《Shades of Gray》3. A Visit from Chief
Advertisement
Graham was taking an afternoon doze when something made him stir. He thought it might be a nurse coming to check on him, but he opened his eyes to find none other than the chief of A.C.M.E. standing at the end of his hospital bed.
Graham studied her for a moment. "Well, well. Could it be the real you?" he asked.
"Indeed," Chief confirmed. "It's all real this time, Mr. Calloway. The hospital stay and the 'jolt' that landed you here."
Graham smiled wryly. "Electrician's trick. I rewired my rod so it wouldn't power up any higher than stun mode."
"It did more damage than you know," Chief replied. "The electromagnetic pulse seems to have fried your tracking chip. Once you're discharged, I wouldn't be surprised to never see you again."
That was good to know, but Graham was more concerned about something else. "And Carmen?" he asked, sitting up. "Is she okay?"
Chief nodded. "I can pass along your contact information, if you'd like."
Graham shook his head, looking down at the blanket on his lap. "She doesn't need me complicating her life. I just... needed to know she's alright."
"I'll send your regards." Chief replied. She dipped her head in a farewell before exiting the hospital room.
Graham laid back down with a sigh, glancing out the window. He smiled sadly. As much as he longed to see Carmen again, he knew that it would probably be best if he stayed out of her life. He had only brought trouble to her, and if she really was safe now, he didn't want to drag her into danger on his account.
Now, though, Graham had to figure out what he was going to do with his own life. Going back to V.I.L.E. was a definite no. What they had done to Carmen had been a step too far. Besides, he thought ruefully, I did betray them. They certainly wouldn't welcome me home with open arms.
Advertisement
He supposed his best option was to try to find some sort of electrician job somewhere here in Sydney. He doubted the travel opera group would take him back after he disappeared for nearly seven months. And anyway, he was done with travelling the world for quite awhile. All he wanted was to have some peace. No capers, no danger, just time to quietly rebuild his life.
Graham sighed and turned away from the window to see Nurse Deleon walking into his hospital room, followed by an assistant with a clipboard in hand. Nurse Deleon seemed to be the one in charge of him, and he appreciated her cheerful attitude.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Calloway," she smiled brightly. "I have some good news for you. Dr. Locke says you're free to leave on Monday after a final examination."
"That's great!" Graham replied. Monday was only three days away.
Nurse Deleon nodded. "Do you have any way of getting home?"
Graham frowned. His car was still at his house, and he had no family members to call, being an orphan. "Well-" he started, but the assistant interrupted him.
"Actually, his car was left here for him by a woman named Tamara Fraser," the assistant said to Nurse Deleon. "She visited you not too long ago, didn't she?" she asked Graham.
That couldn't be anyone other than Chief. "Um, yes, she did." he nodded.
"Perfect," Nurse Deleon replied, satisfied. "Then you're all set to leave on Monday. Is there anything else you need, Mr. Calloway?"
"Nope, I'm good," Graham said, shaking his head. "Someone brought me lunch earlier."
"Alright. We'll leave you in peace, then." Nurse Deleon teased. She and her assistant stepped out of the hospital room, leaving Graham to alone with his thoughts.
Advertisement
- In Serial112 Chapters
Rise of the Desolate Star
“The soul is a sword. The body its sheath. Adversity is the hammer, while courage is the anvil. Oh, and son? Your tears and snot, they’re just the sparks that chip away at the impurities, like dungflies off a sow’s arse.” - Kendric Farrow Ever since he could remember, young Skyle Farrow’s body and mind have been hammered relentlessly like red-hot steel against the anvil of adversity under the watchful eyes of his father. All the while, Skyle’s heart and soul have been nurtured by the enduring warmth of his loving mother. Skyle has always asked why a simple farmboy would have need for all manner of skills like hand-to-hand combat, wilderness tracking, archery, beast taming, geography, history, politics, and even embroidery! The one vital question remains unasked, however: just what are his parents preparing him for? The invasion of a demonic horde? The advent of an age of war and endless bloodshed? The dark legacy of an ancient mystical power? A desperate struggle to save the lives of those he holds dear? The end of the world? It is a good thing he never asked these questions, for the answer would have been yes - to all of them. Now Skyle must take his first steps beyond the sheltered world he has known. He has been raised strong, but is he strong enough? Welcome to a tale of friendship, love, loss and heartbreak. It chronicles the growth of a young boy into a legend whose path will shatter the very foundations of the world. Expect a rich, detailed world with vivid characters. Each will pursue their own complex agendas due to realistic motivations. The MC will be overpowered, not through liberal use of plot armor but rather the deliberate application of arduous training, clever thinking, and nurtured talent. Battles will be graphic, victories will be bittersweet, and defeat will not mean the end of the world - for time waits for no one and life goes on whether we like it or not. New chapters posted on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m EST, 10 p.m. GMT. Get early access to chapters on my Patreon page @ https://www.patreon.com/hunterofclouds Join the discussion on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/gPws8He
