Static Reflections: Book 1 of The M... - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Richard had his eyes glued to the screen as he watched the two animals on it discuss the hospital they were in. They explained that the patients had all become paranoid recently and that they had all seen a little cat girl with a blank stare, walking around slowly. The hospital staff thought it might have been group psychosis, but the Mortal Guard was concerned that it was a real haunting.
This was part of his job as a member of the Truth Sect. After everything that had happened to him, the Mortal Guard let him switch to a new Sect where he would be able to still be productive, while also not being on the front lines. He was very thankful for it, as he wasn't sure he could handle the pressure, especially two years ago.
Now, he was watching a recording of the show in a dark room in his residence, holding a pen as he scribbled down notes of everything supernatural he saw. In the end, he would determine if it really was a haunting to be investigated and report it to Isaac.
He was a little more than halfway down the page when his phone rang and he answered it, placing it on the table and putting the device on speaker. "Yes?"
"Richie!" An old voice cooed.
"Iwai. What is it? I'm busy investigating a show right now," the raccoon said.
"You're always busy these days," Iwai chuckled on the other end. "Anyway, I want you to meet me tonight."
"Tonight? Well, I still need to determine if this is a haunting, especially because it was filmed a few days ago," Richard said.
"After, at the Neon Nightclub!" the old deer pressed. "It's important! And it's gonna help you. Have a drink with me."
"I don't drink," the raccoon sighed. Lately, he had been getting an itch that he wanted help, though. So he was quite curious. "But I will meet you. Just be there in an hour, our usual booth."
"Sweeeet!" The buck almost sounded like a child, which was strange considering he was over fifty. "See you soon! And Richie?"
"Yes?"
"Breathe," Iwai said, then hung up.
Richard lifted his head at that, the tip of the blue pen resting against the page. He took in a deep breath, then released it. He wondered what Iwai could possibly want to talk about that would help him? It almost excited him, or as close to the feeling of excitement as he could get.
On the other hand, his mind was fighting a battle with itself in choosing to go or stay home and continue to work. It was comfortable. Familiar. He was good at it. After all, he had been doing it for years now. Why add something new that could change everything?
Richard continued watching the show, writing down notes and determining that, indeed, this was a haunting. He reported it to Isaac so they could get creature hunters on that as soon as possible. Afterward, he stood up out of his chair and paced around.
Alright, Richard. You've been in the shadows long enough. Everything that's happened to you is far away. Not far enough, but when will it ever be? Whatever he has to offer, you need to take. Don't fight it like you always do. You can't be like this forever. It's unhealthy.
After swapping from his pajamas to his white button-up and gray pants, the raccoon left his home and walked down the balcony that ran along the Row 1 building. Once he got to the bottom floor, he found a moving walkway and rode it toward the direction of the Plaza, his destination. All the while, his apartment felt like a magnet threatening to rip him off the ground and pull him back in.
The sky was dark now, which meant that the Plaza was very bright with all of its lights and signs. Richard was practically a stranger to this place, even though he had been in Prostasia for years now. The times he did leave, it was to go where he was going now, despite it being illegal. Never leaving your home will do that, though.
The raccoon did have to admit he enjoyed all the colors of the lights as he passed by. He liked the community that was walking around, even if he wasn't a part of it. Of course, they knew who he was, thanks to what happened to him being a massive deal at the time. He was the head of the news, and it was embarrassing. It was a rule not to pay any mind to the tired-looking raccoon.
Hephaestus Bots were no issue for him, so he was able to use them efficiently. That didn't make it easier, though, as he seldom had to interact with anyone. He wondered if any of these animals were jealous that he and other "damaged" animals got food delivered to them, while normal, "undamaged" members had to walk here to do it. If only they truly understood.
Richard had to admit, though, that the way he responded to what happened didn't make it better for him at all. Holing up like that and hiding from the world, his heart told him he couldn't do anything else. He was stuck. Bound. And he just couldn't get over it.
The animal continued and walked up to a building with a red door with golden handles, pulling it open and letting the wave of Chinese food smell hit him. He walked in and looked at all the animals eating around him, talking and laughing. They were so lucky. He honestly felt nervous just standing there, watching them.
