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“Of course.”

I pace as I talk. “I need you to look at the following. Abductions with three assailants, and alternative energy that use the keywords: orbs, circle, ball – or anything else related to those words.”

It’s a strange request. There’s a pause on the line.

“Who do I bill it to?”

“Me. Personally. At 15% over normal rate for speedy delivery.”

I lick my lips nervously. I need him to get this done yesterday.

“Aubrey, this is an unusual request. Can you give me more information? Without context, this sounds like two wildly different investigations. My only speculation is that you want information about an alternative energy-related kidnapping. Is this a national defense contract?”

I run my tongue on the insides of my teeth. The story I tell has to be precise.

“Specifically, abductions with three albino men with tribal tattoos.”

“Is this some kind of joke?”

I shake my head, though I know he can’t see me through the phone. I could link him to the Reddit thread, but I need to know how seriously he takes my request. If his initial information doesn’t bring it up, I know he’s not the man for the job.

“I don’t joke, Jed – not when money’s involved. I brought you into my firm four years ago. How much have you billed us since then?”

He pauses, calculating. “Six million dollars.”

“Six million, three hundred, and sixty-four thousand dollars. That’s what you earned in the last four years, becauseIbrought you in. This assessment is of utmost importance. I need you to devote an entire team to it. I need resultsyesterday, do you understand?”

My voice is raised – high-pitched, and urgent. I calm myself with deep breaths.

“Of course,” Jed responds. “I’m on it. Email me any more pertinent details if they become available.” The line goes dead.

All the dullness is gone from my eyes. All the fog of the last twelve years, moving through life without purpose, is cleared. My eyes are wide open now, and I feel like someone dropped icy, cold water on me.

The next call is to my bank, opening every line of credit available to me, and liquidating a litany of investments. The financial advisor tries to talk me out of the move, explaining that I’ll be killed on early redemption fees, but I don’t care. None of that matters. Why would I need money when I have Stryker, Haleon, and Brigg?

They’re galaxies away – perhaps not even in the same reality – and yet I swear I canfeeltheir love; undying and so deep in my heart that it never left me after all these years.

And if I miraculously go back and they’ve moved on? How can I expect those men not to have spent the last twelve years finding multiple replacements for me? What if I arrive and they’ve got themselves a harem of young, beautiful, fertile women attending to their every need?

The thought rankles in my mind, but there’s nothing I can do. Ihaveto take the risk. I’ve regretted coming back to New York every day for the last twelve years.

When Joshua got married within six months of meeting his new girl – especially after he couldn’t commit to me after nearly a decade together – I didn’t even feel anger. I feltnothing.The emptiness of my life has remained constant and never ending…

…but now Iknowhow to end it.

For the first time in twelve years, I feel…something.

I feel…alive.

“Stryker… Haleon… Brigg… I’m coming for you,” I whisper, though even a day ago I would have called myself delusional to have uttered such words.

Now I’m resolute.

My phone rings. It’s the office.

I let it go to voicemail.

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