“Took you two some time apprehending that little monster,” Chief Walker said from his seat across our own, “I hope he did not give you a substantial amount of trouble,” he chuckled darkly, the sound of his laughter echoed around his office.
“No worries, we were able to handle him with no problem,” I replied back at him while sitting down on the chair across from the boss, “as a matter of fact, we apprehended him quickly and without any issues,” I said while adjusting my posture on the chair, knowing deep down that I what said was just lie to cover up our mistakes as I nonchalantly throw my burnt cigar on the ground.
The chief was looking at me with an expression of surprise, “really?” he asked in a curious tone, “then explain to me why he was handcuffed with crazy display of rumbling vigorously about his mother?” Walker asks with a frown on his face, “the cops that took him have reported that the boy was diagnosed to be mentally broken and unstable, yet you managed to keep him under control?”
Should I tell him everything, including the part where I was forced to sacrifice a cop just to save ourselves and also psychology breaking down of Finn’s mind? Or should I just tell him the truth?
“He was handcuffed as a precautionary measure, so that he wouldn’t hurt himself or others,” I said looking away to the side, “the moment we finally caught him, he immediately went into maddening frenzy and started attacking us with a knife,” I continued on my explanation, “it was a damn near close call, but he was subdued by Eve,” I said while looking back at my boss, “and now here we are.”
Hopefully, Walker listened to my made up story and believed it like I believe it. I had already decided that telling the whole truth would be both a waste of time and likely have my reputation ruined of committing two questionable acts just for my own selfish benefit.
“I see…” Chief asked with a skeptical expression, analyzing me and the situation of the whole thing with a critical eye, “well, I am glad to hear that everything is all right now,” he said after a long silence as if he was thinking about something, “I just hope that the little monster won’t cause any more trouble,” he said with a sigh, “at least, for now.”
I just nodded my head in response to his remark, knowing that we are on the same page about the situation, “I agree,” I said with a smile already forming on my face, “now that we have caught that little lunatic of ours; I believe we should get a reward for our services, right?” I asked in a suggestive tone, “I mean, after all our hard work and dedication to this case.”
“Mhm,” the chief nodded in agreement with my suggestion, “I think that’s a great idea,” he said in a positive tone as he took out another pack of cigarettes before handing it to me, “here you go, I believe you have already run out of those,” he said as I took the pack from him, “I would also like to take this chance to thank you for your hard work and effort in this case,” he said with a sincere expression, “it is quite an honor to have you on our side.”
“No problem,” I said with a smile as I took another cigarette from the pack and lit it up with a lighter, “I am glad to be of help,” I said while puffing on the cigarette slowly, “it is nice to have you as my boss,” I added with a smile.
He turned his attention to Eve, “and you, what reward do you want?” he bluntly asked her, coldly staring at her for a few seconds before she finally responded, “nothing.” She answered in an uncaring tone, “I don’t need anything. I have everything I want right here.” She said with her eyes being fixated on me.
“What?” The chief asked with a puzzled expression, “what are you implying about? You have everything you want right here?” he asked in a questioning tone as he stared at us. “Yes,” she answered him calmly, “I don’t need anything else.” It made him pause for a bit, confused by her statement before realization dawned on his face, “ah, I get it.”
Chief Walker leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, “whatever the case, I suppose you two first need to have today. You guys did a great job and the well-earned rest is what you deserve after all your hard work.” He said while looking at us with a smile on his face as if he was proud of us for finally catching that lunatic.
“Thanks,” I said with a lazy grin, “we will be heading back tomorrow, see ya boss.” I said before standing up and leaving the room with Eve following me and closing the door behind us. After walking out of his room, we took a deep breath, relishing in the fresh air in the hallway until we finally made it outside.
The cold air was invigorating, taking in deep lungfuls of the crisp and refreshing air once more. The descending sun was at its zenith in the sky, peeking over the horizon with a bright orange hue to it and the sky was more clear than it had been for a long time.
As we walked down the steps of the building, Eve suddenly stopped and turned around towards me, “you appear down Adam, do you want me to drive instead?” She asked with concern in her judging eyes, “don’t be silly,” I said with a chuckle before giving her a quick thumbs up, “I am fine Eve, really.” I replied with a forced smile plastered on my face.
“If you say so…” She muttered in a dissatisfied tone as we approached the red sports car I now owned. I sighed under my breath, noticing that she was overly worried and concerned over my well-being and safety. It made me feel a tinder of emotion in my chest as it always did when Eve was concerned about me or always being the supportive person in my life.
