EPT
A Blog Novel Series by Seeker
Graphics by shiroiusagi
Table of Contents
Other
The Delay (read after Ch. 11)The Comeback (read after The Delay)
Special New Year Chapter
Chapter 13
Within her main office inside the medical facility, all seven of Smix’s computers were running on full capacity. Smix was determined to get to the bottom of everything that was going on. She still couldn’t fully understand why forbidden specimens were being randomly found inside TL staff people’s bodies. Because Smix was working with such force and speed, she didn’t notice that she had knocked over an item on her desk. Suddenly, one of the computers at the far corner end of the room started beeping rapidly, so she got up and started heading over in that direction and kicked the item that had fallen off her desk. Startled by this, Smix peered down towards the ground to see what she had just kicked. When her eyes fell upon the golden waffle that was lying down on the floor, her heart stopped beating for a second. Smix then slowly bent down, reached over, and picked up the golden waffle. As she held it in her hands, she began to slowly examine every inch of it. When her eyes fell upon the engraved writing on the waffle that read: Bought this for you on a Wednesday so that you’d always think of me, Smix slowly began crying softly to herself as she clutched the waffle close to her heart.
FLASHBACK: 3 YEARS AGO
SMIX: You’re very persistent, aren’t you?
WAFFLES: Heh, yeah, I guess you could say that.
SMIX: So what’s your proposal this time? A romantic walk around the property, watch a movie in the TL theatre, or maybe a garden candlelight dinner under the TL horse statue with music in the background?
WAFFLES: Haha, nah, you’re not like any other girl I’ve ever met. You’ve pretty much shot me down at every turn. I’m done coming up with traditional romantic ideas to approach you with.
SMIX: So then why are you here?
WAFFLES: (smiling) I’m here because I found out a surefire way of asking you out. There’s no way you’ll say no since it’s nowhere near traditional. I guarantee you that no guy has ever asked out a girl like this before.
SMIX: (raises her eyebrow) Is that so?
WAFFLES: Yup.
SMIX: Alright then… Let’s hear this surefire plan of yours then, shall we?
WAFFLES: Sure thing gorgeous. (pulls out a tablet from his bag) This… Will decide our fate.
SMIX: …Huh?
WAFFLES: I programmed this specific tablet to randomly pick one day out of the seven days of the week when a signal occurs. If Wednesday gets picked, then you and I are going on a date. If any of the other six days get picked, then no date, sound good?
SMIX: …Umm…. What?
WAFFLES: (smiles again) Also, if any other day besides Wednesday gets picked, then I’ll give up on you forever. Do we have a deal?
SMIX: …Are you for real?
WAFFLES: Absolutely. I’m a man of my word. If any other day besides Wednesday gets picked, then I’ll leave you alone for good.
SMIX: …Okay… How does this work?
WAFFLES: Input your key card from that end, and I’ll input my key card from this end. The second both our key card information gets read, the randomization process will begin. (takes out his key card) Ready?
SMIX: …Ummm …I don’t think so…
WAFFLES: Heh, having doubts about this? Alright, tell you what, this first one will be purely a demonstration. Even if Wednesday comes out we won’t go on a date. Okay?
SMIX: Uhh… Okay… (takes out her key card)
WAFFLES: On the count of three then… One… Two… Three!
At the mention of three, Smix and Waffles both inputted their key cards into the tablet Waffles was holding on to. In a matter of seconds, the tablet responded to the input of the two key cards and began reading both cards’ information.
KEY CARD RECOGNIZED
USER: Waffles
STATUS: Men in Red
POSITION: Project Manager
OFFICE LOCATION: Flying Monkey
KEY CARD RECOGNIZED
USER: Smix
STATUS: Translator
POSITION: Medic in Training
OFFICE LOCATION: Greek Goddess
Once the tablet had finished reading the two cards’ information, the randomization process then took place. After about ten seconds, a loud beep was heard and a result came out on the tablet. Both Smix and Waffles looked at the tablet’s screen and saw that it read:
THURSDAY
WAFFLES: Ahhh damn… Only one day away. I was close though. (smiles at Smix)
SMIX: … Huh…
WAFFLES: So, we good then? Ready to try it for real?
SMIX: Umm…
WAFFLES: Still not convinced? Damn girl, you are one tough cookie to break. Alright, how about one more practice run? Same rules, no date even if Wednesday comes out.
SMIX: Uhh… Okay then…
WAFFLES: One… Two… Three!
Once again, both Smix and Waffles inputted their key cards into the tablet. Once the tablet read the two key cards’ information, the randomization process then took place yet again. After the same ten seconds, they heard another loud beep and another result came out on the tablet. Both Smix and Waffles looked at the tablet’s screen again as it read:
SATURDAY
WAFFLES: Holy shit… That’s not even kind of close. Looks like I’m just getting further and further away from you huh?
SMIX: (nervous laughter) Ummm… Yeah, I guess…
WAFFLES: Okay, you’re not skeptical about this anymore right? I’ve shown you twice now that this is legit completely randomized. Ready for the real test?
SMIX: Err… Yeah, sure…
WAFFLES: (smiles) Cool. You know what to do.
SMIX: Yeah… Ready when you are.
WAFFLES: Sweet. Alright destiny, do your thing. One… Two.. Three!
