The Prospects (Short Story): Above the Stars (6 page)

Alex walked so quickly he forgot he wasn’t wearing shoes anymore. His wet and tattered socks squished with each step as he went the corner where he saw Qing Long’s eyes.

Qing Long stood motionless. He wore a new dark-blue silk suit, immaculately pressed and creased, without a spot of blood or a single rip.

Years of dealing with metahumans on both sides of the law gave Alex the ability to keep his head when dealing with things that could destroy him in a second, but Qing Long filled him with a new kind of fear. Alex couldn’t help noticing the inhuman things about his disguise – his fluid reptilian grace, his unblinking star-like eyes, the hint of godlike strength beneath a thin frame.

He took a deep breath. “What will it take to end this?”

Qing Long pointed to the boat. “I want every piece of him returned.”

“Sure, after we take pictures to document …”

“You will not.”

Alex raised his palms. “The pictures will be kept top-secret. The only time anyone would see them is if anything like this happens again. We’ll use that information to make the investigation easier.”

Qing Long said nothing.

“We want to help,” said Alex. “The poachers said they made a stop in Vancouver. We can work with the Canadian agencies to recover anything that was sold there. We can also work with the Chinese government to find everyone else involved in the operation.”

Qing Long stared at Alex for a moment. “I want every recovered piece of him or I will find them myself.”

Chak tipped his hat’s brim back. “Y’know, I’m real sympathetic because I lost someone I loved in this mess too. I wanted to keep anyone else from hurting like I did, and I was willing to hurt as many people as it took for that to happen.”

Qing Long looked Chak over. “There is something ancient about you.”

“I’ve been young for too long. I’ve been a lot of different things. A boy, a legend, a myth, a monster, a mutant. Today they call me a metahuman. I’m sure I’ll be called something different tomorrow.”

“How can you stay in this wicked world?”

“It’s a brutal, nasty place, but without our guidance it will never be anything else. Men like Agent O’Farrell are on our side.”

“Man is the most vicious animal. Our wisdom is no match for their cruel ingenuity. They always find ways to kill us.”

“They only want to understand. Each generation is a little wiser.”

“I don’t need to know about this,” said Alex. “I have to account for the people killed at Xiao Fang Zi. The photos will support my suggestion that a criminal group attracted the attention of a powerful … what should I call you?”

Qing Long considered this question. “The most appropriate phrase in your language is ‘celestial entity.’”

“Fine, a benign but offended celestial entity, and that we need to apprehend anyone suspected to be involved immediately. I’ll add that sending all recovered body parts to a specific location will prevent further harm to anyone. I’ll also note the celestial entity could be cooperative in future investigations, but is otherwise best left alone. If that’s not good, tell me what to change.”

“It’s a simple and honest explanation.” A business card appeared in Qing Long’s fingers. He gave it to Alex.

Alex looked at the side written in English. “Tiantang International Antiquities Dealers of Xi’an?”

“These men handle my mundane affairs. Have every part of the body sent to them along with a copy of your report and any pictures you take by the end of the month.”

Qing Long silently vanished while Alex blinked.

Alex put the card into his wallet. “I’ve had some strange cases, but this one takes …”

Qing Long reappeared.

“Agent, your grudges are heavier burdens than you need to bear. There is a path to peace in your life, but it may not be the easiest way. Only by letting go of the past can you embrace the future.”

Qing Long vanished so subtly Alex wasn’t sure if he really reappeared.

“Yeah,” said Chak, “you got a horoscope from a living constellation. That’s as strange as it gets.”

“A horoscope. Right.”

“You know, like guidance from the stars given in such a way it can mean anything you want it to.”

“That’s not real helpful.”

“Then try this. Your whole view of the universe has been ripped apart. Be careful how you put it back together.”

“That’s actually much wiser advice than I expected from you.”

“Well, as the Cree elders said before they got smallpox, we’re put on this Earth for only a short time to gain wisdom, knowledge, respect and the understanding for each other.”

“Heavy thoughts from someone who goes around cutting people. I’m sure you rationalize that somehow, like how you rationalize your love of strippers and cheating on your wife.”

“I do what seems best in each moment, but there’s so much going on in before and after it always gets confusing. The skies aren’t much better. They’re full of clouds with only a few points of light that say something different to everyone. Nothing is clear like heaven.”

“Or whatever is above the stars.”

“Well, I’m headed to strip bar to hang out ‘til Lam’s shift ends and work my way back above her stars.”

“How can you think about that after what we’ve been through, h?”

“Because if I don’t, I’ll think about how Lam’s tattoos show that there are at least three other things like Qing Long up there, ready to come down anytime they want, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Staring at beautiful things does make horrible ideas easier to accept.”

“Deal with ‘em your own way. Tomorrow, Pike Place, noon. This time you pick the restaurant. I may bring Lam.” Chak walked away.

Alex stayed at the waterfront. He took out his phone and looked at the locked screen picture of himself, Emily, and Calvin. Almost a year ago, when it was taken, he had no trouble believing those were in his heart and nothing more. His love for Calvin was still strong, but he couldn’t bring himself to forgive Emily for sleeping with another man. She swore it was only physical and that would never happen again, and maybe he was being cruel for not giving her a chance to save their marriage, but if he could let go of the past …

Alex’s phone rang. The portrait of his family vanished. A picture of Trista in her oversized dark blue sweatshirt appeared.

Trista. The villainess who dealt him his worst defeat. The young woman he rescued from the worst time in her life. The woman who was there for him during his.

He accepted the call. “Hey.”

Trista said, “That’s the first time I heard you answer without saying, ‘Agent O’Farrell.’”

“I told you to call me Alex.”

“How’s Seattle?”

“Cold and wet. How’s Albuquerque?”

“Hot and dry. I know you said I shouldn’t call so much, but I really need advice. Is this a good time?”

Alex looked through the gaps in the clouds to the clear sky above the star-like lights of the city. “Right now, there’s no one I’d rather talk to.”