Chapter Text
I’m tired.
Not in the physical sense, but more mentally. My mind was racing a thousand miles a minute and my heart was pounding like a drum in my chest.
The door was right there.
Room 401. It was where I lived and yet I didn’t go to open the door. Doing such an action felt impossible right now.
I didn’t want to go inside. Going inside meant facing the consequences of my actions.
I had disappeared off the face of the earth for at least a day– being prepared and trained for my performance that would be broadcast to the public. I managed to write a brief note, and one of the Angels– Anok, if I remembered correctly?– said they would make sure he got it, but I wasn’t too sure if they had.
But there was no use in delaying. Eventually, I would have to go in. I had no other place to stay, after all.
And to be honest, there was no other place I’d rather be.
So, I slipped the key into the lock and pushed the door open. I tried not to be too loud, given the late hour, closing the door behind me and locking it with a quiet click.
The apartment was… scarily quiet. I wanted to chalk it up to Toby just being asleep, but it felt like more than that.
I walked out from the entryway and to the living room, peaking in to see if he had left any trace of his presence.
A glowing cyan eye was staring at me.
I jumped back in surprise, yelling out a quiet, “Holy shit–” During my surprise, there was the thump thump thump of feet and suddenly, I was on the floor with the other on top of me. I see something in his hands pointed threateningly at me and I feel my breath catch in my throat.
We both stayed there for a second, or was it a minute?
Then, with a simple click, the object is revealed as a bright light comes to life on its surface.
It’s his phone.
“Your phone number,” He said, his voice so low that it sounded completely unlike him. I expected him to say something more, but he stayed silent, that one bright eye staring at me expectantly.
I gently took the phone from his hands, swiping it open. I was shocked to find no passcode to keep it locked, but I quickly got to the phone app regardless. I put in my number and then called it. Of course, my own phone began ringing and I took it out of my pocket to show him. His gaze shifted from expecting to curious and I said in explanation, “It’s the right number.”
Slowly, he nodded, taking his phone back and hanging up. He then slinked back into the shadows, still watching, but much further now. I felt a bit nervous at all of this, sitting up straight and asking, “...Are you okay…?”
There was a moment of silence, and for a moment that eye vanished as he shut it. Then, he answered slowly, still in that deep timbre, “...I don’t know…”
My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach. I shifted my weight so that I could crawl over to him. He backed up just slightly but, after seeing I was intent on closing the distance, paused. I reached out a hand, gently setting it on his shoulder as I said, “I’m sorry– I’m so, so sorry about everything. I should have been here with you.” A part of me wanted to make an excuse, to lie and fall back on that story that Solara and I had made up just in case the man asked any questions, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. He didn’t deserve that from me.
“It’s not just that,” Toby replied with a small hiss. “It’s… A lot of things are running through my mind. A lot of things I’m wondering if I should’ve done.”
“Did you…?” I slowly asked, shifting my hand down to touch the other’s wrist, my mind darting to the worst possible scenario.
He shook his head furiously. “I– I don’t do that. Not anymore. I’m just–” Not anymore? “You wouldn’t get it, I don’t want to talk about– You should sleep–”
“Do you want to bake a cake?” I suddenly blurted out. I don’t know why I did– the conversation had nothing to do with baking, and there were a thousand better things I could’ve said instead– but there was no taking it back.
Toby looked just as confused at the offer as I did after I spoke it. Slowly, he asked “...Why…?”
“Erm–” I paused, searching my mind for a solid enough reason, before settling on saying: “I was thinking doing something else would help ease your mind on things… Plus cake is always nice.”
There is a long moment of silence that stretches between us as Toby simply stares at me. For a long moment, I thought I had upset him further or otherwise annoyed him. Eventually, though, he gives me a very slow nod of his head. I gave him a warm smile, helping him up from his position on the floor. “Throw on some shoes and we will get on going,” I told him and he quickly scurried off to presumably do just that.
I waited for him by the doorway, and as I stood there I couldn’t help but feel a crushing weight in my chest. I could only assume it was regret for everything that had happened. Seeing Toby act so unlike him, even if it wasn’t completely due to my absence, was like a knife stabbed between my ribs. I wish I had been there for him, to support him, but I was too busy chasing vengeance and something more.
It felt awful, worse than the hangover I had had a day ago. I didn’t even know why it hurt so much. I had only known the other for a week now. A very eventful week, to be sure, but still just a week.
I don’t get it!
I am snapped abruptly out of my thoughts by a gentle tap on the arm. I startled slightly, but not nearly as much as I usually would. I looked down to see that Toby threw on some shoes as I requested, alongside a hoodie that was clearly a size or two too big. He seemed to like it, though, looking content even. I wasn’t going to judge it.