Suffice to say, I have truly grown very fond of Eve, but sometimes I do wonder if I am attracted to her to share our mutual feelings for one another. Although I believe that this feeling is only due to my struggling loneliness and guilt that constantly weighs behind my soul.
Nevertheless, Eve and I had seemed to grown closer and become more open with one another, having learned to trust each other’s character and personality, knowing the intentions of one another. Despite Eve being a literal assassin who have taken many lives, I nonetheless felt safe in her presence.
Not because she is now a former assassin, but more so of the fact that Eve is regaining humanity; compassion that she once had lost. “Adam,” Eve said with her own serious expression after entering our vehicle, looking straight at my soul as she is doing now. I turned to face her, giving her a thoughtful look before replying to what she had just asked me. “What is it that you want to know Eve?” I asked calmly, comfortably sitting inside our red sports car.
“Do you love me?” Eve replied with a question of her own, her blue eyes staring straight into my soul, waiting for an answer. I froze momentarily before replying, “Why do you ask me this now?” I asked as Eve gave me another look that was full of confusion and worry.
“Because…” Eve began to say, her voice trembling slightly as she looked down, fumbling her own fingers on her lap, “I…feel…love when I am around you Adam. But I don’t know if this feeling is because I am human, or if it is because I am myself.”
I swallowed the saliva that was caught in my throat before continuing to be focused on Eve, trying to come up with an appropriate answer for her. “Eve,” I began, taking a deep breath and looking away from her eyes so that I could imagine what to say.
“Eve…” I said slowly, feeling my voice trembling as I spoke, “I…am not sure yet,” I replied, putting my hand on my lap, feeling my heart racing as I tried to find the appropriate words to say. “Why?” Eve asked with a sorrowful visage that showed her true feelings and emotions. “is it because of what I am?” Her tone sounded hurtful and reproachful, but I had not expected such a question from her, especially when she is now confessing her feelings to me.
“No, no,” I tried to say while my voice continued to tremble, “It is not like that,” I locked eyes with her before continuing, “don’t get me wrong Eve, I do care about you as a friend but I’m still unsure if I am ready for an open relationship or commitment.”
“Adam…” Eve sounded hurt and confused, as if she had expected that answer from me.
“I don’t know what else to say Eve,” I replied with growing nervousness, staring straight ahead, looking at the road. I was afraid of what Eve might think of me at this moment; I wanted her to believe that I am sincere in my answer, but not because of the words or what I said, but for the fact that she had waited for this moment.
I actually do care about her, I really do. But to open my healing broken heart again towards a potential lover is something that I am still unsure if is going to hurt me more or help me heal from my past. “I don’t want to hurt you, Eve,” I said as I took a deep breath, feeling my chest tighten and eyes stinging with held back tears.
“I know, I know,” Eve replied, placing her hand over mine, “It’s okay Adam,” she said, trying to comfort me. “You do not have to open your broken heart to me right away, when you are ready then you can decide for yourself.”
“I am sorry for not being ready,” I replied with a sigh of relief, relieving my chest tighten with the emotions I was holding back from showing. I was nervous and afraid of hurting Eve, since we are like broken souls who have been hurt deeply by the world we live in.
“So I am sorry to for asking you something personal,” Eve replied as she looked ahead and letting go of my hand, “I want to apologize for asking something so selfish.” She paused before continuing, “But please, think about it, I don’t want to hold you back from anything you want in this life we are living with.”
“I will, Eve,” I replied with a smile. After a pause, I said, “You are willingly to be patient with me, waiting for the moment I am ready to open to you. And I’m thankful for that,” a genuine smile grew across my face as I looked at Eve, “I will think about it Eve, I promise.”
“Thank you, Adam,” She replied, returning a smile at me before looking ahead once more. “Should we get going? I don’t want to miss my cooking time if we are late.” Eve said with a sudden giggle of joy that almost made me jump out of my driver’s seat from shock.
“Did..did you just laugh?” I asked, turning to look at her in bewilderment from her sudden, unexpected burst of joy. “I think so,” Eve stared and said with a smile and a nod. “This was a laugh? It feels like I am being more myself again.”
It was rare for her to experience full-blown display of emotion under her impassive expression, she is usually blank and monotone when dealing with strangers specifically. However, seeing her smile and laughing felt like a strange and new experience that I should have expected when becoming more human.
As mentioned before, when her humanity grows more; so to the healing process of my broken heart. Eve, my precious companion, is slowly growing into a beautiful person with an inner strength that can withstand any pain. She was starting to become more who she really is, seeing the good in her and being able to find the will to continue in her life has made me feel hopeful again, having seen Eve’s locked inner self for a moment.
I smiled back at the revelation.
