The Forsaken-Grade Cultivator-Chapter 49: You are being followed

"D-damn it, can’t believe I lost track of time in that place, so stupid!" Vincent yelled as he speed walked across the street. While doing so, he exchanged glances with his Netband and the well lit road...

When all of a sudden, three beeps rug out from the device.

Vincent, knowing what that meant clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, seriously? Of all the times, you chose NOW to die on me? Damned watch, I shouldn’t have tried to cut costs and purchased higher quality product. Fvck!" He thought

After accepting Benson’s invite, about two and a half hours ago, Vincent had allowed himself to indulge in the luxurious pleasures of a truly high end alcoholic wine, while making small talks with his host deep into the night.

Throughout their stay together, the two men had discussed one less a cascade of topics. But the most memorable part of the entire thing had to be the liquor. Its luscious flavours, accompanied by that popping tint of purely natural sourness that graced an expensively fruity aftertaste... Truly -

’It was awesome.’

The thought of the fine beverage made Vinny feel like it had all been worth it, despite him risking sleeping on the streets tonight, missing the university’s curfew and all.

’Sigh. That Benson, he got completely wasted after only four rounds, so I couldn’t risk asking him to drive me. But at the same time, the damned neighbourhood had a ban on Cabs after night.’ Vincent thought.

It was for security reasons, Vin understood, but he wished the patrol officers could look the other way, if just this once. But obviously, that didn’t happen, given his current situation.

Vincent taped his Netband, in an attempt to confirm the location of the cab he had hailed online. But just as he was about to confirm his pick-up, the watch turned pitch black. It died.

’No, no, no! I’ve already paid for my fare goddamit!’ Vincent cried, rapidly poking the blank screen in frustration, all to yield nothing.

His rage boiled as he glanced at an unsuspecting lamp pole in front of him, obviously ready to take out his extreme sentiments on it. But then, he stopped himself.

Looking up, he sighed, "Sigh, damaging public property gets people arrested. And although there isn’t a single officer in sight right now, those hidden drone cameras are really dangerous.... Besides, hitting metal would do more harm to me than good."

Vincent checked his watch again, hoping for some sort of miracle perhaps, but nothing of the sort ever came. In the end, he simply accepted his fate, "Looks like I’m going to be walking tonight."

He lowered his head, ready to get going, but then-

Buzz!

A sound erupted from behind him. He turned back, recognizing the noise as an AI Cab’s equivalent to the honk of a car, ’Could it be?’ He thought.

His guess was spot on.

Yes, shocking as it was, the cab was calling for him.

For a moment there, Vincent paused, shocked and at a loss for words. But when he regained a hold of himself, he beamed brightly before running over to the floating vehicle. The doors flung open, as soon as their in-built receptors sensed him approaching.

"Darwin University. As fast as you can please, or else I’m going to miss curfew." Vincent prompted as he entered and took his passenger’s seat at the back of the hovering automobile.

Being a contraption driven by an AI, there was no driver. And as was usual, the doors locked themselves automatically while his seat belts buckled him up.

But then...

"Vincent Carter." An unknown voice called his name, its sophisticated undertone sending cold chills down his tucked up spine. He instantly grew stiff, and his pupils dilated.

’I-I don’t remember seeing anyone in here when I got in... But, I can’t freak. I mustn’t loose my cool! Vin, you’ve been through much worse when you were only a teenager. This is nothing,’ He thought, gently inhaling.

He shut his eyes, and then opened them again, before turning his head to the direction of the noise. His head jerked to the side, tense and expectant, he couldn’t make any sudden moves... after all.

’What the...’

Vinny’s musings trailed,

"There’s no one here!" He accidently yelled out, covering his mouth almost instantly afterwards, ’Sh*t!’ He cursed within him – panic slowly starting to creep over him again as he also inspected the two front seats. You see, there was nothing more, or even quite as dangerous, as an enemy you couldn’t see...

"Neat, isn’t it?" The strange voice sounded once more, this time in an inquisitive manner. Vincent flinched, alarmed as both his hands curled into balls.

’I can’t even tell where they are, so there’s no telling what might happen if I tried to escape. I have to remain calm... calm, and alert. I have to be ready to escape at any time!’

Vincent’s expression shifted as he took subtle breaths. His eyes dimmed and his tone grew low and even, whilst he spoke:

"Who are you, how do you know my name...? And most importantly, what do you want from me?"

After the question, there was a long silence. The tranquillity lingered for about five minutes, before a response arrived.

"You know, Mr. Carter, it’s very rude to not answer a question..."

’...!’

Vincent didn’t say a word, and in good reason too.... He couldn’t give away possible advantages.

"Not a word, huh? Well, I guess I should have expected that from someone like you...." The voice started. "Being a man capable of taking the life of another, such as yourself, it’s only natural that your heart would be as hard as stone."

To the provocative statement, Vincent showed no reactions, no signs of any emotions and no replies.

He was no stranger to this sort of thing, having lived life on the edge, back in the slums.... Nevertheless, he refrained from confirming the stranger’s words, but he also took care to not deny them.

’He doesn’t want me dead, at least, or else he’d have killed me by now. So maybe he wants to interrogate me? In any case, I have the upper hand here. I don’t need to say anything.’

"..."

The silence continued.

"Ha..." In the end, the mysterious voice was the first to break the silence, "I knew it, I just you were an interesting one!" They exclaimed, then –

With a low but weirdly indescribable hum, a being manifested into reality from.... Thin air? Vincent was shook, instinctively jerking back as a strange man suddenly appeared beside him, sitting cross-legged.

Yes. Seemingly out of nowhere, a blonde man had materialized from utter nothing. His richly verdant eyes accompanied the pearly white teeth in that modest smile of his. His astute features simply screamed generational wealth, adorned by beige three-piece.

Vincent cracked, "W-who?"

The man’s grin widened, his countenance was soft.... And fake.

"I’m Sterling. Sterling Brown, and although I am truly pleased to meet your acquaintance, Mr. Carter, it is imperative that I pass down this very crucial information. Thus, we absolutely cannot waste any time dawdling." Sterling Brown said, his tone turning grim.

"The situation here is a bit... complex, to say the least. But, to put it simply, you are being followed by some very dangerous people."

To these very words, Vinny’s brain physically stuttered, his mind spinning in distraught. For quite a while, neither of the two men spoke.

Untill-

"Hmm, nothing? Really? I knew you were special, but to think.... I at least expected some sort of reacti –"

"YOU SAID WHAT?!" Vinny bellowed, his face mutilated by sheer distress.

’Ah, there it is. For a moment there, I actually grew worried...’