I led the way as I unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall. Toby locked the door behind us with his own set of keys before catching up, joining me at the elevator.
It doesn’t take long for the two of us to ride the elevator down and get to the parking lot. For a moment as we walked across the lot, Toby paused. It caused me to stop as well, and I watched as he looked a bit unsure of himself. I made a small gesture encouraging him to go on and it seemed to give him enough courage to ask, “...do you want me to drive?”
“Toby, just take this time to relax,” I gently instructed, taking out my keys. I spun them around my index finger as I continued, “I like driving anyways.”
He let out a little sigh of relief, body relaxing just slightly. He followed after as I led him to the car. I made sure to open the passenger door for him, which got a cute little blush out of him and a hastily murmured, “Thanks,” before he got inside.
Wait, cute?
I closed the door gently behind him before hopping into the driver's seat, conveniently ignoring the thoughts in my head as I slipped the key into the ignition.
My mind shifted onto autopilot as it usually did when I was driving. The motions of backing out of the lot and driving on the wide expanse of road blurred together in my mind. I barely needed to think as I navigated to where I remembered the nearest store was.
The silence in the car droned on, until suddenly–
“...Can I put on some music?”
I slowly blinked as I was brought back to reality. From the corner of my eye, I could see Toby shift slightly, looking uncomfortable.
“The silence makes me feel antsy,” He explained. “Usually I like to have something playing in the background. Calms the mind, I’ve heard.”
That caused a shiver to trail down my spine. I handed him the aux cord with one hand as I asked, “...Weren’t you just sitting in the dark with nothing playing?”
There's a tense moment of silence between us. Toby looks away from me, eyes staring down at his phone, presumably finding something to play. When he speaks next, it’s on a completely different topic, but something equally as important: “What happened with that job agency you went to…?” When I didn’t reply at first, he continued, saying, “When we went there, it was the front for another business– really, I thought you were kidnapped…”
I truly, truly wanted to tell him the truth, but instead what spills past my lips is a blatant lie, “I wasn’t kidnapped. A man outside took me to the right place. Apparently, all their business cards got printed with the wrong address, hence the confusion.”
I see Toby give a thoughtful nod from the corner of my vision. He managed to get a song playing, but he kept the volume so low that I couldn't quite figure out what the lyrics were. He seemed content despite this, and asked another question: “...Did you get a job…?”
“Of course I did,” I said with a slight smile. This wasn’t a lie, which made me feel comfortable elaborating with: “They set me up with this job at some sort of doggie daycare. It’s most intended for very, very wealthy pet owners, so the pay is good.”
Toby looked absolutely delighted at that, a soft smile on his face and eyes glimmering with joy. “That’s good! I’m happy for you,” he said in earnest. It looked like he wanted to say something more, his mouth opening but no words falling out. He closed it, looking to the left then out of the car window to his right. Finally, hesitantly, he asked me, “...can you send me pictures of all the cute pets…?”
I had to stamp down a snort in amusement. Of course, he would want cute animal photographs, but who was I to deny him? “Of course I will,” I reassured, “It’s not even just cats and dogs, so you’ll get a nice variety.”
That seemed to perk him up, and a childlike wonder entered his eyes. “Do you think they have snakes?” He asked in an excited whisper.
“You like snakes?” I asked with a quirked brow, and I watched as he frantically nodded.
“Yeah! I absolutely love reptiles!” He chirped excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to own one, but my dad just wanted dogs– plus the apartment doesn’t really allow pets, soo…”
He trailed off now, falling quiet. I let out a small hum. After a moment or two of silence, I added my perspective: “I never really owned a pet. I really wanted a cat, but dad said it’d be too expensive.”
Toby slowly blinked, staring at me. It looked like he had some sort of revelation looking at me, and his voice was filled with disbelief as he asked, “Wait– did you grow up poor?” I was silent for a moment, staring at him blankly as we stopped at a red light. The man quickly waves his sleeves, rushing to explain: “I’m just asking because– like– a pet isn’t that that expensive– if you know where to look–”
“What gave you the impression I didn’t grow up poor?” I asked in full genuineness. He paused long while– long enough for the light to turn green– before giving a small shrug.
“It’s just… the way you conduct yourself,” He muttered, doing an aimless wave of a sleeve. “You’re so… collected! It feels practiced– the sorta things the rich get taught.”
I thought about it for a while. Really, I didn’t think my behaviors were too out of the ordinary. My father had always taught me to be polite, to always be the reasonable one. No roughhousing, no name-calling, only pure civility. Was that really all it took to look like a part of the upper class?
“...I’m sure the fact that I was married to Joanna tainted your perception,” I reasoned. “You never knew me before then.”
