Shadow Cipher

19. Cygnus

(2 weeks later)

I'm sliding on my gloves and I look over at the crowd... Hoping to see her, but I know she isn't there. I wish Nova would tell me where she is. I miss my little sister. I'm worried about her.

I sigh, give myself 5 seconds to miss her, then put on my helmet. I can't let those thoughts infiltrate my mind while I'm racing, or I'm dead. I'm racing my motorcycle today and I finally got it to break the sound barrier. It took tons of training so I wouldn't die, and lots of tinkering, but I finally got it to work. I'm calling this bike the Sonic Boom. I try not to think about the little toy version I made of it sitting at home. I always make her toy models of my vehicles. I smile sadly, get on my bike and let the roar of the crowd wash away all my other thoughts.

I don't know how Nova did it, but she sent me enough money to pay off all my debts, so now I get to truly race. I see the other racers line up and I see the light turn green and I'm off. I stay behind for a while, having fun toying with the competition. I like to let them feel they have a chance before I win. Half way through the race, I get serious. I flip a switch and my bike blasts off. I'm weaving around the other racers as I maneuver myself into first place. On the last lap, I even throw in some tricks. As I pass the finish line, I throw up a peace sign. It was always the secret Nova and I shared, it meant 'Love ya sis, this one was for you.' I hope wherever she is, she sees it and comes home soon. After accepting my trophy, I lock my bike up in the garage and start heading home.

I get the feeling that I'm being followed, so I dip into an alleyway and wait. When I see a man with long hair and a long coat walk by, I swear I saw him at the race. I step out of the alley, "You following me?" I ask. It seems to startle him. "Look, I paid all my debts. If you're a crazy fan, you should know there are better ways to get my autograph."

The man chuckles and holds his hand out. "My name is Jake. It's nice to meet you Cygnus. I'm your brother-in-law." Then he shows me his left hand which has a wedding ring on it and it takes my mind a moment to catch up to what he is saying.

"Ha ha. I only have one sibling and that's Nova." He flinches when I say her name. shit... she wouldn't have.... would she?

"Yeah... that's my wife."

I punch him. I'm not a fighter, so it isn't pretty and I'm pretty sure I do more damage to myself than to him. He doesn't hit me back though.

"I can explain," he says, "please, give me a chance."

I shake my hand, knowing I should ice it before the swelling gets too bad. "Sure. Follow me." I take him home. "Where's my sister?" I ask as I grab an ice pack.

"She... was taken. By Bolton's men."

"Excuse me?!" I can't believe that's his response! Bolton?! What does he want with her?!

"Your ex, Kevin. He was hired by Bolton to grab Nova. We got away from them, but then Kevin threatened you and she wanted to protect you, so she set up a deal. She went with him in exchange for them leaving you out of it." He is saying all this so matter of factly, it is hard to not believe him.

"Why would Bolton want her? She's just a college student. She has nothing to do with him."

"You really had no idea?" He asks.

"No idea about what?" I feel like my head is going to explode. I really hope this is an elaborate prank.

"She was the best hacker in the galaxy. She actually worked for a secret organization and took a job to get information from Bolton's computer. While doing so, her curiosity got the better of her, and she got information Bolton didn't want out in the world, so he put a hit out on her."

I swear, every word is like a dagger to my heart. Did I not know my sister at all?

"Here, she left a letter with me to give you. I hope she explains it all." He gives me a sealed envelope with Nova's handwriting on it that says, "Cyg".

I open the envelope and read the letter.

"Cyg,

Hopefully this means that Jake made it to you. He's a good guy. Please don't hold the fact that he was the mercenary sent to kill me against him. He changed on our trip and I think he really grew to care for me, and I truly love him. We got married. I'm sorry you couldn't be there, but I'm off to bargain myself to Kevin (please tell me you broke up with that douche) for your safety and I don't think I will be alive much longer. I wanted to marry the person I love before I died. Ya know? Anyways, I came up with some new schematics for a star racer. They're all here.

Love ya,

Nova."