Maniac’s Mayhem Chapter ten: Party Like Psychopaths

"sotis life is a bitch sotis it isn't. It's mostly a bitch though"

anonymous

I close the door behind after delivering an extra plate of food to the kids. I was feeling really happy today. The children had sohow not only managed to stay calm but also to make so friends.

“Lyssa, keep an eye on the kids, will you?” I ask looking up at the ceiling.

Lyssa always endeavours to protect the next generation.

I nod, turning back to the party and almost imdiately jump out of my skin. “Fuck, what are you doing here? You almost gave a heart attack.”

“Unlikely, our heart is beating at a stable rhythm.” Crow answers unrepentantly, still keeping their face just millitres from my own. “Also, I ca back to inform you that I might be gone for a bit longer. I got a job.”

I blink, looking at my own face in complete confusion. “A job? I know we don’t really have money, but there are easier ways to get it.”

“I am not doing it for money.” Crow says in a dead pan tone. “Once you marry Cierra, her assets will be shared, so we will have more than enough money then.”

“Okay, then, why do you have a job?” I ask, trying to comprehend at least a tenth of Crow's reasoning.

“To keep everyone safe, of course.” Crow answers.

I nod. Right, why did I even ask? “Will you stay for the party?”

Crow looks behind them, then shakes their head. “No, but you can have our body back for the night as long as I can have it back in the morning.”

“Actually, yeah, that would be great. Thank you, Crow,” I say with a smile as I dismiss my digital projection, finding myself back in our mind-place thing. From there I slowly try to take control of our body while Crow lets go.

I let out a breath, trying to get used to feeling air bouncing around as I breathe. Wow, this feels weird after having been a hologram for a while. Anyway, I have people to take care of, I guess, or sothing like that. I walk back into the living room, throwing an arm around Cierra and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Children are okay?” Cierra asks

“Yeah, they’re playing so ga about dragons and cookies, I think.” I say with a shrug. “They seem to be having fun.”

Cierra gives a brilliant smile as she hugs tight. She suddenly freezes however, and tilts her head towards with a confused look. “You have a heart beat.”

I frown at her, “I never replaced my heart, so I would sure hope I have one.”

With your oxygen retention and lack of organs that still require it, Lyssa estimates you can actually survive for several hours without a heartbeat before any adverse effects set in.

I shake my head, trying to not think too much about what my AI just said, and instead focus my attention on Cierra who is pouting at .

“I know, but your hologram thing usually doesn't have a heartbeat.” Cierra says.

I smile leaning down to give Cierra a kiss. “That is because this is my real body, not a hologram.”

“Is it too late to kick everyone out so we can head to the bedroom for so fun?” Cierra whispers in my ear.

“I think so, yeah.” I say with a small smile.

"Sha, so does this an Crow is back then?” Cierra asks.

“For now, apparently they have a job now, so they’ll probably leave soon.” I say with a shrug.

“And you are fine with that?” Cierra asks, raising her eyebrow at .

“Yeah, I an they have so kind of plan,” I get closer to Cierra. “Let’s just have so fun today and not worry about Crow’s little adventure.”

“So it really does not bother you that you don’t know what Crow is doing with your body?” Cierra asks while leading by the arm into the party.

“Who said I didn't know what they were doing?” At the look Cierra gives , I continue. “Right, so they did send an extensive docunt with what they were planning, but I have not read it on account of it being over ten thousand pages.”

“I am going to assu Crow writes like a dented, well, let's say treasure seeking pirate.” Cierra says with a smile.

“Yep, so I am, like, on page two, but you know, if Crow has planned all this out this much, it should be good, right?” I ask.

“Out of the three of you, Crow is definitely the smart one,” Cierra says, pinching my side.

I laugh, showing a face of mock hurt. “You wound .”

“Your body is made of steel; nothing I can do will wound you,” Cierra says, leading to a frowning woman.

The woman's face grows even darker as she spots . She crosses her arms, giving a scowl. Cierra quickly lets go of , giving just a kiss and a whispered good luck before walking to so other people to engage those people in conversation and leaving to deal with the irate teenager.

“Ashley, nice to see you again?” I venture. “Have you settled in?”

“I did,” Ashley says, giving a pout. “But you promised that I would be your assistant, and now I am stuck taking care of children, so I feel like I have been conned.”

“Right, I guess that's fair.” I say, scratching the back of my neck. “I could use so help, but it will be even more chaotic than taking care of kids.”

