Switches & Spices

Chapter Eleven

Tomorrow would be better...

Waking was usually slow for me, but this morning was something else entirely. My head was in a dense fog I couldn't break free from, my mind incredibly sluggish. I wasn't sure how many times I tossed and turned, struggling to find the strength to climb out from under the heavy blankets. I just wanted to sleep and sleep, stay locked in an oddly nightmare-free rest for the first time in a while. It was just so nice...

I had finally cracked my eyes open after winking in and out of consciousness for however long, seeing Seb gone from the crook of my wing. I rolled to lay flat on my back even with my wing bases at an uncomfortable position, hoping that it made me wake up a bit more. I just wanted to sleep. No, get up!

Wasn't there something that had to be done today? I groaned and rubbed my face with my hands, trying to remember. I hadn't felt this exhausted since that week-long mission with just a few hours of sleep I could spare. My stomach gurgled and I groaned again.

"Stupid fucking piece of- Ugh. Fine, getting up." A small mumble to no one but myself, I forced my covers up and off of me, shuddering instantly as the warmth was removed. Well, that helped a little. Still too cold though. Forcing my limbs into moving, I rolled on my side and promptly fell out of bed, not realizing just how close I had been, catching myself on my hands and knees with a groan.

A couple of beeps from my phone drew my attention, and I pushed myself up off the floor, tugging a blanket off my bed and wrapping myself up, wings and all, beneath the still-warm cloth. My black leather bracer had been set next to my phone; Mana must've placed it there.

Placing it over my burned, scarred wrist and buckling it in place, I squinted at my phone, sighing to myself. I pushed my long hair back over my shoulder, letting it fall between my wings. It almost reached my rear without being braided, a mild thought to get it trimmed as I scrolled through my notifications.

"Let's see... Three missed calls from Kei, not surprising. I'll have to phone him back. One from... Ugh. Fuck that bitch. A message from her too." A small huff slipped out, glancing over the text message from my Handler in the Commission.

A snort of annoyance from seeing a picture that had been captured of me being held in Tamaki's restraining tentacles while injured the night before, eyes closed in a grimace from the flashes. My shoulder burned briefly in recollection. I glanced to the text linked with it, rolling my eyes.

CommBitch:

Wings out in the open.

Anyone asks, tell them you're fine.

Don't show weakness.

"Fucking fine, guess I'll have to patrol wings out tonight... Wouldn't want to ruin their precious image. Well, whatever is left of it. At least people will see I'm fine and won't worry if they did." Yes, her contact name was well deserved. I stiffly flexed my left arm, a small breath of relief escaping as the pain was almost entirely gone. At least sleep helped the frazzled nerves. Another day and it'd be good as new. Another message caught my eye, and I couldn't help but smile to myself.

Unknown:

Hope you're sleeping well! The rest of the night went without any crime, score another win for the good guys!

He must've sent that immediately after his shift, that goof... Oh, right, I hadn't set him as a contact yet. I tapped my phone in thought before smiling to myself, saving his information.

"'Smiley' will work for now... Maybe 'Sharky' later. Don't wanna do it if he's self-conscious about his teeth though. Maybe I should ask him tonight?" Musing out loud to myself, I yawned wide, rubbing my eyes and slipping my phone into the pocket of my long skirt before turning to head down the stairs.