Eden & Echo - A Gritty Cyberpunk Noir Thriller

"On the bright side, a flashbang is one of the least horrible grenades someone can try to throw at you." Rook sat me down on my bed and handed me a warm mug of mint tea. My hands were trembling from the adrenaline dump and crash as I took the white ceramic mug. "That means they were trying to take you alive."

I looked at it questioningly. I didn't want or ask for tea.

"Drink it." He said. "The mint will calm your stomach and wash away the taste of vomit in your mouth. You have been very good about not puking. But I know that the first time some always escapes."

"This isn't the first time I've seen death." I said, sipping the warm tea. "I watched my grandparents die, I think."

"Violent deaths are different. The wolf part of our brains thinks that it may be contagious and the fear unsettles us." Rook looked around my bedroom. "You like to read?" He asked, noticing the paperbacks I had stacked on my dresser.

"Yes I do. They're not originals, obviously." I set my mug down on a coaster and laid back on the bed. Thoughts raced through my mind. Most of them were unpleasant. Aunt GG had insisted I learn to fight. An idea that seemed ludicrous at the time. But now I was realizing how badly I was outclassed by everyone around me.

I tried calling her but she didn't pick up, just like Simon. He still hadn't called me back.

"Is my father alright?" I asked.

"Believe me, if he's not answering it's for a reason. But don't worry. If he was injured or in trouble I would let you know.” Rook picked up one of the books. "Ah, 'Guards! Guards!' one of my favorites. Captain Vimes, such a beautifully written character."

I looked over in surprise. “You've read it?"

"Of course! I like this author very much. Him and…" The hund grasped for a name. "Ilona Andrews! Yes, very good books."

"Have you read much human literature?" I asked.

"I am familiar with many of the classics. Millay and Lazarus both had a particular gift with words." He sat down on the bed next to me, growing serious. "The hardest part of going through something like this is that tomorrow you will wake up and realize that nothing has changed. The sun will still come up. The birds will still sing. The world will go on, there will just be three fewer people in it."

The elevator dinged. "That would be the lawyer." Rook said, getting up slowly. "It felt good to sit down. I am running two liters short of full, you know."

I stood up to greet the lawyer and tried to make myself presentable. That was when I realized the silk pajamas I was wearing were covered in blood that had begun to dry. I looked at the bed, the purple down comforter was stained where I laid down.

Sparky escorted a white furred katzen wearing a blue suit that matched her eyes. She had a general aura of extreme competency. Her slim brown leather briefcase was embossed with what looked like diagonal lines made up of small dots. But closer inspection revealed to be pin head sized katzen faces making various rude expressions.

I recognized the designer as ¡HipHop!, a local micro brand known for quirky designs and the owner's tendency to end up clashing with the police. The briefcase was a subtle "fuck you" to law enforcement. It spoke volumes about the person holding it.

She extended her hand for me to shake. "I am Sapphire Snugglewump of Snugglewump and Small. I have been hired to interface with local law enforcement. I am here to make sure that this incident is treated like the legitimate use of force that it is, and does not turn into a witch hunt or media circus as these things often do."

"I am Eden Braverhund-King. Thank you for coming. It is a pleasure to meet you." I said, taking the offered hand and looking her in the eyes. Sapphire's fingers were warm and her grip was firm but not firmer than mine. A slightest hint of a smile crept into the corners of her mouth and her blue eyes sparkled.

I had shaken many hands at charity events and other social functions during my lifetime. But this was easily one of the best handshakes I had seen. It felt honest, inviting, like she was happy to meet me. Like she was here to help.

"May we try that again?" I asked, releasing her hand. I wanted to learn this skill.

"Of course." She said, slightly caught off guard by the request but willing to indulge me. This time I mirrored her relaxed body language and upright posture, the way her head was tilted ever so slightly to the right, the smile at the corner of her mouth that sparkled in her eyes like she was enamored with me and trying not to be. The way she inhaled leading up to the handshake and held her breath until it was done. The way she was light on her feet with a slight forward bias.

She held my hand and pulled slightly toward her before pushing back. I mirrored the tension then released. "Very well done." She said with a nod. "Now, this is how you should shake hands with law enforcement or someone you wish to address as a peer."

The second handshake was much different. Her back was straight, her shoulders back, and her stance was neutral. Sapphire's head was aligned with her spine and she met me in the middle when she extended her hand, but she did not come to me like before. Her expression was neutral and she gave a curt nod, looking me in the eyes and squeezing my hand once before releasing and stepping away.

We tried it again and I mirrored her body language. "Why do you hold your breath when you shake hands?" I asked as we separated.

"Bad breath, either mine or theirs." Sapphire explained candidly. "Hunds are very scent based and katzen are as well to a certain degree. Plus it makes you aware of your posture and prevents you from speaking. Now, while I'm spending your father's money I should teach you the third and final handshake, dominance. This is what you would use with someone to whom you wish to express your displeasure without actually speaking the words aloud."

Sapphire turned to face Rook and extended her hand, keeping it low, making him come to her. Her body language was relaxed but her spine was straight and her expression was a cold unreadable mask. Her head tilted to the left side slightly like she was observing a mouse or other rodent coming out of its hole as he approached but she brought it back to center when Mr. Rook went to take her hand.

The low position of her hand and the difference in their heights was almost forcing him to bow. She squeezed it firmly then after a second or so gave a brief nod and let go. Sapphire stood her ground, forcing Rook to either stand awkwardly close or back away. The much larger hund took a step backwards.

"Wow." I said. "Impressive."

"Thank you." Sapphire gave a slight bow like she had just completed a performance on stage. "Now, if we are done spending your father's money on what I will probably bill as 'etiquette lessons' I suggest we get started."