Val squinted at them, pursing her lips. "They look alright," she said grudgingly. "We can get them printed back at the office." * * * "It did," he said, nodding. "Although, isn't it crazy when you think about the fact that you and Landon are together, and Val and I are together? What a coincidence!"
"Thanks," Val said. "I found out some interesting stuff from the surveys." * * * "Well, the way I see it, coincidences like that don't just happen. Maybe the four of us are going to take over the world."
"Like what?" he asked curiously, looking at her, his head tilted. *** "Maybe," she laughed. "Sounds like a lot of responsibility, though."
"93% of the people involved joined because their soulmate passed away. Only 7% joined because they were like you or me; they were in love with someone other than their soulmate. It seems that most people will just default to their soulmate if given the option." * * * "That's why there's four of us," he said with a smile.
"Huh," he murmured. "I don't understand how you could just leave the person you love because a number counted down to another." *** "Still," she pointed out, "four people for the whole world."
"I know," Val said quietly, her head tilted slightly. "I suppose the bond must have just not been strong enough to begin with." * * * "Hm. You're right. We might have to hire assistants," he teased.
He pursed his lips. "I suppose it's a good thing we're both with other people." *** She laughed. "That could work."
"Right. It's a good thing," she said, pulling away and looking at him almost accusatorily. She pulled her notepad out of her bag and flipped through it. "I also found some kind of... morbid statistics." * * * "So it's agreed. All four of us will rule the world."
She frowned and flipped through the pages. "They lose almost half of their population each year," she said quietly, looking up at him. * * * "What will you do with your newfound title?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "Do we know why?" *** "Hmm," she murmured. "I've never been good with hypothetical questions, but my serious answer would have to be try to be a good leader. What about you?"
"No," she said, shaking her head. "They all just die. Not for one given reason of course; old age, sickness, accidents. But their population is decreasing rapidly." * * * "Dogs for everyone."
"That doesn't seem normal," he commented, looking at the ground. *** "You like dogs too? I love dogs, but I'm not allowed to have any because Landon is a cat lover."
"It isn't," she said, her delicate brows furrowed. "Something is weird here." * * * "Ach! So is Val! It's a tragedy."
"Do you think someone could be doing this?" *** She grinned. "Cats are fine, I guess, but I like dogs a lot better."
"I don't know why," Val said with a frown, cracking her fingers as she thought. "Who would do something like this?" * * * "Me too," he said with a nod. "Don't tell Val, though."
Landon paused, biting his lip. "Extremists who are against going against the timers?" *** "Your secret is is safe with me," he said, chuckling slightly.
