34
Red Alert

Aurora’s eyes strained through the purple lights of the strobe coming from the box at the far corner that also puffed in smoke. Groups of two and above passed her by, no one seemed to care that this little girl was detached from everyone else.

She tried to remember what he looked like in the photos that the family kept. The hair was more upright, the wrinkles were no longer there, and perhaps that he was more talkative back then.

Everyone’s talking. The music could barely be heard through the crowd noise that proved to be greater than the sum of its parts. There was the occasional smashing of whatever vessel they are drinking with into the table they are next to, and came to a yell about some exciting topic.

She had to be wary not to bump into someone that was a little careless and stumbled on his own steps as his leather shoes skidded across the one foot of linoleum as he tried to regain his balance.

That man over there. By himself in front of the bar, sure matched the descriptions. He was only talking with the attendant around seven or eight years his junior pouring the drinks behind the counter. Aurora paced herself to catch a seat next to him as if the bar itself was a train that she had to catch.

“I’m sorry, I don’t take girls for money.” The man turned at her and hovered himself right in front of her face before he leaned back and laughed. 

“I’m not in it for the cash.” Aurora struggled to get those words out of her mouth as she discerned that this was in fact the man she was looking for as her eyes scanned his face.

“Every girl says that. You look a little young.” The hand circled the empty glass to signal yet another pour request. “You don’t even look like you can drink. Next time, grab some ramen from next door, okay?”

“You’re Ryan, right?” She stomached the feeling of nausea after she called that name in the flesh.

The man leaned back onto the back of his high chair, the smile dissipated, and stared at her intently. Then he squinted, and the lone index finger jutted at her.

“You couldn’t be… hm…”

She could feel her heart beat through the dress and the jacket as her breathing slowed.

“…that girl I’m seeing… wow.” He stopped and looked. Aurora brushed away some of her hair before her forehead. “I’ll apologize, you just kinda reminded me of my date. Don’t worry, I’m not going to let you play second fiddle. Ryan Ferrule.”

The hand was out. It hung in mid-air as Aurora stared at the open palm. Her heart beat faster as she mustered up the courage to shake it.

“Aurora Ellis.”

“A little nervous? This is your first rodeo.” He turned away toward the glass to down half of the spirits. “It’s gonna be warm for you, get that jacket off. Don’t worry, hang it behind you. I’ll look at it.”

Aurora reluctantly pulled off the jacket before Ryan caught it and hung it for her.

“Oh look at you.” She could feel her arms shaking as it got exposed to the frigid air blasted through the corners of the room while her sheath dress gave minimal cover. “You do remind me of my date.”

“Is that how she went out with you?”

“Oh yeah. The voice is a little different, though. You two could be sisters for all I know.” His body leaned toward the table. “Why are you here, Aurora?”

“I’m, uh, I just got an inheritance and I— got nowhere to spend that money.” 

“Wise decision. For Aurora over here.” He circled the empty tabletop. “You can drink, right, Caroline lookalike?”

“I can.”

Ryan gave a hearty chuckle while Aurora’s polite giggle was filled with pauses.

“I won’t buy you a shot if you don’t have those locks, oh my.” He raised his glass at her. She obliged the toast. Then the clank. Then the drink. “I have a little bit of spare change.”

The liquor stilled in her mouth as she lowered the glass and cast attention at him.

“Got a little of that paperboy money, and I just sold parts. Door-to-door. When you can bike faster than they can drive down to the local big box, you got yourself a business.” He laid out his arms and grasped at his fingers as he pondered. “I’m sure you could try, lady.”

“Then why are you here?” She was intent in stilling her current thoughts.

“Waiting for the other Ryan. Overton. For a grant. You gotta take it seriously, you need money.” He pushed the left sleeve up for the watch. “Ah. Ten minutes.”

Aurora could feel her eyes itch against the frigid air and her thoughts. She took a peek at the cube hidden inside her jacket. Then she looked at the wrist that wore that leather-banded watch. No skin scratched across.

“Hey.”

“Well, um, good luck.” She drank and stared around, her gaze stopped on a few attractions on its tour around the hall. “Talk soon.”

“Aren’t you supposed to give me your number or—“ Aurora went up the stairs and disappeared into the night.

One in a white tux glared over at the table. He scribbled onto the small notebook, checked the hypercube, and opened his eyes.

Sean was slumped in his chair.

The rectangle shook in his pocket. He slowly stood up, sneaked out of the room, and ran across the hall as he pressed the green button.

“Mister Hector. Car. Ground floor. Immediately.”

“Wait, what, right now?” His voice barely panted out the words. “I don’t think I have a pink slip.”

“It’s already been pre-filed. Hurry, sir, we don’t have much time.”