Trust the guy.

A loud hum echoed across the evening sky. Vvvvmm! Several figures streaked overhead on hoverboots, leaving behind long trails of neon green and neon blue before disappearing beyond the sunset horizon. The city fell quiet again, but the sonic wash rolled between the high-rises, sending a faint vibration through the streets below, rattling a glass of water resting on an outdoor diner table.

Myne flipped through a magazine. “Hey, check this out. This VR game lets you jump inside your avatar, then fuse it together with your best bro's.”

Lubbock leaned over. “Oh, yeah, I've played that before. If one of my bros gets close enough, I can jump inside his character and fuse our avatars together. Basically, I'm inside him, he's inside me, and the two of us become one.”

Myne slowly lowered the magazine. “...Isn't that kinda gay?”

Lubbock's brows furrowed. “No way you just said that.”

“ …I mean aren't you both just inside each other,” Myne said.

Lubbock reached toward the visual screen built into the center of the table and tapped through its holographic display, filling it with numbers and streams of data. “Okay, clearly you don't understand the mechanics. Let me explain the science behind VR fusion and why combining with your bro is completely normal.”

Their conversation drifted into quiet mutters as the evening breeze brushed past the patio tables. A waitress carrying a tray weaved between customers. The duo's increasingly animated discussion caught her attention as she approached. "Hey, here's your dri—"

"—Look, all I'm saying is," Lubbock said, pointing a finger at Myne while waving his other hand dismissively, "there's nothing gay about being inside another man.”

The waitress froze mid-step. "...Umm..." A nervous twitch crossed her face as she lowered the drinks onto the table. "Here are your drinks… Enjoy."

Myne stayed slumped forward, propping her chin on both hands. She blinked up at the server. "...Hey there, are you alright?”

“Yeah...” The waitress gave a quick, rigid nod and hurried back inside.

Myne tracked her all the way to the door. "I wonder what's with her?”

Lubbock rested an elbow on the table. "Okay, that's enough talking. If I remember right, we're here because of you." He pointed his finger across the table. "You wanted a new pair of hoverboots, right?"

"Yeah, that's right.” Myne flopped her hands behind her head. "I need a fresh pair!"

Lubbock let out a small chuckle. "You know how expensive those things are?"

Myne's face slowly sank onto the table with a muffled groan. "I'm not dumb… I came here because I heard they were cheaper."

A second server—a guy rushing past—slapped the bill onto the plastic surface. “ Here's your bill, genius."

Lubbock smirked. "So… Aren't you gonna blast that guy?"

Myne tilted her head, giving Lubbock a blank stare. "...For what? Did he say something that was supposed to tick me off?"

"He said genius but very sarcastic.” Lubbock said.

Myne tilted her head. "Oh… in that case." Her chair slowly scraped backward “Crap where did he go?”

Lubbock snorted "Just forget about it, we don't want you blasting the whole restaurant down." He picked up his glass and took a sip. "Anyway, back to the problem. Hoverboots run anywhere from six hundred… to three million." He gestured vaguely toward the surrounding diner. "So, in case you haven't noticed… we're broke for that."

Myne slammed both her hands onto the table. "I don't care!” The impact sent a shudder up the pole, rattling the umbrella above them. “I'm getting a pair even if my great-grandkids are still making the payments!"

Lubbock scratched his eyebrow. "Your entire family tree is about to become a case study in generational debt."

"Worth it." Myne beamed, flashing a double thumbs-up. “Besides… Everything's expensive nowadays."

She snatched the bill off the table and shoved it in his face. "Look at these drinks! Seventy-nine ninety-nine each!"

Lubbock leaned over for a closer look. "You know... that's actually not bad compared to most places." He rocked back in his chair. "Funny thing. I watched this old documentary once. People actually thought ten-dollar eggs were expensive.”

"Aghhh!! Isn't there anywhere that sells cheap hoverboots?!" Myne's shout echoed across the outdoor diner, startling a flock of birds from the rooftop. They scattered into the evening sky with frantic flaps of their wings.

"Did somebody say... cheap hoverboots?" A voice drifted over from the next table.

Myne and Lubbock snapped their heads toward the sound. At the adjacent table, a man sat there, digging his hand into a loud, crinkling plastic bag as he fished out his fries.

"Yeah..." Myne tapped the table with her finger. "I said that."

"Hmmm..." The man massaged his temple. "I heard about a guy who sells affordable hoverboots."

Lubbock's eye twitched. "...Okay, you're starting with 'I heard about a guy?'"

"Screw it." Myne dug her heels into the pavement, pivoting her chair around to face him. "Where can I find this guy?"

