Chapter Text
The cold air around you caused your hair to bristle as your steps echoed through the empty halls. A resounding ‘click clock’ sound rebounded as your shoes met the glossy hard floor. The halls were dimmed and the sun was still waking up as it was still the earlier hours of the morning, leaving only the glow of the massive windows that led to the tanks of the creatures that lived there.
Earlier today you had managed to score a job interview for the janitorial position for “Faz-Corps Underwater Wonders”, much to your… well you weren’t actually that surprised.
You took the job offer out of desperation. In any other circumstance, cleaning up after hordes of messy children and their parents flocking to see the infamous “Real Life Mermaids!” would sound like the last thing you’d want to do, but hard times call for hard decisions, and you chose to work for a sketchy, billion-dollar company that liked to play god.
But hey, at least you have a job now. And eating microwave Kids-Cuisine meals was getting really repetitive.
…
You came to a stop, seeing the big dark-wood door with “Management” engraved in a gold plaque.
You sucked in a shaky breath, and stepped in.
It was a large office, with wooden floors that went up to half of the wall. A big desk sat at the back of the office, as well as who you assumed was the manager.
He had short-wavy black hair and tanned skin with warm undertones. He had a thick mustache and gray streaks in his hair, as well as slight wrinkles. He seemed to be looking at some files with a concerned face.
You shuffled slightly, and he seemed to take notice of your presence. He smiled and gestured for you to take a seat.
You smiled and complied.
The seat you sat in was a wooden chair fixed to the floor, while he had a slightly worn looking black leather chair. On the desk sat a shiny copper name-plate with “David Yoshida” engraved on it. Around the room were various framed documents hung up on the faded white walls. You were too far away to read them though.
He began to welcome you with a slight gravely texture to his voice.
“So you must be the person applying for the janitorial position, yes?” He asked calmly.
You nodded quickly, hoping that no one else wanted the position.
“Yes, that’s me!” you spoke with fake enthusiasm. He nodded and looked down to a file that you assumed was your resume.
“Well… going by your resume, you seem just fine for the job! But I am obligated to ask, have you ever participated in a crime within the past 5 years?”
You shook your head ‘No’, with an eyebrow raised.
“Well then, I think we’re all set! Welcome to the team, Y/N.”
It took you a second to register what he said until it finally hit you.
“Wait what?”
The words slipped out of your mouth before you could stop them. He smiled understandingly as he continued, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
“Your work hours are from 7:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Come in tomorrow and Annabelle at the front desk will give you your uniform, I.D and equipment. She’ll fill you in on what you need to do and where to do it, then you can start.” He spoke.
You nodded, still trying to register the information in your brain as you stepped out of the office and sighed out of relief. The door shut with a low “clunk” .
That was quick…
Weren’t they supposed to call you back in a couple days, or something? Or were they really that desperate for a janitor?
You headed home later on, your head still wracked with confusion and slight skepticism.
…
You finally came home to your small apartment.
There were cigarette burns from a previous tenant in the tacky brown 70’s carpet that you were too tired to try and fix. The walls and ceiling were painted off-white, and you hated the “popcorn” texture that they had.
You headed to your room for a change of clothes and a nice warm shower, leaving behind your phone and your purse. You went to bed and huddled yourself in the warm sheets that kept you from freezing from the cold autumn evening.
You could hear the wind blowing through the rustling trees, as well as the occasional car that would pass by. Hopefully you’d be able to save up enough money to buy a car so you wouldn’t have to take the bus so often.
Sleep had taken you quickly, which was unusual, and soon you were fast asleep.
That night you had a strange dream about the ocean, as well as small, colorful plastic rings and fish with human faces.
(Don't worry, I'll make the next chapters longer.)
(Thanks for reading.)