Sidekick by Carl Stubblefield (10 best novels of all time .txt) 📗

Chapter Nine

You’re My Best Friend

Nick let out a nauseous groan. “I do not like that place.”

“I was going to ask what was it like.”

“Kind of like limbo, except that you’re constantly spinning and dropping. I didn’t think I could feel this bad without at least getting the benefits of making some poor decisions. Do me a favor, and be quick about it when you have to go in there.”

“Sure thing.”

Nick continued to moan, his wailing increasing in intensity.

“Okay, I get it already.” Gus decided to change the subject. “Remember that comm center we just turned on? I think I do want to send a message. Can you walk me through it?”

“You should be able to call anyone with a normal connection, provided you know their number. Anywhere you would be able to reach by phone should be accessible.”

Gus nodded and hit the button to the floor with the control center. Who should I call? Who do I miss the most? That was easy—his close friends. As the elevator opened on the control center, he eagerly approached the panel Nick indicated. He tried calling his friend Jim. He was the most responsible of the group, and would probably know how everyone else was doing. Unfortunately, Gus only received a ‘voicemail box is full’ message. He tried Dave next and the call connected.

“Hello?” the familiar, but sleepy, voice came across the line.

“Dave! It’s Gus.”

“Gus? Brotha man!” The gravelly voice that reminded Gus of Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High seemed more awake now.

“…like no otha’ man!” Gus finished, elated to hear his friend.

“I heard you died! The space station attack was all over the holonet. They are playing it like it was an act of terrorism, and Purple Faction is on the warpath like a kicked anthill. According to the reports though, like no one survived…”

“I’m not sure anyone else did, to be honest. I got lucky and was right by an escape pod when everything went down. It was an attack by supers though, and I know Graviton is probably dead, from what I saw.”

“Intense, man. Damn, it’s good to hear from you. So where are you now? It’s been a crazy couple months since we last talked; how was the station? Kinda sucked that you weren’t able to call or nothing.”

“It was lame, I didn’t know anyone, and I was usually pulling custodial. Was probably rigged,” Gus said bitterly, remembering how new members to the crew were usually treated until they were accepted.

“Yeah, it sucks if you’re the new guy. The job we all took tanked soon after we started, so everyone came home early and we’re all still looking for work. Oh damn, you don’t know, do you? Jim’s been in a car crash and is in a coma now!” Dave revealed, obviously shaken.

“What the hell?” Gus leaned forward to the screen.

“Yeah, someone ran into him and he’s still in the hospital. His dad has been there almost every day, but there’s been no change. I went to see him and he looked bad, dude. He’s all purple and beat to hell. I guess he’s at one of the premier hospitals though, so if anyone can do something for him, it’ll be there. He’s still in some special ICU wing.”

“Dang, I leave you guys alone for a couple months and things go to hell. You think he’s going to be okay?” Gus asked, still in shock.

“He’s stable. Luckily, there were no internal injuries that were severe, but it’s anyone’s guess in terms of how long he’ll be in a coma. I asked one of the nurses and she tried to be convincing and tell me everything will turn out okay, but I checked online and it said the longer he’s out, the lower his chances are.”

“Harsh. Man, that sucks. What about Chuck? Is he okay?”

“I dunno, we haven’t been in touch as much lately. I’ve kind of been going through some things right now, so I haven’t been as social as I usually am. Anyway. What’s been going on with you? Are you home?” Dave asked hurriedly, switching the topic.

Dave was usually laid back with his surfer attitude. Gus wondered if something had happened between him and Chuck or if it was his personal stuff that was making him feel uncomfortable.

Gus didn’t know where to start, but he started telling the whole story. At first, he was a little afraid that it would freak Dave out, but he really needed to confide in someone and the story kept spilling out. He had to jump back at times, adding things that he had forgotten. After about thirty minutes, he waited for Dave to respond. He was a little worried—no, a lot worried—that it would change things between him and his friends. “Well, what are you thinking?”

“That. Is. Epic! Congrats, dude! Wow, man, that is so flipping cool! That is huge! I do have one problem, though, and don’t take this the wrong way. I love you as a brother, man, but what you did with those pirates? That was stupid. One thing I know: Regardless of who you are, you make your choices in life. Those pirates decided to be like that. Regardless of how tough their life or upbringing was, that’s no excuse. No offense, but why weaken yourself when you already have the odds stacked against you? Plus, on top of it, you wasted your next upgrade or whatever? Yikes, dude. I think being alone on that island has affected your judgement.”

“I only realized after that point that someone was en route to the island. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise,” Gus tried to defend himself.

“I mean, I get it, but lots of people have it hard and they don’t do those types of things. Lots of people are abused and break the cycle. I know you want to be the good guy, but you can’t save everybody. Especially rapist pirates! Who have you possibly endangered by saving those guys?