The Mad New World through my eyes

Chapter 4 The Discussion

I woke up the next morning to a strange place. I realized after a moment that I was at Rikers house. I got up out of bed. Went to the bathroom across the hall. Washed my face real quick.

I then went towards the kitchen to find Riker. When I got there Riker was already making fresh coffee. It seemed like he already knew I was there. Because Riker said, "Morning sleepy head. Want a cup of coffee?"

I replied, "Yup, sounds great. I haven't had coffee for days." He turned around. He had a smile on his face, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. I think he was trying to make me feel better.

I could tell he was sad too. Since he was given bad news just yesterday about his friends, my parents, death. I know all of this was effecting him just as bad as it was me. I grabbed the coffee cup. He pointed towards the sugar, sweetener, cream, or creamer to choose from at the table.

He then asked, "What are you in the mood for to have for breakfast?" I went to the table. Set the cup down. Pulled out the chair. Then sat down and got comfy.

I turned towards him. Then asked, "What kind of menu can you suggest?" Riker replied, "Well, I have bacon, eggs, bread for toast or french toast. I can make muffins, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, and I have sausages. Well take your pick."

It all sounded great. I sat there for a moment to decide what I was craving. Then I said, "I'll have eggs, biscuits, and sausage. But I was wondering if you could make some gravy to go with the biscuits. I haven't had them like that in a while."

Riker smiled at me. Then said, "Sure, it'll be a little. Hope you can wait." He turned around to get started cooking. It wasn't long before the food was done.

Riker served a plate full of hot food. Then turned to serve his own plate and take it to the table. He went back to grab some more coffee for both of us. He finally sat down. We both then started to eat.

After breakfast he washed the dirty dishes. Once finished he said, "Okay, now that we've had breakfast and enough time to wake up completely. I think it's time to talk about everything. Then to decide what your plan is going forward. I will sit with you in the living room."

I nodded. Then I headed to the living room. Sat down on the chair. Waited for Riker to sit in his chair. Then I said, "Do you know where my Uncle Ryan is?"

Riker looked at me. Then replied, "Your mother told me about him. But never mentioned where he was." I then asked, "Do you know where my mother was raised at? If not do you know anything about my dad's side of the family. I never heard anything from him about his side of the family. And I was never curious enough to ask him."

Riker replied, "Well, your mom moved here from Azure City. It's three cities from here. I'm not sure if her brother is there. The only thing that I know is your Uncle was always on the move. He gave updates every time he stopped in one place. Just long enough to get work and save to move again."

He continued, "Your mother moved here because it was safe. I know your in a safer place here than most other cities. That's why nothing has happened like this until now. I believe your parents became to comfortable with raising you here. That they forgot what it's like everywhere else."

I didn't know that it was that bad in other places because this is all I've known. I said, "I didn't know. My parents never told me about that. I was told to stay away from the Dragonets race. They said it's because they are hunters and a war crazy race that thrive on the kill."

Riker nodded. Then said, "You are right what they said we're true. But not all the Dragonets race are war crazy. Some of the vegetarian Dragonets like peace and tend to be the Merchant type. They travel to sell good's."

I looked in amazement. This is something I'm hearing for the first time. Then a question popped up in my head. Before I knew I had spoken it out loud.

I said, "Then why were the two Dragonets here if they weren't merchants." When I saw the shocked look on Riker's face. He said, "Usually Dragonets stay in the desert or tropical areas. I think the only thing that could have brought them here is they are wanted. Which brings me to say that I'll have to talk to the guards at the gate to warn about them. I'll be doing that a little later though."

He continued to say, "The thing I most want to know is "What do you want to do now with your life?" There must be something you want to do, but before that I want you to not worry about anything. I want you to not to think that's going to make you uncomfortable. When you make the decision."

He paused for a moment. Then added, "I know you'll probably want to find your uncle. That's just fine. I will help you do that, but I want you to think about the future as well. What you would like to do? Where you want to live? Do you want to keep living at your parents house? I want you to think about this for a while. I hope that once you get a chance to grieve and talk to your uncle about what happened. You might have better idea of what to do next in your life."

What he said made me feel more at ease. He's right I do need to figure some things out. I sat there for a moment in my thoughts not saying anything. I didn't even more an inch. I just let all the things he told me settle in.

I sat there slowly looked over to him. Then said, "I appreciate you talking to me about all this. If things didn't happen like this. Your words remind me that my dad would have said almost the same thing. It made me happy to think I still have you by my side."

I started to tear up. Then I asked Riker, "Can I consider you family instead of just my parents friend?" He made a shocked face. Then Riker said, "I thought we were already family." That did it.

I broke out crying. Then I got up. Lounged forward to Riker. Then basically toppled onto him. Giving the biggest bear hug I could. All of that while still crying.

I think I cried for a long time while hugging him. I cried so much my eyes became puffy and sore to the touch. Riker patted my back to help calm me down.

Once I stopped completely. I leaned back and smiled at Riker. Then said, "Yup, your right. We're family. I'll never be able to say that about anyone else." He was pleased to hear be say that.

Riker said, "By the way, When are you going to get off of me?" I looked confused for a moment about what he said. Then I looked down. Saw where I was at. Then it dawned on me that I was basically sitting on him.

I was frantic for a second. I scrambled to get up off of him. All while saying, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't me to pin you down." Once I was up standing.

I leaned over and offered my hand to help him up. I said, "Here let me help you up." He grabbed my hand. He said, "Thanks. That helps me out a lot."

I pulled him up. He brushed off his rear from dirt and dust. Then Riker straightened himself up. Riker then said, "Well, now that all of that is settled. Let's get back to the main subject we were talking about."

Riker went back to sit on his chair. I soon did the same. Once we were both comfy. Riker said, "We'll go find your Uncle Ryan. Today, we'll rest up. Tomorrow we'll both run some errands in prep for the trip. I'll give you a list of stuff to get and do. I'll be busy tomorrow as well. I need to talk to the guard's and do other stuff myself."

He looked at me seriously. Then said, "Tomorrow will be a busy day for both of us. I will need to head to the bank today to get the funds needed for everything. I'll also have to report tonight to the bank about your parents and have all their funds transfered to you as your inheritance. I'll be busy the rest of the evening with reporting their deaths and making sure you get what belongs to you."

He paused for a moment. Then said, "It might take a while for the official's to have all the paperwork done. The whole things just one big mess to handle all at once. I might have to get things done after we go to find your Uncle Ryan. I just hope I can get things started now, so it'll make it easier later when we come back."

He then looked at me. Then said, "Zero, I'm going to leave here to go get things started after this. I won't be able to cook lunch. I might not be back by dinner time either. You'll have to do your own food tonight. I want you to go to bed early because tomorrow will be full of hard work. You'll be needing all the rest you can tonight. Now, I'm heading out. I'll wake you in the morning."

With that said. He got up and grabbed some things. He went towards the door. Looked at me before saying, "Have a good night's rest." Then turned and went out the door.

I went into the kitchen fixed lunch. Ate lunch. After lunch I went to the living room. I watched TV until my stomach started growling. I hadn't realized how much time had passed.

I got up off the couch. Went to the kitchen. Made a simple sandwich. Brought my sandwich with me to the living room. Sat down and watched TV while I ate.

I was starting to get late. I looked at the time on the clock to the right. It read 10:23 pm. Riker was still not back. I didn't want to make him mad for staying up late.

I remember what he told me we were going to do tomorrow. I got up. Turned off the TV. Went to the guest bedroom. Got ready for bed. Then I laid down and got comfy. The next thing I knew I dozed off to a deep sleep.