CHAPTER 36

  "I'm not like them, but I can pretend

  The sun is gone, but I have a light

  The day is done, but I'm having fun

  I think I'm dumb

  Or maybe just happy

  Think I'm just happy..."

  -Nirvana

  ...

  17 MONTHS LATER...

  "I brought you some things."

  Robbie cocked an eyebrow and looked at the backpack his father held.

  "A power source?"

  "Well, Skeever wouldn't authorize a disk yet. He says you need more experience, and frankly, I'm inclined to agree. Hes letting me give you my old one."

  "Aw C'mon dad."

  "This thing served me well for several hundred years. You'll be fine."

  Carl pulled the slim rectangular power source out of the bag and set it on the table.

  "I also went down to New Orleans and talked to my buddy Slim, and got you this."

  He pulled a black bodysuit out of the backpack and shook it out.

  "He specializes in these microfiber Kevlar bodysuits. I want you wearing this when you go out. It stops rounds up to .45 caliber."

  "So does the armor."

  "I know son, but please, for me. Trust me, its flexible and it breathes. You'll get used to it. Just for the first year at least ok?"

  Robbie took the bodysuit and held it up.

  "Ok."

  "The last thing, is this .45. You should always have a sidearm in case you overheat."

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  He set a .45 on the table with a stainless steel slide with Russian writing on it.

  "I already have a sidearm. I bought a 4th gen Glock 19 as soon as I turned twenty-one."

  "I see...thats what? 9mm?"

  "Yeah."

  "Hmmm."

  "What do you mean "hmmm"?"

  "Nothing. I'm sure thats fine."

  "Yeah, I know, Its not "the lord's caliber" but it holds more and is lightweight and very dependable. 26 was with me when I got it."

  Prime looked over at 26, who was watching TV on the couch.

  "What? It fits his hand and has less recoil. It's a good fit for him."

  Carl turned back to his son.

  "Ok...whatever. listen, I'm really proud of you. If 26 isn't available and you need help, you remember the directions I gave you to get to my universe?"

  "Yeah, I've got them written down."

  "Good. This week went by way too fast. As soon as I get some more vacation time accrued, I'll be back."

  He pulled his son onto a hug.

  "Please be careful out there. Don't be afraid to ask for help."

  "Dad...I know what I'm doing."

  Carl looked Robbie in the eyes.

  "Yeah, I know."

  Penny and Chloe were laughing about something in the kitchen when Carl walked in.

  "You ready?"

  Penny nodded.

  Carl hugged Chloe and kissed her cheek.

  "Make sure he wears the Kevlar...Please."

  "I will. I'm just as worried about him out there as you are."

  "He'll do fine. He's a lot like I was at that age. Impulsive, too sure of himself...that got me into trouble, and I'm just afraid..."

  "I know."

  "Alright. Well, we'll get out of your hair."

  He leaned out of the kitchen.

  "26! I'm taking the car. I'll fill it up."

  "Yeah man, keys are on the hook."

  "Thanks!"

  The sun was slowly setting as Carl and Penny sped down the road to his "spot".

  Nirvana's "Unplugged in New York" played on the cd player. The windows were down, and Penny's hair whipped in the wind. Carl slowed and pulled down the dirt road where he used to bring girls in high school. He pulled the car up on the ridge overlooking the old pond. The crickets were already chirping as the sky darkened. Carl got out and circled the vehicle, opening the door and taking Penny's hand as she stepped out.

  "Oh, a gentleman."

  Carl smiled.

  "I brought you here for a reason."

  "Are you going to propose? It feels like your about to propose."

  Carls mouth worked as he tried to find the words.

  "Oh shit...you are, and I just ruined it. I'm sorry, go ahead."

  Carl laughed and wrapped his arms around her.

  "You didnt ruin anything. Youre right though. Its a three part proposal."

  "Three part?"

  "Hear me out. First of all..."

  Carl fished a ring box out of his pocket and knelt in front of her.

  "I am deeply, madly in love with you. I want to spend the rest of my days with you. Will you marry me Penny Hill?"

  "Of course I will."

  Carl slid the ring on her finger.

  "I noticed you never wear gold, so I got it in white gold."

  "Its beautiful Carl."

  "The second part of the proposal...I found a little single level house two blocks from the D7 facility. The guys holding it until I get back to him. If you want, I can put a deposit down on it."

  "Oh! Oh wow...yeah! I mean yes. I would like that."

  "Wonderful! Its got a two car garage, and the last people who lived there just remodeled the kitchen. I think you'll like it...I hope you do anyways."

  "I'm sure I will."

  "Ok. The third part of the proposal is...a little different. You know I've had an unusually long life. The nanobots in my blood repair my cells constantly. I want to have Nano remove them."

  "What? Why?"

  "I've watched so many of the people I love die. I can't bear to do that with you. I want to grow old with you."

  "You'd be giving up immortality...I can't ask you to do that."

  "You dont have to, I want to."

  "Oh Carl."

  She hugged him, snuggling her head against his chest.

  "When would you do it?"

  "As soon as we get back. I've already talked to Nano about it. He hates it, but he understands."

  "You're sure? Thats a really big decision."

  "I've never been so sure of anything else in my life."

  They sat in the car, the moon, a crescent above them, lit the dashboard in a pale silver.

  "Usually, on a night like this, I'd roll something and smoke, but I know you dont like it."

  "Where'd you get that idea? I dont mind."

  "Really...I thought...oh."

  Carl snickered to himself.

  "What?"

  "Coma dream you didnt like it. Sorry, it still feels real sometime."

  "Huh. What else did "coma dream me" not like?"

  "Hmmm...when I'd forget to take the trash."

  Penny chuckled.

  "Well you got that one right."

  Carl pointed at the glove box.

  "Toss me the altoids box in there would ya?"

  Penny reached in and found the little tin box.

  "Whats an altoid? Candy?"

  "Breath mints. I keep my weed in it though."

  He started breaking some up on the lid.

  Penny flicked on the stereo, Kurt Cobain was crooning about the man who sold the world.

  Carl looked over at her as he licked the edge of the rolling papers.

  She was so beautiful in the moonlight, it made her blue eyes look like they were glowing.

  He felt lighter than air when he was with her. He flicked the lighter and inhaled, then passed it to her.

  All these years...he had finally found what he was looking for.

  He had finally found peace.

  THE END.