Chapter 95: The Tao Of Colin

Chapter 95: The Tao Of Colin

Anyone can lose their way. Doesnt matter how fervently you believe, your faith can abandon you. Distractions will lead you away from the path, and send you on a detour you may never return from.

I had been weak. I had been tempted by nice, well-meaning people. Trust. Friendship. Loyalty. All the warm-fuzzies had laid siege to my resolve and cracked it wide open. For a moment there, I actually started to believe I too could become a normie.

Find a nice girl, settle down, live the dream. It was, of course, ridiculous. Time to wake the fuck up.

Youll be on your own, so any problems, do your best. I gave Claire a thumbs up and left the room.

Dont be surprised when we come back with the spike, Claire called after me.

Remember to have fun, I shouted back.

I had been up all night and needed some sleep. As soon as I got in my room, I closed the curtains, stripped off and got into bed. I fell asleep almost immediately.

I dont know if I dreamt about dead men or flying horses. When I woke a few hours later, I had no recollection of dreaming at all, which was great. The less I interacted with my brain the better as far as I was concerned.

The others were downstairs in the dining roomI call it that because it had a table and chairs where we could eat stuff we bought elsewhere. Probably best that no food was cooked on the premises; the manager would have burned the place down.

Jenny looked bright and alert. I assume she got some sleep, but it still could only have been the same amount as I got. How she managed to look completely refreshed and ready to go while I staggered around with one eye still stuck close, was a mystery.

As soon as I entered the room, Flossie got up from her seat and walked towards me. I hadnt seen her since our little altercation, so I was curious as to how she would react to me.

She walked right up to me, hit me in the chest with her forehead and put her arms around me. I got a squeeze, some mumbled words I couldnt make out, and then she released me and went back to her seat. I have no idea what that was about, but her and Dudley seemed to be back on course, so I guess theyd worked things out.

Claire stood up. She was dressed ready for adventure. Weapons, supplies and a new hat (when did she have time to go shopping?).

Shall we go? She spoke with a calm resolve that made me think she had been preparing what to say to me the whole time I was asleep.

I thought I might eat something first.

You can eat on the way, said Claire. There are plenty of food stalls on the way to the Municipal Directory.

The others all got up. There was definitely an air of were gonna prove you wrong about them, which was fine by me. Much preferable to an air of Colin save us which was the usual vibe they gave off.

They all filed past me. Jenny was at the back. She saluted at me as she marched behind the others. I didnt have much choice other than to fall in line.

We went to the Municipal Directory, pausing long enough for me to buy a kind of burrito. I say kind of because burritos arent normally red and sewn shut with long green strands of grass that taste like liquorice.

Nobody said much as we arranged for me to be able to access all their accounts in the event of their deaths. Everyone was very businesslike and no one gave me a hard time about what I was asking them to do, and what it implied about my opinion of them doing this side-quest.

Once that was out of the way, we headed off to the Sheaf.

Well, good luck, I said at the entrance.

Yeah, yeah, said Claire. See you later. She walked into the Sheaf.

Maurice grinned at me as he followed Claire. Flossie gave me another hug. Dudley also gave me a hug. Is it possible to have sex so great it makes you go around hugging people? I wouldnt know, obviously.

Jenny paused before going in. What are you going to do while you wait for our triumphant return?

Im sure Ill find a way to amuse myself.

Did you say amuse or abuse?

Amuse, I enunciated clearly.

Okay. Well, be careful of chafing. She walked into the Sheaf without waiting for a reply. Not that I had anything to say; it was good advice.

Yes, I said. Its good to be free. What kind of punishment will they get?

Biadet interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on them. Hmmmm. Hard to say. God doesnt take kindly to pilfering. I would imagine death is likely. Although, perhaps torture first. Publicly, maybe. Would serve as an excellent warning to others. Perhaps you plan to save them?

It was pretty obvious she had come to tempt me into mounting a rescue attempt. Fuck that.

Did Gullen send you here, Biadet? See what Im capable of?

I think he has a pretty good idea what youre capable of. The way you got yourself out of that pickle the other day was very impressive. Did you see what I did there? Pickle. Its a play on words.

Yes, I get it. Damn, it seemed my attempt to sneak one past the Lord Administrator had failed.

I dont know how you summoned Mama Ivy, but it was a very gutsy move.

I didnt like the way she called it gutsy. Should I be afraid of Mama Ivy?

Im afraid of Mama Ivy, you should be terrified. A little smile appeared at the edges of her lips.

Do you think Gullen could have a word with this God person? Ask for a little leniency on the grounds of sheer stupidity?

Not really his department. Very little to do with road planning or maintenance. Yeah, like that was his department. And God really doesnt listen to anyone. He is a law unto himself in this city.

Dont you think its a bit weird he calls himself God? Bit egotistical.

I dont see why. Thats his name. Godfrey.

Oh. I see. God for short. Maybe he wasnt some crazy loon. Maybe he could be reasoned with. Wait, what was I even thinking? Can he really tell when someones lying?

Oh, yes, said Biadet. Everyone has to tell the truth in Gods presence. Well, except for one person.

It took me a moment to figure out what she meant. Everyone except God himself?

Biadet nodded.

So he might be making up the whole thing about them stealing something?

Perhaps, said Biadet. But why would he do that? Simply to attract your attention? Whos being egotistical now?

I hadnt actually made that claim, but now that shed mentioned it, I could see it as a way to get me involved. Even if it was, it didnt mean I would bite.

I dont suppose hell let them go with a slap on the wrist.

Unlikely. The last person to try and steal something from God She shook her head. Put me off barbecue for a week. Anyway, I thought youd want to know. She got off the bed and walked over to the window. She stopped, turned and pointed at the door. Look out!

I spun around but there was nothing there. When I turned back, Biadet was gone. Im pretty sure I heard a distant voice say, So easy but when I went to the window there was no sign of her.

My options were clear.

Do nothing and leave them to their fate.

Come up with a plan and risk everything to save them.

It was no choice at all, really. I lay on my bed and said my goodbyes to them. They werent a bad lot, really. Clueless and idiotic, certainly, but I could have ended up with a much worse group. But all friendships have to end eventually. It was time to move on and face life the way I was used toalone.

Once I accepted this as the only way forward, I felt a lot better. The uncomfortable situation in my stomach resolved itself and the tension in my shoulders went away. It wasnt an easy choice, but compared to haring off on a suicide mission I was definitely happy with my decision.

So, how I found myself standing outside the Sheaf a few hours later, I have no idea.