Internet 24

THROUGH ADAM'S EYES

A sharp pain travels through Manny's side as Kate delivers a quick jab with her elbow. She glares at him, and the little confused puppy wonders what he did wrong.

KATE

Don't you go judging her, Manny.

MANNY

You knew about this?

KATE

Of course, we don't keep secrets from each other.

MANNY

And you kept it from me?

Kate reads the hurt on his face. Her expression becomes gentle. I don't know if she means it, but her tone is more compassionate than before.

KATE

I had to. It's their business, and I shouldn't spread it around, just like you wouldn't want me to spread ours around. You get it?

ADAM

I'm calling bull on this. Where are your flippers and gills?

MANNY

I don't know if I want to believe it.

LOU

Would you serve me if I had gills and scales?

Damn, that's a good point. I probably think it's cosplay first, then once I know it's real, pull the gun from below my counter with my bat and show him the full force of both flying irons. I should mention my bat is metal.

I cross my arms and ask him to prove it. Lou rolls his eyes as he walks toward me. He mumbles something under his breath. I think it was along the lines of " Of course, on command, too. Everyone always wants me to prove it."

How many times has he done t

Lou steps up to the counter, and we enter a stare-off. Lou grins with an air of superiority. I refuse to be looked down on, even though Lou has to glance down at me to meet his eyes.

LOU

Close your eyes and think of a numberbetween one and a thousand.

ADAM

That's stupid. I—

LOU

Just do it.

I begrudgingly close my eyes.

LOU

Ready?

ADAM

...Yeah.

It's silent for a second. I bet this is some suggestion magic. I've seen it on TV; I know how to beat them at their own game. I'll pick the most random number. 773, that'll get him.

LOU

I don't know the number, but I know you arecheating on your girlfriend with someone named Alex. I jump back in fear and use both index fingers to make a cross to warn this demon away.

ADAM

Oh shit, he is a demon. Get back!

That hit a nerve. I can see the vein on his neck pulsate as he speaks.

LOU

Why is everyone calling me that?

Either he isn't a demon, or my fingers weren't holy enough as Lou reaches over the counter and gently moves my fingers to form the cross shape.

LOU

Let me guess: you want something more flashy. I can't do this for free. So let's say you throw a bag of chips for each of us.

Lou holds his hand up in the air and closes his palms. I don't get the show, as they look regular, and then his hands morph. His nails become sharp coral, and his hands are partially covered in turquoise scales. Lou's eyes are red now.

LOU

Now for the show.

The water droplets from everyone's jackets and clothes float in the air. The water on the ground that they tracked flies through my store. The droplets accumulated in his hand and formed an orb of water in his grasp. More and more drops of water collect until the orb is the size of a small melon.

Lou slams the orb onto the counter as a burst of light flashes from the sphere. The air reminds me of Puerto Rico's beaches and the taste of salt lands on the tip of my tongue.

The counter cracks as coral from the ocean's depths breaks through. The coral is large and forms an archway on the counter. Colorful bubbles spew out of the coral as it adds to the atmosphere.

The worst part of all this is that the arrangement improves my space. I wouldn't say it fits my Llama theme, but man is it pretty.

ADAM

Okay, that's cool.

LOU

Glad you see it my way.

ADAM

Then what was all that "finger" talk about, and why do I owe you chips?

Lou walks back to the table, done with his show. I notice the bubbles follow him. Occasionally, they pop, sprinkling him with water. I wonder if this is his way of moisturizing himself?

LOU

To put it easy, I can't use my abilities without a cost.

Water swirls around him as we see a tapestry of the oceans deep with tropical fish swimming around. Coral swirls around him like clouds as

LOU

Everything needs a payment, a contract.I don't like collecting contracts. If I didn't have to, I wouldn't. Feels gross being in charge of organs and souls. The bigger the request, the bigger the payment. Missed your bus; give me a few strands of your hair.

Want that nice full-ride scholarship to the top university? Give me a liver. The highest price you can pay is your soul. You can get anything with that. Heck, you can get a lot with half a soul. The second most important is your heart. You can bring the dead back with that.

I move from my counter and to the table. I am letting my nosey self lead me down a dangerous path, but isn't risk just curiosity in a different suit?

MANNY

That's why you are with him. He owns you.

MARCY

No, it's not like that. Look, when we first met...