The elevator stopped on the top floor and the bronze doors opened. The café was beautiful, with an amazing view off the twenty-foot building. Allison led him to a table by the edge of the roof. He almost felt vertigo, glancing down the side of the building in the bright sunlight. Everything was so much brighter than he remembered but just as beautiful. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0lcv6KZ3k
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"Hello Tex," a waitress said. "Who's the new guy?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu0sZc1zS7
"Jennifer, this is David," Allison said. "David, Jennifer. He's on my team, a General Catcher." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt49rNsZwq
"I'm from Parle City, volunteering this week," Jennifer said, gesturing to her gold tag. "Consulting Detective." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYisyX1PJ9
"So there isn't always this many people?" Carson asked. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaU484uKOZ
"Every break, I'm here," Jennifer said. "It's the safest place to be since we take care of our own." 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9Z1e5Ncm0
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"You'll be right at home here, David," Allison reassured. "I'll have a coffee. And you?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxovcFaS4g
Carson coughed. "Um, a bagel?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7Ne6ieDiN
"I'll be right back," Jennifer said, walking back to the café's bar. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWLVq0iUa
It's okay, Officer, Goldie said. The world is a strange place, but it's the same world you've been in this whole time. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUrzQTDps6
That's so helpful, Carson bit back sarcastically. This world was never safe, as far as I remember. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB0UCgaS0T
You're doing just fine, Goldie reassured. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvBNbq3RlT
"So tell me, David, why are you here?" Allison finally asked. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLJq6d1cjy
"Tex, I'm sorry," Carson said. "It was an accident, I swear–" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw92tfNrBO
"No apologizing," Allison said flat out. "You're already here. Apologizing won't bring them back." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB8bPA6Pk7
"Oh, of course," Carson replied, taking a deep breath. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w4wflNdmW
It's okay, Goldie said suddenly. I don’t think she's going to kill you. In fact– copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJlC1D4VXv
Shut up! Carson screamed internally. He was still getting used to Goldie and all her souls trying to offer him advice. "It was Goldie Rose, my most recent case." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTyeoVCa0R
"The 'missing' one?" Allison asked. "Makes sense. That was a smart move. It won't raise any alarms." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S4AQVsHgz
"What about you?" Carson asked. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFb1sUKFoi
Just then, Jennifer returned with Allison's coffee and Carson's "bagel." It wasn't an old-world bagel, but Carson was pretty sure those didn't exist anywhere anymore. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Egbqn6r2s
"I'm from the war," Allison said after Jennifer left. "I was a marine in the USA, fighting for all that government stood for. During the war, I killed enough high stakes targets to make me practically immortal." Allison tensely laughed, taking a sip of coffee. "I guess you could say the vets from the war are the biggest Time Thieves." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7ZvFPBa8q
"Wow," Carson breathed. "I would have never guessed. You don't have the look." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDSOsyf13s
Allison chuckled. "You know, the look is a myth. But yes, we can teach you how to lose the look that some Catchers associate with Time Killers. How long are you staying?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0acKMJuYRS
"Two weeks," Carson said. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAXNzzsj7K
"That should be enough time for you to take some courses from our retired TKCs, the ones with the silver name tags," Allison said. "If you need any more time here, just let me know." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlpErnEVsB
"Great!" Carson said. Maybe he could learn to blend, to get used to life before he was back to pretending. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF787v6zBaY
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"Oh, how are you coping with the voice?" Allison asked copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡveI8w8k9bS
What about your promise? Goldie asked. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3M5alpBki
"I can't make her go away," Carson sighed. "And I have a problem." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UpKVSwV77
Well, you're doing great so far, Goldie said. Don't worry about me. He drowned her voice in his bagel. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLF3MLt1oe
"After a month or so, the voice will fade. She'll get bored and she'll only respond when you call her." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLKXSwWW4F
"That's not the only problem," Carson admitted. "I promised someone I'd revive their girlfriend." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O6C8L9IZz
"What?" Allison gawked. "You do know that means you'll have to kill someone? A life for a life." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcqLGG5mPU
Carson nodded. "I know, but that was the only way I could find this place. Help me, please." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW2Td1MQ95
Allison sighed, finishing her coffee. "Do it quietly. If you are caught, even I cannot save you. And whatever you do, do not commit suicide." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ebOq5HeeE
It was Carson's turn to be surprised. "What?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡacTptY0qlc
"With all this time, committing suicide will only send all of it flying out in an explosion," Allison explained. "I suppose those scientists were up to something there." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsQYCeDdBN
Carson popped in the last bite of his bagel. "Wait. So you're okay with it. More killing?"copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LfvEH39vw
"Well, pick a prolific Time Killer, obviously," Allison said. "It'll be another missing, I guess. I mean, never anger a murderer. That would be the stupid option." Allison stood up and paid the bill. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNUV8vg457
"Oh, yeah, of course," Carson said, following her to the elevator. "So I'll go back to work?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd8TSwNuVZ
"Yes, but before that, we need to discuss housing," Allison said. "You going to stay at the Ephemera for your two weeks?" copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcSNrQh1aW
Carson shrugged. "Maybe? I guess, yeah." The elevator dinged and they got in. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq9e1vlLwj
Allison pressed the tenth floor. "Let's go organize that," Allison said. The door closed in front of them, the bronze showing their reflections. Allison, the strong, confident blonde. Carson, the nervous, dark haired cop. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ThPEtv9xL
"Don't worry," Allison said. "You're going to make the best of this." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡehCGN29tei
That night, Carson sat awake on his new bed in his new room, the room he was going to have for the next two weeks. Allison had signed him up for a few "beginner" classes for his time there. She had assured him, again, that things were going to be all right. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOFknWe0cS
The world is a strange place, buddy, Goldie said. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgJWuDvJVn
"You will soon be gone," Carson replied. "That's what Tex said." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPdaOezwHV
Not gone, Goldie argued. Bored. And you know I never imagined you'd be so boring. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2o8C4wnYC
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"That's reassuring that you're not doing anything weird to my body," Carson sighed. "I can't believe it. Actual murder." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKmsehNuKg
It's just a trade, Goldie reassured. Just pick someone totally despicable. Then you'd be doing a great service to the world. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNTGVUeJah
"Shut up. I need some sleep. It's been a long day." copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnSPE4KIvE
I agree. Night-night, Officer, Goldie replied. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqbHV3zMiK
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"You are such a bag of kittens, aren't you, Goldie?" Carson jested. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KYprc4jk9
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No, my girlfriend's the cat, Goldie clarified. Oh, I miss dear Fauny so much. I wonder what's she's doing without me. copyright protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeAgpP9MAe
Ah, yes. She wears the cat ears, Carson realized before drifting into dreams. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2u2VQ6yOe
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