Chapter 15 Next Plan

Chapter 15 Next Plan
"Click."

Nolan unlocked his apartment and walked in. He could hear noise inside, even though it was well past midnight—practically morning already. Peering in, he saw Donovan lying on his side, playing video games while facing the TV.

"You’re here?" Nolan asked.

"Oh... you’re back. Here, have a smoke," Donovan answered, holding a pack of cigarettes up over his shoulder.

Then, Donovan glanced back and bolted upright the second he saw Nina, Nadine, and Rico standing behind Nolan. He was so stunned his cigarettes fell to the floor. His eyes darted to Nina, then Nadine, and finally a quick look at Rico.

"Whoa... what is this? Having a sex party in here at the crack of dawn?" Donovan asked, completely unfiltered and blunt as always.

"What the hell are you talking about? Just give me a smoke," Nolan answered, reaching out his hand as he sat on the edge of the mattress.

Donovan tossed the pack to Nolan, who caught it, pulled one out, and lit it. "Fuuuh," Nolan blew out a cloud of smoke, but then "cough," he looked to his right and saw Nina covering her nose. He turned to his left and saw Nadine clinging to his arm, also covering her nose. Then he looked at Rico, who was sitting next to the now-upright Donovan. Everything went silent for a moment, save for the "Game Over" music playing on the TV, followed by total stillness.

Donovan studied the scene: Nolan’s face was tense, Nina was looking away to avoid the smoke, and Nadine looked happy and completely relaxed. Finally, he looked at Rico, who appeared so exhausted he was nodding off, his eyes half-closed. Feeling like his presence was an intrusion and realizing he was definitely in a place he wasn't supposed to be, Donovan finally stood up.

"Okay, I’m out. I’m tired, you can keep the rest," Donovan said, tossing back the pack of cigarettes Nolan had just tried to return.

"Yeah... thanks. Close the door behind you," Nolan replied.

"Got it, handled," Donovan said, walking toward the exit.

When the sound of the front door clicking shut echoed through the room, "fuuuh," Nolan exhaled a cloud of smoke. He then turned to look at Nina and Nadine.

"Why are you two sitting on my mattress?" Nolan asked.

"No reason," Nina answered shortly.

"We're all sleeping together," Nadine added.

"Huh... you're sleeping with me in the apartment next door. Don't get any ideas, I'm his neighbor," Nina shot back.

"Wait, why are you so worked up... what was your name again?" Nadine asked.

"Wow... this girl is something else... you're really asking for it, aren't you," Nina replied irritably, forced a smile while the veins in her forehead pulsed.

Suddenly, Rico stood up and cracked open the window, letting a cool breeze sweep into the room and chase the cigarette smoke out.

"You’re smoking without opening a window? You’re losing it. Here, give me one," Rico said, snatching the pack from Nolan’s hand and pulling out a cigarette.

Nolan opened his folder again, this time reading the profile of Nadine’s father as the borrower. It turned out Nadine was raised solely by her father; on the application, he stated he had no wife and had listed Nadine as collateral if he failed to pay. Nolan glanced at Nadine beside him, realizing she clearly shared a fate similar to Heidi’s.

"Hey... where do you go to school?" Nolan asked Nadine.

"The same place as you and him," Nadine answered, pointing at Rico.

"Huh... seriously? How come I’ve never seen you?" Rico asked, shocked.

"I rarely go... because I'm in the basement," Nadine answered sadly.

"Ah," Nolan and Rico immediately realized they were entering heavy territory. Given their current state, they were in no mood for it; they went silent and dropped the subject. But then suddenly:

"Why were you in the basement?" Nina asked.

Nolan and Rico instantly snapped their heads toward Nina, who looked confused by the attention. "Huh, why are you two looking at me like that," Nina said, startled. But then, Nadine looked at the three of them and moved to the center, letting go of Nolan.

"My dad kept me locked up since I was little... there were tutors, and I was homeschooled... or more accurately, basement-schooled. According to my dad, I wasn't a wanted child... an accident... but... when I was 14, I disappeared from the basement... I died... of starvation. And when I woke up... I was in the dark tower alone until I was 16. Then... dad never came home... I was always alone. Sometimes I went to school, sometimes I didn't because I'd lock myself in the basement... until some people came to the house saying dad owed them money, and they took me," Nadine said, telling her story until tears began to fall.

Without a second thought, Nina immediately hugged the crying Nadine, while Nolan simply rubbed the back of his head while smoking. Rico, leaning against the wall beneath the window with his legs stretched out, did the same. Nolan stared up at the ceiling, propping himself up with his hands behind him, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"This means she’s exactly like me and Heidi, just in a different situation... haah... this makes things heavy. I won't be able to just ignore her now," Nolan said in his heart.

"Dude, don’t forget: bros before hoes," Rico said, suddenly appearing right beside him.

"What are you even on about?" Nolan asked.

"Both of those hoes are bad news, bro. You clearly get what I mean, right?" Rico answered.

"I get it... don't worry. I only have one goal, and you know what it is," Nolan replied.

"Yeah... just a reminder. So, what’s the next plan? And we're not going to school tomorrow, right?" Rico replied, then drifted back to his spot.

"Not tomorrow, in a few hours. And yeah... it's clear we can't go to school. I don't care about 'brain' anymore... if I have to lose it just to get Heidi back, I’ll take that deal," Nolan replied.

"You’re right, just a few hours. So, you’re planning to track down that guy named Otis?" Rico asked.

"Yeah. Today I’m going to find the address in this folder," Nolan answered, lifting the folder.

"Got it... but sorry, I’m sitting this one out today. I’ve got a match tonight, so I need to go get ready," Rico replied.

"Oh? your match today?" Nolan asked.

"Yeah, come watch if you have the time; besides, I’m planning to help dig up some info on Harold while I’m there later," Rico answered.

"Hmm... okay, but be careful, bro. You know the risks if they catch you digging for info on the higher-ups there... one wrong move and you could end up in the Real Arena without a trial. That place is full of lunatics with AI clearance," Nolan replied, staring at Rico.

"Relax, bro... I know exactly how it is, you don’t need to worry. So, you coming to watch or what?" Rico replied, taking a drag of his cigarette.

"Yep... it starts at 7 PM, right?" Nolan asked.

"Got it... I'll see you there," Rico answered.

"Yeah," Nolan replied shortlyThe two of them shared a fistbump. Nolan glanced over at Nina and Nadine, who now seemed to be getting along, then he looked at his folder once more, running his fingers over it.

"I’m coming for you, Heidi," Nolan muttered in his head.



A few hours later, "crip...crip," Nolan woke up to the sound of birds outside. But the moment he opened his eyes, he squeezed them shut again as sunlight streamed through the window. Suddenly, "Zzz...zzz...zzz." "Huh." Nolan opened his eyes and was stunned to see Nina sleeping on his right side; she was using his arm as a pillow, pressing close to him while facing his direction with her hand resting on his chest. Meanwhile, Nadine was on his left, facing him as she hugged his waist and clung to him tightly. He glanced back and saw Rico sleeping flat on his back, hands tucked behind his head, tucked right under the window against the wall.

"Good grief... what is this," Nolan said in his head, shocked as he looked at Nina and Nadine—noticing that even though their clothes were dirty, they both smelled wonderful.