“Ah, yeah, probably,” The man replied, and a heavy silence fell over us. The quiet made my skin crawl, even though it was being filled by faint music. What was this tension suddenly between us?
I felt obligated to break the silence, asking, “What’s wrong?” as I pulled into a parking space. I set the car in park, taking the opportunity to fully face Toby. “Talk to me, please,” My voice practically begged.
He stared at me like a deer in headlights for a fragment of a second before tearing his eyes away, looking out the car window. In his lap, his hands nervously fidgeted. “I don’t want to talk about it right now,” He softly said, much similar to what he said back in the living room.
There was a fragment of his sentence I picked up on. “Not now, but later?” I asked, with the slightest tinge of hope.
“...Maybe…” He muttered.
“Better than nothing,” I said, now taking the key out of the ignition. “Let’s go get some ingredients, ey?”
He gave a nod, unbuckling his seatbelt. I was quick to join him, opening the car door and shutting it as I got out. Together, we walked to the chain grocery store, the night sky hanging over us.
It seemed like today was absolutely chock-full of surprises.
When Toby and I got back to the apartment, with all the necessary ingredients to make a chocolate cake in grocery bags, I fully expected to need to guide him every step of the way. He had managed to mess up bacon and eggs, for crying out loud.
But when it came to baking, Toby did… just fine?
At the current moment, the man in question was piping decorations around the rim of the cake. For some reason, he had piping nibs hidden in one of the many drawers, and he had one damn steady hand. Almost as if…
“Toby, are you a baker?” I abruptly asked, looking up from the cake to stare at his face.
He didn’t so much as look up, but still answered, “Eh, not really. I just make recipes I find online. It’s really easy when you just follow the instructions.”
“...And you still can’t cook…?” I slowly asked, in pure disbelief. “Aren't there recipes for meals you can follow?!”
Toby gave a small shrug. “I just don’t have the money for it,” He explained, “Baking is just a treat I give myself– otherwise I just eat whatever fills me up and is cheap.”
My heart sank at that revelation. It made so much sense in retrospect. The rent here was cheap when split between two people, but if Toby was paying it off by his lonesome with his shitty motel job, he probably didn’t have much left over to spend on proper ingredients.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about that anymore,” I said, gently setting a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll handle it from now on.”
“You don’t need to waste your money like–” He started, before cutting himself off. He stared down at the cake and I followed his gaze. While he was speaking, he had piped out a little too much, causing a small inconsistency in the pattern. He let out a frustrated sigh, but continued piping. “...I just realized there is no convincing you otherwise, is there.”
“Nope,” I replied with a small smile. “...I’m sorry I made you mess up the pattern.”
“It’s fine,” He said, his voice painfully authentic. “...It’s not even that, honestly.” Before I could even debate pushing him further, he pulled back from the cake, having finished the design. It was beautifully decorated, reminding me of the vintage cakes I had seen in local bakeries. Impressive.
“Do you want me to talk about… it… now…?”
Oh shit.
“Only if you want to,” I gently said. Despite Toby seemingly becoming more willing to talk, I didn’t expect him to be ready to say anything today– especially not after only an hour or three had passed since I had found him in his… worrying state. “I don’t want you doing something you aren’t comfortable with.”
“I want to trust you…” His voice was so quiet that I almost didn’t hear it, but so filled with emotion that it gave me full pause. He finally turned to face me properly, and I could see the beginning of tears shining in his eyes. My heart skipped a beat at the sight. “Look, I was… really, really fucking worried when you disappeared.”
My stomach dropped. “I’m so–” He held up a finger and I fell silent.
After a moment of that quiet, he continued, “...And well, during that, I realized that someone I thought was–” He bit his lip, eyes darting away. Eventually, he continued, saying, “...Who I thought was a good partner, probabbbly… you know, wasn’t.”
“...You have a partner…?” I asked, completely shocked. Toby never really gave off the impression that he was seeing someone. Something about him felt too… pure? naive? for romance. Not like that was a bad thing, but it was still all jarring to learn about.
“Had,” He clarified, voice filled with a venom that wasn’t directed at me. “...I broke up with him.”
…him?
“Oh… I…” I didn’t really know what to say. I had just gone through a breakup of my own– one of which I had been mostly ignoring the implications of for the last couple of days. I considered myself ‘over it,’ but didn’t exactly know any advice to give to the other. Eventually, I just wound up saying, “I am sure there are much better men out there for you.”
He gave a slow nod. “...Yeah… I think there is,” He muttered. “...Just… I guess I have bad luck… Always picking the wrong ones.”
I let out a tiny huff. “If anyone causes you any trouble, I’ll handle them for you,” I promised, “Just call and I’ll answer.”
