Why is it always cold in this city?

Even in the summer, when it’s supposed to be hot, it’s cold.

The thoughts were almost customary for the average Londoner but for Cadell it was more than a rarity. It was out of character.

Cadell wasn’t the type to pay attention to the seasons let alone the weather. Weeks, months, years… the units of time never seemed to exist for him which tended to happen when someone’s life revolved solely around one thing. Bits of information that most people knew on any given day suddenly disappeared, seen simply as garbage that needed to be discarded immediately if absorbed. For so long, there had only been day shifts and crimson cursed nights but now his astonishingly acute tunnel vision was gradually slipping away.

Hazel slammed an elbow into his ribs. “Pull it together?"

“I am,” Cadell retorted instinctively, but she was right. It was the fifth time his mind had wandered off today.

The duo skydived at an altitude of 8000ft, blessed with a very special guest. After very crudely scouring the city for Hustler drug dealers, they had finally found one. Admittedly, the past events were practically a blur. Somehow, despite Hazel being the one following his every move, it felt like she had been the one taking charge. Whenever Cadell detected a potential threat, she was the one to investigate first while he lingered behind like a lost child.

They had stopped multiple crimes. Most of them were petty but out of nowhere they found themselves narrowly stopping a woman from throwing her own baby onto train tracks after Cadell detected a rage like no other. Unfortunately, the crazy crimes occurred more frequently than one might think.

“Psycho!” Hazel bellowed. “What are you waiting for?”

Cadell shook his head. “Firstly, stop yelling. I can hear you from inside the mask. Secondly, we have to wait a bit. Skydiving is an art. There’s much to learn, young one.”

“I’m older than you.”

“I’ve aged like 100 years in Dimension Zero. Don’t embarrass yourself.”

“That would be cool if you didn’t act like a nine-year-old half the time.”

“Okay, Manic, now you’re just saying stuff. Remember, lesson 991. Think before you speak.”

“That was lesson 993. Can we try the thing now?”

“No, stop asking.”

“Why?” Hazel’s voice dramatically filled with pain like she had been betrayed.

“Because this isn’t the right time to!” Cadell exploded. “Do you use spoons to eat pasta? Do you use forks to eat rice? No! We will use it for the right moment.”

“But spoons and forks need to be tested before used!” Hazel exploded back. “What if the cutlery doesn’t work, huh? Then we’ll be idiots who can’t eat food!”

Almost seven seconds from their bodies slamming into concrete, the Hustler drug dealer screamed at a very impressive 119 decibels, almost equalling the record for the world’s loudest scream.

“I’LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING I KNOW. JUST STOP BICKERING AND SAVE ME.”