Oh, It’s You

As Percy was about to answer the door, the knocking had evolved into a full-on ****. Had whoever banged on the door just did so with a tad bit more ****, they most likely would’ve knocked it off of its hinges. The fears this devilish device had brought were starting to play tricks on the young man.

“What if the person at the door was the one that stole the device? What if they wanted to test it on somebody…and what if they wanted to test it on me?” Percy thought to himself.

As these thoughts ran rampant, other ideas were spun in his head. It was entirely possible that the one knocking at the door was in fact running from the true culprit, and needed help in defending themselves against the menace. That idea gave Percy the ability to compose himself. There was also an even greater chance that the one at the door was in fact old Mrs. Weatherbee, whose cat constantly escaped her home. That thought gave Percy a good laugh and the courage to open the door. After all, why would he be afraid of a kind old lady? Percy unlocked the door and opened it, only to find it was...him.

Logan was Percy’s best friend many years ago. At one point, they were inseparable. Unfortunately, Logan fell into a bad crowd, and turned to doing petty crimes. As much as it pained him, Percy had to say goodbye to him because he couldn’t condone his friend’s new pastime.

“Hey Perc, long time no see.” Logan said suavely. Though appearing to be charming, it was made clear by his shifting eyes that Logan had just committed yet another crime.

“Spill it Logan, why are you here?” Percy replied crossing his arms and glaring at his former friend.

“Can’t a guy just check on an old friend?” A sly smile stretched across Logan’s face. “I really miss you dude.”

Percy said nothing, but slowly started to nod his head no.

“Fine.” Logan said with an eye roll. “Yeah, I just did something that you may disapprove of, and I just need a place to lie low for a bit.”

“Nuh uh.” Percy wagged his index finger. “I’m not gonna hide you away man. You dug yourself into this mess, now you gotta dig yourself out of it.”

“Come on! Please. If not for me, then for the friendship we once had.”

“The friendship you destroyed?”

“Dude!” Sirens could now be heard in the distance.

Logan took a deep breath and sighed. “Could you at least hold on to the package for me? I promise I’ll never ask for anything from you again.”

Percy saw the panic in his old friend’s face. Although he disliked where his life ended up, Logan was still his friend at heart. “Hand it over.” Percy said reluctantly.

Logan winked at his friend and gave Percy a sleek, white box. “You’re a doll Perc…I’ll be back for the package when the heat dies down.”

With that, Logan darted away. Once he was out of view, Percy finally inspected the box that was now in his clutches. His heart sank when he read the matte wording on the side of the box.

“NeuroCo.” Percy whispered in a trembling voice.