Toby let out a little laugh at that. “What are you, my own personal guard dog?” He questioned jokingly. I gave him an earnest nod, and he let out a snort in good humor. “...Really, I appreciate it,” He added, eyes glimmering with joy. A beat of silence passed over us, calm and tranquil, before Toby cleared his throat. “Okay, why won’t we stop staring at this cake and start eating it!”
“Can I take a picture of it first?” I asked.
He gave me a slow blink and then narrowed his eyes. “Martin. What’s in your photo reel?”
I held up my hands, as though I had been caught for a crime way worse than the one that was taking pictures. “Almost entirely food– some of my wi–” wrong, wrong, “Of Joanna– but mostly food.”
There was a quick flash of sadness that passed over Toby’s face– sadness for me?– before flicking over to something vaguely exasperated, “You would love eating out with Mikayla. She needs a picture of evvverything before we eat.”
I let out a scoff, “I only take pictures because I am impressed by my work,” before realizing, with a slow blink, “...You’re friends with her?”
There must’ve been something about my expression or tone that gave away my confused disgust, as Toby broke into a fit of snickers. I simply rolled my eyes, taking my chance to snap a photo of the cake. Eventually, Toby calmed down, saying, “Sorry, sorry– you just looked so upset by that– but yes, she is my friend.” He had now gone off to pull a large chef's knife out of a drawer. He cut into the cake without a moment of hesitation, slicing confidently as he explained, “She was a grade above me back in school– before she moved, anyways. We kept in touch over the years… She got me the motel job in the first place, actually!”
“...I never thought you would be friends with someone like her…” I slowly said, trying not to say anything too strongly negative. For me, she seemed a bit overzealous and brash, but I knew if Toby liked her there must be something good he was seeing. “She seems like she could be good company.”
Toby gives me a look, finishing cutting out a slice. With the back of his knife, he effortlessly lifts the pristinely cut slice and reaches overhead to grab a paper plate from the cabinet. Somehow, he is successful and doesn’t even drop the cake in the process. This allowed him to place down the perfect slice on the plate, gently handing it over to me as I watched in awe at the balance act.
I held back a laugh. Something about such a well-made cake being on a shitty paper plate was amusing to me.
“You don’t have to like her, but I will say give her time,” He said, “She really grows on people once they hang out with her more.”
“I’ll hear you out,” I hummed, going to walk over to the dining room. Before I could get very far, he gently tugged on my sleeve.
I stared at him confused, and he asked, “Wanna watch a movie?” I processed the request and mulled it over in my head before shrugging, giving a ‘why not?’ sort of look. He broke out into a grin and excitedly took me over to the couch, holding his own slice of cake with his free hand. We both settled down, with him happily taking to the right corner, tucking his knees close to his chest and balancing the plate on top of them. I sat on the other end, plate resting in my lap as I turned my eyes to the TV. “What you wanna watch…?”
I gave a slight shrug. “I’m not picky,” I said, and he gave me a look. “What are you looking at me like that for?!”
“You’re indecisive,” He said, as if it were fact, but quickly got to searching for a movie regardless.
“Hey– no?” I sputtered. I tried to come up with some sort of excuse, but really, I didn’t have one. Eventually, I just wind up saying, “With how today’s been on you, you deserve to pick anyways– my indecisiveness aside.”
There is something soft that enters his eyes. “...That’s sweet of you…” He softly said. He seems to debate between two films in his most recently watched, flickering between the two of them. Eventually, though, he decides on one, saying, “I will warn, my movie choices may be a little… bad.”
I huffed out a laugh, burying a fork into my slice of cake while I took a bite. “I am sure it’ll be fine.”
And fine it was!
The movie he had picked– Nimona, he said– was excellent. It wasn’t exactly the type of movie I’d watch normally, but I did enjoy its story and– above all else– its animation.
It seemed to make Toby giddy, seeing me enjoy the film he had picked out. It made me feel happy as well. There was just something absolutely wonderful about getting to see this special joy of the other and cherish it with him. It sparked a warm, fluttery feeling in my chest.
That’s too much, isn’t it?
After the movie had finished and we had cleaned up, Toby said he had to retire for the night. It was very late, so I urged him to do so. He didn’t so much as protest, simply rubbing his eyes with a sleeve as he stumbled into his room.
I also went into my room, sliding against the door after I shut it. Today was… a lot, and in the heat of trying to make sure Toby was fine and feeling better, I expended a lot of energy. The crash that resulted was devastating. It made my limbs feel like lead and my chest felt as if I had run a mile– luckily without the consequences of gasping for air.
I tried to force my body to stand, just so I could get into bed, but that failed entirely. I let out a slow, drawn-out sigh before lying down on the (thankfully) carpeted floor. I curled up in a small ball, staring into the darkness of the room for a long moment, before shutting my eyes and attempting to sleep.
