Into the Omega Verse

Nathan let his mind drift as he walked, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on his face. His hand was clasped in Tesla’s, and he could hear the clinking of a chain against Tesla’s manacles.

“Are you okay?” Nathan said.

Tesla looked up at him, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about the last job we did together. We had to go into that asshole’s house, but – well… it was a little weird.”

Nathan smiled and squeezed Tesla’s hand gently. “Weird how? Like how most jobs are?”

Tesla laughed quietly and rubbed his hands together. “No… different than that. This guy, this big-shot… he had all these books on these supernatural things: demons, ghosts, you know?” His voice cracked and he coughed into his sleeve. “You know what those books were like? They were like my mother used to be – like she was alive one minute and then gone the next. But it wasn’t just him… It was like everyone who lived there was just… gone – but it wasn’t *them*, you know? It was like their souls were gone or something – like they didn’t even exist any more!” Tesla looked around nervously. No one else was outside in the early morning light except for them, but still he leaned in close to Nathan and whispered conspiratorially, “I think that guy knew a way to get rid of people! Maybe that’s why we got hired in the first place! He killed his family! And when we left, I swear I saw fucking ghosts walking around inside!”

Nathan lifted an eyebrow. “That is weird… But at least you didn’t see anything worse than ghosts, right? How long did it take you to forget about it? Two days? Three days? Less than five days? You really want me to answer that question honestly? Because my answer would be ‘about three hours tops'. Your problem isn't with your memory; it's with your imagination! You're too creative for your own good sometimes! When we finish up this job with the Emperor today, we'll get some lunch and then you can tell me what else is in your crazy head! Deal?” Nathan reached over and kissed Tesla lightly on the cheek before continuing down the street towards their latest client. Tesla stared after him for a moment before following along behind him at a slower pace, clearly deep in thought about whatever was going through his head that morning.