The Underground

Chapter Three

I got my HoloID back after he got his answers. It wasn't scratched or anything, no harm done, I guess. Even if it had been damaged, I've got insurance on it, but they're expensive. They're great little things, with just a name and a barcode. Slide it through a reader and your picture pops up, along with all your information. And I mean all - credit reports, school marks, garbage man. Very nice. And it's impossible to make a fake one. Fantastic little bugger. Oh, and if you don't have one, they arrest you for being an illegal alien. The government has gotten so paranoid that it's funny.

He's watching me eat now, carefully. Said I was too skinny and ordered for me. Like I could eat a double cheeseburger. Then again . . . I haven't eaten for a while. Two, no, three days. Hmm. And bacon. I've always liked bacon.

"Hey, enough with the inner monologue."

He's looking at me again with that irritated expression. I think my silence bothers him. I suppose I could try to talk, seeing as he's been so congenial so far.

"Sorry."

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"Sorry."

He gives me that "I can't help it, it's not in my nature" look and I can't help but forgive the poor little bastard. It's just such a damn cute look.

I'm making him eat that burger. He's too skinny, damn it.

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I'm getting full. I can't eat anymore or I'll get sick. Suddenly all I want is to go back to sleep. I don't like being in this tired, greasy diner. I don't like that waitress staring at me or the flies buzzing around the counter. I would really like to curl up in a warm place and sleep. Just . . . sleep.

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"Where are you living?" I'm digging, I know, but I can't let this kid go back on the streets to whore himself anymore.

He looks tired. I think eating so much made him sleepy. "Heights."
As in The Heights? As in the trashiest apartment building in town? And he's still reduced to prostitution? It's just wrong.

"Come stay with me."

Whoa, that didn't just come out of my mouth. Didn't. I never said that.
"What?" He blinks at me again, then shakes his head. "I can't do that."
"You can and you will."

I can't believe I said that. Damn it, I didn't mean to say that. Ah, well.

"You're tired, anyway. The U is closer, you can sleep in the guest room again until we get this figured out."

He nods slowly. Hah, I've won. . . this time.

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Since he's sleeping, I think I'll take it into my own hands to get him a place to stay. Namely, with me.

Wait, I never decided that he could stay.

Fine. Whatever.

I drive down to The Heights and talk to the manager. She gives me his room number and I soon find myself in a tiny apartment containing a bed, and empty refrigerator, and a few sets of clothing. I gather the clothing, his toothbrush, a small photograph of a boy and a woman, and a few odds and ends and crate it back to The Underground. S' not as if he wasn't going to lose his apartment anyway.

^_^ R n' R please!