no class this time. Let's go for a shopping spree."
"Hey, didn't we have to be in the library by now?" the other one said.
"And do you think we'll actually go? You're such a loser if you would. Come on, let's go!"
I overheard them talking and they left.
"Long time no see."
Someone is here behind me. I turn around and see no one but Andy Peterson.
"Andy…" I whispered.
"After 6 years, you came to see me like nothing happened." He walks near to me.
"Let's talk." I said.
- Cafeteria -
"How have you been?"
"Stop asking questions and tell me what you want. Why are you back anyway?" Andy keep asking questions.
I sigh. "Just tell me how are you doing—"
"Look… we're over since long time ago. I don't care what you're up to, just don't bother me."
"Andy…" I look at him.
He looks away. "Let's just… pretend we never knew each other." He stood up. "Thanks for the drink." Raise his cup and left.
I just watch him walk away.
Sighs.
Local time : 7:58 pm – Nashville, TN
I'm on my laptop diving through some research about the device.
With a coffee beside it.
(Sips)
I must dig in to the details of this device.
I saw something related to its tactics and glance at the paper slip that Lunch Girl gave me.
- Library -
A neatly organized books on a shelf simply satisfied me.
One of the favorite place of my sister was this library. She often take me here whenever we have a chance to.
The scent of the books is what she likes the most.
Sighs. "I miss her…"
I glance at my watch and it's already 8:27 pm.
I checked the desks and only one person stays.
Sighs. "I guess everyone's off now…"
"Hey, Cindy. I'll get going now, too. My mom just called and she said I'd be late for the family dinner."
"Oh, no. Please, you can go."
She holds my hand. "Are you sure you're okay here?"
I nod twice. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. You should get going now."
Senior waves goodbye.
"Thank you for coming!!!"
Exhales. Now, I'm all alone.
Alright, let's finish this and head home. Only 1 more hour and I'm off.
I see someone on a hoodie coming inside here. It must be a new one. It's getting late though.
"Hello, good evening! Are you here to —"
"Is this still open?"
He's on a gray hoodie. I was shocked he came but nodded anyway.
He went to pick some books.
(Sam's POV)
"It's getting a little late, glad you catch up a little." She said while arranging the books.
"Well, it just happens that I needed something…" I said without looking at her.
She exclaimed. "You read that kind of book?"
She tilt her head. "That's a difficult one."
I laugh a little. "It's a code book, that's why it's difficult."
"You chose the most difficult book out of all those ones who came here earlier. Including me." She laughs.
"How many of you came?" I asked. I'm just wondering about something.
"Just the two freshmen and that 1 senior from the 4th grade. She was very nice. All of them are."
They really didn't come.
Local time : 9:30 pm – Nashville, TN
"Thank you for coming! I'm really glad you accepted my invitation." She bows.
"Don't thank me, I was only here to get the information I needed."
"Still, thank you. You also bought me lunch. No one has ever invite me to eat with them. When I get to save enough time, I'll treat you!"
"You don't even know my name—"
"Reese Morgan?" She cuts me off.
I paused.
"I saw it on your attendance sheet. I'm not a stalker!" she waves her hand in the air.
I sigh. This girl is surprisingly loud.
"That's a hot name." her eyes widen. "I mean, not in a way you think it is, it's just your name "Reese" means fire, so —" gasps. "I'm late!!! Oh, no. I have to go now. Thank you, thank you so much." She runs away.
(Cindy's POV)
I left him hurriedly and eventually I got tired, so, I just start to walk slowly.
That's strange. It's night but I feel safe and lighthearted.
The moon seems brighter tonight.
Thinking about heading back to do my After-dinner chores again after a long day seems like an additional to my tiredness.
Yet tonight is different, I usually take a cab to head home. Now, I'm just taking a walk. It feels different. A good feeling, of course.
Seeing the road full of falling leaves because it's the season of Fall. Street lights and the sight of the busy people even to this night time — made me feel better.
And this strangely made me feel a lot more better, we met before rest time.
It feels like I had a good 8 hours of sleep.
Sighs relievedly. What a day.
(Sam's POV)
I just look at her and couldn't say something since she's in a hurry.
"Psh, hot? My real name sounds even more better." I shook my head.
I stopped on my tracks and glance at the book. "Ben Peterson…"
(Someone's POV)
"It was said that he sent someone to Ben Peterson."
