Chapter 31: Chapter 31
RIVERNEA
"I'll like to set you on fire,
To melt your soul until you're left of ashes,
Cos nothing you give, nothing you give, nothing you give, is nothing but emptiness."
"I'll like to set you on fire,
To melt your soul until you're left of ashes,
Cos nothing you give, nothing you give, nothing you give, is nothing but emptiness."
As Collins trailed gently on the bridge, under the starry night and chillness it came along with. He clung his sweater collar tighter to his chin, listening through his droypods popular music star of their new world, Rousey - Bad Coin.
"I asked for love, you gave me trauma,
I asked for peace, you blessed me with war,
I asked for a Goddamn Soda to drink but you gave me none!"
He stopped by the Riverside below him, where swans gently toured. The moon hung beautifully amidst the stars, gleaming it's rays across the silver ripples of the river. But the cold atmosphere ruined this enjoyable feeling.
"Oh bad coin, you piss me off,
I know life's not fair, but why you my last dime?
Why did you stick with me?
We're both useless now,
Or maybe someday, you'll have a purpose.
Why did you stick with me?
We're both useless now,
Or maybe someday, you'll have a purpose
--------
I'll like to set you on fire,
To melt your soul until you're left of ashes,
Cos nothing you give, nothing you give, nothing you give, is nothing but emptiness."
As the song played on repeat, his mind travelled to the past.
*********
He wobbled aimlessly alone across the ruined lands of Lagos. Tears trickling down his eyes as he matched hopelessly against demolished concretes of buildings razed to the ground. Amidst the smokes.
Blood stained across the vast lands. His matriculation gown were tattered and sprayed with mixtures of blood and dust.
His strength were fading by every minute. It was like he would soon pass out but at the same time, his body didn't want to yield to those thoughts.
His veins still retained it's tiny shiny orange balls as he held unto his mother's arm and his father's cap.
************
"You're quite the traveler, don't you think?" A soft voice tousled his burdensome thoughts, jolting him back to the cold reality. He turned uninterestingly at the figure by his side.
"Pearl?!" He exclaimed with sudden anxiety and excitement coursing through him.
"Oh I mean, hi!" He chuckled nervously while her lips parted into a tiny smile.
"What are you doing here?"
She returned her gaze to the river, her eyes mirroring the silver ripples.
"Let's just say I have an apartment across that estate and I just needed some fresh air."
He nodded before enjoying the river view.
"Great."
"You know the last time I saw you, in Africa. We were supposed to hang out remember?" She asked softly as their eyes bonded for a brief moment.
"Oh, about that." He nervously chattered, remembering how The Shining had forced him to the Metz Gala. At the same time, his mind raced for the perfect lie to cook up.
"Are you gonna lie again?" Her soft voice tousled his thoughts once again. The way her sapphire irises held his gaze, made his head disarray.
"I know you're not a business man neither are you a politician, so what excuse are you planning to give this time?" She asserted with a stern expression blooming on her face.
He was puzzled as to how she found out but then it struck him, any random person could hit the internet and do their research.
"Aren't you angry?" He cautiously responded. "I mean you should be at least irritated or something."
She let out a cold breath, visible to his eyes. She interchanged from the River to his face at intervals.
"I was, at some point. But then I realized it wouldn't solve anything." She finally reinstated her gaze on him. "It's not like your lie is affecting my life anyway."
His eyes lowered as her voice expressed sadness. He couldn't fathom why, but he felt so much pain intertwined with guilt.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, guilt dominating his note.
She exhaled and another cold visible air toured out.
"Who is the real Collins?"
He felt another pang of pain surge in his chest. As if her words had struck vulnerable cords in his body. He breathed out cold air as he wholly focused on the river.
"I don't know." He mused. He was a thief, a Teleporter, a former agent of The Shining amidst other things.
"I'm many things."
They both retained silence until lightening struck. Cold breeze recklessly storming their bodies and a light downpour of rain.
"Let me walk you home." He offered.
"I'm fine." She replied sternly.
He glimpsed at the stormy clouds.
"It's raining." He mumbled while the rain gradually soaked their fabrics.
She gleamed a smile at him that didn't last the next second.
"I wanna enjoy it while it lasts."
He heaved a light sigh before relieving his body off his sweater. Carefully wearing the fabric over her shoulders. The cold raged further but it was nothing compared to the shivery status of Pearl Carson.
"I miss the old world." She stated in an heavily stressed tone particularly to herself. He watched her from the corner of his eyes. Her long blonde hair were now drenched and bonding in tiny curls. But there were something about her eyes. They were sad. As if reminiscing about memories.
"Not that it was perfect but at least people were still happy. Unlike now, every body is battling their own inner pain and demons."
He gulped down his saliva and a memory flashed in his head, one he shared with Doctor Roberts.
**********
"You're the most powerful member amongst the team and their future, lies in your hands."
Another one struck.
"This war will surely happen, properties will be destroyed, lives will be too. And do you know why?" The Doctor had challenged.
"Because you all chose to chicken out, to show nonchalance. And because you denied those responsibilities, families will be lost, loved ones will be separated, this fucking world would deteriorate even more!!"
************
Guilt renewed in his heart once again. Doctor Roberts had so much hopes for him, The Team needed him, but what did he do? He deserted them. The World as a whole, all for his selfishness.
If he wasn't going to do this mission, he needed to at least consider Pearl. The lady he felt somewhat attached too.
"I have to go." Her words softly phased through his ears. She tried to hand him his jacket but he blatantly refused.
"I hope the next time we meet, you tell me who you really are." She ended with a sweet smile and parted away amidst the rain.
Collins heaved another sigh as he rubbed his low cut hair frantically and then he slipped his Droyphone out his pocket. Hesitating at first glance before dialing the number.