Richard ignored the greeting from the Hephaestus Bot and walked right into the kitchen, which was luckily behind a wall so the patrons of the establishment couldn't see him. The heat from the stoves and brightness from the lights bothered him, but he reached the large door at the back and pulled it open.
All at once, freezing cold hugged and squeezed him and he stepped inside, letting the door shut behind him. There were shelves of ingredients and boxes of frozen items and meats. The large, circular thermometer on the wall told him it was a satisfying zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Going up to a blank spot in the wall, Richard scanned it until he found a small, small, black object with a button on it. He reached up and pressed the button with a claw and a large, rectangular, blue portal extended on the wall in front of him. The raccoon entered it, the cold temperature flipping like a switch to a warm seventy-two degrees.
And then there was the color. It was an atmosphere drenched in red, as it always was inside this building. After all, Richard expected it when red neon lights extended along every wall, and there were no other colors. It didn't help that the walls were red and the material of the seats in the booth was also red. There was so much red.
Yet, a feeling of comfort filled every fiber of Richard's being, which always made this place lovely to come to. There was a rumor that the lights that lined the building produced a spell that calmed you down and put you at ease. The raccoon believed it completely, always enjoying his time there but wondering how he would feel if there was no possibly enchanted neon.
He walked along the hall and began passing booths, some empty, some with animals. Richard already knew where he was going since he and Iwai shared the same booth every time. Due to the latter being a Sect Leader, he was sure anyone would move if they occupied it anyway.
It was a booth in a corner that almost surrounded a round gray table, save for the entrance, so that animals could slide in and sit down. Now, the old deer Richard called his only friend was sitting there, drinking from a small glass with amber liquid and two perfect ice cubes that clinked around as he set the cup down.
Richard approached and sat down. "Greetings."
"Heyyy, you made it!" Iwai smiled widely, and Richard noticed that on the table to the side of his drink was a silver file folder. The raccoon immediately wanted to grab it and open it, spilling its juicy secrets into his mind. It was always like this with folders like that.
Richard sat back and nodded. "Yes, I did. If you have something that will help me, I suppose I'm eager to hear it."
"Real quick, are you thirsty? Hungry? You're so skinny!" Iwai pointed. "You gotta eat more!"
Richard looked down at himself and then leaned forward against the table so the buck couldn't see. "I'm fine, thank you. Will you just tell me what you need to talk to me about?"
Iwai grabbed the file to his left and wiggled it. "I want you to train the animal in this folder."
"Train?" Richard blinked.
Iwai leaned forward and handed him the folder. "Check it out."
The raccoon opened the folder, was satisfied at the action, and looked at the documents inside. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to the photo of a younger, golden-furred, spotted hyena with emerald eyes. He glanced at the information about him. "Nicholas Flynn . . . ."
"Yep! He toured with Regis a few days ago! Already in the Institute." Iwai beamed. "You know, he's different. Not only is he very determined to help his friend, Boris, but he's also like you."
"Like . . . me?" Richard asked. "Is he on the damaged list as well?"
"No. The other thing."
"You mean he's . . . ." Richard sat back. In all the time he'd been there, there had never been another animal like him in that way. "Which one?"
"It's listed in his notes," Iwai told him. His ear twitched. "We all can't believe it."
Richard looked down, and certainly enough, the one word he was looking for was in the data. "This is truly incredible, Iwai."
"I know!" the older animal practically squealed. "On a more you-related note, I want you to train him in Creature Hunting. You've already passed your courses, and you didn't even have to go to the Institute, other than to train."
"I'm glad that I was accommodated," Richard nodded. "And I do know a lot about the matter, but teaching another animal? I'm not so sure I'm right for the job . . . ."
Iwai raised his hand. "I know, I know. You haven't really talked to any other animals but me since you got back, but that's alright! You can take it slow with this one, clearly. Not just that, but it will be good for you."
Richard adjusted in his seat, looking at the info about Nicholas's past. "It seems like he was a rather average animal. He was in a band?"
"Yeah. They're called Water on Fire," Iwai explained.
"I've never been much into music," the raccoon said. "Does he follow instructions well?"
