Read Online 29:16:04:59 by Joshua Johnson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Joshua Johnson
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and if the wrong people heard me talk in such a way, then my Will identity might be a bust. But I needed to know why we turn at twenty-six and cross over the barrier.
“Hmmmm?” Glasses questioned. He ducked below a beam from an overturned utilities truck that had caught fire on the expressway. The charred remains were only a broken shell. The ruined traffic started to lighten as we drew closer to the city. All the vehicles were pointing away from Downtown, as if driving away from whatever doom lingered in the veins of this metropolis.
Glasses looked back again, and I saw my reflection bounce off those lenses. I shook my head refraining from continuing the conversation.
We had come upon the off-ramp, where the highway flowed towards the main level of the city. There was little rubble to impede our progress towards the town, but those black clouds rumbled ever closer.
“Well, I suppose we should get to it then?” Glasses whispered. “Let’s get you to that tower, and see what you came all this way for. But first…” Glasses pointed at the two up ahead, his watchers, or more likely his lookouts. “We got a tail to lose.”
“What are you suggesting?” I inquired.
“Look, I trust them more than I trust myself, but your name is a little synonymous with a bit of filth.” I gave him a look that suggested to turn it around. “Hey, not me, no sir, I don’t believe the rumors. I remember what you did for us, and not what people say you did to us. Look, Jackson, it’s damn good to see you, and honestly I couldn’t be happier to have you back. If anyone can turn around what’s happening down here it’s you. That doesn’t change the fact that people would be out for your blood if they knew you were still alive, though. Hell, they held a public funeral for you when they assumed you had gone the way of the turning . It was a mighty party too, believe you me.” Glasses chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. He failed miserably.
“Turn, it around,” I said, gritting my teeth. I didn’t need to know if my funeral was a good time or not.
“Okay. Sorry, didn’t mean, uhh. Damn, I’m bad with words. Forget it, forget I said anything.” Glasses attempted a weak smirk, but it was forced.
“Done.” I sighed. I shouldn’t be so hard on him. He did just save my ass back on the bridge. “So what’s the plan then?”
“I’m going to keep you out of trouble. That means keeping you out of sight, out of sight out of mind. Weird saying, but it fits, don’t it?” He glanced at me, but must have seen my irritation building. “Okay, on my mark, follow me. Just keep it quick and silent.”
“Now!” Glasses hissed.
Before I knew it I was being pulled to the left. My eyes stayed on the watchers in front. They didn’t seem to notice our sudden departure, or at least, until we were out of sight. We entered some narrow back alley. It ran through this block and traveled onto the next. The shadows from the buildings above covered the alley, sheltering our progress as we rushed through the tight corridor.
These structures were made of brick, deep brown in color and in surprisingly good condition. The weather must not have taken too much toll on them, since they were nestled so close together.
“I know what you’re thinking and don’t you worry. No one lives back this way. We’ll just keep to the shadows, and move you as close as possible to what you’re down here for,” Glasses said as he glided through the back alleys at a decent clip, knowing exactly where to go.
I tried to keep up, but he was in much better shape and quicker on his feet. I couldn’t help but wish I knew him when I’d spent my time down here.
“Hmmmm?” Glasses questioned. He ducked below a beam from an overturned utilities truck that had caught fire on the expressway. The charred remains were only a broken shell. The ruined traffic started to lighten as we drew closer to the city. All the vehicles were pointing away from Downtown, as if driving away from whatever doom lingered in the veins of this metropolis.
Glasses looked back again, and I saw my reflection bounce off those lenses. I shook my head refraining from continuing the conversation.
We had come upon the off-ramp, where the highway flowed towards the main level of the city. There was little rubble to impede our progress towards the town, but those black clouds rumbled ever closer.
“Well, I suppose we should get to it then?” Glasses whispered. “Let’s get you to that tower, and see what you came all this way for. But first…” Glasses pointed at the two up ahead, his watchers, or more likely his lookouts. “We got a tail to lose.”
“What are you suggesting?” I inquired.
“Look, I trust them more than I trust myself, but your name is a little synonymous with a bit of filth.” I gave him a look that suggested to turn it around. “Hey, not me, no sir, I don’t believe the rumors. I remember what you did for us, and not what people say you did to us. Look, Jackson, it’s damn good to see you, and honestly I couldn’t be happier to have you back. If anyone can turn around what’s happening down here it’s you. That doesn’t change the fact that people would be out for your blood if they knew you were still alive, though. Hell, they held a public funeral for you when they assumed you had gone the way of the turning . It was a mighty party too, believe you me.” Glasses chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. He failed miserably.
“Turn, it around,” I said, gritting my teeth. I didn’t need to know if my funeral was a good time or not.
“Okay. Sorry, didn’t mean, uhh. Damn, I’m bad with words. Forget it, forget I said anything.” Glasses attempted a weak smirk, but it was forced.
“Done.” I sighed. I shouldn’t be so hard on him. He did just save my ass back on the bridge. “So what’s the plan then?”
“I’m going to keep you out of trouble. That means keeping you out of sight, out of sight out of mind. Weird saying, but it fits, don’t it?” He glanced at me, but must have seen my irritation building. “Okay, on my mark, follow me. Just keep it quick and silent.”
“Now!” Glasses hissed.
Before I knew it I was being pulled to the left. My eyes stayed on the watchers in front. They didn’t seem to notice our sudden departure, or at least, until we were out of sight. We entered some narrow back alley. It ran through this block and traveled onto the next. The shadows from the buildings above covered the alley, sheltering our progress as we rushed through the tight corridor.
These structures were made of brick, deep brown in color and in surprisingly good condition. The weather must not have taken too much toll on them, since they were nestled so close together.
“I know what you’re thinking and don’t you worry. No one lives back this way. We’ll just keep to the shadows, and move you as close as possible to what you’re down here for,” Glasses said as he glided through the back alleys at a decent clip, knowing exactly where to go.
I tried to keep up, but he was in much better shape and quicker on his feet. I couldn’t help but wish I knew him when I’d spent my time down here.
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