Soul Thief

by Candice Lim

  Danny’s widened eyes darted between his mom and I as if I cussed in front of her. She looked as horrified as if I told her about my real job. “What a waste of youth and looks, Kira. You’ll regret that in the future. What are you going to do with your life? Waiting tables until you’re 30?”

  I shrugged. She tugged Danny by the arm. “See you later, Kira.” Danny looked at me sheepishly. His cheeks slightly blushed.

  I waved Danny goodbye and followed their retreating backs until they disappeared through the automated glass door.

  I wanted to hate her. The memories of the conversation between Danny and her that I overheard the other day flashed into my mind. If I hated her for her dismissive remarks, it made me wonder how Danny survived being forced into doing something he didn’t like just to please his mom. All my confidence would’ve been shattered if what I told them was true.

  It made me realize how strong Danny was.

  I shook my head and made out of the hospital. The scorching heat of the afternoon sun made my head hammer. I’d better go home and get some rest before I collapsed. My short but deep sleep was interrupted. Rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I groped under my bed for my buzzing phone and squinted at the glowing screen. I was expecting Wu Zhang.

  It was half-past three and he would be expecting me to submit the Mind Files soon. Instead, the pop-up message read ‘Professor Seong Hanael’.

  It took me a full minute to realize that the familiar name that I hadn’t seen for a long time was my final year project supervisor. It felt like I’d graduated a decade ago and I didn’t even remember having his number saved on my phone.

  Getting up, I opened his message.

  Hi Kira. Please call me back as soon as possible at your convenience. Thanks. Prof. Seong.

  Cracking my joints, I walked towards the lounge room and opened the curtains. I glanced out the window at the city skyline, picking up my memories before the nap and called Prof. Seong.

  “Hey, Kira!” shouted the familiar voice. I jumped a foot in the air and almost tossed the phone away.

  Professor Seong Hanael was the cheeriest, most positive lecturer in Academia Centerport. It was amazing how his happiness hadn’t taken any tolls from thirty years of tenure in academia. Getting him as my thesis supervisor was the best thing that ever happened to me.

  “Um, hey, I mean, good day, Professor Seong. I received–” I muttered.

  “Yes! Your manuscript has been accepted by Intelligencia, the most prestigious scientific journal in Asianova!”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to digest his every word. Being away from academia made me lose connection with some of the terms. “Wait, what?”

  My stomach reeled in me. “Oh my god…” I muttered to myself.

  “I know right! That will open so many doors of opportunities for you in the future!” squealed Prof Seong. He sounded animated though I was sure that wasn’t his first paper being accepted by Intelligencia. “Didn’t you mention that you got an internship at Zhang Robotics?”

  “Yeah…” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I was still interning there.

  “That’s great. I remembered you told me that you were interested in pursuing your postgrad. I got to know there’s a vacancy at the Asianova National University of Science. With your results, I’m positive you could get a full scholarship as well. If you wished to apply for that, I could write you a recommendation letter. Prof. Salvia, the main PI is a close friend of mine, so don’t worry about it.”

  I nearly fell over in elation. I’d never felt so alive since Cypher was gone…wait a minute. What about Cypher? I couldn’t give up Cypher after everything.

  “Uh…”

  “What’s wrong, Kira? Did you change your mind? Did Zhang Robotics offer you a promising position?”

  “Um…” I squeezed my throbbing temples. “Look, Prof. Seong, I’m really excited and grateful for this opportunity. But…I’m not in the right position to apply for a postgrad right now.”

  “I understand, Kira. Not many could afford an education nowadays, what’s more, a postgrad.” His voice suddenly sounded grim and serious. “Kira, you’re a talented and intelligent young woman. I’d hate to see someone else fill that position. The deadline is next Monday.”

  My heart shriveled. I could never make it next Monday. I still had two hundred Mind Files to go.

  “But I’m requesting for a special extension from Prof. Salvia. I’ll give you two weeks from now to give me an answer. Give me a call if you decide to take this opportunity.”

  I nodded. “Thanks, Prof. Seong.”

  “No problem. Have a great evening.”

  My mind was in delirium when I put down the phone. My paper finally got accepted. After one whole freaking year! I remembered saying to Cypher that if that paper ever got published, we would go out and splurge ourselves at the dim sum restaurant in Red Lanterns District.

  I had two weeks to give Prof. Seong an answer whether or not I was accepting the postgrad project. I wasn’t even sure if I remembered anything I learned from my degree. So many things happened since. I wasn’t sure if I got time for revision before the new project would start.

  What should I do now?

  “Okay, Kira. Don’t get crazy. We’ll make this happen!” I told myself. “One step at a time, Kira. We’ll survive this. We’ll survive this. I just need to work harder. It’ll be alright.”

  I glanced at the backpack that I left on the floor since I got home.

  “Okay, right now, we need to quickly get those damn Mind Files to get Cypher back. Then, I’ll tell Prof. Seong I’m up for the project.”