"You'll find him in one of the most trustworthy places imaginable," Kevin said. He pointed a fry toward the mountain. "An abandoned factory on the outskirts. That's where you'll find him."

Lubbock stared at him. "...You skipped 'store' and went straight to 'abandoned factory?'"

Myne stood up, her gaze locking on to him. "Where exactly inside the factory is he?"

The man hoisted a dripping piece of steak on his fork. “Don't worry. You'll know you're getting close when your GPS stops working."

Lubbock glared at him. "...You said 'don't worry,' but somehow I'm even more worried now."

​Before Lubbock could pull away, Myne snatched him by the collar. "Okay! Let's go check this place out!"

"Wha—hold on! Why do I have to go—" Lubbock stammered as she dragged him off, knocking his chair over backward. His shoes scraped across the pavement under the stares of the other diners as she hauled him across the parking lot. She yanked open the passenger door of their vehicle and shoved him into the driver's seat, making the car rock with a sharp metallic clack.

As the convertible rolled farther down the road, the city slowly disappeared behind them. The glow of skyscrapers gave way to open grasslands stretching beneath the sky. The traffic and noise faded until only the quiet countryside remained.

Several minutes later, the car pulled to a stop in front of an enormous, abandoned factory. Both of them stepped out, their eyes tracing up the rusted tower that vanished into the darkening sky.

Lubbock folded his arms. "...This looks like the kind of place where reporters stand outside saying, 'The last time anyone saw him was here.'"

Myne smirked, walking towards the uneasy silhouette of the factory. "Nice. Sounds exactly like the kind of place where things are dirt cheap." Lubbock burst into laughter as they walked toward the entrance.

The massive steel doors groaned open. Inside, the warehouse stretched farther than either of them expected. Flickering ceiling lights buzzed overhead while rows of crates vanished into the shadows. Their footsteps echoed across the empty building. Then, a light flickered from a room near the back.

"Heh… Come over here, you two." The voice calmly drifted through the warehouse.

The duo exchanged a glance and both shrugged. As they reached the office door, the bright light spilling into the hallway made them squint.

The room was surprisingly organized, filled with clean wooden decor and polished furniture. Standing behind the front counter was a man almost completely hidden beneath a long trench coat that covered him from his face all the way to his feet. "So… What brings two valued customers into my humble shop?"

Lubbock's eye twitched. He leaned towards Myne and whispered "I hate to be Mr. Obvious… but that dude looks like he's on at least three government watchlists."

"Maybe." Myne sidestepped away from him, her eyes focused to the counter. "But let's give him a chance. I really want those boots."

Lubbock sighed. "Let me try something. Maybe my intuition is wrong." He looked toward the counter. "Hey. What's your name?"

The mysterious figure slowly folded his arms across the desk. "You seem not to trust me, young one." His calm voice made the room feel colder. "My name is… Mr. Truss…"

"Uh-huh..." Lubbock gave a slow nod, dragging out the syllables as his eyes tracked the man's shiftiness "...T. Guy. But you may simply call me..."

"...Mr. TTG." The man unfolded his arms away from the counter desk.

Lubbock smacked a hand against his own forehead. "...Wait. As in Mr. Trust The Guy?'"

"...Nope." Lubbock turned around and started walking toward the exit. "That name alone already sets off every alarm in my mind."

Myne grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back. "Wait, Lubbock." She stares at him. "...Can't you just trust the guy?"

Lubbock's neck creaked like a rusty hinge as he slowly turned his head toward her. His voice dropped to a deadpan, flat tone. "...Really? You're actually saying that? His name is already a red flag."

Myne shrugged. "He's selling cheap gadgets, though."

"Heh..." Mr. TTG chuckled quietly. "I'm pleased that at least one of you has an open mind."

"Anyway, we came here because we've been told you sell hoverboots for a low price. " Myne said, walking up to the counter.

"Let me correct that." Lubbock swatted at her hand until she finally let go. "You came here for cheap boots." He yanked his collar back into place. "I got dragged here.”

"Heh… You've come to the right place, young one." Mr. TTG bent down behind the counter and opened a cabinet. "I happen to have a fresh pair for someone with…”

Mr. TTG glanced over Myne's outfit. “Pink aesthetics.” He carefully lifted out a pair of pink hoverboots and placed them on the counter, mainly a soft knock.

Myne's eyes sparkled. She cupped both hands against her cheeks. "Whoa! Pink? That's awesome! I love them!" Her high-pitched squeal bounced cleanly off the office walls.

"I'm glad you approve." Mr. TTG lightly dusted the boots. " There's more. These are a limited edition from Hoverfoot Locker." He gave a polite cough. "that I, of course, got in a very legitimate way.”

