KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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We weave in and out of trees and broad countryside on the way back to Caden's. I was grateful he decided to buy property out in the country like he had in Montana.

I move my hand back onto the handlebar when we near Caden's property. I gear down as we get to the driveway and I turn.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I froze when Nic kissed my cheek, having been not expecting it. My body relaxes and I smile when he thanks me.

”It's like I told you dad. That loss never goes away, but the pain of it gets easier to bear. It'll get better,” I assure Nic.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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It's definitely not the speed I am used to going but Kimiko isn't trying to squeeze the life from me, so I think she is actually enjoying it. I take one of my hands off the handle bar and rest it on my thigh while I drive leisurely.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I'm surprised by how quickly Nic recaptures my hand. I rest my head against the headrest to watch him, a comfortable warmth settling in the centre of my body from his touch.

I shift my focus to our hands joined in my lap, and I trace his fingers with my free hand subconsciously. I can't help but feel somewhat responsible for Nic's mother's death but we weren't called in until after his parents disappeared.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods —> Driving – Chicago, IL
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Somehow, Kimiko knowing the golden boy doesn't surprise me. I just pat her hand once she's on before driving off. I get up to a moderate speed, and wait to make sure Kimiko is doing okay with that.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I reach over and give Nick's leg another squeeze when he answers me before I pull my hand back. ”I understand. I'll make sure not to be too long,” I tell him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and put on my helmet. ”Alright, let's go spidermonkey,” I say and start the bike up. I rev it up a few times while I wait for Kimiko to get settled.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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”Hmm, let's go to the police station first. I'm sure Costa will need time to work out some story to make it okay that we broke into this man's safe.” The red tape of police work was exhausting.

I look at Nic as we drive away and I laugh. ”I'm okay. We can stop on our way back from the temple,” I declare. I reach over and squeeze Nic's leg before he can do it to me. ”If you don't want to come into the station with me, I understand.” I remembered he was unhappy with the whole force, especially now that he knew there was a police force working supernatural cases.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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”No, they are much more straightforward than that. Tap my shoulder if you need to get my attention, thumbs up good, thumbs down bad and that means I'll stop. If you want me to go faster you can use your pointer finger to point up, or if you want me to go slower point down. If I squeeze your hand or leg, it's because I'm asking if you're okay, and then you can respond with one of those. Make sense?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I smile and take Nic's hand as we hurry back to the car to leave. We checked in on Mrs Scott before leaving and she was fast asleep. I hoped she would be okay, and that Mr Scott would find the precious gems missing before we had a chance to get to the police station.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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”Do you want me to teach you hand signals to use on the way back?” I ask as I get on the bike.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mr Scott’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”No. I'll document it, so Mr. Scott gets charged, but I already know where this stone needs to go and how to restore it. Are you up for another long drive?” I asked Nic. I could always do it myself on a different day but I really wanted to do this as soon as possible.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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”It’s not nearly as much fun, but I can make it work,” I state.

I make my way back to the bike, feeling better even though I didn't tell into the void as much as I thought I would have to. I didn't mind talking to Kimiko when it wasn't all about me all the time. Even if she did find me interesting.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mr Scott’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I release the mag from the gun and empty the chamber just in case before putting those in my bag as well. ”We can swing by the police station, and I can drop everything off with Costa. There might be reports of missing gems from other places. If he finds them, then we could properly restore them, but I'd feel better if he had them rather than me walking around with all of these,” I explain to Nic. I close the safe and lock it before standing. ”We should get going.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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”Well, keep your eyes open,” I say and make my way to my feet. ”Do you want me to go slower?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mr Scott’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I write the numbers down on a little scrap piece of paper, but I don’t try the combinations yet. I’m not sure if the safe has a limit on how many combinations you can try, so I want to be careful with it.

I keep searching through papers and glancing around the room. That’s when I see something that looks like a trophy. I walk over, pick up the glass, and examine what it says. Apparently, Mr Scott won some lifetime achievement award. I bring the trophy with me to the safe and type in the month and day. The safe opens, and I grin. I set the trophy aside and opened the little door to see several gems inside.

”Someone has been busy,” I note. There are gems, notes, money, and even a gun in the safe. I pull out the yellow sapphire and cradle it in my hands. ”Hello little one,” I crooned. I slip the gem into a small bag before tucking it away. I look at the other items in the safe before I pull them out and pocket them the same. These don’t belong to him, and Mr Scott definitely doesn’t need a gun.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I shiver from the way Nero kisses me. My hand slides up their back to cup the back of their head while my lips parted. My tongue slips out to taste Nero’s lips.

As we kiss, I think about how incredibly lucky I am to have found Nero and have found someone to finally call my mate. We still need to go through the process, and I need to talk to them about the traditional ceremony, but for now, I keep kissing Nero, completely thrilled that they’ve chosen me.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I look around the space we are in and nod. ”It is. There are a whole series of trails and hikes throughout this park. The roads are amazing to ride on, too. If you’re up for it, we could take the long way back to Caden’s on the bike,” I offer.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mr Scott’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Hmm, I doubt it would have anything to do with her. Something he’s accomplished on his own. Maybe when he graduated school, or if he’s won some sort of award,” I said.

I walk away from the safe and join Nic in looking through papers and blueprints of different projects the man has worked on.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle and nod. ”Okay. Deal,” I say and pull Nero in for another kiss. I leave my hand on their leg while the other slides up Nero’s back, pulling them closer to me. Mate, my mind repeats over and over again.

My dragon growls their assent, and the noise filters through my lips from somewhere deep in my belly. I nip Nero’s bottom lip and kiss them with a deeper hunger than I ever have before.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I think I might have, I think to myself, but I don’t voice that. Instead, I just chuckle and nod. ”Maybe I’ll be so lucky,” I say. I sigh and lean forward. ”Do you want me to take you back now?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mr Scott’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Not as good as doors or windows. When you were not looking in Mr Scott, were there any important dates or number combinations you came across that you might remember?” I go over to the safe while Nic examines the room.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I look into Nero’s eyes, searching them to make sure Nero is genuine. I break into a grin and pull Nero in, kissing them desperately. ”I am so in love with you,” I whisper onto their lips. ”I don’t deserve you.”