8 148 - In Serial66 Chapters
Divinity
“Let an old warrior caution you, there are parts of every tale that are not told. The part where none of those mighty champions died peacefully in their beds. The part where the hero meets their end surrounded by the enemy and in horrible agony. They were alone in their final moments and unsure if their sacrifice would bear fruit. I do not want that for you.” The Heavens created the Realm of Man and saved it from the eternal silence of the Void - once. Centuries later, humanity’s unity has fractured beneath the weight of time and the whims of man. Raegn Edelgard fights on in his home of Bastion, one of two everlasting fortifications to protect the Realm from the remnants of the darkness that still persist. Raegn hoped to be written into legend alongside the stories that inspired him since childhood, yet the scouting skirmishes and small battles that have been fought since the time of his forefathers offer little chance at glory. When the Void wakes once more the Realm questions if the first war was ever really won…and if they might be saved again. Raegn is left searching for purpose and must navigate through a world teetering on the brink of extinction. Dire times create the greatest heroes, but tales that stand the test of time are written twice - in blood before ink.Divinity is a fantasy series about Raegn Edelgard, a young man who must make his way through a world that is struggling to realize it is, for the second time in its history, teetering on the brink of extinction. Book Cover Credits: Photo by Prince Akachi on Unsplash | Design by eric.margusity.com
8 232 - In Serial68 Chapters
The Healing Thief
Many past choices ended up with what we have present. Some were important, some were trivial. And some were... just tragic. Who knows, maybe we do have some sort of past lives and we’re just harvesting the karma we sowed. ~/``````````````````````````/~ A sick lady with hazy eyes leaned her body to the man she loved. Sitting by his side, awaiting death. She then eyed her arms and legs which already turned into wood. A sad curse. No one knew why she had a sad smile on her. Or as to what she told her knight. As only the Queen and the knight were there in that lonely wooden cabin. In the middle of an icy storm. ~/`````````````````````````/~ A young girl with red hair, hiding behind a wooden door. Overhearing her sister's voice. Jealousy was what she felt most. ~/`````````````````````````/~ A gray haired boy sitting down on the cold cobbled ground. Having his hands soaked in blood as he stares onto the corpses. He failed them by being too greedy. ~/`````````````````````````/~ Exchanges of sword clashes could be heard, before a badly beaten boy fell to the ground. He was then told to get up or bare the daily consequences. ~/`````````````````````````/~ A lady with golden eyes sat down as she wailed. She felt the sting of betrayal once more even though she was sure that it wouldn’t happen... at least from him. ~/`````````````````````````/~ “So what? Those were people that would die either way! Why are you now ignoring me!” “I thought so much more from you... but I was wrong.” A long journey to perfection. Turning an amateur novel into something... great. Follow the journey of countless characters with their intertwining predestined pathways.
8 730 - In Serial6 Chapters
CerberuS Awakening [Hiatus]
I am someone who started living his life at the age of twenty-four. Before that I was just a walking corpse, moving on instinct, living without a purpose. Fortunately, I met them and my life changed forever. From black and white, new colors started filling my world like mushrooms after rain. But, you see, destiny is a mysterious force. Soon my life changed again, and this is a change that no one under the heaven could have anticipated. Still, I am not afraid. I am not alone anymore. So, go ahead Destiny! Give me your best shot!......................... Hey, guys... This fiction is a reinterpretation of all those "transported to a different world" fictions out there. I really hope you are going to enjoy it! Just to mention a few things right now : - 2-3 chapter a week although there might be more if I have time - No harem - The story is kinda slow and the characters are not OP in the slightest, at least in the beginning Without further ado, please enjoy!
8 189 - In Serial19 Chapters
He Didn't See That Coming.
What happens when Clint finds a homeless boy, crippled by birth defects, on the side of the road?/abandoned work/
8 114 - In Serial70 Chapters
၂။ ဗျူဟာခင်းတဲ့ အစ်မကြီးဇွန်ဘီ (Myanmar Translation)
Title : Zombie sister strategyAuthor : A Wisp of Netherworld InfernoCredit to all
8 206