Lubbock whistled. "I can't even lie. Those are kinda fire.” He leaned closer to inspect the clean boots, then caught himself and sharply narrowed his eyes. “But how much? It can't actually be cheap."

"Four hundred dollars," Mr. TTG said.

Lubbock's eye twitched as he burst into a chuckle. "That can't be right. I thought you literally just said these were from Hoverfoot Locker."

"They are." Mr TTG said.

Lubbock slowly looked around the office, taking in the frames on the walls and back at the boots. "...If this room wasn't in a random building, I would mistake it as an actual trustworthy business."

Myne flexed her fingers over the counter.. "Can I try them?"

"Of course, go ahead,” Mr TTG said.

Whoosh! Myne snatched the boots off the counter so quickly that the sudden gust made the edge of Mr. TTG's trench coat flutter.

Lubbock let out a long exhausted sigh that seemed to rattle the picture frames on the wall. "Of course you grabbed those faster than shoppers during a Sephora clearance sale."

Myne hugged the boots against her chest before spinning toward Lubbock with a smile. "Hey, Lubbock. My bro. My pal. My buddy. Do me a solid and buy these for me, will you?"

Lubbock blinked. "...Huh? Why me?"

"You've never bought me anything." She crossed her arms, throwing her chin into the air with a theatrical pout.

"Oh… So all that credit money just spends itself?" Lubbock asked.

"It's only four hundred dollars!" Mr. TTG interjected. "Fresh shipment as well! Straight from the docks!" He formed an 'OK' sign with both of his hands. "Are you really going to deny your dear companion the fresh pair she deserves?"

"Exactly!" Myne yanked her arms down.

Lubbock stared back and forth between them. His eyes darted from face to face before his shoulders slumped down."...I have no words."

"You don't need words, just money." Myne held out the boots toward him.

"Fine… getting a hamburger meal at Zack-in-the-Box is more expensive than this anyway," Lubbock muttered, glaring at both of them.

Mr. TTG tapped the card reader with a greasy fingernail. "Four hundred plus tax, chief.”

Lubbock reluctantly pulled out his wallet and swiped his card. Mr. TTG completed the purchase before sliding the wallet to Lubbock.

Myne reached across the counter and shook his hand. "See? I knew the world still has trustworthy people."

"...Yeah." Lubbock headed for the exit door. "Hopefully we meet one someday."

Myne blinked. "...Haven't we already?"

"Heh..." Mr. TTG chuckled to himself. "I can already tell you two will become valued customers."

The office door clicked shut behind them, cutting off the last of Mr. TTG's chuckles.

They retraced their steps through the dark warehouse until the massive steel doors creaked open, letting them out into the open grassland. The night air was alive with the rhythmic chirp of crickets. The grass crunched under their shoes, but Myne suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.

Lubbock tilted his head. "Something on your mind?"

Myne looked down at her new hoverboots, then up at the vast expanse of the sky. "Hey... I think I'll test these out. I'll meet you in the city."

Lubbock waved his hand, leaning his back against his convertible. "Fine by me."

Myne took a deep breath and looked toward the night sky. Pink lights ignited beneath her hoverboots with a low hum. Dust rippled across the grass as she slowly lifted from the ground. The engines whined louder. Vvvvmm! She rocketed upward, leaving a sharp pink streak carved across the sky.

Her curls whipped behind her as the open grassland rapidly shrank beneath her boots. She steadied herself high above the fields. Ahead, the city glowed on the horizon—a sea of tiny neon lights against the darkening evening.

A smile spread across her face. "Here I go." She leaned forward, and the hoverboots roared beneath her soles, launching her into the dark. Her heart hammered against her ribs—a sharp thrill shooting straight to her shoulders—as her silhouette cut rapidly through the night. She threw her arms wide to catch the rush of wind, her laughter cutting straight through the roaring gale.

The neon lights from the city extended, rushing closer. Myne’s laughter slowly faded away as her hoverboots slowed down. The boots made a gentle, idling hum as she hovered in front of towering skyscrapers. The colorful neon glow painted her face in vivid streaks of red, green, and blue. She swallowed hard, her breath catching in her throat as the pure majesty of the cityscape left her awestruck. "...Wow, so beautiful," she murmured into the silence.

She turned and looked up at the night sky. Her eyes widened, the rapid thumping of her heart instantly slowing as she gazed into the deep expanse. A brilliant white streak cut through the atmosphere. Then, dozens more followed right behind it. The entire night sky became covered in paths of glowing white light, cutting through the darkness before disappearing into the abyss.

Myne slowly raised her arm, lifting her fingers toward the stars. Her silhouette stood floating against an endless shower of white streaks cascading across the night sky, while the city's glowing neon grid shimmered far below.