Грань будущего

           Itwasagoodnameforapig’sasswhowonmedalsbykillinghisfriends.I’dhavetothankwhoeverthoughtofit.Whatafucked-upworld.

           Shastasawmestaringattheinscription."IkeptascloseaneyeonitasIcould,buttheygottoitanyway.Sorry."Ihadthefeelingshe’dsaidsomethingsimilartoRitainthepast.

           "Don’tworryaboutit.Theytoldmeyouwerelookingforme?"

           "IwantedtogiveyouthekeytotheSkyLounge."

           "Key?"

           "LikeRitaaskedmeto.Noone’sbeeninsidesinceyouleft.Itwasn’teasykeepingpeopleoutforthreewholedays,butIcanbeveryresourceful."Shastahandedmeakeycard."Justignorethestuffbytheentrance."

           "Thanks."

           "GladIcouldhelp."

           "CanIaskyousomething?"

           "What?"

           "Doyou-doyouknowwhyRitapaintedherJacketred?Itwashardlyherfavoritecolor.Ithoughtyoumightknow."

           "Shesaidshewantedtostandout.I’mnotsurewhyanyonewouldwanttostandoutonabattlefield.Justmakesforaneasiertarget."

           "Thanks.Thatmakessense."

           "Isupposeyou’llwanthornsonyours?"Imusthavefrownedbecausesheimmediatelyadded,"Sorry!Iwasonlyjoking."

           "It’sfine.Ineedtolearntowatchthatscowl.Thanksagainforthekey.I’mgonnagocheckoutthatSkyLounge."

           "Beforeyougo-"

           "Yeah?"

           "It’snoneofmybusiness,butIwaswondering…"

           "Whatisit?"Iasked.

           "WereyouanoldfriendofRita’s?"

           Ipressedmylipstogetherintoawrysmile.

           "I’msorry,Ishouldn’thaveasked."

           "No,it’sokay.