literature

Your Hollow Heart Chapter 12

Deviation Actions

Kyukitsune's avatar
By
Published:
933 Views

Literature Text


 ~oooOYOHOHOooo~



Joey was waiting for the elevator doors to slide open once she reached the upper level and heading towards her Lexus that was park on the other side. She had a small briefcase in hand and opening the car trunk to put it in there. She turned her head slightly and seem like no one else was around which was good so far.



She was getting the driver's door unlock and ready to get in when she heard her name being called out of the blue. "Hey Joey, how are you?" She turned around and quickly plaster on a smile when she saw the guard coming over.



"Hey Ed I didn't think you'd be working tonight?" She saw him scratch his head sheepishly and shrugged his shoulder, "Yeah one of the guys called in sick and had to fill in for him, so how are you?"



She waved her hand in a flippant manner, "Oh you know, just been so busy down there, you have no idea of how many hours we have to crunch in especially when you're working for someone like Sebastian."



"Yeah, I notice his car has been in the lot for a few days, haven't really seen him for a while." He seen the Porsche sitting in the same spot for nearly a week and no sign of Sebastian coming in or out of the compound. It seem weird to him but then again most of them tend to stay late burning the midnight oil and get whatever they're doing done.



"Oh you know him, 'work, work, work', it's the only thing he lives for and he's at it so much, he's seem to be a part of it actually." She flinched when she felt a swift pinch to her bare arm and thankfully Ed didn't notice as he was nodding his head in agreement.



"Yeah that he does, he such a workaholic and you know what they say about all work and no play… But hey listen there's this new cafe over near Central and I was wondering if maybe this Friday you'd be interest in going, of course, it'd be my treat."



Joey look a bit surprised yet doing her best to not let him down too hard, "Wow that really does sound nice but I don't think I could with my schedule, seeing how I'll probably be busy the whole weekend and don't really think I be available for it. Maybe next time?"



"Yeah okay next time?" Ed stood by the side and Joey slipping in through the driver's side and trying to turn the engine but mostly getting chugging noise. She turn to him, looking slightly embarrassed by it.



"Oh Ed, I'm sorry to bother you but can you help me for a second? It's seem my car isn't starting, can you check the engine real quick for me?"



She stepped out of the car, leaving the door fully open and helping Ed prop the hood up. Ed took a quick glance inside and seeing nothing was wrong as far as he could tell.



"I don't really see the problem here. Maybe you aren't turning the key all the way. Try again." Joey nodded as she walked back and getting behind the wheel to turn the key.



Finally, they heard it roar and then Ed push her hood down to see her nodding, "Okay well see you tomorrow and hopefully next time."



"Thanks Ed you're sweet." She waved goodbye as she exit out of there. When they were at least a couple blocks from the facility she smirked, "And you thought I couldn't do it?"



"A little over the top don't you think Joe." Joey rolled her eyes over to her invisible passenger while shaking her head at him, "Be as it may, I told you I would be able to get you out without anyone noticing."



"Well la de da, geez we would've been fine with my idea and Ed wouldn't have suspect anything."



"Yeah I'm sure it wouldn't seem strange at all with you coming out after being down there for days and he wouldn't notice how odd your skin was or that you were wearing sunglasses at this late hour without thinking something off hmm?"



When she didn't get a response she knew she got her point across. "Now shall we proceed and head to your place and grab some of your thing or would you like to spend the whole night sulking?"



She heard him huff and knew he was scowling but she knew he was being like a stubborn child. "C'mon, this is supposed to be a nice night out for you unless you want me to turn this car around and simply take us back?"



"…Fine, okay, you get on the highway and go down…" He gave her specific instruction and Joey made sure to follow them accordingly and got off at the next exit and heading for the apartment complex that was a few blocks down and entering together with the briefcase in her hand. There wasn't anyone who look their way, well Joey's but she was making sure to seem like nothing was out of the ordinary as she walk through the lobby towards the elevator to head for the eight floor.



