Black Tide

Chapter Five: A Step Back Into the World

Kaine sat in his war room, the glow from the quantum computer casting eerie shadows on the walls. Pred’s voice, smooth and confident, filled the room like an uninvited guest who had made himself comfortable.

“You need to get out there,” Pred insisted. “Not as a vigilante. Not yet. Just… exist. Be seen. Make yourself look like someone normal for a while. It’s good for the cover, and, frankly, you need the fresh air.”

Kaine leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “Normal doesn’t really suit me, Pred. And I’m not exactly big on fresh air these days.”

“Fine, then fake it. Walk, shop, loiter, whatever humans do. You can’t stay locked in this dungeon forever, and blending in now makes it easier to disappear later.”

Kaine sighed, his fingers brushing the edge of the desk. “Alright, fine. You win. s**t, I actually have to do more than shower and brush my teeth. Ghetto.”

“Very,” Pred said, his tone smug. “I’ll remind you to smile, too, but I know that’s asking for a miracle.”

Kaine spent the next hour cleaning himself up. He trimmed his hair and beard into something neat but low-maintenance, then pulled on a black hoodie, dark jeans, and sneakers. To complete the look, he added a small new creation behind his right ear: the Smile Chip. A discreet, triangular implant with a faint crimson glow, it allowed him and Pred to communicate directly without anyone overhearing.

“How’s the fit?” Pred asked through the chip, his voice clearer than ever.

“Comfortable enough,” Kaine muttered. “Let’s see how this goes.”

The final touch was his armor, folded neatly into its compact, backpack form. The sleek design blended seamlessly into his outfit, appearing as nothing more than a high-tech accessory.

In the garage, his father’s old truck still stood as a testament to simpler times. It was a hulking, black-and-chrome beast that oozed old-school charm despite years of retrofitting. Kaine touched the hood, letting his power flow. The truck transformed subtly, its engine upgraded to self-sustaining energy, and its interior enhanced with advanced displays and sensors.

“All set, Pred?” Kaine asked, climbing into the driver’s seat.

“Always,” Pred replied through the speakers. “And for the record, this truck is officially cooler than you.”

“Noted,” Kaine said, smirking as the engine roared to life.

The drive through Natchitoches was a surreal blend of nostalgia and dissonance. The town’s historic charm remained intact, with its brick streets and centuries-old architecture on Front Street. Cafes and boutiques lined the sidewalks, their signs now holographic and flashing animated images. Northwestern State University dominated the town’s skyline, its campus blending classic red-brick buildings with cutting-edge research facilities. The school’s Demons mascot was plastered everywhere, from holographic banners to augmented reality displays that roared as pedestrians walked past. Hovercars zipped past traditional vehicles, while pedestrians, some sporting cosmetic cybernetic implants, strolled along.

The implants caught Kaine’s eye more and more. Augmented limbs, glowing eyes, embedded interfaces—all were trendy and affordable in 2045. While he could admit they looked cool, something about them gave him the creeps. It wasn’t the tech itself, but the casual way people seemed to treat their bodies like upgradeable devices.

“Guess people like being part machine,” Kaine muttered.

“Coming from you, that’s almost ironic,” Pred replied.

“Yeah, but I didn’t have a choice.”

Kaine parked at the Walmart Megacenter, a sprawling complex that was part supermarket, part tech hub, and part community center. As he stepped out of the truck, he adjusted the straps of his armor in backpack form. It felt comfortable enough, and no one gave it a second glance.

As he navigated the aisles, Kaine allowed himself to relax. The act of shopping, mundane as it was, felt strangely grounding. He grabbed essentials—food, toiletries, and a new pair of wireless earbuds—when a familiar voice cut through the hum of the crowd.

“Kaine?”

He froze, turning slowly to see Jalisa Pierce standing a few feet away. She was stunning, as always. Her medium brown skin seemed to glow under the fluorescent lights, and her athletic frame was every bit as impressive as he remembered. She wore a fitted tracksuit that highlighted her toned physique, and her dark, curly hair framed a face lit up with a smile that could stop traffic.

“Jalisa,” Kaine said, his voice softer than he’d intended.

She approached him, her smile widening. “I thought that was you. How’ve you been?”

Kaine shrugged, forcing a faint smile. “Surviving.”

Her smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern. “I’m so sorry about your family… and your injuries. I wanted to reach out, but I didn’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay,” Kaine replied. “You don’t have to explain.”

Jalisa studied him for a moment before her expression brightened again. “You look good. Really good.”

“Thanks,” he said, his smile becoming a little more genuine. “You look amazing. Not that that’s a surprise.”

She laughed, her voice warm and familiar. “Still smooth, I see.” She hesitated before adding, “So, I graduated and start at Northwestern next semester. Business program.”

“That’s great,” Kaine said. “You’ll kill it, no doubt. Are you still seeing Victor?”

Victor was the star pitcher of the Natchitoches Central High School baseball team who had dated Jalisa since freshman year. Last time he talked to her they were having a tough patch.

“Thanks,” she said, glancing away briefly. “No, me and Victor broke up last year. I'm in an LDR with Jared now. But he is come back to attend Northwestern next semester. He will be living on campus.”

Kaine’s stomach clenched, but his expression remained neutral. Jared had been one of his closest friends before the bombing. He also has had a crush on Jalisa for years. He couldn’t blame him for making his move, but the news still stung.

“Yeah,” Kaine said. “That’s… good. I’m happy for you two.”

Jalisa hesitated again, then smiled softly. “Thanks. But, um, could I get your new number? Your old one was disconnected. I’d like to stay in touch.”

Kaine sensed something beneath her words—she wasn’t quite hiding well enough. Still, he recited his number, watching as she saved it into her phone.

“Thanks, Kaine,” she said. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“You too,” he replied, watching as she disappeared into the crowd.

As he turned back to his shopping, Pred’s voice crackled through the Smile Chip. “Well, that was interesting.”

“Not now, Pred.”

“Touchy, touchy,” Pred teased. “Still, you handled that better than expected.”

Kaine sighed. “Let’s just finish up and get out of here.”