The morning had gone normally for the most part.
I woke up achy, but somehow still well rested. I took the time to do some stretches before taking a new pair of clothes out of the closet.
There was a part of me that wanted to laze away, but I had a job now– one that was starting today– and there was no time to dilly dally.
So, I hopped in the shower, quickly washing myself before hopping back out. It took only a moment to throw on my clothes– a simple black button-down with jeans– but significantly more time to wrangle my hair into cooperating with me and actually look good. It caused me to feel a spark of jealousy for my roommate. It didn’t look like he brushed his hair a single day of his life, yet it somehow looked good– even though he knew for a fact that seeing must be hard given how much hair covered his right eye…
Speaking of my roommate, the man was nowhere to be seen in the apartment proper. Checking the time, I saw it was close to seven– so I guessed that the other simply wasn’t up yet. He worked evenings from what I could glean, so I wouldn’t be surprised he woke up later in the day.
It was a shame, given that Solara said I’d be working eight to four, but at least she gave me the luxury of having Fridays and Saturdays off every week.
It made me wonder what days Toby had off. I'd probably have to ask when I saw the other next. Hopefully sometime later today, but who knew given our opposing schedules.
I didn’t think about that much longer. I went to leave the house but paused, checking the time again. It wasn’t too close to the start of my shift… I surely had a decent amount of time…
I shoved my phone back into my pocket before making my way into the kitchen. I took ingredients out, some from the last time I made breakfast and some from last night, a plan forming itself in my mind.
With the baking ingredients, I was able to make a batter, which I then used to make pancakes with a side of bacon. I made two plates, gently covering the second one with a paper towel (while lamenting the fact that there was absolutely zero aluminum foil in this blasted kitchen) and putting it into the microwave. I ate the first one myself while scrolling through my phone.
The news feed was alight with news of what I had done the previous night. It seemed like all the news outlets bought the story, Joanna’s name being dragged through the mud– alongside her sister, but to a much lesser degree. It brought a smile to my face, but deep, deep down I felt an odd sinking feeling. Its source and purpose I didn’t exactly know, so I pushed it down where it wouldn’t bother me anymore.
That aside, everything else seemed normal. There weren't any emails that were sent to the business account, and the only text I received was from Solara, reminding me of when my shift started and where the pet daycare was.
I was done eating at this rate, and I trashed the paper plate and washed the fork I used. I texted Toby saying ‘theres a platr for u in the microwave,’ before shutting off my phone and leaving the apartment, locking the door behind me with a solid click.
Down the hall and onto the elevator I went, pressing the button that had a big bold ‘G’ on it. I watched as the fourth-floor elevator light dimmed, and the third one lit up.
The elevator stopped. ‘Again?’
The doors opened, and that same man– Ivan– hopped onto the elevator. This time behind him was another man with pale skin, brown hair, and grey eyes. They seemed to be bickering about something or another.
“Nah, brother, you’re straight up tweakin’. That shitty job ain’t getting you nowhere but closer to the prison sentence."
“I need to pay off my rent somehow, Ivan. I don’t have the luxury of having dead parents.”
“Nah, nah, nah. I gave you a good ass reference to the place I work and you didn’t take it– it ain’t about the money.”
“I’m not slinging trash all day!”
“It’s good fuckin’ money!”
They were holding up the elevator, Ivan standing in the door as he argued with the other.
I cleared my throat.
Both of their heads snapped to face me. The new guy’s eyes went wide, and he whipped his head back around towards Ivan as he nearly yelled, “There was someone here this WHOLE TIME?”
“It’s not my fault you’re fuckin’ blind!” Ivan snapped back, finally stepping on the elevator. The other man scoffed before joining him, pressing the button for the ground floor before kicking back next to Ivan. “Martin, tell this dumbahh that he’s clownin’.”
“Don’t drag some stranger into our argument,” He grumbled, narrowing his eyes.
Ivan scowled. “He ain’t no stranger, he’s Toby’s boy.”
“What,” Both the man and I said in unison, staring at Ivan like he had three heads.
The man quickly threw his hands up and sputtered, “Y-y’all know I didn’ mean it like that! I meant like– they’re roommates!”
“That is the worst possible way to say that,” I grumbled.
“Hey, look, I call Hudson here my man all the time– it’s y’all who are weird!” He argued. That just gives him a look of further skepticism, and he whines, “You guys won’t let me have shhhiiiit!”
“Yeah, because I hate you,” The man– Hudson– said with a playful air.
Ivan pouts at that, but quickly comes up with a comeback, saying “Kinda weird you’re taking someone you hate so much out to breakfast.”
…That ‘my man’ comment was becoming more and more questionable.