"So far, he hasn't fought against anything," Iwai said. "Regis said the determination he has to help his friend was pretty touching, though. But you know Regis. He's such a sap!"
"Certainly," Richard agreed. His eyes continued to scan the information, again and again, taking in everything about this animal. "Would I be training him in the Institute?"
"Definitely," Iwai said, knocking his knuckles against the table. "Almost no time will have passed here by the time you return."
Richard was still unsure as he closed the silver file and set it down. "I don't know if I can do this."
"Of course, you can!" Iwai barked. "You survived the worst of the worst, and you can survive this."
"It's not nearly the same . . . ." Richard muttered. "I feel like I can't handle the pressure of a student relying on me."
"You would only have to go on one real mission." The buck took another sip. "It can't be that bad. He's probably a very kind boy."
Richard shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I just don't have enough confidence in myself yet . . . ."
"Richard," Iwai tilted his head. "Come on."
"No," the raccoon shook his head. He slid the shiny folder over, and Iwai took it back slowly. "Find someone else."
His ears drooping down, Iwai sighed. "As you wish. I suppose I got too excited. I apologize, my friend."
Richard looked to the side at nothing in particular. He had turned down plenty of animals before. This was just another folder on a burning pile. "Maybe someday."
Later, after a lengthy conversation with Iwai, Richard returned home. He stripped down, making his way for the shower. His mind was all over the place as he went under the showerhead. He turned the cold water on.
It felt like a shock as it hit him, but the cold grew bearable after a few seconds. Focus, he told himself, as it went down his body.
Richard had been so eager when he was on his way to the Neon Nightclub. He honestly thought he was ready to take on a student and get himself out there again. And yet, the ropes never left him. He was still bound.
After sitting in the shower for far too long, the animal couldn't even look at himself in the mirror. He only put on underwear and slowly crawled into bed, flopping down and lying there, closing his eyes.
But the same mind that held him back kept him awake, tossing and turning and thinking about all of the possibilities that could have come from training this one animal. If he trained this one, maybe he could train more, and after training more, he could perhaps even get a partner. Then, he'd be on the front lines again and not just working on the side.
And Nick was like him. There weren't many animals in the world like that, and Richard had passed it entirely. Of course, he knew he would be working with him in the future due to their rare circumstances, but he had tossed him aside for now.
Richard's hands curled into fists, and he curled up under the covers, along with his tail. His body was so tense that he felt like his bones were going to pop out of his flesh. Why couldn't he just get over himself and do this thing? Why did he have iron weights around his ankles? Chains over his heart? Why had what happened taken his hope away?
Richard regretted saying no to Iwai and taking on the student. Of course, Iwai was efficient in landing on his feet and would have already had another Mentor ready for him by now.
It was too late.
The weight of not having done more, of not letting himself do more; he went to sleep with that weight crushing him. No nightmares came, but that feeling never left him.
An unknown amount of time passed, and Richard's phone started buzzing loudly on the nightstand. He opened his eyes slowly and reached out from the heavy covers over him, grabbing it and answering, bringing the phone to his ear. "Yes?"
"Richard!" Iwai practically shouted.
"I just woke up," the tired animal answered blankly.
"Sorry for waking you, but remember that animal I talked to you about? Nicholas Flynn?"
"Yes, that happened earlier," the raccoon answered. "What is it?"
"The kid's incredible! He passed his Last Test with a perfect score!"
"Really?" Richard sat up now.
"You know, training him won't be hard at all now . . . I urge you to reconsider your former answer." Iwai held a subtle pleading tone.
"I'll do it." That woke the raccoon up. Had the Gods heard his despair and answered, for once? Was this their way of telling him it was time to improve himself? Regardless, it was another chance, and he wasn't going to let it slip away again.
"Well, I'll be in the Institute. Get dressed and meet me there."
"Are you there right now?"
"You know I wouldn't be able to communicate with you from there," Iwai laughed. "See you soon! Just wear what you wore to the NNC."
"Will do," Richard said, hanging up the phone and setting it down. Looking at the time, not even an hour had passed since he tried to sleep. If Nicholas was already in the Institute by the time they talked at the club and had already done his Last Test, why had Iwai not found another Mentor already? Either way, he was happy with the outcome.
