The Dark Mist

Birth of a Hero

                                                                   ONE YEAR LATER

                                                                                   8

Veronica held the railing as she walked down the steps in her rich black stilettos. Her fishnet stockings licked up her angle, to her thigh and over her knee and was covered by a short leather skirt, topped by a black leather corset. She had a crop in her hand and her hair was tied in a ponytail. She saw Becca sitting cross legged on the couch once again, her text book in front of her, pencil in hand tapping her mouth and a coil scribbler on top of the book which she periodically wrote in. Beside her was a glass of water and an empty bowl that had been filled with carrot sticks. Veronica checked the time on the underside of her wrist, by turning her hand delicately as if offering her hand to accept a dance from a tall handsome gentlemen. "Once again, Becca Anderson is hard at it."

"Huh, what? Sorry Veronica, did you need the couch?" asked Becca looking up, startled. "Sorry was too busy concentrating I guess."

"If you concentrate too much, you're going to eventually look like one of those math symbols you keep writing down, and no, I don't need the couch, it's an outcall. Have a couple actually, maybe. Henry should be outside soon. Don't wait up And you should really go outside or something. Don't you have friends to party with? Three months already and you always stay home."

Becca smiled. "And you always work at night. Someone has to guard the place."

Veronica laughed. "That's a good one, but really go outside or something."

Becca stretched her arms in the air. "You know I think you're right, maybe I'll go for a run. Get my mind working again. I'm just not getting this problem."

"That's not what I meant. Go get drunk! That's what College girls are supposed to do."

"You're a College girl and you're not getting drunk."

"I have to support my tuition somehow. Some of us aren't lucky to get a student loan." She stuck her tongue out at Becca. "Anyway, how do I look?" Veronica did a little spin.

"I mean you look beautiful, but really scary. Do you really need the black lipstick?"

"Scary and beautiful is what I'm going for. My client is looking for a punishing vampire."

Becca held her hand out. "I think that's all I need to know, thanks."

There was a knock on the door and Veronica went to answer it. Henry was at the door. He had a goatee, short hair, but average height. He wore a white dress shirt and jeans.

"Ready to go, Ron?"

"Almost, now where did I leave my purse?"

Becca pointed beside her empty bowl. "You left it there so I'd remind you to take it with you."

"Right, thank you!" Veronica grabbed her purse and was almost headed out the door and turned back. "Oh, I forgot to pick up some milk, so since you're going out on your run, maybe get a carton of milk?"

"Sure thing," said Becca.

"Don't wait up," said Veronica giving her a wink.

Becca laughed and watched the two of them leave. Since January she had lived in the dorms, but had found them too crowded, but it was only for four months. She only had three courses and they were mostly upgrading courses which she passed with flying colors. Now she was hitting the big stuff. She never realized how hard College could be. It was one thing to be able to read the book in a day, another to understand it. In April, she returned home, or to Marjorie's place to take care of it while she and David actually went to Paris for a holiday. It was only two months and some of it was also going to London. She was happy for them, and also relieved that David finally took a vacation with his girlfriend. She had been nagging him for one for months, way before Becca even met them. In the summer months, Becca spent time with them, and spent time researching about her College program she'd be doing in the fall. Also researching as much idioms as possible. What's up, No worries, yo man, and her favorite, whateva. Though she hardly heard that one nowadays, but it was still good to be prepared, and then she decided to live off campus and was lucky enough to find someone to who needed a roommate. The house was small, a two bedroom house. Veronica said that she and her boyfriend had bought it but he left. She was still able to make the payments. The neighborhood was a bit sketchy but Veronica said it wasn't always that way. But now it was perfect because nobody cared about her escorting. Becca didn't ask and was thankful her summer research paid off. Escorting meant usually sex for money. It was time for a run.