Joey had no idea what kind of pad Sebastian had though it definitely fit the term 'Bachelor' when she got her first look of it. The place was a slight mess with stuff lying in certain areas, clothes lying disarray on the ground and saw it look like it hadn't been clean in weeks judging from the thin layer of dust on some of the furniture.



She then felt Sebastian brush past her, grabbing the suitcase from her loose grasp, "Make yourself comfortable, I'll be right back." She saw the suitcase heading to one of the room before it close behind them and wasn't long before she heard Sebastian shuffling stuff about and muttering to himself while he did.



She walk about the entire room, taking in everything there but when she got to the kitchen, caught a whiff of something and realize Sebastian hadn't taken his garbage out since he undergone the procedure. Yet it's not like he could have known he would have been stuck like this but still...



She decided to do him a favor and removing the garbage from the bin, lifting the bag out and also checking the fridge to see what had went past it's date and notice that he had a lot of take outs in there and some that definitely were weeks old. She resist the urge to shake her head thinking what a typical male Sebastian was. Though it was probably due to the fact that her boss was constantly at his work and didn't really consider cooking if it would cut into his spare time.



Joey didn't need to go checking all of them as she decided to chuck everything into the trash, figuring the fridge could use a chance to air out and when they do bring Sebastian back, he wouldn't have to deal with cleaning this out.



Joey had just finished tying the bag and was carrying it towards the door when she saw Sebastian was there, now fully dress with his 'skin' in place and carrying an overnight bag with a few personal things pack in there. She saw he had the sunglasses in place and obviously taking notice of the trash in her hand, "Uh yeah, been meaning to get that out of there..."



"Uh huh sure Sebastian, c'mon, let's go put this out and then we can go." She had seen the chute for garbage on this floor and went to go toss it in before they left and exiting the building together for her car. Sebastian put his bag in the trunk before slipping into the passenger seat and adjusting the position so he could recline it to a more comfortable position.



Joey got in and putting the seat belt before turning her attention towards him, "So you got all you needed from up there?"



She saw Sebastian shrugged as he lean back with his arms behind his head, "Yeah pretty much, though if we are going to find the solution to my 'condition' I need to look at every angle to figure out what's missing and I'm assuming you have your own copies that aren't just in the compound."



That was true, she was sure everyone had their own available data and did keep hers in a hard drive in case something happen and had the original on hand. "Yeah I do, but they're at my house. I guess we'll have to make a quick stop there then."




 "That's fine by me. Honestly, I don't mind that we do as we still got a couple more hours before we have to head back anyways, so let's go."



Joey put the key into the ignition and pulling the Lexus out of the area and onto the street itself. Sebastian was busy fiddling with the radio before it stop on one particular rock station and hearing the beginning of the song she recognized all too well. She was tapping her fingers against the rim of the wheel and was singing along to it as she drove.



Sebastian looked rather surprised but saw her turn to him smiling at his gaping expression, "What you didn't know? My old man was a huge Foreigner fan and we used to listen to them all the times that the words just got stuck in my head. But hey no one can resist these guys, they the best!"



This time Sebastian couldn't hold it in and threw his head back laughing before joining her in singing out to rest of 'Hot-Blooded' all the way down the street. He couldn't help thinking this was definitely better than being stuck in the lab and couldn't wait to get to Joey's and see what else there was about her.




 ~oooOYOHOHOooo~



It was about a half hour before they made it to her neighborhood. She had the Lexus pull up in the only spot available that was right next to the two story brownstone beside similar looking houses down the row. The street was pretty empty as everyone else was now mostly inside and thought it was good no one else was around. The less that saw them, the better to get in without anyone taking notice of Sebastian.



Joey stepped out from the driver side while looking to see also exiting her car and staring out at her neighborhood before seeing her walk towards the one she parked in front of. It seem like a pretty decent area and thought the building wasn't too shabby though he'd leave the decision for when he got inside and then see how the rest of her shindig was. "So you live around this part of town, I was almost expecting something more..."



