V.I.R.A.L

Chapter 47: Paradox in the Making

The party was coming to an end. Percy was the first one to leave still on strict curfew hours after the Vanguard situation. Alton and Zinnia were lying in the garden staring at the night sky discussing a range of things. Anything was on the table tonight. Zinnia took a deep breath, smiling, watching the endless stars. "Would you believe it's been two months since we defeated Vanguard? I go back to school next week. What a pain. Where does the time go?"

"Nothing lasts forever, I guess. It has been fun though, yeah? Be quite the story to tell all your classmates."

"You're not wrong there." She chuckled. Zinnia rolled over onto her front as she stared at Alton. "I can't honestly thank you enough for everything."

"This again? You don't have to thank me for anything. Everything here was all you. Team Rhapsody. All of it. We're here because of you."

Zinnia shook her head, feeling stupid. "I know it's probably getting old for you and all. But I'm serious. Not only has this been the best summer of all time but also the best birthday. I got to spend it with all my friends, and I even got a present from mum. I never gave up hope she was coming back."

"Just, promise me you won't get your hopes up too high, yeah?"

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind… sorry I couldn't get you anything. Still a little bit tight on money. Although I'm making progress, the new Apartment is nice. Way better than the one before, even if it's a little further away."

"I'm just glad you've got your own place again."

"I'll say the shower situation in this place was driving me crazy." Alton raved tutting. "We're getting big, aren't we? Top 50 streamers. Imagine that. Next year. When we're number one, I'll buy you the best present money can buy."

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"Don't be silly. Everything you've done here. The party. The cake. That's more than enough. But don't think we're skipping out on you mister. Your birthday is going to be just as big."

"Well, we'll have to wait until next year now. Mine was a month ago."

Zinnia sat up look frustrated. "It was?! Crap! Why didn't you say anything? Now I feel bad."

"Don't sweat it Zin. I just didn't care. I haven't celebrated my birthday in six years now. Ever since my mum died, it doesn't feel right…"

"I'm sorry. But next time you better promise you'll celebrate it! No matter what! To make sure you don't chicken out tell me your birthday so I can write it on my phone."

"Alright, alright. My birthday is on July 19th."

Iris walked over yawning. "My ride is here. I'm heading home. Thanks for the party guys."

"Thanks for coming Iris! I'm sorry your sister couldn't make it."

Iris sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "Yeah, you lot better come and celebrate out birthdays though! November 1st, write it down in your diary scrubs."

"Already down. You two are twins then?"

"Yup. Alice is older by twenty minutes. She will never let me live that down. Anyway. See you guys later!"

Emil walked over with Percy looking smug. "Hey, Alton I heard Scarlett was leaving."

"She is? Oh, alright."

"She might be walking alone."

"I'm sure she's getting a lift."

Emil placed a hand on Alton's shoulder while Percy stood close eyes closed agreeing with everything Emil was saying. "If you're going to let a hot chick like that leave when she made the first move your stupid. Don't let someone like that getaway dude."

"What are you on…" Alton stopped as Emil began wiggling his eyebrow suggestively. "I guess it is late. I should probably walk her home."

"That's the spirit! Go get her tiger!"

"I'll see you all tomorrow, yeah?"

"See you tomorrow, Alton! Thanks again for the party!"

Alton ran down the hill and out of the gate as Scarlett stood idly by looking lost. She had her phone down by her side. "Alton?"

"Sorry, need a moment, it's late. Let me walk you home."

Scarlett gave off a small smirk hiding the text with her driver calling off being picked up. "I would very much like that. But I must say it is quite far. I will probably have to get a train."

"Jinx. I moved further out into the city so getting here is two train journeys."

Scarlett nodded, holding her hand out. "Shall we walk then?"

"What are you doing?"

Giving off an innocent look, she tilted her head lost. "Did you not want to hold my hand?"

"Whoa, that's what couples do!"

"Well aren't we a couple of misfits? In case I get lost."

Alton went bright red as he took her hand looking away. "This is so embarrassing."

"There is no need to be embarrassed Alton. As long as we are enjoying ourselves, who cares what others think?"

The two began walking as Alton was still all stiffed up by the events playing out. He tried mustering up some small talk to calm him down. "Zinnia said you approached her about Vanguard and myself? How did you know what was happening?"