Ashley nods. “I can handle chaos; I grew up alone in the Undercity.”

I reach out my hand, ruffling her hair. “Sure, you are a big girl now. Be here tomorrow at ten and we sort out all the things we need to get done. In the anti, just enjoy the party.”

“Thanks,” Ashley says, looking down at the floor. “And Evelin I do really appreciate everything you have done so far.”

“You're more than welco. Anyway, I'm going to say hi to my mom,” then I boop her on the nose ”and hands off the liquor; you are not of age yet.”

“Yes, Mom, I will keep to the chocolate milk,” Ashley says with a smile.

I spend so more ti at the party greeting everyone and talking about current events, while the kids stay mostly in their room. Though Cali does co out once to ask for more ice cream, and after being handed an entire tub, she happily skips back to her room, making dread the ss I will have to clean up later.

As the initial excitent dies down and everyone has had a drink or two and sothing to eat, Cierra drags to the middle of the room, grabbing her glass and raising it up into the air.

“Everyone, can I have your attention please” Cierra says loudly, everyone quieting down to look at the two of us.

Cierra grabs my hand while taking out a small red box out of her pocket. “Evelin, my crazy Evelin, you have been the light of my life for so long that I want to show the world how brightly you shine. Will you marry ?” She asks with a smile.

I nod, trying my best not to cry. “Yes, of course. "

The next mont passes by in a blur. I think I kissed her and I definitely put on the ring, then hugged and talked to a million different people. When it is all over, I find myself on the couch with Claire sitting in my lap, her back resting against my chest as I lean my chin on her shoulder.

“So you like getting married?” Claire asks while playing with the ring on my finger.

“Yes, I hope that is not a problem?” I ask, placing a kiss on her neck.

“Not a problem, just unexpected. You don’t co across as the stable relationship type,” Claire says with a chuckle.

“I think I am actually pretty good at digging in and settling down when I want to.” I say with a grin. “I an, I have a house, a fiancé, and two kids now. All I am missing is the sports car for the complete midlife crisis, and that all in half a year.”

Claire chuckles, turning her head around to give a kiss on the cheek. “So the ambulance does not count?”

“That is a fair point, so I got my luxury ride.” I say with a smile. “Maybe I can get Jasper to put so spoilers on it.”

Claire giggles. “You are awful, you know that, right?” She then brings my hand with the ring closer to her face. “So when am I getting a ring?”

I pause. “I didn’t realise you wanted one.”

“I an, I do. Maybe not right now, but eventually. Like marriage feels like a lot for right now, but that doesn’t an I don’t want to get married.” She rambles out, sounding a bit shy.

“So does this an that I should slowly persuade you to co live with ?” I say with a smile, holding the cute bundle closer.

“No, I need to focus on college, and with you, Cierra, and the kids here, I don’t think I would get much studying done.”

“I see. That makes sense,” I say, trying my best to not let my disappointnt show.

“Are you disappointed?” she asks, turning to look at .

I nod. “I would be lying if I said that I'm not, but I also understand. I an, the kids have only been here for a few days and they have already taken over my life completely, so don’t worry. I get what you an, and I know you did not sign up to be a mother yet.”

“Right.” Claire shifts around to try and face better. “I will still co visit you a lot, I promise.”

I smile, patting her head. “No worries, I am so proud of you. Just go and get that diploma. We will be cheering you on.”

I lean in a bit closer and capture her mouth, giving her a kiss that was a bit more passionate than would be appropriate in a public setting. I only stop when I feel Claire’s hand on my chest slowly pushing away. Giving a good look at her blushing face.

“You are a bad person, you know that, right?” Claire says, looking away from with a pout.

“Then maybe you should stay the night so you could teach so manners.” I whisper in her ear with a grin.

She turns even redder at this; her blush creeping all the way to her ears. “Okay.”

A sudden bit of noise makes turn my head to the side, finding Shinon standing next to the couch. I slowly push Claire off my lap and drop from the couch onto my knees so we can be at eye level.

“Hey honey, do you want more snacks? Or maybe sothing to drink?” I ask the girl.

“Liar!” she suddenly shouts loudly, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes.

“Uhm honey, I am not sure what I lied about, but I can probably explain if you let .” I say with a smile, quickly sifting through my digital catalogue of mories trying to figure out what she is talking about.

“You told Mum you loved her, you liar.” She says, running forward at .

Only when I feel the sharp pain in my chest, do I realise that the kid has grabbed a knife off the table.