Hudson rolled his eyes, “You wouldn’t stop begging me to. I had to shut you up somehow.”
The elevator dings, and the doors open, revealing the empty hall of the ground floor. Ivan skips out, all while singing, “Well, you know I am the only one who can afford it, because you’re bbb~roooo~kkkk~eee~!”
Hudson let out a heavy sigh, beginning to walk out of the elevator. Before he does, he stops dead in his tracks, looking back at me. I tensed up slightly, picking up on the pure animosity in his gaze.
“You’re lucky,” He said in a whisper. “Very lucky.”
“...I beg your pardon?” I replied, with a disdain that was similar to the one his own tone dripped with.
“You don’t even know how lucky you are.” He laughed, finally slipping out and adding faintly under his breath, “...Pathetic.”
I walked off the elevator, staring at the other as he followed Ivan down to the other side of the hall. I’m guessing the two of them parked in the back. I thanked my lucky stars that I parked closer in the front and took the opposite exit from them.
Hudson’s words stuck in my brain. I didn’t understand what the other was on about– nor did I understand why he seemed to hate me so potently despite us only having met once.
…Was he Toby’s ex…?
I shook my head. If he was, that was his problem to sort out, not mine. I didn’t have the time or energy to deal with petty things like this.
After all, I had some animals to rear.
When I got to the place, I found that it was a lot cozier than I expected.
When the Angels had mentioned it was a place where the elite dropped off their pets, I had expected the decor to be more modern, but instead it felt very homey. Soft browns and oranges colored the place, and the reception area was decorated with a wide variety of trinkets and decor on shelves and the walls. A small lounging area was set to the right, which even had little beds for cats and dogs.
Currently, there was nobody sitting at the front desk, but there was a bell with a little note that read, ‘Ring for service!’ I gave a small shrug, before tapping the bell. It rang, high-pitched and shockingly loud for its tiny size
After barely a minute of waiting, a woman popped up from a door behind the counter. She looks at me for a moment, lifting up the sunglasses that rested on her face to get a better look at me. Her eyes then lit with recognition, and she walked over to a small latch to the side of the desk, lifting it up. “You must be the newcomer Azaria was talking about… Come along, we have work to do.”
“Yes ma’am,” I said, walking over and joining her behind the counter. She closed the desk’s door before walking through the passage she came from. I followed closely behind.
This hallway had a few doors on the side– a set of bathrooms, a storeroom, an office– but otherwise led into a wide open area. As soon as she unlatched the gate, I watched in pure utter terror as approximately fifteen pets– a mixture of dogs and cats– bolted from various spots in the enclosure over to her.
“Jesus Christ–” I said, right as the dogs began to bark and whine. “You’ve got a whole pack here…”
“Mhm,” She hummed. “This isn’t even all of them. The exotics get their own room, and it’s pretty early so we don’t have anyone's pets from the night shifts.” She then turned her attention to the animals crowded around her, yelling out a sharp word in a language I had never heard before. It seemed to put the animals in a trance, causing them to all return to their own spots.
I slowly blinked at her, stunned. “What was that?” I asked, but deep down I already knew the answer.
“Magic, obviously,” She said, before suddenly offering out her hand. I took it, and she gave it a firm shake. “My name’s Harper. I’m usually the one stationed here… Aside from Fionna. Out of the two of us, the Angels decided it would be better if I introduced you instead.”
I slowly nodded at that, stepping into the outside area proper. With the dogs and cats no longer crowding around Harper’s feet, things were rather tranquil. The area was split into two parts– a more indoorsy area with carpet on one half and tile on the other, covered with toys and cat towers and places to rest; and an outside area, which was a large expanse of grass where I could see hounds wrestling with each other– separated by a glass wall and double sliding doors. Somewhere outside, I could see a smaller building, with its door shut tight. Above the frame was a wooden sign reading, ‘Special Specimens.’ I presumed that was where the so-called ‘exotics’ were being kept.
“...So, are you a witch, or something…?” I slowly asked as we made our way over to one of the far walls.
She gently shook her head. “I know a few magic tricks, but I am no witch,” She answered. “They’re planning on training you to become one, aren’t they?”
I gave a shrug as we came to a stop at the wall. “I think so… based on what they said…” On the wall, there was this decently sized chart. On it, there was a list of names, presumably of each and every pet, if the species name beside it was anything to go by. Past the columns for pet name and species names, there were columns for things like age, arrival time, departure time, friends, rivals, and a large one for special needs and considerations. I looked over to Harper, and asked, “...did you write all this by hand?”
