All characters are 18 years old or older. I have been asked about discrepancies between different stories in the Shaw universe. Often when I write a new story with a new protagonist I play a game of what if. It's these what if this happens that creates the flow of action and events in these parallel universes. In one world things might have ended one way and in another a small change creates a completely different outcome. I hope this helps. I am experimenting to see how I want to end the conflict between order and chaos. Please feel free to critique and tell me if you enjoy the story. Vote and let your voice be heard and as always thanks for reading!
*****
The last days of summer were upon me. I hit the pool as much as I could before the inevitable change of seasons and I was forced to swim at the gym. It was a scant few weeks since my world was turned upside down and the Feds had been out front, wanting to seize the water I had hoarded. As I swam laps and the setting sun faded upon the horizon I received an email from Shannon. I had my other half read it to me as I performed a rather impressive flip turn in the deep end. Apparently she was inviting me to a private meeting. The strange thing was that she had given me the GPS coordinates to the location.
'How far away is that from here,' I asked silently to my A.I.
'About half an hour, the way you drive,' it responded.
'What is there?' I asked but my other half remained silent. 'What is going on?'
'Miss Shannon requested that I keep the building's nature a secret. I already double checked and it was sent from her cell phone.'
'Fine, when is this little rendezvous?'
'Tonight, so you better make this your last lap if you want to have time to shower and make yourself presentable.'
I cut my exercise short for Shannon's sake and headed in for a shower. Twenty minutes later I was getting dressed as Cindy came home. She hollered and warned me that she wasn't alone. I finished dressing and headed downstairs. There was my daughter and in tow was a leggy redhead with eyes like flashing amethysts. Wow, who the hell are you? I asked myself. Cindy perked up when she saw how nice I was dressed.
"Dad this is Rhea," Cindy said for introductions. "Rhea, my dad Greg Robinson..."
"Why so formal kitten," I said as I shook Rhea's cool hand. "Cold hand warm heart or so they say."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," she said and did that nervous tick some women do by pushing her hair behind one ear.
"Are those real," I asked looking at the way her ear came to such a delicate but noticeable point.
"DAD," Cindy cried out as she reached meltdown in seconds flat.
"I meant her ears sweetie," I said recovering as quickly as I could.
"I am genuine from head to toe," Rhea said smiling at Cindy's expense.
"Good to know, well I gotta go I have a previous engagement... what?" I said halting my movement for the front door.
"Rhea is from the University I applied for... she has some good news for us," Cindy growled. "Can you wait long enough to hear that?"
"Of course I can, I didn't know," I said smiling from ear to ear.
"Cindy has been accepted to Miskatonic University. I have already spoken with my sorority sisters and they have agreed to accept her without pledging. Her scores were just too good not to snatch her up right away. You must be very proud."
"That goes without saying," I said and caught that glint in Rhea's eyes. "It's a pity I have to run. I knew you could do it kitten. We will celebrate when I get home, I promise."
"Go, I don't want you getting in trouble." Cindy said with a knowing smile.
I gave her a quick hug and headed out. I let the A.I. drive while I took in the replay of Rhea. She was something. I had seen quite a few beauties in my time but she beat them all hands down. Her kind of beauty belonged on a magazine cover or in the movies. Why was she working for the university?
'She doesn't work for Miskatonic,' the A.I. chimed in. 'She is employed at Numenor Technology. She is in security, to be more precise she is a bodyguard. I suspect Mr. Shaw sent her to keep you and Cindy safe.'
'Why would she lie to Cindy?' I asked. 'Is she undercover or something?'
'I think she is testing the waters so to speak. Many live in bodyguards often approach a client to see if they are compatible. I think she took quite a shine to you.'
'I believe you are right. There is something different about her. I just can't put my finger on it.' I sent silently to my other half. 'Do you see something I don't?'
'Physical beauty is based on balanced proportions. It denotes health and other mating signals. In her case... well that is interesting. Her facial features are nearly perfect. I detect less than a half percent margin of error. She is what you would call a rare beauty sir.'