"Do take a break Mr. Bright. You've been cleaning the kitchen the whole evening now" Edward said one day. Steven has been coming back for 3 days now. Usually after working hours. Khonshu also didn't interrupt for once, something that Steven is grateful for.
"It's nothing really. I just have one thing left to do. But if you insist." Steven put down the sponge he was holding and sat on the dining chair. He learned that besides the suit's healing abilities, it also seems to clean itself. For the past few days any dirt on it just disappeared.
"Cleanliness is next to godliness Steven. You are wearing a relic of the gods and I refuse to let you soil my gift, it's also not a good image for my Avatar." Khonshu said when Steven asked. He is now wondering if Khonshu washes the suits, at least, magically.
Steven also didn't seem to get tired easily. He has been scrubbing for 4 hours yet he doesn't have fatigue or pain on his arm. Pretty useful when running away from goons trying to rip his guys outs.
Looking up, Steven notices Edward was preparing tea, he also notices the unwashed and forgotten dishes piled up. Steven really does not like to drink it for safety reasons, but Edward looks so happy to be acting as a host that Steven can't refuse.
Absolutely not, you have no idea what Mr. Peterson put it in. He may have even forgotten what tea looks like and put something else thinking it was tea, like arsenic or bleach.
Marc said to Steven.
Maybe the suit heals food poisoning then.
Steven is not sure since he never drank poison. Maybe Marc did but he didn't say anything.
Steven I swear you are going to get us killed one day. Marc said.
That's rich coming from someone who jumped in front of a grenade one time.
Regardless of the dangers, Steven lifts the bottom of his mask to take a sip of the drink. Only to feel a horrible burn on his throat. Steven quickly looked at the counter and saw what looked like a white plastic container next to the kettle. He quickly ran to the counter to inspect the bottle. And while there was no label, he recognized the smell coming from it now that he is closer. It was a chlorine+bleach solution
Steven didn't smell the chemical at first. His mask is way thicker than normal to block the already horrible smell of the house and it prevented him from recognizing the chlorine in his tea.
He wondered why Edward Peterson didn't smell the chemical. But then Edward can't smell the already horrible stench of his own home.
Almost immediately the pain subsides as the suit heals whatever damages the "tea" has done to his gut. Steven noticed that his companion was about to take a sip.
"No, Mr. Peterson. Don't drink that."
Steven yelled. He quickly stopped Edward from accidentally poisoning himself but the man misunderstood it as an assault.
"Who are you and what do you want? I'm warning you that I survived the British Navy. I know how to break your knees." Edward said, already taking a weak fighting stance.
"Wait, it's me Mr. Knight. You accidentally put chlorine in your tea and were about to drink it." Steven tried to reason with the man.
"What. Mr. Right? No I didn't. I know what sugar syrup looks like". Edward said. He was so sure that he picked up the chlorine bottle and showed it to Steven.
"Mr. Peterson, can you tell what it smells like?" Steven asked, now deeply worried about him.
"Yeah, isn't sugar syrup odorless?" Edward said as he put the opening of the bottle below his nose. Completely unfazed by the odor.
He really can't smell anything, Jake said. And all of them agreed, but Jake also senses Steven's worry.
We can't just let him live with us either, Steven. Jake reasoned. What's the closest elderly home? We can leave him there.
Sounds like a good idea. Steven replied. They can barely live as 3 people, well, alters sharing one body. How are they going to take care of an elderly who needs supervision 24 hours.
Steven changed the sheets in Edward Peterson's bedroom that night before leaving. He found the bed to smell like molds and had to wash all of them since there isn't a single clean bed sheet. The team then looked up a list of acceptable elderly retirement homes once they returned home. They came across some homes but aren't sure which to pick.
This one looks fine, it's pretty close too and it has a garden. Marc said. Jake wasn't easily convinced though since they are only looking at digital flyers that are dated 2 years ago. He reminds them to do a more thorough background check as there are cases the employees are abusive to the elders.
Now you're being unreasonable Jake. These people are professionals, it's their job to take care of the elders. Steven said, appalled that Jake would think of doctors that way.
"So were those doctors that that mental hospital we were admitted to, I'm sure giving a 14 year old electrical shocks is an ethical and nice way to treat mental illness" Jake dryly said.
