The morning was a different beast for Nate. As his sleep was often limited to the few hours after the sun goes down and the lead up to his night shift the gap for the morning routine was an impasse. Each morning he would head home where he'd meet with Teddy to get him ready for school. Then with the little time he had doing light cleaning only to head to the construction site.
That morning his mind swirled with thoughts on the mysterious man who seemed to be able to control people. It didn't feel so far outside of the realm of possibility given he could see ghosts, but it was still a shock. Turning the card over and over in his hands it held a simple phone number, nothing more. Nate stepped inside moving robotically.
"HEYA."
*Whoosh*
From beyond the open door Teddy flew out at Nate's stomach spearing him with the top of his head. Nate let out a groan of pain which was entirely for Teddy's benefit. For some time now Nate's body lacked the ability to feel pain. He'd speculated if he didn't have this ability then he'd long since given up on construction work. Not that he had the option as the work was simply too steady for him to give up.
A normal worker might move one bag of concrete at a time. With the way his body was it wasn't uncommon for him to carry three or four. All this done with nothing more than his bare body. The fact he cut out the need for extra personnel made him a useful tool for the builders. Obviously no extra pay accompanied that usefulness.
It wasn't just the pain he couldn't feel, he seemed to be stronger than before even Teddy seemed to be showing these signs.Luckly he still clearly felt pain as he was clearly rubbing the top of his head with a very real groan.
"Teddy, how many times have I told you that a spear head isn't a real attack?"
Nate had been in more fights then he had any right to be, the knife wound on his abdomen ached when he thought about it. He found Teddy's attempt to learn to fight admirable but ultimately knew he wouldn't need it. He would make sure of that.
Why'll dating Mandy and first meeting Kent, their group of friends had ended up becoming a small gang. If you could even call it that. After the war and failing population the number of people actually in gangs was at an all time low. These so called current gangs were more a social club that fought over perceived territory.
No money was even being collected, it was all just childish fan-fare. Nate always called it 'the last gasp of rebellion'.
"But Nat, I saw this one in a book. That makes it a real move."
The young boy's protest pulled laughter from Nate's mouth which Teddy quickly joined in on. Though if he knew what the laughter was about was unclear.
"I've got to go Nat. Make sure you remember next week is the meeting with the teachers."
He paused for a long moment and seemed conflicted for a moment before peaking back up at his brother.
"Nat, I don't have to go to the advanced classes. It'll be easier to lie if we don't have to meet them."
With a soft smile a large hand ruffled Teddy's hair. He was right that it would be easier, but Nate couldn't let his brother's smarts go unused.
"Shut it punk. It won't be a problem if we can sign whatever they send with the old codgers signature. Now get out of here."
Cheering up Teddy skipped out the door toward the street. Thinking better of just letting him go Nate stopped him for just a moment. Worry on his lips.
"Careful with the spirits."
Pulling to a stop he turned to stare at his older brother. They'd had some simple discussions about the spirits but nothing to indepth. Neither was supposed to interact too much. He quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Some weird guy noticed me so just don't get caught."
"Ok, see ya bro."
Teddy seemed to brush it off completely. He wondered if it was for the best to let him go to school with that guy on the loose. The exhaustion in his body begged to be relieved. He was forced to give up the thought of walking Teddy to school.
The T.V played in the background as he did some light cleaning. He'd eaten a simple breakfast of reheated bacon and some scrambled eggs. Teddy's scrambled eggs still needed work given all the egg shells he was having to spit out.
"Last night it appears another victim was found with similar injuries, as those related to what is being called The Cheshire Cat Cases. The CC case still remains the most…"
Nate flicked off the news over to some shitty sitcom till it was time to leave. He wasn't interested in the outside world. Why would he be if it wasn't interested in him?
Jebs construction company was on the better end of the shady construction sites that one could work with. It was Kent who'd helped Nate find the job. Having been kicked off, often literally, a dozen worksites for sleeping with the owner's wife or getting caught trying to do so. Kent was a good source for jobs and Jeb was about the last person he was still working with, for now.
The whole operation ran out of the old Generals Generally Generic Goods. Its name made you think that the potbellied, balding, foul-breathed Jeb was once a shining general. That was not the case.
Nate didn't know the old generals name but he was the father of Jeb. General Henderman by all accounts was a logistics officer who rose through the ranks via accidents and miscommunications. An all too unremarkable man, but he'd managed to save and build this general goods store.
The apple does not fall far from the tree. It was an appended sentiment for Jeb in so far that he was unremarkable, when his general displeasing appearance was taken out of the picture. In fact the best and worst thing you could say about Jeb was that he was good with money.
Across the state there were now 7 4G stores. At least that's what everyone had taken to calling them. There were some people Nate used to know who would trick old folks into taking their phones there for signal repair. A harmless prank but it was dated even now.
Out front of the original 4G store Nate peddled up to Kent. He was wrapped up telling some of the other guys about his conquests. Nate did not like when some one was the type to kiss and tell. Kent knew this and stopped the story with an apologetic look.
"Sorry, guys. If you join tomorrow I promise to finish the story."
With that he slunk to Nate's side. If they weren't in work clothes the way they propped up against the wall would be just like all those years ago. Both of them seemed to think the same thing and chuckled lightly.
"You missed out."
Kent spoke while lighting a cigarette. He offered one to Nate but he simply shook his hand in a no.
"On what?"
"Heh, Mrs.Henderman came by all bust no brains"
Nate questioned if his friend was born stupid or if he was dropped on his head as a child. One would think that after blowing every available job in the area he wouldn't bite the hand that feeds him. Who was Nate kidding? If anyone would do than it was absolutely Kent.
"Did you see anything last night?"
Nate attempted to redirect to their mysterious guest last night. Unsure if Kent even remembered the event. He could very well still be under whatever effect the guy had used.
"Oh, did you see the news as well? What a lame name they gave the killer. Could have gotten the ghoul of such and such. Or vampire of discord. We got a mangy cat."
He was genuinely upset over the idea which in a weird way was understandable as it wasn't the best name. Nothing that would put their cozy little town on the map. Kent always wanted to be famous, or maybe he just wanted status.
"Are you implying you saw something?"
Kent was not prone to watching the news. He was always too busy getting busy or researching what women of a certain age were into.
"No luck. I was staking out the neighborhoods to get in the news. Women love a hero."
"So that's why you were there last night. I was actually talking about when we'd met."
Kent had a puzzled look before seemingly figuring out what Nate was talking about.
"You old dog hooking up with Mandy again? Good for you, just don't get caught in the…"
The words were choked back as a fist met Kent's stomach. If he'd wanted to he'd have made him vomit his breakfast, but he went easy on him. Amongst everyone Nate knew and that included Mandy's crazy mouth, Kent was the only one who never knew when to shut up.
"Yeah, ok I deserved that one."
Kent gasped out.
"Sorry, force of habit."
This had been the common way for Nate to shut Kent's mouth back in the day. Kent stood back straight rubbing his stomach.
"So what were you really asking about?"
His voice had turned serious. This was the man Nate had once relied on. Ferocity took root in his eyes once more but not pointed at his friend. That glow of readiness was directed at the world itself.
Nate explained what had happened in the Flick-and-Go. With a disbelieving face Kent listened to the story up until Jeb finally stepped out of the 4G.
"Just keep an eye out ok I don't think we've seen the last of the guy."