NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: It is what it is
Dying was uncomfortable, no matter how many times one experienced it. And dying from having part of one's torso being bitten off was particularly so! Such a painful and overall unpleasant experience, Lane Allen did not enjoy it at all.
But what could he do? It's not like he intended for it to happen. He still wanted to keep on living as Evan Greene. And even if he didn't, he would most definitely choose a different way to go.
"The Gate erupted way sooner than expected… If I knew this would happen, I would have moved a decent armor or something to Evan's inventory…" Lane muttered to himself, scrolling through his phone.
Of course, transferring equipment often carried a bit of a risk. Decent equipment could get very pricey, there was no way that a regular newbie would be able to afford it. Lane was already pushing it with all that he bought for his identity as Evan, any more and it was bound to raise some questions from his teammates, maybe even his superiors. Still, that was better than dying so brutally… And things that could be bought with money could always be explained somehow.
"Well… It is what it is, now let's move on."
There was no point thinking about any of that now. Evan Greene was already dead, and there was no way to bring him back to life - not for Lane, and not for anyone else. Even the best healing Espers wouldn't be able to reverse that.
Finally deciding on his dinner, Lane finished placing the order, and tossed his phone to the side. He had at least half an hour before the food would arrive, more than enough for a good shower. Although his body was perfectly clean - when he was possessing other people's bodies, his own body seemed to be almost frozen in time, with all bodily functions suspended, save from perhaps breathing and heartbeat - he still couldn't escape the feeling of stickiness from blood and sweat from his previous 'life'.
As he thought back to his last moments as Evan, Lane couldn't help but recall the handsome, although frowny face of his Team Leader, and those beautiful green eyes… And the muscular shoulders and broad chest, that perfectly sculpted figure…
He pursed his lips with dissatisfaction.
If there was something that he truly regretted about ending his previous life ahead of schedule, it was that he didn't get to fuck his Team Leader! He wanted to bring that man to his knees, make him go down under him!
He had expended so much effort over the past month, but the man was quite a difficult prey to catch. Still, Lane did make some progress - he was recently able to steal a few kisses during their guiding sessions. If he only had a bit more time…
Of course, he could try again with his next identity, but then he would be back to square one. Sure, Lane wanted Damien, but did he really want him THAT much? There were plenty of fish in the sea, after all!
He didn't ponder about it too much. Soon, as he stepped into the shower, all of his thoughts about the life he just lost got washed away together with any remnant emotions.
Lane was never the type to look back. What mattered most was the present. He never stopped even for a moment to consider how the people he left behind might feel.
Before Evan Greene's body grew cold, Lane was already lounging on the sofa in his living room, eating takeout without a care in the world, his eyes glued to the massive TV screen in front of him, mindlessly watching some show that was currently on.
It was as if the events on the scene of the dungeon break had nothing to do with him at all.
His meal was soon interrupted though, as the intercom on the front door beeped. Acting on instinct, Lane immediately focused, staring at the entrance with narrowed eyes. When he noticed the young woman with flaming red hair and a face full of freckles that walked in though, all the tension vanished instantly, as if it never happened in the first place.
The woman, however, had the opposite reaction. She stopped right in her tracks, her gaze briefly meeting Lane's, before sliding right down… And as it did, her cheeks flushed brightly, the color almost matching her hair.
Her reaction was understandable. Putting aside his handsome face, Lane was only wearing a pair of tight black boxer briefs, his toned body on full display. The view was so nice that it would be able to turn even older and more experienced women - and men - flustered.
Lane held back a chuckle, and gave the woman a charming smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming today."
"Ah! Y-yes, well, it's Wednesday…" The woman glanced at him shyly, before turning even redder. "Ahem, Mr., Mr. Lane? Since you're back, do you want me to clean your bedroom today?"
Although Lane had a cleaner arranged to come and clean the whole apartment on a weekly basis, that didn't typically include his bedroom, which was usually locked with three different locks and a chain, completely off limits for anyone to enter. After all, Lane spent most of his time possessing other people's bodies, leaving his own behind in a comatose-like state. If someone walked in on him like that once, they might think he was simply asleep… But if the situation were to repeat, it was bound to raise concern. Thus, he had no choice but to keep in under the key.
Now that he was in between possessions though, it was the perfect time to get his bedroom properly cleaned as well. The place had got pretty dusty over the past three months he spent as Evan Greene.
"Yeah, would be great. I might be going out soon, but I'll leave it open for you."
The woman nodded, and without saying anything further - but not before unconsciously tossing one more glance at Lane's washboard abs - she excused herself to carry out her duties.
Lane stared at the door she disappeared behind for a moment. His mouth slowly curved into a smirk. He never really noticed, but the woman was quite cute. He was originally planning to hit the clubs… But perhaps he could have a little snack first, since it practically delivered itself to him?
After all, he was sexually frustrated because of a certain someone being all stiff and difficult! It was about time he finally got some satisfaction…
With a smile playing in the corner of his lips, Lane finished up his meal and got up. It was time to have some fun.