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Part Four: Just When You Thought It Was Safe
“Guys. They’re only young once, but they can act juvenile forever.” - Black Arachnia, Beast Wars
Matrix flipped through the TV channels with increasing frustration. “There’s nothing on,” he whined.
AndrAIa looked with amusement at how fast he was changing channels. “How can you tell?”
“I can see.”
“What is it with guys and going through the channels so fast? Oh, wait, go back. . . no. Never mind. I’ve seen this episode.”
Matrix dropped the remote in defeat. “That’s it - we’re out of channels. We’ll have to watch SNL reruns.” He sighed. “Dot really needs to get some premium channels.” He normally didn’t mind housesitting for his sister when she was out late, but Little Enzo was in bed, and Matrix was dying for some decent entertainment. The fact that Bob and Dot got to see the new James Bond movie while he was stuck with basic cable wasn’t exactly comforting.
“It’s after 2200; the only thing on premium channels now is either really violent or pornographic.” AndrAIa flopped down on the couch next to him. “Face it, Sparky -- TV sucks.”
“True.” Matrix glanced over his shoulder at the wall clock. “They should be back soon, don’t you think?”
“Probably. What’s the matter?” she continued teasingly. “Getting tired of babysitting?”
“Nah. But, I wouldn’t mind having some real privacy,” he answered, putting his arm around her.
AndrAIa rested her head on his shoulder. After a moment of silence, she said, “You know, Enzo, I’m really proud of you.”
“What for?”
“You’ve been getting along with Little Enzo so well. You two got off to such a rocky start, and now. . .” She smirked at him. “It’s almost like he’s family.”
Matrix nodded. “Yeah, well -- he’s a pretty good kid.”
“Yes, he is.”
Matrix gave her a teasing smile. “You do know he has a crush on you.”
AndrAIa looked up at him. “Well, he’s you, isn’t he? Frankly, I’d be a little hurt if he didn’t.”
“Just don’t encourage him,” he replied with a smile.
AndrAIa giggled. “Why? Afraid he’ll take your place?”
Matrix was about to reply with a comeback of his own when a pajama-clad Enzo entered the room. He stood next to the television and regarded the pair silently, his hands behind his back. Matrix and AndrAIa exchanged a glance. “Yes?” Matrix asked.
Enzo took in a deep breath. “OK; first promise you won’t get mad.”
Matrix raised his eyebrows. “What’d you do?”
“Well, I haven’t done it yet; I just want to make sure you won’t get mad.”
“If you think it’ll make me mad, then don’t do it.”
Enzo huffed in frustration. “It’s not that simple. I kind of have to do it. And I really want to do it, too. I’m sort of looking forward to it. I just don’t want you to get mad when I do.”
Matrix frowned. “You lost me, kid.”
AndrAIa stepped in. “What is it you have to do?”
“I can’t tell you ‘cause that’ll ruin it. I just have to do it, but I don’t want you -- “ he turned to Matrix “-- to get mad when I do.”
AndrAIa turned his words over in her mind. “OK, now I’m confused.”
Matrix was getting annoyed. “Enzo --” he began.
The boy cut him off. “All right! Just don’t be mad.” He brought his hands out from behind his back: one hand held a fully loaded Super Soaker. Before either of the older Sprites could react, Enzo fired a jet of water directly at Matrix, hitting him right in the chest -- and thoroughly splattering AndrAIa in the process. Enzo looked first at AndrAIa, then at Matrix; he let out a breath. “Good night,” he said simply, turned, and walked out of the room. A few nanoseconds later, he called out an apology to AndrAIa from upstairs.
“That’s okay,” the girl responded. Matrix turned to her, looking absolutely baffled. “What just happened?”
AndrAIa swallowed a laugh. “I think you’re out of the game.”
“I can’t be out! I was barely in!” He stopped. “Wait a nano -- that means that Enzo was. . . my assassin?! And he got me out? Just like that? He just waltzes in here and shoots me in his own living room -- in his pajamas -- and then goes back to bed like nothing happened?!” Matrix paused in mid-rant; AndrAIa’s hand was clamped over her mouth, and she had turned an interesting shade of red. He glared at her. “Oh, go ahead.” The girl dissolved into uncontrollable laughter. “You should have seen the look on your face! That was priceless!” she managed to say. Matrix did his best to resist, but her laughing was contagious. He shook his head. “Unbelievable,” he muttered, drying himself off with a nearby blanket. “Some warrior I turned out to be. I survive the games, the Web, Megabyte, a system crash, and Daemon -- and get done in by a 11-hour-old kid with a water pistol.” He looked at AndrAIa. She stared back at him for a moment; then they both started laughing again. Just then, the front door opened; “I’m home!” Dot’s voice called out. She entered the living room, Bob following. “What’s so funny?” she asked.
Matrix and AndrAIa shared a glance. “Let’s just say it’s been an interesting night,” AndrAIa offered as a reply.