92 CHAPTER 91 NIRVANA

The doorbell resounded again, and Matt could hear their voice somewhere inside the apartment. This was the third time yet no response. He looked over his shoulder, where Pinna stood by the cylinder waiting. She had her attention on Ham; he bet she had not looked anywhere else since they landed and walked out of the Air Tripler. Matt licked his lips and turned his attention to the small door. It was a blessing in disguise. He was worried himself and wouldn't want Pinna to see the expression that covered his face, not under her condition. She was going through a lot already.

Where the hell was Chris? He pushed the button on the wall, this time a number of times. The bell echoed through the house again and silence returned. Matt's brow folded. Could it be that the Glut Hunters were after him too? Or was he out parting? No, Chris was not the party type. He might be out for a walk. That must be the only explanation.

Matt turned away from the door. His house was the only alternative at the moment. Perhaps he would stay away all night while Pinna rests her troubled head. That was the only way they could stay safe, without those Glut Hunters paying him a surprised visit.

He was at the base of the three steps when he a noise emanating from the house. Pinna had not noticed it too or if she had, she didn't show, for her gaze was still on Ham, and it was beginning to make Matt worry. Was she actually looking at the boy or were her thoughts elsewhere?

"Matt?" Chris called as the door flung open.

Matt reverted his gaze to the door as his friend walked out slowly. The bright light on the porch gave his hair a glossy streamline features, contrasting with the beach color skin. Those bulging muscles that look like a watermelon made the hair on his chest alluring and always get their mate talking. The boy knew and always goes around bare chest when they were still in training, three months ago.

"You knew I was at the door that's why you ignore, right?"

Chris chuckled, "And why would I do that? I was in the shower" 

"I can see that," Matt nodded at the white towel that lined the boy's waist, "Put on some clothes, now," Matt said and walked towards Pinna.

The amusement on Chris's face disappeared when he saw the dust on Matt's clothes and Pinna. The cylinder also deepened his frown.

"What happened, buddy?" He walked down the porch, using his free hand to hold the towel. His other hand was hidden behind him and Matt could guess that he was hiding his Shocker Gun. The question on his face and the way he was observing the streets for signs of danger, said it all.

"Long story," Matt grunted and took hold of the cylinder. Pinna jumped as if waking up from sleep. He looked at her but resorted to dragging the cylinder into the house. A part of him said he should hold Pinna and comfort her, but the other part advised him to let her grieve for the moment, and that was the voice he chose.

"Long story?" Chris asked when they walked into the house and he shut the door behind them, after looking back into the street, making sure that they were not under attack or something. Pinna rested her weight on one of the wooden chairs, beside Ham. Matt did not take any seat. He couldn't, not until he knows what was going on.

"This is my friend, Pinna." Matt gestured towards Pinna, who didn't lift her eyes from Ham. "And this is my friend, Ham"

"Christ," Chris jumped back, "Is that a corpse,"

"Stop acting like a kid. He is not dead; I think he is in some kind of coma or something."

Chris walked towards the cylinder, not minding to hide the crease that furrowed his brow. His muscles tend to relax on his shoulders as he stooped and looked into the cylinder.

"Can I open it?"

"Sure," Matt said, and help him remove the pin that held the lid. Icy smokes swerved out of the cylinder and disappeared somewhere in the room. Beneath Ham's head were some insulating wires that held him in place. He was wired hands and feet, from his elbow, his knees, and navel. The boy looked like some computer bearing so many plugs.

"How long has he been like this?" Chris asked

"About three hours ago," Pinna said, speaking up for the first time. She was hugging herself even though the room was warm. The weather outside was also warm. It's been days since it last rained and the heat of the sun was always felt during the night.

Chris lowered his hands into the cylinder and removed the sunglasses on Ham's face.

"Christ, what happened to his face?" 

"That is also a long story." Matt paced the room, biting his fingers. 

"Sure is," Chris said and disappeared into the room the inner room. He came back after some time with his beeping device, gleaming with a blue hologram light, "I think your friend might be in the worst situation than you could ever have imagined."

Matt looked at him. His hair was still relaxing on his head, matching those on his bare chest. For the second time that night, Matt wished he had the boy's physique. His own blond hair was a contrast to Chris's. They would never relax in his head, no matter how hard he tried. He had even tried using some gel at a time, yet his blond hair will not stay true. Perhaps they had minds of their own, Matt could not tell at the moment.

"And what does that mean," Pinna asked. The white light danced in her eyes, adding life to them, but not enough to shade away the gloom and the sadness.

"You remember that case file about the Hubot that came to my desk about three weeks ago?" Chris asked Matt as if that was the answer to Pinna's question.

"Yes," Matt nodded. How could he forget that file? It was a top case, and he had wanted to stick his nose on it but the general would not let him. The Hubot had been a blessing to Anadan, helping those with disabilities whom the society would have left on the street as beggars. But for the past three weeks, the story was gradually changing to something evil and dangerous. There have been cases of people who disappeared without a trace. Worst still, the rate of crime: Sexual assault, armed robbery, mass murder, to mention but a few, had increased over the last three weeks. The government had not said anything, perhaps that was the reason why the general had told them to keep their distance and should not dive into the case yet. Matt could not tell for sure.

"I think it is related to this," Chris said. He had shut the Beeping Device and had dropped it on the table. Pinna had returned her gaze to Ham.

"You are still not making any sense," Matt grunted. "Ham will never commit any of those crimes. I know him. He is a good man."

"You are missing the piece, Matt," Chris said. He dropped another thing on the table and Matt's brow elevated toward his forehead. The guess had been correct. The body had been with a Shocker Gun. It was small and could pass unnoticed to the eyes, but the damage it could cause was twice that of any big Shocker Gun.

"Your friend is not sleeping, Matt. I think his soul has been trapped somewhere. In another frequency."

"That's absurd" Pinna snapped, looking up to Chris.

"Is it?" The boy stooped and pointed to one of the wire that was connected to Ham's brain. "How do you explain that? I think they trapped his soul in another world. In another frequency. He might be lost, that's why he is not waking up."

"But how is that even possible?" Matt's stomach tightened. Ham, trapped in another frequency? He shook off the thoughts as they tried to register. He couldn't imagine what it would feel like.

"Before now, did you think that a blind man could see?" Matt was about to answer the question when Chris suddenly added, "Yes, I know, we have heard real-life tales about miracles. But aside from that Matt, did you ever think that science would ever find a way to restructure the eyes, a broken hand, or a missing limb or a deranged brain?" 

"They are a bunch of metals, Chris. No matter how perfect it may seem, it is still not the real thing, and it is made by humans. Imperfect humans always produce imperfect machines." Matt said. He looked down at Pinna, hoping the girl would not pick offense, you know, because Ham was also a Hubot now and all.

"True. Absolutely true." Chris straightened up. He seemed to be enjoying the moment. He might be doing this to impress Pinna, it was hard to tell. "But my point is that these guys have devised a means to send someone's soul and spirit into another frequency. Into Nirvana."

Matt chuckled despite the vexation in his stomach. "The dreamlands have been destroyed since time immemorial. It is not even in the books, Chris. The theory had been lost, long ago, before Lord Tyrust was even a teenager."