For the third time, both Smix and Waffles inputted their key cards at the mention of three. The tablet began its familiarized process of reading the two cards’ information before moving on to the randomization process. But this time, right before the result came out, Waffles spoke up.
WAFLLES: Hey Smix.
SMIX: (looking up) Hmm?
WAFFLES: I truly meant what I said before. If any other day comes out, then the universe is sending me a clear sign that we’re not meant to be. I promise today will be the last time I ever bother you if Wednesday doesn’t show up.
Smix did not say anything in response. She just stared into Waffles’ eyes and could tell right away that he was being 100% genuine. But right as she was about to open her mouth and say something, the tablet made a loud beeping noise. Smix slowly looked down at the tablet, and then her eyes widened as she read the result. Waffles saw that Smix was completely speechless, so he decided to look down at the tablet as well. A giant smile came across his face as the tablet read:
WEDNESDAY
WAFFLES: Huh… How about that...? Looks like the universe does want us to be together after all.
SMIX: I… This… W-what? Y-you rigged this!
WAFFLES: What? Rigged it? How would I do that? You just did this twice with me and saw for yourself that this is all randomized.
SMIX: Yes but… This… This… T-this couldn’t have been… I mean… You clearly-
WAFFLES: Hey Smix?
SMIX: (looking up) Huh?
WAFFLES: I’ll pick you up at 4:00, sound good?
SMIX: …
WAFFLES: Alright then, 4:00 it is. (puts tablet away) So… I was thinking for our date, we’d start off with a romantic walk around the property, then watch a movie in the TL theatre, and then top off everything with a garden candlelight dinner under the TL horse statue with music in the background. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun?
SMIX: …
WAFFLES: Cool. Well, I need to go see Plexa about some stuff so… Catch you later? (turns and starts walking away)
SMIX: …
WAFFLES: Oh, that reminds me, (turns back towards Smix) remember to wear something sexy. I want to be the envy of every single guy at TL while we’re on our date. I’ll text you that I’m heading over around 3:50. (winks) See you Wednesday.
SMIX: …
Waffles waved goodbye towards Smix, turned around, and resumed walking off in his direction. Smix just stared off towards the direction that Waffles had left in for about thirty seconds, and then suddenly regained her composure as she snapped out of her trance-like state. She folded her arms across her chest, flipped her hair back, and then stared broodingly towards Waffles’ direction.
SMIX: (loud huffing noise) Tch. Yeah right, like I would ever end up with someone like you. After our date, I’m saying goodbye to you forever creep… (turns and walks off towards the other direction)
END FLASHBACK
Back at the medical facility, Smix was still sitting on the ground clutching the golden waffle to her chest when suddenly, the computer at the far corner end of the room started beeping rapidly again. As soon as the beeping started, Smix looked up towards the noise, and then slowly looked back down towards the golden waffle she was clutching. After another ten seconds on the ground, Smix got up from the floor, wiped away her tears, and walked towards her desk. Once there, she reached down towards one of the drawers, opened it up, and pulled out a wooden storage box. She then reached for her necklace, and grabbed ahold of the tiny key that was placed on there. She opened the box with that key and gently placed the golden waffle into the box. She then closed the box, locked it up, and put it away into her drawer. As Smix walked away from her desk so that she could resume her work, she began praying earnestly that she would not think about what was in that box again for a very long time. For in that box, next to the golden waffle that she had just placed inside was only one other item: an engagement ring that she had not thought about for over three years.
INCOMING CALL: PLEXA
NAZGUL: Hello? Plexa? What's going on in Disneyland?
PLEXA: We need to talk.
NAZGUL: What? What happened? Is everything okay?
PLEXA: No, everything is not okay. In fact, everything has gone to shit.
NAZGUL: Are you serious? Damn it… What did you find out?
PLEXA: Let’s meet in person and talk about this face to face.
NAZGUL: Okay. Where are you right now?
PLEXA: Your office.
NAZGUL: What? Why are you in my office?
PLEXA: Because this is where you initially wanted to have the talk with me anyways. Let’s finish this.
NAZGUL: What? What are you… You can’t seriously be suggesting… Plexa, we will talk about the thing another time. Right now, we need to focus on what’s happening in TL. This is a crisi we’re dealing with!
PLEXA: You’re right. It is a crisis. So the admins need to come together and figure out how to deal with this. But… We have a problem here, and that problem is the fact that I don’t trust you right now. In fact, I have absolutely no idea who you are Nazgul… You expect me to work with someone like that?
NAZGUL: …What? Plexa… You know who I am…
PLEXA: Do I? Because if I recall correctly, right before all hell broke loose, you said you killed Waffles. And if you truly are Liquid`Nazgul, one of my most trusted friends, then there’s no way in hell you would kill my best friend… Right?
NAZGUL: …
PLEXA: ANSWER ME!
NAZGUL: …Yes… You’re right… You’re absolutely right about that…
PLEXA: Good. I’ll be in your office. Don’t dawdle since we have no time to waste. This may be the end of TL for all we know.
NAZGUL: Alright… I’m heading over now. See you soon…
END CALL
After Nazgul hung up, he stood frozen as an ice block for a long time. He then took a deep breath and slowly began walking down the hallway again and headed towards his office. As he walked, he slowly took his right arm and grabbed ahold of his chest fiercely.
NAZGUL: Waffles… I’m so sorry… You died so you could prevent this day from ever happening… You trusted me… And I failed you…
End of Chapter