"More what?" Joey had locked the Lexus and was trying to get her house key to unlock the front door. Before Sebastian could implied anything further, that's when they heard a voice calling her name, "Joanna, Joanna! Yo-hoo!"



They immediately turn and saw an old lady walking a miniature poodle and coming straight for them. "Mrs. Tutley hello how are you this evening and good to see you too Serge?" She threw a glance over at Sebastian and wanting him to understand to get behind her as she didn't want anyone to take notice of his unusual apparel or even ask who he was.



The old woman shrugged as she came over with the dog moving about and trying to go beyond the leash extension. "Been well here and there, though I'm not as young as I use to be but just taking this old boy out for his walkies. He's been rather jumpy and swear it's like he's got an itch he needs scratching for some reason."



Sebastian couldn't help snorting through his nostril while Joey send him a warning glare telling him to quit it. Serge was barking as he was eying the strange man next to Joey and sensing something not right with. He kept trying to lung forward and even Joey was starting to worry that should he get loose and attack Sebastian...



Mrs. Tutley however kept a firm hold on his leash and rein him in, "My goodness what has gotten into you tonight?" Before lifting her head and then took notice of the male figure beside Joey.



Though her eyesight wasn't all that great, she could be blind as a bat especially with very little light to see with. She wasn't able to notice the oddness about him with the exception he wore sunglasses at this time of night and look very shady with his hood drawn over him. "Something wrong with ya eyes there, ya not chasing the dragon are ya?"



Sebastian was taken aback by this old bag and before he could say a word, Joey intercept as the last thing she wanted was him blowing his cover. "This is Bastian, he's a friend of mine who visiting from out of town. See, he's got a serious condition and we were at the doctors all afternoon. He's been through so many tests that one made his eyes very sensitive to the lighting, hence why he's wearing the glasses. We figured he could stay at my place until he recovers and then take him home when he feels up to it."



The best lies always had a small snippet of truth and she figure that coming up with a plausible story was easy when using some material that combine and mesh made it sound reasonable to just about anyone.



Sebastian saw where she was going with this and quickly playing along as he threw his arm over her shoulder and brought her close to him. "Yeah she's been a real peach, don't know anyone like good old Joe here who goes out of their way for me."



And Sebastian quickly peck her on the cheek just for good show and not to see her blushing like a tomato when he pulled away yet keeping his arm around her.



"Ah okay I see, that's very sweet of ya to do. Well ya take care now dearie, come along Serge! Oh and Joanna, don't forget to put a rubber if ya two are planning to go at it!"



Once she was out of hearing distance and the two quickly separated, well Joey standing much further away from him. Sebastian however took one look at the retreating figure and pointing his thumb in her direction, "Is she always like this…"



He didn't want to offend Joey but what he was thinking of that old lady was that she had a few screws loose or if she was just off her rocker. Maybe both actually as he couldn't really understand old people at times. Although he wasn't amused by her assuming him a druggie but at least she hadn't suspect anything otherwise unusual but to think he was some sort of drug addict and then to say that last bit?



Joey though couldn't help feeling a bit mortified by her neighbor and hoping Sebastian didn't take it the wrong way. "Sorry about that, she's really nice once you got to know her although she does come off a bit eccentric."



Sebastian lower the glasses to stare at her incredulously, "A little, seriously?"



Joey bit the inside of her cheek wondering why did Mrs. Tutley had to put her in this situation. "She lost her husband four years ago and just very concern over my well being. She's got this crazy notion that everyone should have someone and believes I'm pushing my way to being a spinster for someone in their late twenties."



She chuckled while remembering some of the things Mrs. Tutley did in her quest to find her a suitable match. "She once tried to convince me that her grandson would be perfect husband material and had to let her down more than once when Bryon, that's his name by the way, told me he's not exactly into dating women, if you catch my drift."