  I nodded to myself and dragged my feet to the bathroom. I needed to refresh myself before going to meet Wu Zhang. The last thing I wanted was for him to think that I was so free to take a nap and increase my workload.

  13

  “Hi, Kira!” I snapped back to reality when this familiar voice called my name the moment I set foot in Rain Bar. My eyes flew open when I saw Lucia. She stood at her usual spot, which became my usual spot when she was gone.

  I shook, my head jerked back. I thought she’d be coming back next week. “Why–”

  Lucia shrugged as she wiped the glass. “I feel better now. Plus, I’ve got bills to pay. Thanks for covering my back. I’ve already told Synthea about it and she’s happy to have another helper.”

  “No problem.” The memories in the hospital flashed back into my head. I tried to avoid her eyes as I went around to the bar and got myself ready for the shift. There weren’t any reasons for me to worry about it. Lucia didn’t know it. I’d more important things to worry about.

  “You okay?”

  I shook my head. Lucia was my only best friend. I should be able to tell her about the shit going on in my head. Then, I remembered she didn’t even tell me shit about Danny.

  “How are you?”

  Lucia shrugged. “Still holding up. I tried to save up for New Life Insurance. But then, every cent I saved up went to his medical fees. I was torn between paying for the medical or the insurance.” Her voice quivered.

  I nodded subconsciously as I picked up the glass and started wiping them with Lucia.

  “Every second I was worried about his health. I sort of expected this day. I hate to say it was a weight off my chest when it was all finally over.”

  I wasn’t listening to half of what she said as my mind went to the project. During the transit to Wu Zhang’s lab and Rain Bar, I watched the virtual tour of the institution and checked out the project. The regal building sprawled across the manicured green lawn, bronze statues accented the campus ground.

  I would so hate myself right now if I didn’t get the project.

  The night went quietly. Usually, Lucia would be the one coming up with topics. Tonight, even she didn’t talk much. I wasn’t in the mood to strike up one either.

  I couldn’t wait until this was all over so I could go home and get more slee
p. Or maybe go out and get more Mind Files. I needed one hundred and forty-seven Mind Files. Why did it seem like I would take forever to collect them all?

  Uneasiness pricked all over my skin. I didn’t notice I was bouncing my leg until Lucia asked, “You okay?”

  I nodded and tried not to think about what I needed to do. I’d come so far. I wasn’t going to give it all up now.

  “You could tell me anything if you want me to. I’m all ears,” said Lucia. She tried to sound like her usual happy self but something was missing. I was almost tempted to spill everything but then I remembered she didn’t tell me about Danny or that she’d a boyfriend.

  I tested the water. “When you weren’t around, this guy called Danny came here often. He asked about you.”

  “Danny?” Lucia rolled her eyes. “Yeah, he’s asked me out before but I told him I’d a boyfriend.” She shrugged. “I did have a boyfriend.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her.

  “What?”

  “You did have a boyfriend?”

  “Yeah, we broke up last week. It happens a lot,” Lucia said casually.

  “You never told me about it.” I sounded sulkier than I meant.

  “I didn’t think you were interested to know. You don’t ask me about my relationships. You don’t tell me about you.”

  “Fair enough.” Coming to think of it, I didn’t tell Lucia about many things. What my real internship was all about. What happened to Cypher. I was sworn to secrecy. Even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be bothered to tell anyone about it. The more people knew, the stickier the situation would be. I only wanted to get the job done ASAP and get Cypher back. I wanted nothing to do with Wu Zhang after.

  “So…are you going to tell me what’s on your mind now?” asked Lucia.

  I took a deep breath and looked at Lucia who lasered me. “I got an offer to get my postgrad at Asianova National University of Science.”

  Lucia’s eyes doubled in size. “Oh my fucking god!” She squealed so loudly that the entire Rain Bar might have heard her. She mouthed her apologies to the patrons and grabbed my wrists.

  Her eyes lit up with excitement. “That’s so cool, Kira. I’m so happy for you!” Her face fell. “Wait, the Asianova National University of Science is at Corn City, right? That means I won’t be seeing you anymore?”

  I didn’t think about that before. Now it added to my worries. “I guess. But there’s another problem.”

  “What?”

  “I’m still interning with Zhang Robotics. I…I must complete a project for them before they could let me go. I don’t think I’ll make it before the deadline.”

  “Can’t you negotiate with your manager?”

  I fought not to roll my eyes. Wu Zhang was the last person on Earth that you’d want to negotiate with. “He…he’s a douche.” I glanced around to make sure that no other Helper Bots around. I didn’t think I saw any after Tobias.

  Lucia nodded in understanding. “What about the professor at the Asianova National University of Science? Can you ask him to extend the deadline?”

  “The deadline was supposed to be next Monday. My thesis supervisor who recommended me has already helped me extend for two weeks.”