"I'm, I'm…I'm sure they have a reason to. Maybe they are not really doctors." Steven tried to reason back. He really can't remember much of their time at the hospital, he can remember some bits and it consists of him sitting on a desk, drawing, being asked questions and eating candy.
Jake remembers things far, far differently. The parts that Steven can't.
The shocks, the arguments, being strapped to a chair, him fighting nurses and being told over and over that he is Marc, has and always been Marc.
As if his own individuality and existence is false, as if Jake and Steven are the illness and they should be "cured" to make way for Elias' true and only son.
Elias already lost the love of his life to grief and his youngest son to death. The man does not want to lose another to insanity.
During those sessions, Jake had to pretend to be Marc for a long period of time just so that they could be discharged, not that it was any better at home. Things were also difficult in school when other boys would bully Marc for having a mental condition. A rumor also spread that Marc murdered his younger brother and thus even the adults see Marc with intense distrust, which only made the bullying even worse.
Jake grew to hate most organized institutions, especially those that claim to have "helped" people. He trusts his own sources more, asking Khonshu to do some spying, background checks, and does his own investigation on their dirty secrets.
"Oh they are all doctors, all of them have a PHD and experience. But they are still people who have flaws and make mistakes. They have good intentions but the methods can be ridiculously brutal, cruel and outdated. They literally believe they can shock the sanity back to us, literally with 460 volts." Jake finished.
"What? No. They are good people. They would never harm their own patients."
"Tell that to many cases of medical abuses, mismanagement and malpractices over the past century. Did you know last year I had to crack down on a hospital that was selling the babies they delivered? Or stop a doctor who was literally pimping the comatose patients he was taking care of. Or stop a serial killer doctor that was literally killing old people by overdosing them with morphine? These types of people are very much real so we need to be careful where we leave Mr. Peterson at." Jake said. Steven is shocked at the last part, a serial killer doctor that targets old people. He would be horrified if he put Mr. Peterson in the care of that type of doctor.
After a day of background checking, they decided on one. Khonshu himself approved it, saying the staff have a clean record. Steven later called up the Elderly home and arranged for Mr. Peterson to be moved there,
"I'm really excited for this trip Mr. Kite. It's been forever since I got to have a vacation. I hope Janice will be okay with this, she worries about me sometimes." Edward Peterson said. The van from the elderly home will be arriving in a few hours and Steven is just finished packing the old man's clothes.
He wonders what will happen to the house though, he spent 3 days and money trying to clean it. Taking out the trash and doing the long forgotten laundry. He feels like it is a waste
Hey, it's for his own good. At least there are people who can actually take care of him rather than just leaving him here alone. Jake reassured Steven in their head.
"I'm sure you are Mr. Peterson. The place is great, there are plenty of people you can talk to and bingo every weekend." Steven replied to Edward. Over the days, Steven grew to like Edward Peterson. The old man is clearly lonely here, with just a stray dog to talk to.
"Your way to kind Mr. Dwight. I'll miss you, you know. It's nice to finally talk to someone. Sometimes I wonder if my kids have forgotten about me. It's been ages since I talked to them. Usually I would chat with Janice these days but she has been really quiet lately. I wonder if it's something that I have done." Edward said. Despite his failing memory, he was able to recall specific details of his life.
"I'm sure they remembered you Mr. Peterson, your way of fun to just forget." Steven said.
"Maybe, I remember during my time in the Navy. I met a lot of people. But what stood out was this one girl from Bangladesh, quite a cutie. Smart too. But I had to return back to England. We made promises to get in contact. And we did, but overtime the letters became less and less until we just forgot. Then I met someone else. Things got busy with my kids after that. But I still remembered that Bangladesh girl even though I can't remember her name anymore, maybe she has her own family now. Sometimes I wondered what would happen if I decided to stay there instead of returning home, maybe even brought her with me "
Edward Peterson went quiet after that. Lost in his own memories and thinking about the what-ifs and maybes. Steven just sat and listened to the old man talk about his younger days.
Edward may be forgetful, but at the same time has a surprisingly good memory. An odd contradiction, Steven thought.