Sebastian kinda caught onto it pretty easy while Joey had found the right key and slip it into the open slot, "Not to say I wouldn't mind, I like to think maybe down the road somewhere I'd find the that person and maybe having one or two kids as long as he does the dishes. But I'm not all that picky, just being sensible is all. Besides I don't really need someone as I'm doing quite fine by myself."



She didn't know why she was telling him all this but saw Sebastian shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever but hey hope Mr. Right can handle that attitude of yours cause he's going to need it being around you all the time."



Sebastian had to keep from saying what was really on his mind as the thought of Joey with someone just didn't sit all too well with him. Yeah it wasn't hard to imagine her settling down and having a couple snot-nose brats. Though the idea of whoever the guy made him feel a bit embittered yet try to tell himself not to focus too much on that and followed Joey inside.



When he stepped inside the foyers, he whistled low and notice she wasn't kidding when she said she was well off financially. He had to say it was had that cozy feel with the furnishing and decor seeming well suited for a gal like Joey living by herself.



He took in the pictures on the walls and saw some showing her next to people who must be family as he recognized the father and Gabe but the woman standing beside Joey had to the mother. There were few but then saw one of Gabe a bit older, maybe fourteen or fifteen holding a little league trophy and Joey had her arms around him. Probably the last one they had before he got ill…



They had made their way towards what was the living-study room and saw had her computer sitting on the mahogany table and obviously seen half this room before which seem so long ago when he first cracked the reversion with her help. Now here he was hoping to get that help again and fix this.



"Okay so we should try to see exactly what it is we're missing here." She had her notebook turn on and tapping the keyboard while Sebastian move about the room and letting himself wander about the area.



She could hear as he was making his way around and decided to let him know he was welcome to anything as long as he didn't break her stuff. "If you're feeling hungry, check the fridge or I can simply order some takeout later."



"Yeah sure I'll be fine with just about anything as long as I can hold it down without puking my guts out." He saw she had some soda in the fridge and didn't know if she'd be okay with him looking through the cabinets for any hard liquor.



Beside he didn't need his thoughts muddle and chose to grab a coke and also one more for Joey just to be nice. After all she was letting him crash here for a while and then have to head back to the lab when they got the chance.



He was busy checking the rest of her stuff and eying the rack containing her CD collection and notice she had some particularly good taste in music. There were certain bands that he liked to listen right there and seeing she had the stereo system, figure they could have some tune to listen to as they work. He picked up one label and putting the disc inside the stereo and press 'random'.



Joey heard Sebastian rummaging through her things and didn't mind as 'Our Lady Peace' was playing from the speakers and heard him say, "There that's much better."



He came back to the room and hand Joey the other can while taking a seat across from her and seeing the notes she laid out for them. At least he's enjoying himself now instead of being a grouch. She was pouring over the notes they had and finding nothing that could help them out in this predicament.



No matter what she tried to put in, the data didn't seem to be anywhere consistence and the molecules kept forcing them to revert back and fall apart. This didn't make sense at all, how was this even possible! She had thought they were close but it just seem they were just two steps back and just getting farther from the probable solution.



They decided on ordering Italian and within a half hour, the food arrived and Joey came back carrying the plastic bag with the steaming food in there.



"Okay that's one calzone with the works and extra sausage and one chicken Parmesan with bread-stick." Joey went to pry the lids off both dishes and letting the heat escape their confinement. Just smelling the succulent aroma that was making Sebastian's mouth water as it's been a while since he actually snuck his teeth in such good food.



"Mmm really does look good and I think I might actually want some of that Calzone if you're not going to eat the whole thing. I'll share mine if you like."



"Oh I don't know, I might not be willing to spare some of this delicious morsel and I thought women were supposed to be all about sticking to counting calories or something."



When he and Linda were dating, she was always a stickler when it came to certain food. She also saying how she had to watch her figure even when he thought she look fine and probably could have a little more meat on her.