"Let me guess, Lewis Murphy?" scoff. "That old man." I said while having a glass of wine.
"No, Sir. Someone else."
"What? Who would Gregory send to stop me?"
(Chief Gregory's POV)
"Sam McKee." I said.
"The youngest recruit? And not just the youngest but a rookie?!!! You replaced me over a rookie???"
"Lewis Murphy, he's not just a typical rookie you've met. He's way too different. He's very much skilled and experienced. He's well trained and very wise." I stated.
"Then, what about me? What's the point of my 15 years of experience? Huh, Gregory?!"
I sigh.
"Gregory, you send a young recruit! For a second time!!! And you know well, what happened to the former recruit you sent 8 years ago—"
That pause me for a moment, but — "Cut the s***, Lewis Murphy. That will never happen again. McKee is different."
"What makes a difference between a two young recruits? Huh, Gregory? Are you willing to risk another life again?"
(Ben Peterson's POV)
"Hunt this rookie down at once."
"Yes, Sir."
Local time : 8 am Wednesday – Nashville, TN
(Andy's POV)
(Flashback)
"Yo, Andy. Let me tell you something."
"I don't have time for you." I was about to leave.
"That new guy… I've seen him with Cindy yesterday."
I stopped on my track and face him. "So, what? Huh? Stop minding others' business!"
(End of Flashback)
"Andy… let's talk."
I scoff. "Just in time."
---
"I just found out something—"
"How many times do I have to tell you, I don't give a damn about you and your doing anymore."
He sigh heavily. "Andy, this is not about me… it's about your Father."
I just look away.
"It's a device. There are 58 countries has it. It's known as the "Hero bomb".
(Sam's POV)
Andy looks at me with his eyebrows furrowed.
"Disguises as a safe device for every country, that in fact it's really a hidden bomb."
"A hidden bomb?"
"The counting duration of that device is a total of 16 years. 8 years ago, there were devices that has been disabled. Which means, there's still left that any day this year will explode… and your father's one of the data holders…"
Andy didn't say anything.
"Nashville, TN is quite a crowded place… so it's also a prioritized place for the device." I lean closer to him. "I found a way to stop him. It's not the best way but it's still doable… I need your help, Andy…"
"I'm afraid to say that you're gonna do it without me being involved. Good luck." He stood up and left.
Local time : 3 pm – Nashville, TN
The class just ended and I saw her from afar waving her hands to me.
Sighs. "You again…"
"I thought I didn't see you earlier, sorry, I was really occupied with my duties. Until now I'm—"
"I don't think… we need to see each other again…" I frankly told her.
She looks at me worriedly. "Huh?"
"I guess we both know we don't have anything to discuss with each other anymore… I think we should not meet again."
She looks away and then she laughs. "Ah, Hahaha. Yeah, you're right. I— uh, have to go somewhere now, too." She bows and walk away without looking at me.
I took a deep breath and sigh heavily.
I think I have to do this all alone, as I always do.
- Honky Tonks –
I came here for the second time but I bring my sketchpad and pencil with me. Didn't get a drink since there's no coffee here.
Just came to distract my mind. It's not that noisy here anyway.
There are many great artists that plays a show here.
A moment of silence, a group of boys climb up to the stage with one girl.
I knew this figure is familiar to me. Then there I see her.
---
"Psh, look at her, giving all her energy in the very beginning of the performance. Now, she's almost out of energy…" Sighs.
"She tends to act strong and all but she gets weak afterwards…"
(Flashback)
"Still, thank you. You also bought me lunch. No one has ever invite me to eat with them. When I get to save enough time, I'll treat you!"
"I don't think…we need to see each other again."
(End of Flashback)
Sighs. Was I being too insensitive to her?
I pick up my phone and type something.
🔍How to say sorry
Local time : 8:47 pm – Nashville, TN
(Cindy's POV)
I lay on my bed lazily. I'm very drained due to doing stuff endlessly with just a brief timeout ever since early in the morning.
Grunts. "I'm so tired!!!!!"
I accidentally laid my eyes on my desk and saw his pen that he left at the library yesterday.
Sighs. "Does he even want to see my face again?" Grunts. "Whatever! I'll deal with it tomorrow…for now… let's sleep…" yawns. "Tomorrow…"