"He may have a failing memory but he still remembers the good things in his life, the kinds that are worth remembering even after years have passed," Khonshu said in the background. Edward didn't hear it though, only Steven can.
Steven wonders if Khonshu has any good memories, the man recalls hearing Khonshu say that the god remembers every night. Must be great having such a long memory.
Edward still went on with his talk though.
"But that's the past now, I don't hate my wife. She is the world to me and I don't regret asking for her hand. Did you know I got in a fist fight with her dad because I kissed her? Won that fight too. Guess I proved my worth since after that the old man finally allowed her to marry her."
"Sounds like you were quite the strong man Mr. Peterson." Steven said. He is also going to miss staying with the elder, despite literally being his maid for the past 3 days.
Bark, bark
Janice came walking to the living room, demanding to be pet. Steven did the petting now while Edward Peterson continued to talk. Reminiscing about the places he went and the people of his past
Steven, it's almost 7. We better leave soon. Marc said in his head.
Is he going to be okay? Steven said.
As long as we hide the chlorine and other chemicals. He'll be fine. Marc said back
I don't know about that. I still don't want to leave him alone. Steven said.
Aren't you the worrywart? Jake added
He nearly killed himself making tea. What if he'll choke on water?
Steven, you're also wearing a white suit with a mask. People are going to get really suspicious why Mr. Peterson is living with a guy with a white mask with glowing eyes. You already said that you're a concerned friend and they are pretty much on their way now. Jake said mentally.
Guess it's time to go. Steven said sadly.
He was just about to stand up when he remembered something.
Bugger I forgot!
What, what!? You forgot to hide the chlorine? Is the bleach still under the sink?
Marc asked, panicking at Steven's sudden urgency. Steven explained that he still didn't finish his Thank you prayer for Khonshu. Now that Edward Peterson is going to live in the Elderly home for good, they might miss their chance now.
I was so excited to finally get a first job. And I got busy for the past 3 days.
Steven said. He forgot one of the most important things for this job, he also can't just steal a penny from Edward.
Just try to ask him Steven. He is going to forget about it in an hour anyway. Jake said. Feeling Steven's panic and disappointment at himself.
Steven didn't bother asking from the elderly before. He felt like he was taking advantage of Edward Peterson but the elderly did call them first.
Mr. Peterson. When you called me to clean your bathroom, it wasn't for free. The poster said that it costs a penny.
Steven said.
Really? Ah, shouldn't have expected someone as fancy as you to not be free. But a penny? Really? That's way too cheap, I think you should have charged more. How do you keep your suit clean this whole time with just a penny? No Dry cleaning is worth that. And how did it stay clean this whole time? You were bent over and scrubbing for hours.
Edward said, pointing out that he did notice that Steven's suit never seems to get dirty.
Um.
Steven is now worried, even Marc and Jake are tense. They can't just say it's a magic suit.
"Make something up!" Khonshu said in the background. The god was leaning on the kitchen entrance the whole time.
I'm trying you big pigeon! Steven said back quietly. Steven is really trying hard to come up with an excuse. In his panic, Jake quickly took over and explained that he has a different suit for each day of the month and it is paid by someone else.
"So that would mean you have 30 suits. Are you secretly a billionaire or something?" Edward said. Jake stared at Mr. Peterson for a while before he finally stated. "Okay, I'll tell you the truth. It's actually a magic self-cleaning suite made from solidified moon light gifted by the Deity of the Moon himself. Who by the way is standing right behind you and glaring at me like I just insulted his mother."
Jake! What the hell! You're not supposed to tell that to people. Marc quickly said in a very tense voice.
But instead of being shocked, the old man slowly started chuckling, "Wow. Okay Mr. White, that was unexpected. And I thought my kids have a great imagination." Mr. Stevenson said, now laughing. The man doesn't appear to believe what Jake said, dismissing it as something made-up.
Now that Jake said it, it really does sound like it is straight out of an imaginative kid's mind. It is unbelievable actually. But with the existence of the Asgardians and aliens, most would actually think that maybe the other gods are also real.
What the….
Steven said.
Mr. Peterson looks like he has a bad short term memory, he'll probably forget about this in a few hours. Besides, the truth sounds so bizarre anyway, who is going to believe him? I'm even having trouble believing what I just said." Jake reasoned in his head. Before he returned to talking with Edward. "Mr. Peterson, A penny doesn't sound that much. I still need to get paid."
