Chapter 92 – I Think I’ve Heard That Somewhere Before
Arthur leaned against the cracked concrete wall, a lit cigarette dangling between his fingers. He kept quiet, giving David space as the kid finished vomiting into a pile of refuse near the alley corner.
David wiped his mouth, looking pale and shaky. He hesitated before muttering, "I... I can't..."
Arthur exhaled a stream of smoke, his voice calm but firm. "I'm a cyberpsycho, kid. What makes you think a maniac like me can just sit down and talk things out?"
He flicked the cigarette butt onto the ground and reached out, giving David a quick tap on the back of the head—not hard, just enough to snap him out of it.
"David, I'm asking you now. Why the hell are you here?"
David scratched his head awkwardly. "I ran into Aunt Lucy near a bar. I just... kinda followed her. Wanted to check things out. Then, well..."
Arthur slapped his own forehead.
Curiosity kills the cat, indeed.
He shook his head and lit another cigarette. If it weren't for the nicotine, he'd probably be tempted to slap the sense into the kid right there and then.
Still, he couldn't help but see some of himself in David. The boy's reckless thirst for excitement, the impulse to chase after danger just to feel alive—it was all too familiar. He'd been like that once. Willing to throw his life away for the chance to be someone.
Arthur exhaled, then nodded. "Wait here. Stay hidden. I'll go pull our people out of this mess."