Chapter 5: Astrid or Aphrodite?
Zach
Having your best friend crawl into your room with a black eye and half beaten to a pulp is slightly scarier than Night Seven of Five nights at Freddy's. Just kidding, it's A LOT scarier. Trying to remain calm while I dialed emergency service was probably the most stressful situation I've been in, well, reality at least. I had just finished helping Headmistress track the Jester to an old warehouse near Orlando when I reached my room for that night. Normally, I'd have a few hours to spend with Astrid and Richie, either studying, practicing, and sometimes playing video games, actually, most of the time playing video games. Instead, Headmistress called me aside for a "special assignment", otherwise meaning "more work". Don't get me wrong, I'm the best hacker there is, well with few exceptions, but age wise, I'm the best. But, Richie had promised Astrid with some help with working out. Astrid isn't the strongest person, but jeez is she flexible! It's actually kind of scary how much of a contortionist she can be.
Anyways, I was down in Headquarters with Headmistress who asked me with her over polite smile and charismatic attitude, "Zach, we need you to decode this cipher. We think it could lead us to the Jester."
It was quite easy really, just hidden behind some firewalls and other "classified" systems. I'll save you the excitement and just say it landed us in New York city, a couple blocks from the One World Trade Center Memorial.
"Well that's not as inconspicuous as I thought it would be." I said, questioning my hacking skills.
"It's absolutely brilliant!" Headmistress said excitedly behind me. "We can bring in the Jester now! Thank you, Zach, you can return to your schedule."
Anyways, after Richie's "incident", Headmistress sent everyone back to their dorms, and can I just say, winning has never been so depressing. There was a small knock on my door, and I quickly flicked off the TV and ran to unlock the door. Astrid stood there, in tears and standing with a box of chocolate. That last thing might seem off topic, but chocolate is Richie's absolutely favorite food. He almost bit Mitchell's head off when he found out Mitchell hated the stuff. He always has a cup of it next to his desk. I thought my health decisions were bad, and then I met Richie.
"I thought we should go see how Richie is doing, do you want to come with?" she asked through her sniffling.
"Of course."
Looking down at my best friend from the end of his hospital bed while he has several broken ribs, a black eye, and is hopelessly passed out, well I was about to join Astrid in her crying. She put the box of chocolates on the dresser next to him, carefully moving over several figurines (I didn't know Richie kept figurines). Astrid and I sat down on the couch across from Richie's bed. Astrid kept switching between the couch and the chair, looking over Richie to see if he had woken up. A nurse in full white clothes, I'm not even kidding when I say full white; her gown, her shoes, even her hair was white, walking into the room.
Surprised, she said," I don't think you children should be here. Visiting hours will be available once your friend is at a stable condition."
"Please ma'am, can we just stay a little longer? We are very worried about him." I said, as kindly as possibly could. I'm no people-person so I just tried to be overly kind. It obviously did not work as the nurse crossed her arms and frowned.
"I'm sorry but rules are rules young man, you and your friend will have to leave until you are allowed back."
"But-" I started, but Astrid interrupted me.
"Excuse me" Astrid said behind me. I turned to see Astrid stand up, flashing her most beautiful smile, all tears magically gone. "We understand how hard your job is, so stressful and noble, we will leave but first, please tell us, how are you so incredible?"
The nurse was thoroughly confused but still blushed. "I don't know what you mean, child, thank you of course, but you must leave immediately.
Astrid strode up to the nurse, flicked her braid over her shoulder, her face filled with awe. She walked around her studying everything about the nurse. I didn't understand what she was saying. From what Astrid has taught me about cosmetics, her make-up was too obvious, her hair had too many split ends, and apparently, you're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day and yet it was October.
"Your hair is so...unique and you are absolutely rocking those scrubs. How do you do it!" Astrid said with awe, hugging the nurse's shoulders.
The nurse giggled and blushed," Thank you dear! Let me go get my products and I will fix you up too! You and your boyfriend can stay here with your friend."
Boyfriend? Ha-ha, no. Astrid is great but definitely not for me.
The nurse hurriedly rushed out of the room. I turned, shocked and found Astrid back in her chair staring worriedly at Richie.
I leaned on the edge of Richie's bed, now looking more at Astrid than Richie.
"Since when do you use guile and charm tactics?" I asked.
She looked up at me, her braid falling over her shoulder as she leaned back and pushed her glasses up.
"Since I read a book on it of course. I don't spend all my time reading educational books, Zach. I still have to look fabulous." she said as she flicked her braid back over her shoulder and looked back at Richie as he began to tremble in his sleep.
"You just never struck me as the beauty type of person." I said
"Thanks, sometimes looking great comes with not caring as much, I obviously make it work." she said laughing and flashing that incredible smile again.
"Definitely" I said laughing.
Richie was still shaking, rather rough now. But Astrid and I ignored it.
"I need your help" Astrid said angrily.
"Ok, with what?" I asked nervously. Astrid's sudden change in tone was just as frightening as Jenna's gloves.
"Revenge. For Richie's sake. I know exactly who did this, and I intend on repaying the service."
Richie shuddered violently now, shaking the bed.
"Ok... I'm all for defending Richie, but I'm not sure revenge is the right option. Who do you think even did this?" I asked.
Luckily Richie is not Slenderman, although he is tall and skinny, otherwise it would be game over. Richie screamed, nearly jumping out of his bed. Honestly that was the scariest thing I've seen since that stupid haunted house I went to about a month before I came here. At least we knew Richie was okay now. Hopefully, he actually was.