"So, you want to know too, huh? It will cost you. Just kidding. I watched Team Rhapsody quite a lot. You could say I am a big fan of yours. When I watched your press conference with Vanguard, I read your future and knew you were in grave danger. I had to help."

"You can read people's futures?"

"More or less, I suppose. Only flickers. I can only see potentials with the tarot cards. Not full futures." She informed as the two made it to the train station. They both scanned their streaming cards which paid for the train. Waiting at the platform Scarlett squeezed Alton hands giggling. "You are so nervous. Lighten up; it is all just a bit of fun after all."

"You are so formal. Did your family bring you up like that?"

"Why yes, my family are a well-known and respected noble group. The Dawns are almost seen as royalty, so it is of the highest importance, I keep that personification of us up."

"So that's the reason behind the dress as well?"

Scarlett spun around, letting her white dress spin. The dress had butterflies and flowers weaved into the material. "I knew you were looking. Do you like it?"

The train came to a halt as passengers began getting off. "I must admit it is a stunning dress."

"It brings out the colour in my eyes, does it not?" She said adamantly as her crimson red eyes began to glow faintly. "How long have you been a streamer if you do not mind me asking?"

"The same amount as Zinnia."

"Now, I do not believe that. Clearly, you are far more experienced than the others. I cannot agree with that statement."

"It's the truth. Trust."

Scarlett pouted as she sat down on the train carriage, making sure she was as close to Alton as possible. "Very well, I shall believe your false statement. I will not push any further." She rested her head on Alton's should humming to herself. "This is nice. My dear sweet Alton."

"Are you always like this? With umm, other guys?"

"Like what?" She asked, squashing up closer.

"Never mind! Forget I said anything!"

"You are funny Alton. I was hoping to ask you something. Something important. I can only ask you."

Alton gulped sweating. "Important? You mean you couldn't have asked me at the party?"

"Oh, no, no. It's a special request. Only you can help me."

"Request?! He squirmed. "I'm not quite sure I follow."

"Oh, yes, you do. Do not act so naive."

Alton kept looking straight ahead as adverts began playing on the screens throughout the train. This got Alton's attention. It showed a figure wearing a skull mask similar looking to ones which viruses show. It kept repeating the same thing over and over. "You are not worthy. You are not worthy. You are not worthy Alton Brantley."

Alton flinched slightly as the train began to speed up. "You are not worthy of being a streamer. Shall we play a game?"

Alton stood up, stumbling around as the voice kept repeating the same thing over and over. "What is going on?" Scarlett questioned.

Alton moved towards the front of the train as the driver was in a state of panic. "Stop the train."

"I can't. Something has taken control!" Alton leaned in, seeing the controls busted as the skulled figure was on screen still speaking the same words.

"Get everyone to the back of the train. I'll try and stop it." Alton flicked his hands as he froze the controls. This only made it worse. "Worth a shot…"

"Everyone is in the last carriage," Scarlett informed. "Any bright ideas in stopping the train?"

"I have a few. Saw this in a movie once. He used webs, though. Guess Ice will do."

Alton smashed the window to the train standing at the front. He began freezing the tracks to little use. His next train of thought was to create massive ice walls to stop the train hopefully. Doing this also didn't work as the train shattered through them. The force knocked Alton back as he began shivering. "If you do not do something soon, we are all probably going to die."

"Thank you for the reminder."

"Alton Brantley, the liar. Alton Brantley, the coward. Alton Brantley the Murderer. You are not worthy of being a streamer." The T.V.s all screamed. Alton stood up trying to stop the train again only for electrical wires to shoot out the T.V. wrapping around him. He fell to his knees, being electrocuted.

Scarlett tried helping, but Alton yelled. "No! I'm fine. Stop the train!"

Scarlett nodded standing at the front of the train. She pulled out her tarot cards before turning back to Alton. She shook her head once she knew he wasn't looking as she got to work stopping the train.

"I shall purge you from this world. I shall free us all and save humanity from monsters like you. This is your Paradox!"

Alton gripped his fists tightly as he pulled the wires forward. As they began to snap, he let out a roar as all at once the train carriage was frozen over with all the T.V.s breaking down. P4R4D0X's influence faded as Alton fell to the floor panting. He couldn't get a simple break as he still had to stop the train. As he rushed to Scarlett's aid, the train derailed crashing into the park below. Alton toppled over, falling through the carriage and out of the front. As he flew out, Scarlett caught him by his collar as he began floating alongside the train. "That was a close shave, huh?"