Vivi stretched her arms high, yawning loudly. Once she let them down again, she reached over for her coffee. She took a few sips, basking in its warm, bitter, taste before placing the cup down and returning to her design. Valentine's day was fast approaching, which meant at least three things for her. The first and most obvious was that she will spend the holiday alone as per usual but considering what she went through about a month and a half ago, and the "initiation" that followed soon afterward, Vivi was not all that enticed to find a mate just yet. So, that left the other two pressing matters. The second one was that her corporate workload would increase. While the valentine designs were out for the marketing and vendor teams to do whatever they do with them, it was always around key holidays that major prep was made for the next. Which meant now she was busy scribbling and coloring away a bunch of four-leaf clovers and rainbows. The designs were tedious and a bit drab, but at least in May Vivi will have the chance to really delve into her creativity. That was if she made it to May. Because the last and worst thing about the upcoming holiday was that she was expected to work during that time. Not corporate work though, Breeders work.
She wanted to scream (Shriek) just thinking about it. Talking to Charlie made her feel so much better and having their daily lunch discussions on the roof felt completely therapeutic. However, it was just not enough. The blood, the screams, and begging for life. She saw and heard these things over and over again. Every time she dreamed, every time she closed her eyes, they were there. Washing over her eyes and filling her eyes with their deafening harmony. She suddenly felt a sickening lurch in her stomach and quickly got up to rush towards the bathroom. Vivi burst through the door and slammed open a stall door, falling to her knees and vomiting right into the toilet. She cried as she convulsed, spewing out all her coffee and whatever else she had stored in her stomach, which already was not much. Even after she was done Vivi just sat there against the bathroom stall, bawling her eyes out.
She wanted out. She wanted out right now. And she knew she could get out too. The Breeders had a special policy that if a member wanted to exit that they could. However, that also meant losing their protection. Meaning that it would be easier for the authorities to find out that they committed certain crimes. Crimes that would make sense for that particular individual, or group of individuals to commit. And that was if they were lucky, because that also left them open for their enemies to find them too. But worst of all, if the crime could not be pinned on the person, or persons, and if their enemies could not silence them, then the Breeders would do it themselves. Vivi could not begin to imagine that Charlie would execute her, but maybe she did not know him like she thought she did. The thought haunted her, more than the thought of the boys she helped kidnap and kill (murder) for her initiation. She would rather those deaths be pinned on her, or for their fathers to hire goons to kill her before seeing Charlie pull the trigger himself. She was caught in a web, tangled and thrashing for freedom. But freedom came at too high a cost. So, she resigned herself to her fate. Just as she always did.
Vivi slowly picked herself off the bathroom floor. She spat all the bile she had left in her mouth before flushing the toilet and opening the stall door. She meandered towards the bathroom sink and slowly began to wash her hands. While she washed them another young woman, who Vivi guessed was about her age, walked into the bathroom and headed directly toward the mirror. Just before she could apply her makeup, the young woman stopped and gasped. She turned towards Vivi and almost yelled in panic,
"Are you okay?"
Vivi nodded a halfhearted response, not wanting the truth, or the stench of her breath, to escape her mouth.
"Are you sure because I mean… like sorry but you don't look too hot." she said utterly concerned. Her whole expression, from her deep blue eyes down to her lavender lips, was trounced in worry. Vivi wanted so much to just spill everything out. To just talk to someone normal, whose hands were not stained in blood. But all Vivi could manage now was a sob.
"Hey, hey," The young woman said gently, grabbing a paper towel and passing it to Vivi. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll work out."
Vivi could even say anything, she just burst into tears again. The woman instantly leaped towards her, embracing her in the tightest and warmest hug she has had since her episode with her father.
"Sorry to spring on you like this but I'm a hugger you know. This is the best I can do for anybody," The woman said, gently squeezing Vivi tighter. "I can't even imagine what you've been through, but I can tell you've been holding all of it in. I know you don't know me but," She pulled away to look Vivi in the eyes. "Maybe can hang out sometime? Like not on a dating thing cause… you're cute don't get me wrong you're cute and all but… T & A isn't my thing… unless it's on me that is." The woman said playfully, tapping her finger against her cheek and looking up pretending to think.
"Um…," Vivi smirked, dabbing the corner of her eyes. "Double entendre much?"
"No idea what that means but if the shoe fits, fuck it." The woman giggled. Vivi could not help but chuckle along with her.
"Hey, my magic worked," she said pulling away and placing her hands on her hips, satisfied. "A little hug and a good laugh are always good for the soul my mother would say."
"Yeah," Vivi chuckled again. "I guess it is… thank you."
"Anytime," The woman said extending her hand. "I'm Ariel." Vivi hesitated for a moment but soon took Ariel's hand and shook it with a smile.
"I'm Vivi."
"Well, Vivi, I don't have a pen or paper on me but if you ever get the chance, come up to the sixth floor. We can chit chat at my desk, and I can give you my number to hang out… if you want it that is."
"Sure," Vivi said with a playful shrug. "Why not." Ariel shook with excitement.
"Great! You won't be disappointed," Ariel nearly shrieked as she headed towards the door. "Please take care! See ya!"
"Haha, see ya." Vivi said, waving goodbye as Ariel disappeared out the door. She was a bit embarrassed that this was the way she made a potential new friend, but Vivi was still grateful for it anyway. She was light and airy… that was until she got a chilling text from Charlie:
"Emergency. Come meet me on the roof now."