This time, I was furious.
Again and fucking again. That's enough!
I left Clara's apartment. She was still fast asleep in the real world, while my jaw was swollen like a melon and at least two of my molars felt loose.
I checked my pockets. Fortunately, my phone was intact, and the Glock was still in place. However, that arcane mark Luna had left on the glass was an eyesore.
It looked like a spiderweb crack across the screen, giving me a minor heart attack until I realized the display still worked under the glowing sigil.
The fact that Clara hadn't lifted a finger to stop Richard made my blood boil even hotter.
Rationally, I understood her position. Obviously, defending an outlander in front of her most powerful noble ally would look suspicious, and a calculating woman like Clara was never going to throw away her political leverage for this little matter.
Still, I couldn't swallow the humiliation.
I was already planning to disrupt their plans, but after being treated like garbage, there was no reason to hold back.
I had crossed dimensions into an alternate fantasy realm. And still, I spent it being a submissive punching bag? It was fucking absurd.
These people clearly didn't see me as an ally, so they had no right to complain when I struck back.
You want to investigate the curse without me? Terrified I might mislead the public with modern food? Fine. I'll bring over something far wilder than instant noodles.
What should I bring?
Furious, I texted Greg and Christ to ask for advice. I made up a story about getting sucker-punched by a wealthy jerk at work, asking how I should get revenge.
None of their ideas had potential. Until Greg suggested blasting loud music outside his house with a portable Bluetooth speaker to ruin his sleep.
A small, battery-powered Bluetooth speaker was light enough to carry across realms. If I loaded it with Bohemian Rhapsody, the operatic chorus would sound like a demonic haunting in a dark medieval forest.
The only concern was whether the electronics would trigger a magical explosion. I had no intention of blowing up innocent bystanders.
Still, the situation was frustrating.
I didn't know how to ride a horse, I had no map of the realm, and my only option was trailing behind that arrogant convoy while taking their abuse.
The urge to cause chaos was there, but lacking the means to pull it off left me feeling bitter.
After wandering the streets of New York for hours, I returned to my cramped apartment and punched the mattress in frustration.
Clara sent a string of texts, asking where I had gone and apologizing profusely.
She promised to make it up to me in every way possible: foot rubs, home-cooked meals from her, and whatever else I wanted. I was still too angry to care. Her attempts at seduction weren't going to work this time.
A short while later, the apartment buzzer rang.
I tensed up instantly, since I hadn't ordered any takeout or packages.
"Who is it?" I spoke into the intercom.
"Delivery."
"I didn't order anything."
"It's for your neighbor."
"Which neighbor?"
"Mr. Matthew."
The name checked out. I pressed the button to unlock the lobby gate.
Keeping a hand on my pistol, I peered through the peephole, watching the dimly lit hallway.
Moments later, a delivery guy walked up to my door.
His expression was off. His eyes stared straight into the peephole with a vacant intensity that sent a chill down my spine.
"Are you Mr. Lee? Could you sign for this?"
"Leave it outside the door," I replied.
"Are you Mr. Lee?" he repeated, his tone flat and unblinking.
A knot tightened in my gut. Another possessed puppet.
I raised the Glock, leveling the barrel with the center of the door. I knew the man's body belonged to an innocent bystander, but I wasn't going to take any chances.
Once the front sight was lined up, I said, "Yes, that's me."
His vacant look shifted into a detached composure.
It was a look I recognized...
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"I am Luna," the man said in a steady rhythm. "I mean you no harm."
"What do you want?" I barked. "I told you I'm not setting foot in your swamp shack. If that's why you came, fuck off."
Luna didn't back down. Instead, she laid out an enticing proposal.
“I had some conclusions for your phone.” She spoke.
“Good. We will visit you some days.”
“I want only you.”
“Thanks, but NO.”
“I can give a personal reward in exchange for your cooperation.”
"What reward?"
"You may have me once a day," she stated plainly through the door. "In any holes you desire, including front and rear, without restriction."
The offer made my pulse spike. My penis tried to take over as always, but common sense held the line.
It was obviously a trap; nobody handed out offers like that for free. Then again, staying with Clara meant endless humiliation, physical beatings, and exhausting manual labor.
My current life was worse than working morning shifts at the supermarket.
Defecting to Luna's side didn't seem entirely out of the question.
No, get a grip, Lee! Don't let your fucking penis ruin you!
Luna's calm voice continued outside: "You will have unlimited rest. No long marches, no physical toil. I will prepare your meals, and I will wear whatever costumes you wish to see."
Maybe I could use the phone as leverage to keep Luna from manipulating me and still get the treat?...
My resolve began to waver.
Just then, my phone vibrated hard in my pocket.
"Hold on," I muttered through the door.
I pulled out the phone and saw a voice message from Clara.
I tapped play. Her voice was shaking with panic: "Lee... there's someone in the building. I can't find my dagger anywhere. I only have a kitchen knife... they know my address—"
The audio cut off abruptly.
OH FUCK!
I had buried her enchanted dagger under the blankets.
OH NO. NO. NO.
A heavy wave of guilt crushed my indecision. All my petty resentment vanished in a heartbeat.
I turned back to the door and gave Luna an ultimatum: "Get the hell out of here! Leave right now, or I'm calling the police!"
The puppet's eyes showed a rare flicker of surprise. She had calculated the timing and clearly hadn't expected me to turn her down.
Before she could adjust, I pulled the door open, lunged forward, and caught the courier with a sharp palm strike across the cheek.
The blow knocked the possessed man down, leaving him dazed on the carpet.
Sorry, man.
I didn't waste a second, bolted down the stairs, burst onto the street, and hailed a cab to Jackson Heights.
All the doubts, schemes, and bitter grudges were wiped clean. The only thing that mattered was reaching Clara before it was too late.
Hold on, Clara. If anyone lays a hand on you, I'll put a bullet through their fuckin’ skull!