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Edge of Thorns 4 - Pt 11

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Part 11
I don't think I can drag this out much longer...

Nathan knew his options were limited, and he doubted he could do much to get the Sin to help him, so...

"Um, this is a really bad time to be talking about this," he said to Gula, frowning at her. "Why don't you go keep Gloria company or something?"

She snorted and scrunched up her face, frowning right back. "No time is a good time. That's the point."

"Point or not, I'm done dealing with you. And I'd like to talk to Scott."

Gula seemed to growled, but she didn't argue further, standing up. "Fine then. Just because you got it easy with me doesn't mean my sisters will be so kind. Remember, I tried to tell you what Be-Be's game was first." She stuck her nose into the air and with a flourish trotted off, leaving the two men alone on the couch again.

Scott still looked confused, but now even more so as he turned to Nathan again. "My gut tells me there's something you've been hiding, Kink. Didn't much like that tone you had."

The writer sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He was prepared for this to backfire spectacularly. "Mind if we step out to talk? I don't want to possibly interrupt their shoot."

Scott mirrored him, rubbing his scalp, then stood, catching his sister's glance and giving her a small wave to let her know they weren't leaving, just going to a different room. With a silent nod, he followed Nathan through the doorway to the room adjoining the one they were in, closing the door behind them to be fully sure they wouldn't interrupt the shoot. "So," the reporter began. "Let me guess: you're faking your amnesia and you really know a hell of a lot more about all this than you're admitting to."

Nathan's face turned a deep shade of red. "I... how did you guess?"

His coworker shrugged. "I'm a reporter: it's my job to figure things out. And I figured that, if you weren't saying anything, you had good reason to." Scott crossed this arms. "Is that what you wanted to talk about, or should I just drop the subject and let you keep on playing like you don't know more than you're saying? I mean, I get it if you don't want to share. Everyone's got secrets..."

"I was meaning to own up to you," Nathan cut it, shaking his head, rubbing his hand across his face. He looked Scott squarely in the eyes. "Honestly, I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to tell you."

"Why? Did you make some sort of deal with the Devil? I mean that literally."

"No... well, not really. I mean, I guess he didn't say anything about, um, not saying anything..." It occurred to Nathan that Alton had never said he couldn't tell anyone the truth, about the partial reset or the fact that he remembered things that had never happened. And after finding out that Scott and Enya were more aware of the supernatural than most (particularly the angel's antics), he should have at least felt comfortable telling them, shouldn't he? He shook his head again. "Guess it all just felt too weird. Like you'd think I was crazy or something..."

"You've already openly admitted to some serious psychological issues," Scott pointed out. "But when it comes to anything relating to Alton Sterling, my last guess would be that you're the crazy one. Besides, depression aside, your eszopiclone messes you up enough."

That got a small chuckle from Nathan. "At least it lets me sleep."

Scott smiled. "Anyway, what is it exactly you wanted to tell me? Just... that you actually know more than you've been telling us?"

Nathan wrinkled his nose, but decided that it was best to come clean. "That, and (more specifically) what I know..."

He gave him the full recap, everything that had happened pre-reset til now. He told him about his encounters with Avaritia, Gula, and Ira, his experiences dealing with the angels, and the reason there was a reset at all. Nathan made sure he covered as many details as he could remember, from Avery and Wren's possessions to Gabriel's (admitting he wasn't sure if the latter was still host to Ira). He even told him about Lumiel and Michael's damaged wings. By the time he was finished, he was almost out of breath, plopping down on the floor and letting out a long sigh as he concluded. "So, I think that just about covers everything."

Scott had listened intently, nodding here and there to show he was still paying attention, but remained silent throughout his entire speech. When Nathan said he was through, he drew a deep breath, pausing a moment to let all this new information settle. "Well," he eventually said. "Looks like you've got your work cut out for you, Kink. Seven challenges from seven sins, with two (and a half) down so far. Where do you plan to go from here?"

Nathan threw his hands in the air and shook his head. "I have no idea. I'm still getting reoriented to this reset."

"Hmm..." His coworker tapped his chin and began to pace. "Maybe... you should retrace some of your steps? I mean, I know you're supposed to be done with Avarice, but things seem a bit iffy with Gluttony and Wrath. Maybe you should backtrack and touch base with what you used to know and find out where you stand."

Nathan knotted his brows. "I don't follow."

Scott hummed again, trying to find the right words. "What I mean is... why not see how Avery and Wren are doing? I mean, sure, they probably don't know you at all in this reset, but finding out what's going on with them might give you some clues about how you should proceed." He glanced down at his watch. "It's seven o'clock now. Since things seem to be fine here at the shoot, we've got a little time to do some investigating."

"Wait, we?"

Scott smirked. "Of course. You think I'm going to let you go at this alone, Kink?"

Well, it's a better response than I'd expected. Still, it is starting to get late, so if I do decide to do any more investigating today, it won't be much. Maybe it'd be better to make plans for tomorrow. What should I say?
First, a happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, including mine. ^_^

This was actually kinda fun to write, and the decision this week will be a big one, possibly altering future events. I have a few thoughts in mind for how this could go, and I really can't wait to see how the poll turns out. After all, Nathan doesn't know what happened to either of these two since the reset.

Next week, I'll still try to get a chapter out on time, but I'm helping my BFF and her husband move into their new apartment over the weekend. It shouldn't cause too much delay, but just a heads up.

THE CHOICE HAS BEEN MADE: Read Part 12 to see his decision!


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ItikDuck's avatar
Scott took it better than expected.