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. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlxYM2X3Oo
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"Hello Tex," a waitress said. "Who's the new guy?" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡqstbVLC53p
"Jennifer, this is David," Allison said. "David, Jennifer. He's on my team, a General Catcher." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn24DHL6eV
"I'm from Parle City, volunteering this week," Jennifer said, gesturing to her gold tag. "Consulting Detective." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpRiPbzssU
"So there isn't always this many people?" Carson asked. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSnR4iCHnF
"Every break, I'm here," Jennifer said. "It's the safest place to be since we take care of our own." 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYfVvUOEBS
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"You'll be right at home here, David," Allison reassured. "I'll have a coffee. And you?" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡoetgwir6KT
Carson coughed. "Um, a bagel?" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18MoZRGBy4
"I'll be right back," Jennifer said, walking back to the café's bar. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFIlOq1ETO
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi3cyzv0Gf
That's so helpful, Carson bit back sarcastically. This world was never safe, as far as I remember. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHoH6oyN06
You're doing just fine, Goldie reassured. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡShLADA1EeU
"So tell me, David, why are you here?" Allison finally asked. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXcw9L5EMM
"Tex, I'm sorry," Carson said. "It was an accident, I swear–" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGujnAHVoH
"No apologizing," Allison said flat out. "You're already here. Apologizing won't bring them back." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gZOQCoRhC
"Oh, of course," Carson replied, taking a deep breath. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKAZgJLmox
It's okay, Goldie said suddenly. I don’t think she's going to kill you. In fact– copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jdCDBdkxB
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zS1oJENAV
"The 'missing' one?" Allison asked. "Makes sense. That was a smart move. It won't raise any alarms." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnF0nWK8i9
"What about you?" Carson asked. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrtT46uhr2
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtBLv0u9N5
"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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dtKdQGYYZ
"Wow," Carson breathed. "I would have never guessed. You don't have the look." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EqAyuG3M7
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GBHs6HXfu
"Two weeks," Carson said. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kIw4WmLUl
"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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡK10bBzFiCs
"Great!" Carson said. Maybe he could learn to blend, to get used to life before he was back to pretending. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC2EumS4jl
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"Oh, how are you coping with the voice?" Allison asked copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBGj7Lfuwa
What about your promise? Goldie asked. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhbRsNq852
"I can't make her go away," Carson sighed. "And I have a problem." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvKJw8lDfT
Well, you're doing great so far, Goldie said. Don't worry about me. He drowned her voice in his bagel. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQvG9Drp8Y
"After a month or so, the voice will fade. She'll get bored and she'll only respond when you call her." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYfLQHygQD
"That's not the only problem," Carson admitted. "I promised someone I'd revive their girlfriend." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq83aFcvis
"What?" Allison gawked. "You do know that means you'll have to kill someone? A life for a life." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡphiUYsxpRF
Carson nodded. "I know, but that was the only way I could find this place. Help me, please." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡorEDculKLb
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Cx9Ncmju
It was Carson's turn to be surprised. "What?" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIM6CKyaaq
"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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzRuc3ZyOL
Carson popped in the last bite of his bagel. "Wait. So you're okay with it. More killing?"copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcQmJ0aVmt
"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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbbchOXQY8
"Oh, yeah, of course," Carson said, following her to the elevator. "So I'll go back to work?" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOH8jUbis0
"Yes, but before that, we need to discuss housing," Allison said. "You going to stay at the Ephemera for your two weeks?" copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dcUzWUKSh
Carson shrugged. "Maybe? I guess, yeah." The elevator dinged and they got in. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡdisovKdtAc
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR1j0kdcDG
"Don't worry," Allison said. "You're going to make the best of this." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHTpCtlxdd
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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrwiQ123vD
The world is a strange place, buddy, Goldie said. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7vhqvCEHg
"You will soon be gone," Carson replied. "That's what Tex said." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTYfiAJE8X
Not gone, Goldie argued. Bored. And you know I never imagined you'd be so boring. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Hk0tnXwb
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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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx2rPtWr8D
It's just a trade, Goldie reassured. Just pick someone totally despicable. Then you'd be doing a great service to the world. copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtxFJQgsuo
"Shut up. I need some sleep. It's been a long day." copyright protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmmNKC2bVk
I agree. Night-night, Officer, Goldie replied. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml9ChEw5j7
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"You are such a bag of kittens, aren't you, Goldie?" Carson jested. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2K0HfmAjF
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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 protection193ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ7wES9G34
Ah, yes. She wears the cat ears, Carson realized before drifting into dreams. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6IDqI7OGE
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