  Lucia’s shoulders slumped. “It’s such a great opportunity, Kira. You’re a clever girl. It’d be such a waste if you missed this one. What are you going to do for the rest of your life?” She screwed her face as she glanced around. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Work here?”

  I couldn’t think of a life grimmer than working at the same place and living in the same city for the rest of my life. On second thought, I should be grateful if I could be employed for the rest of my life.

  “What would you do if you were in my shoes?” I asked.

  Lucia didn’t answer immediately. She shrugged. “If I were you, I would tell your boss to eff off and go chase what I want. After all, he didn’t pay you. You still got the experience of working at Zhang Robotics. It wasn’t like he was going to steal all your experiences back!”

  She shrugged. “I guess that’s me. Life is too short to be playing safe. I’d rather try everything I want to than wonder what if.”

  I nodded subconsciously. Lucia was right. I would do the same too if Cypher’s life wasn’t at Wu Zhang’s mercy. I couldn’t tell Lucia about it without having to explain everything from scratch. I’d rather spare the trouble.

  “Hey, Kira!” Danny’s voice snapped into my trance. I looked up when he turned to Lucia. “Lucia! You’re back.”

  “Yeap,” said Lucia in her most monotonous voice.

  “Hey,” I replied.

  Danny was still talking with Lucia. “You didn’t tell me about your hot friend.” He gestured at me and my face blushed. I took a deep breath and shook my thoughts away. I didn’t have time for this right now.

  Lucia must have caught the uneasy look on my face. “Don’t mess with Kira tonight. She has a big decision to make.”

  Danny glanced between Lucia and I, expecting either of us to elaborate.

  My stomach plummeted when I suddenly recalled that I told Danny I was a dropout. Lucia was about to say something when I stomped on her foot.

  “Ouch!” Lucia cried out.

  “It’s nothing.” I shook my head when she glanced at me. Her face relaxed in understanding. Danny looked hurt when he nodded in resignation. I poured him a Space Sling. It didn’t make him look any better.

  Relief washed over me as Danny turned to drill Lucia instead, “Where have you been?” He gestured at me. “Kira doesn’t want to spare any details about you.” I couldn’t help but think it was directed to me for not telling him my problem.

  Lucia glanced at me. I pretended to not notice and wipe the glass faster. I glanced at my smartwatch. Half-hour until the end of my shift. Uneasiness was pricking me. I couldn’t wait to get out of this place so that I could go and collect more Mind Files. I just wanted to get everything done at once.

  “Just family problems,” Lucia said coldly.

  Danny nodded and played with his phone. It made me wonder if Danny would ask Lucia to tag along if we went for supper tonight. After all, Lucia was single now. I wondered if he’d take her to our secret place too.

  Well, technically, it was Danny’s secret place so he could take anyone he wished there. I’d no idea why I suddenly felt so possessive about him.

  Danny wasn’t even my boyfriend. He only kissed me once. On my cheek. He hadn’t even held my hand. He even said it himself we were only friends.

  He muttered a cuss beneath his breath. “I’m sorry we can’t go out tonight, Kira. I’ve gotta go now.” My stomach sank. I couldn’t help but think I hurt him. His concerned eyes locked with mine for a few seconds.

  “See ya.” Lucia waved matter-of-factly.

  I followed suit. “Sure. See you soon.”

  Without saying anything, Danny bolted through the door. I followed his retreating back with my eyes. Lucia let out an explosive sigh and rolled her eyes.

  “Look, this is what you’ll be dealing with for at least the next twenty years if you decide to work here for the rest of your life,” said Lucia.

  I laughed. Deep down inside, if it meant going out for supper with Danny every night and not having a worry in the world, I wouldn’t mind.

  If only I didn’t get great results. I wouldn’t have to worry about this right now. It’d be somebody else’s problem.

  Once the clock hit ten, I collected my pay and headed over to Centerport Hospital. I knew I couldn’t fall asleep tonight when my head was whirling with these thoughts.

  The hospital was even quieter in the evening and few medical staff I walked past threw me funny looks. The trick was to memorize the ward number and the patient name and pretended to be visiting. I avoided eye-contact and slipped into my favorite spot.

  In the waiting room, I retrieved my Futuregrapher and took down the ward numbers. I smiled to myself thinking I got at least six Mind Files
tonight. Well, that was evil. Somehow I got over it.

  When I saw the last Futuregraph, blood drained from my face.

  I zoomed into the screen. There was no mistaking it was Danny’s mom. My hand flew to my open mouth. Danny’s mom was going to die tonight?

  Questions plagued my mind. What happened? She looked alright when I met her this afternoon. I put the Futuregraph away and shook the thought out of my head. Danny’s mom or not, I couldn’t miss a single Mind File. If I kept this up, I would be able to make it for the deadline.

  Swinging my backpack over my shoulder, I set off to work.