"Alright. You know what, I'm giving you 3 pennies. You make really good company Mr. Blight and it's been ages since someone made a joke like that." Edward walked to the living room and came back with 3 pennies in his hand. He then gave them to Jake.
"And one more thing, it's more like a favor but can you also say 'Thank you Khonshu'. Preferably facing that wall over there. Khonshu is my boss and pretty much the reason I am here now." Jake pointed at the wall where Khonshu was leaning.
"Um. Okay then. Rather odd." Peterson is confused at this but pretty much complied.
"And can you lean a bit forward…A little more.. there. You can stop now." Jake said. Edward Peterson is now leaning forward at a 45 degree angle. It's pretty much a bow but not low enough to hurt the old man's back. To Jake's eyes, it would look like Peterson is bowing to Khonshu.
"So what am I supposed to say again?" Mr. Peterson asked, still leaning forward. Jake repeated what he told and the old man followed.
Edward Peterson was then led to the living where Jake set the man down on the less moldy coach. Jake turned on the TV. Janice the dog came walking in and sat down beside the old man.
Mr. Peterson got absorbed in whatever show was on, so Jake quietly slipped away.
An hour later, a white van for the "Mary Agnes Home for the Elders" arrived and found their newest charge watching TV. The nurses were already informed that the old man had a memory problem and scheduled a check-up the next day. Mr. Peterson acted hostile as usual when they arrived but he calmed down when they said that he was taking a vacation.
Along the way Mr. Peterson asked about a gentleman in white and if he was going to visit soon. The Nurses mistaken it for a doctor wearing a white lab coat and assured Mr. Peterson that he will see his friend again.
3 days later, Mr. Peterson forgot about Steven and Mr. Knight, only a hazy memory of a man in white who would visit him regularly.
Jake though, didn't end there. He is now curious about where Janice would be. He hopes it will not be like his experience stopping a trafficking-prostitution ring in Paris, so he has all the reasons to be worried. But for now he is still trying to find any trace of the ex-housekeeper.
It's proven to be difficult though, like all records of her disappeared. She has no social media, no pictures, her movements are deeply monitored by the agency. Her last update was 5 months ago and it was under the account of her supervisor. Jake also notices that Janice' face is always strategically blocked by something like a hand or a stack of boxes.
Where are you hiding, Chica? Jake asked himself, while looking at the few blurred images of Janice's torso. She is wearing a brown knee-length dress with a white apron, the uniform of the Agency employees. The only direct witness is Mr. Peterson and he is not the most reliable with his poor memory.
"Can't you just fix the old man's mind?" Jake asked Khonshu once.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop comparing me to a Monotheistic God? And Gods of a different cultural background. I have no power over the mind, the god in my family who is far more closely associated with mental health is Sekhmet. If anything Heka or Thoth have a much better grasp of that matter than me. My healing capabilities are more limited to the physical body, unless it is caused by an external force like a Demon or a Ghost. Stuff that I can solve by punching it." Khonshu replied, clearly tired of having to explain this. And he did, his previous Avatars keep asking the same thing over and over again, especially when they are not familiar with the Egyptian Gods.
"Wasn't mental illness connected to the moon? Like Lunacy or something" Jake asked, he remembered hearing doctors mention it.
"...Do I look, in any way, Roman, European or even a girl to you? I'm sure the bird-head gods, mummy wrappings and Hieroglyphs are common things near the Mediterranean and not a Desert Kingdom that sprung up a good 2318 KM away and have existed 3 thousand years before Latin was even created." The amount of sarcasm there is so thick and scorching that it could rival the Sahara desert.
"Okay, Okay. I get your point. Sheesh. You could have just said no." Jake
Khonshu just made a humph sound at this before saying "Keep in mind that there are other beliefs out there that do not always follow your world views. The world is much, much bigger, older and diverse, so don't go assuming that your understanding is correct to the rest of the world. Especially to the ones that are still being practiced now, it's very disrespectful and offensive."
Regardless after that tangent, Jake is still not close to finding Janice. As if she just vanished. Jake just hopes he is not too late.