Richard walked into the bathroom, where he had folded his clothes on the toilet. Unfolding the garments, he slipped them on and made sure he looked as nice as he could. Seeing the movement of himself in the reflection, he turned his head and realized it and knew he was skinnier than the last time he had looked. Sure, he had his belly still, but his muscles were a bit smaller.
He brought his hands against the sink counter and stared at his tired eyes in the mirror. Alright, Richard. It's time. You can do this. It's just another job to be done. You already know you enjoy working. Remain diligent. Remain diligent.
The entire walk to the Institute was nothing compared to the walk to the Neon Nightclub. Richard's anxiety was sky high, and his hands were rubbing together. All the animals that passed him didn't matter, and neither did the signs. He blocked out the rest of the world and traveled to the Station, where the now-intimidating portal to the Institute waited to swallow him whole.
Inside, it was midday, and a female otter stopped him at the entrance. "Richard? What are you doing here?"
"Iwai sent for me. He said he'd be here," Richard said, rubbing his forehead anxiously.
"Are you alright?"
"I just feel a little queasy, is all," the raccoon responded. "I'm training an animal starting today."
Not knowing the whole story, but knowing how hard that would be, the otter simply nodded based on the info said to her in the past. "Good luck. He's down the hall to the right, third door on the right."
"Thank you," Richard said, strolling past and making his way down the carpeted hall, stopping right at the door, unable to hear any of the voices inside but knowing that his future was sitting in there.
He began pacing back and forward in front of the door. I could just forget this. I could just leave and go back home to my work. If I go in there, I'll be responsible for that animal. But I already told Iwai, and he's waiting there as well.
Another thought came to him. You ran once before. You've been running from everything. You told him no once and regretted it, so you clearly want this. So just do it. Run toward it. It's a job.
He reached his hand forward and turned the chrome handle, pushing open the door that seemed way heavier than it was and hearing the voice of Iwai shout, "Speaking of finding out!"
Richard poked his head in, looking at the old deer sitting behind a desk, smiling from ear to ear. "Pardon?"
"Come in, come in," Iwai beckoned with his entire hand. "Shut the door behind ya."
Richard's anxiety continued to rise as he stepped in and closed the door behind him, then turned and set his eyes on the younger animal in the chair closest to the door, staring at him.
Nicholas was very similar to his photo. He had the golden fur and the piercing emerald eyes which seemed to dig into Richard's Soul with invisible claws. He felt like his Soul was screaming out for help and wanted to exit his body.
The mane on his head was the average length, but he couldn't see how far it went down from this angle. The fur on his muzzle was dark and covered the entire thing. His round ears had the same black fur color on the outside, but the fur was gray on the inside. While he couldn't see any other dots on his body, Richard noted the few that sprinkled his cheeks.
He was wearing the typical pajamas provided at the Institute, the shirt and pants both being blue and always looking as soft and as comfortable as ever. Even before the hyena spoke, the raccoon could somehow tell that this animal was different from others. Even different than the friendly deer who was sharing the room with them.
The sound of Iwai clapping his hands together surprised Richard and Nicholas and they both raised their heads to look at him. "Richard! Glad you could make it!"
Richard nodded. "Yes, well, I have a job to do," he stated, which was true. This was a job. And yet, it came out sounding a little nervous.
"You can sit down," Iwai gestured. Richard looked between the two animals and then pulled the chair back, placing himself in it and anxiously keeping his hands on his knees. He tried to keep as straight of a face as possible. The stag moved his hand between them. "Nicholas Flynn, meet Richard Seife, your Mentor. Richard, meet Nick, your student."
Richard turned and looked at the somewhat nerve-wracking animal in front of him, who he hoped wouldn't be too much trouble. Attempting to get over himself, he extended his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Nicholas."
"You, too." The hyena gave him a rather kind smile and grabbed his hand, the warmth from another animal touching him almost making Richard pull his hand back quickly, but he let the hyena shake it. There was no turning back now that Nick sealed their physical contract.
What had Richard gotten himself into?