“I bet everything here is cheaper, too,” I say. “Also it’ll be all the big chain stores, none of the nice indie ones we have in NB.”
“I think Harmony has a few indie shops,” River says. “They’re probably expensive, but their selection will probably be more interesting.”
River starts driving. His radio is set to some local station which plays the current hottest music. I tap my fingers along to the beat until the song ends and it goes to the DJs.
“Our top story for today: local police are asking for anyone with information about Zayden Henkel to step forward. His decapitated head is imploring everybody to help him find justice.”
I frown at the radio.
That can’t be right.
I glance at River, but he doesn’t react to what they said.
“What do you think that’s about?” I ask.
“What’s what about?” River gives me a quick glance before turning his attention back to the road.
“The news story,” I hedge.
“I guess it means the world has nothing better to worry about? Who even cares about John Allers opening yet another tech center? Doesn't he have plenty by now?" River scoffs. "You'd thinkthe incident with Ezio and Samantha would have made the news. Maybe the cops are paid off."
“They could at least have mentioned the shootout on the highway! It’s old news by now. Old, buried news,” I answer.
Okay, so the host hadn’t mentioned Zayden. Probably.
Shit, what the fuck is wrong with me?
Why am I hearing things?
Everything is supposed to be perfect again. I have River, Asch, and Blaze on my side. The frat idiots are quivering in their boots. We’re sitting on a treasure trove of blackmail material.
Why am I still not normal?
“Like everything else even remotely interesting,” River confirms. “I bet the Bouchards pay the big bucks to keep the news stories tame when things do get out of hand.” His expression darkens. “I didn’t even hear about what happened to Franklin.”
“The university paper had a small article for him,” I say. “That’s how I knew where the memorial was. Well, and Blaze told me, because I think he knew you needed more emotional support.”
He falls silent. “I do appreciate you showing up,” he finally says after another song has started to play on the radio. “I know things were…” He hesitates, like he’s trying to find a good word to describe how things had been after the night at the gym, but he falters instead.
“Yeah.” I look out the window, watching people in their winter coats walking down the streets. In New Bristol, the streets would still be crowded, even in this bitter cold, but Harmony’s crowds are thinner.
River pulls into the parking lot for the shopping mall. It’s the only major concentration of shops, so unlike the malls in New Bristol, it’s still in business. Also, nobody wants to walk around outdoors in winter weather.
“Man, what am I going to buy everyone?” I say as we get out of the car. I grab a few of the tote bags River has in the backseat. “Papa already has every cooking implement known to man, Mama never wants anything, Uncle Slayer hasn’t worked on his train layouts inyears… I’m pretty sure Mama would get mad if I gave Ares gasoline, and she’llreallyget mad if I get anyone a dildo as a joke gift…”
River shrugs, taking the tote bags from me. “You can get some new brand of hot sauce for your Daddy, at least. I’m sure he’d appreciate that. And maybe if you got your uncle a new train piece, it would get him to work on them again. It would give him something to do beyond cutting people’s fingers off,” he mutters.
I laugh, even though River doesn’t think it’s funny.
“He probably needs a new knife!”
My phone buzzes, and I take it out to see a new text from Blaze.
Blabe
Where are you?
Pandora