She lets out a small laugh and shakes her head. “No, no. That’s all Azaria. She loves this place enough to do it each day, lucky us.” She then took a finger, standing on the tips of her toes to point out a number on the top of the whiteboard. It read ‘14’ in big green lettering. “This right here is the count for today. It’s not based on how many pets we are seeing, but the max amount you’ll be having to watch over. Today’s count is pretty low, and we’ve already hit it right now, so I am sure things are going to go smoothly for you.”
“How high is the count usually?” I questioned, and she paused for a moment to think.
Eventually, she answered with, “I’d say about… twenty-five out here, and ten in the exotics, but I’ve seen it climb as high as the thirty-five to forty range. Exotics usually stay down, though. Don’t think I’ve ever seen more than sixteen there.”
“...Seems chaotic…” I slowly said, and she let out a laugh.
“That’s what being a glorified babysitter evolves into,” She said with a smile. “You won’t be alone, though. They don’t let new hires be on their own– for the safety of the animals and all– so you’ll always have a helper, like me.”
“...Surely taking care of these guys isn’t that hard…” I murmured. Harper gave me an exasperated look and wordlessly pointed off to the side. I followed where she was pointing, and saw that in the midst of climbing up a tower, a kitten had lost its grip and had begun to fall. Before it could hit the ground, however, it was enveloped in a bluish light and began… hovering?
The blue light gently set the kitten down, dissipating after doing so. The kitten, unaffected by the fall, goes right back to climbing, all the while an older white cat with shimmering blue eyes watched with an odd sense of knowing in its eyes.
“...Did that cat just use magic,” I asked, voice flat in a statement due to my pure shock.
She had a small grin on her face as she gave me a firm nod. “Yep. She did.” She then walked over to the cat, picking her up and showing her off to me. Now that she was closer up, I could tell that her face was sunken in, her face in a permanent grumpy expression. “This is Skylar. We call her the queen of this place– she's Fionna’s familiar.”
“Is there… more familiars?” I slowly asked.
“Most of our regulars are familiars,” She replied, setting Skylar down. The cat ambled back over to the cat tower, watching as the kitten fell down yet again. She didn’t catch them this time, watching as the kit mewled with a bored expression. “Especially in the exotics. We treat them similarly to the rest of the animals, but we have to be careful, given that they can cast the spells that their owners know.”
I gave a thoughtful nod, another question forming in my head. “Why don’t they take their pets around with them…? Surely a familiar is more helpful with than without.”
“I agree with you,” She muttered, now walking over to a set of cabinets perched right next to the whiteboard with all the names. “I had a few say they’re afraid they’d get hurt on the job, or that they may wreck the house chasing after a bug or something.”
“I can see why…” I said, eyes looking back at Skylar. At this point, she was tossing the kitten in the air, catching it before it could hit the floor. It seemed to be having fun, but I could only imagine what chaos a less reasonable familiar would do– especially a cat with an affinity for knocking things over… I winced at the very thought of all the vases that’d need replacing.
She threw the cabinet doors open, revealing a wide array of foods, toys, and what I believed were medications. She reached out and grabbed one of the bags of kibble, holding it out for me to take. I took it, and she explained, “Right now it's feeding time for most of them, and there is no better way to gain these guys’ trust than feeding them.” She had begun taking out bowls as well, a small smile playing on her lips as she adds, “...Although you may have to wrestle a dog or two. Some of them really like stealing food.”
I stared at her in pure befuddlement. “You expect me to be able to wrestle a dog?” I slowly asked. Her smile only grew larger.
“You look muscular enough, you’ll do fine,” She said, elbowing me as she walked off towards the rest of the pets. “Now come on, we have work to do!”
I let out a sigh before following after, sack of food slung over my shoulder.
Something told me that this would be a long shift.
My thoughts were proven wrong.
Turns out, when you’re busy making sure half a dozen pets don’t cause mayhem with spells and general animal behavior, time flies pretty fast.
I was currently sitting in the breakroom, hunched over a bowl of chicken-noodle soup. I could feel Harper’s stare as I tried to calm down the frantic beat of my heart and the deep pants of my breath.
“Hey, you didn’t do half bad,” She said, pointing at me with a spoon. “I think you’d make a good permanent addition to the team.”
“Are things… always this bad…?” I softly asked.
She laughs. “No, usually it’s worse!” I let out a groan, shoving my head into my hands, and she laughed harder. “Don’t worry– don’t worry, you’ll get used to it… And who knows, maybe Fionna will grace you with the luxury of learning to take care of the exotics.”
“I can barely handle a few cats and dogs, do you think I will be able to handle a snake?!” I exclaimed, exasperated.
“I’m sure you’ll be finnnee!” A new voice chimed. I jumped a little in my chair, whirling my head around to see… Anok?
“W-what are you doing here?!” I questioned, startled. “I-I thought you had better things to do than be here!”
