Chapter Text
Tuesday, February 11, 2:20 pm
After hours of sorting beads by colour, I have realized that I was supposed to be packing for my assignment. I’ve forgotten to take my medicine after lunch which caused my brain to go all funky. I sighed in frustration and stood up from the sofa, gently putting the box of beads away.
I quickly downed my pills and a glass of cranberry juice followed after. Once again, my mind raced with thoughts about who I might meet and what they would be like. I unconsciously started imagining and daydreaming about different scenes and moments that could potentially happen on this assignment.
Packing was a breeze. Luckily, I was able to list down and organize the things I need to pack the night before. I picked my favourite luggage which was a dark blue hard case luggage with stickers from all the countries I’ve been to peppered across the front alongside the transgender and LGBT pride flag. After packing, I then went to coddle my cat, Chai. This went on for about 15 minutes before I received a text from Hyde. He reminded me to ask my neighbor to take care of Chai before I leave so that she doesn’t starve to death in my absence.
I quickly finished the things I needed to do before I left my apartment for the last time this week. A quick shower then took place shortly after. Hyde told me to wear bright warm colours that would easily catch the attention of my future workmates so I decided to wear a striking red and orange sweater with blue denim overalls. I put on my infamous combat boots again. Before leaving though, I swiftly make a run for my journal and pen in my bedside drawer. I couldn’t possibly leave without any writing materials.
I took a taxi to the small diner Hyde had instructed me to go to. He must’ve missed out on the part where he mentions the diner was famous because the establishment was one of the most crowded areas I’ve seen. Perfect social anxiety material.
As I sit down at an empty table, the phone in my pocket buzzes rapidly. I pull it out and check the notification. Immediately, my heart beats with excitement. ’greetings and salutations, my love’. The text read. It was Jackson, a guy I’d been talking and face timing with over the past 3 months who lives on the opposite side of the globe. We aren’t exactly dating though; just talking. I smile uncontrollably as I reply with ‘hello u fucking cunt’. I am absolutely smitten with this person and would risk my life for his.
We continue texting each other; asking about our day so far and just talking about random shit we would normally say or ask on a daily basis. Jackson told me about how he accidentally broke his blender by sticking a metal spoon in it to stir the liquid inside. I laugh at his antics. I tell him about my assignment and how I really plan on meeting up with them after it to which he gets all giddy about.
It was about 4 pm already when a kinda tall guy wearing a light blue dress shirt. I reread the text Hyde sent me earlier about who to look out for. He must be Daesyn, the detective. I quickly shove my phone back into my pocket and walk up to them.
“Hey,” I say, reaching out my hand for them to shake it. “Are you Daesyn? From Track ‘n Solve?” they nod their head and shake my hand. Judging from the nervous expression spread on their face, they’re probably new on the job.
“Hi,” They greeted. “I’m guessing you’re the archeologist I’m gonna work with? Dakota Fox? I don’t exactly know my way around town properly yet sorry.” I give them a warm smile. Meanwhile, my phone is buzzing repeatedly. It’s probably Jackson wondering why I’m not answering.
We sit back down at the table and chat for a bit to get to know each other. Turns out, Daesyn really likes puzzles and escape rooms. I told them about Chai and might’ve gotten sidetracked and rambled on about dinosaurs, rocks, and Greek mythology. Can you really blame me? The only being I can hold a physical conversation with is Chai since Jackson lives on the other side of the world and we can only communicate through calls and text messages.
About one and a half hours later, a man comes dashing into the diner, looking disheveled and stressed. Daesyn and I immediately knew that they were the 3rd member of our party due to the fact that they were wearing a bright green shirt with a creeper pattern on it; the colour Hyde texted me to look out for. I quickly stood up and approached them to greet the stranger.