Shhhh human-telepath make noise.
I took my shoes off as slowly as I could and hid them behind a curtain, then followed a whole pack of rats into a sleeping house.
What time was it ? It was dark outside, but it could be anywhere from 9 pm to 5 am. It was already night when I was taken out of the car, and I was fucking cold, so…
The rats lead me from the horse-smelling and almost empty rooms that I’d emerged in, through a covered corridor, to a kitchen, then to a living room, the into a large office. And there was the octopus.
I put my porridge bowl on the floor for the rats, hurried to the shadowy tank and very gently tapped on it.
— I am sorry, I hushed. I need help. Can you communicate something to an octopus named Bobby. ?
Eigtharms has no knowledge of names, but eightarms can communicate with any octopus.
— How do you know which one to target ?
Eightarms has no use of targeting.
I didn’t have time for questions.
— Please tell him this. I am somewhere in a mountain ranch around Los Angeles…
Eightarms does not know about human and telepath names. This information cannot be communicated.
— I am somewhere in a mountain ranch around a city where they make movies and have a restaurant called Mexicanessen serving tacos…
Oh crap. No names. No Khotoy. I had to think of how to pass the name…
I sniffled, bothered by the smell of rats that I didn’t notice before, and I couldn’t figure out why it was making my mouth salivate.
Eightarms has communicated. Is human-telepath satisfied ?
— No please ! I have a…
RAT SEE CAT ! RAT SEE CAT !
A large cat pounced into the room and started running after the rats with an horrendous growl.
A chair fell.
I ran back into the living room and barged into the kitchen now fully lit. Oh shit.
— FUCK ! NUOLAN SHE’S OUT !
I ran into horse-smelling head first as fast as I could and used the surprise to speed into the corridor where I’d seen an open window.
— Stop or I shoot you down !
I stopped.
I could almost hear Ergis’ voice « Ah et faut être en vie ».
I turned around slowly to face horse-smelling, my heart beating in my ears. I would not die here. I could not die here.
— Let’s kill her already…
Two other telepaths were coming towards me now, also holding guns. One put his weapon to his belt, grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards the house. I couldn’t figure out the conversation.
— Fuck Nolan ! We should have killed her yesterday already, when the news came out !
Maybe they were communicating half of it. But it sounded bad. I said I wasn’t getting killed there and I wasn’t.
Think Vic think.
I grabbed the arm that was holding me, pulled it, dug my knee into the man’s crotch and got his gun out.
— The first to move loses his head !
The two men had also put their weapons down when arguing, and their surprise - and the agony of the one rolling on the floor behind me - allowed me time to check my gun. I didn’t know that one specifically but it felt heavy and there was no security on.
I got kicked behind a knee and lost target for a spit second, and a gunshot echoed in my head. I rolled on the floor. I was shot. Fuck where ? It hurts.
I shot the first head I could make out. Then I shot something else, or so I guessed because I pulled the trigger and felt the recoil but didn’t hear shit.
— Victoire ! Put the ball in the box and come in. Haven’t you heard the bell ?
My mom is nice but sometimes she cries a lot and I don’t know why.
Urgh. It’s the end of school… I hope it’s dad this time. Or Steve.
I ran towards Miss Adley, handed her the ball and wiped my hand on my skirt.
— Sorry Miss Adley. I said shyly. I was talking.
You have to tell me more about school.
— Victoire, we discussed this already. You could not have been talking, you were alone on the playgroud.
I like school because we learn things.
— Yes Miss Adley. I am sorry.
What things ?
I followed Miss Adley through the school to the entrance doors.
Do you know what a horse is ?
Yes ! My dad is a trainer… it’s like Miss Adler, but for horses.
Mom is there.
— Vic, baby ! Said mom kneeling down.
Ah. I’m sad. But it is ok. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
I ran to Mom and gave her a hug so she would smile, and she did.
— I canceled a meeting so I could come and fetch you ! Did you have a nice day at school ?
— Yes ! I smiled.
If I told her that Damian had stolen my peanut butter sandwich she’s scream again and I wanted her to smile.
See you Victoire !
— Madame Bellamy ? Asked Miss Aldey. May I speak with you for a moment ?
I tried to listen to what Mom and Miss Adley were discussing but I couldn’t make out half the words.
Öleene are you still there ? Mom is talking adult things again.
I could feel a sore spot on my leg where I had hit a rock earlier. I sat on the gravel and lifted my skirt to check the bruise.
Yes I am. So what other things did you learn today ?
It was a bruise but the pain kept growing. I hid a sniffle. Mom did not smile when I cried.
Öleene there is something wrong with my leg.
I tried to stand up again and go shake Mom’s hand so she would look at my leg, but I couldn’t. The bruise had turned to a hole and it was leaking red sticky liquid.
I think I am bleeding.
What do you mean ?
— MOM ! I cried out. MOM !
But Mom, Miss Adley, and all the other persons around had stopped dead in their tracks. Frozen. Nobody turned to me.
Öleene I think am dying.
What is dying ?
It’s like in the Lion King, when daddy lion never wakes up after bad uncle lion pushed him down.
Victoria ? That’s you, right ? On the news ?
I do not want to die.
How did you target me ? Where are you ? You must be close if I can hear you…
Khotoy ranch… please I do not want to die.
Ok stay with me I know where it is.Victoria ?