She gives a toothy grin, reaching behind herself and pulling– out of what seemed to be thin air– a… peacock…? “Why the hell do you have a peacock,” I said, voice turning flat in pure surprise.
She looked almost offended, “Oi, this ain’ no peacock. It’sa peahen.” She then raised her chin a little, a triumphant pride entering her eyes and general posture, “She’s my special girl. The best pet I’ve ever had!”
“So I am assuming she's your familiar?” I guessed, and she gave me a solid nod. “...Why a peaco–” The stare she gave me quickly made me retrace my words, “Peahen, peahen. Why is a peahen your familiar?”
Anok gives me a shrug. “You don’ pick ya familiars, ya familiars pick you! You’ll get it when ya get your own!”
“So… you were picking up your familiar,” I slowly said. She smiles and nods. “Did you really need to scare me while you were at it?”
“Yeah!” She chimed, and I gave her a deadpan look. That seems to turn her look more serious, as she said, “...well, I actually needed a favor from ya, if you wouldn’ mind.”
Harper and I stared at her in shock. Harper even asks, “...What favor could you possibly need? You’re an angel!”
“I need to get someone somethin’– thing is, if I do it, they’re gonna decline,” She explained. “I think Martin can get the job done.”
“Elaborate, then,” I prodded, all the while shoveling a spoonful of broth and noodles into my mouth. The soup wasn’t excellent, mediocre more than anything, but Harper had offered it and I was about to leave, so I might as well finish it.
Anok at this point had set down the peahen on the table, reaching behind herself and yet again taking out a random animal. This time, it was a… dog?
Just by its fur and features I could tell it was a golden doodle. Oddly enough, though, it seemed to be a puppy and had bright blue eyes.
She held it out for me to take and with a moment of hesitation, I took the pup into my hands. They didn’t even squirm as I held them, simply staring at me with a look that made me know for a fact that they had absolutely no brain cells in that dome of theirs.
“I need ya to adopt this dog,” Anok instructed and when I gave her a confused look, she elaborated with: “I’ve been trying to give this dog ta Toby for ages. He keeps sayin’ no, but I don’ think he’ll say no to ya.”
“...You know Toby personally?” Shock colored my tone and expression as I stared at her slack-jawed. It just didn’t seem possible. Anok always seemed untouchable, distantly ethereal, while Toby was just… some guy.
Imagine my utter surprise as she said, “I used to be his roommate!” in a matter-of-fact tone. “I swear, y’all forget that I used ta work at the very same motel ‘e did!”
“You worked at the same motel?!” I shouted, eyes going wide. “T-that’s impossible! You’re rich and famous– you’re an angel– how?!”
She just gave me a smile, fanning her wings open with a divine grace. “I clawed my way out of hell. Most of the sisterhood did, Harper here as well.” She then took a wing, gently draping it across my shoulder. The texture felt soft and warm, its presence a comfort. “You will as well.”
It was odd, how that thick accent– one I had never heard until meeting her personally– had faded, replaced with a voice filled with a slight bit of solemnity. It felt somber, almost, but still confident in its certainty.
I want to say something more, but the moment passes as she gives a shrug and says, “Well– if ya can do me a solid ‘n get the pup to em, anyways.”
I looked back down at the puppy, then to Harper. She’s giving me a knowing look. I look back to Anok, who at this point had begun to give me the most pathetic puppy eyes I had seen to date.
“...Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Hell yeah!” She exclaimed, throwing her wings around me in a tight hug. I stiffened at the contact, but she didn’t seem to notice. Eventually, she drew away, stuffing a hand into a pocket as she suddenly pulled out a fat wad of cash and dropped it on the table. Harper let out a low whistle, and I stared at it with wide eyes. “I know ya don’ get ya paycheck till Friday, so ‘eres some money for the little guy!”
Then, she picked up her familiar and spun on her heel, bounding out of the breakroom. All the while, she gleefully said, “Thank ya so very much! I’ll remember dis! You’re my two most favorite employees!”
The door slams shut, and I stare at Harper.
She stares back.
“...Did that just…?”
“Yep.”
I look back down at the dog. Again, it was staring at me with its stupid, big dumb eyes.
“...how the hell am I going to explain this to my roommate?”
“Hell if I know.”
“Thanks, Harper.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Toby
YOU
toby
how often does the landlord come around
Toby
Uh
Not often
Why?
YOU sent an image!
YOU
we have to keep her
Toby
IT HAS BEEN ONE DAY
YOU
she doesnt have a home
look at her
shes so sad
YOU sent an image!
Toby
Duuudeee
This is against our lease
YOU
so
Toby
So.
I get to name her.
YOU
what r u gonna name her
Toby
Hm
Toby
Tangerine :)