She always kept hampering on him and his Twinkies which was one of the few disagreements that they had while together.



But looking at Joey's and seeing how she obviously manage to keep it well maintain and didn't seem to make a too big noise on fat and such. He had seen the room with the treadmill in there and found some other stuff like Yoga mats and video cassettes that taught the basic steps up to intermediate.



There were books on basic stress relief techniques and could understand as their work did seem tedious and Linda had gotten him that one book that he never did get around to reading. Although it did make a great coffee coaster and help align things easier when it did.



But what really caught his attention was the three loose leaf binders that seem to be stack pretty full and curious to know what was in them. He pulled one out and flipping through its contents and almost drop in in surprised. What he found was certainly an eye opener for him and never guess Joey was into that kind of thing.



He definitely wasn't expecting to find printed articles about Tantric Sex and Kamasutra along with magazine clippings cut out from Cosmopolitan. Most of them were of different poses and saw there were notes jotted down at the edge of the paper in Joey's own hand.



Hmm never imagine you were the kinky type Joey? From what he could tell, Joey seem very limber and left no doubt she could probably pull a few of these off with very little trouble. Yet pushing those thoughts to the deepest corner of his mind while getting back to the present and went to help Joey in the kitchen and grabbing the utensils and other stuff. He set the plates and silverware while she brought two more cokes for them.



Joey had her hands planted on her hips and giving him that look, "Well you know what they say to assume but I can understand why you would think that. I really don't wish to point the finger at my own gender, but usually it's seeing the models that are post all over the place and girls think they are perfection right there yet don't see the obvious flaws hidden underneath it."



She shook her head as she admit what some people would do to get to look like those and using some rather drastic methods to get there. "It happens to most people, especially those in peer group where they would do just about anything to get thin or alter their appearance to get notice by the 'in' crowd. It harsh but I mean think of people like Joana Rivers and look what happen to her."



"I rather not honestly because that woman gives me the willies. I mean if you were to give her a green wig, put white make-up and paint her lips a bright red, she'd be the female version of the Joker. But I do agree that some people do stupid things and look what it gets them."



He didn't say it but he was also implying himself for his own situation and here he was stuck like this, hopefully just until they could get the reversion to work. She nodded as she reached to pop the tab and heard the loud fizz before pouring it into her glass and causing the ice to clink around.



"Yeah but what can you do? People do what they want and just try to live it out the way they want it to. I mean life is short and you never know how you'll spend it if you worry over the smallest thing and really, worrying about wrinkles or gray hair are the last thing on my mind. I'll just go with what I can and live my life to the fullest. Que sera sera."



Sebastian had to agree as that much was true and thinking that he wouldn't have to worry about those either while he was like this. "Yeah but in all things to consider, I think that you manage to do well for yourself, even when you had to deal with me. Out of all the researchers we had, you never back down and glad that you stuck around when you did."



She had been about to take a bite but stopped when she heard him and seeming surprised yet couldn't help feeling gracious to hear him say this. "Thanks and you know I'm glad I did, because once I got to know more about you, I guess I saw you weren't too bad once you laid off some of that attitude of yours. In all honesty, I don't care much about outside appearances, it's what really on the inside that counts and I think that for you I'll give you a seven out of ten."



Sebastian would have like to know what the three were but decided that it was fine and went to go enjoy his food. They sat there eating and sometime broke the silence by one of them saying something and hearing the other make comment on it.



They talk about other stuff beside work and finding out more about the other person with each new bit of information. It was kinda funny how it seem like they were having what could be considered a date right then when it really wasn't, in either of their minds though couldn't go about denying they both enjoy the others company and hadn't had this for a long while.



They polish off quite a bit and feeling the fuel now in their system, they decided to get right back to work and see where exactly they went wrong and hope to have the solution before they got back to the compound.

SO here we are the next chapter and hope you all enjoy it.  I had a good time writing this.
© 2016 - 2024 Kyukitsune
Comments0
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In