Bloodborne: First Blood {1}

Chapter 𝟚𝟟 - Unpleasant People

1946

I stood in a meeting room with my future "co-workers" and two much more familiar faces. The war had ended, both my best friends were gone and I was stuck in a hard-to-reach place.

The middle of an S.S.R meeting room.

That day, I wore a dress that was the most beautiful yellow I had seen along with a matching headband. It reflected my mood that day, joy.

I was in there with Agent Sousa, Agent Thompson, Chief Dooley, Peggy, and, Howard. Yes, Howard.

Our...relationship was never so public. Only surprisingly a few people knew about it. He had insisted on staying for time being since he was already there. He promised me he would have no involvement in getting the job, I could do this myself. I only applied for this job a month after Peggy did and now it was my turn. This was where I belonged, I needed to be here.

The looks some of the other agents were giving me could've been seen as discouragement like I was wasting their time. I didn't care about what they thought, I just needed to get in.

"Agent Harding, I understand that you've served with the 107th, Captain America, and the S.S.R. But we've already taken a big risk by keeping Agent Carter on the team," The Chief folded his hands and sighed, not the first time I've heard that. "You're gonna have to plead your case."

"This is something..." One of them mumbled. Peggy eye-rolled, hard.

"Chief, I'm well aware that you are hesitating to let me transfer to this unit but I can guarantee you, I can do this job just as well as any of your men."

"Look, we're aware of your credentials. Not everyone gets to work with Captain America, what makes you stand out from everyone else?" Thompson smiled smugly, he always was a jerk. Howard and Peggy were slowly getting more and more annoyed by the minute.

I looked straight at Thompson before I answered. "Since you're so concerned Agent Thompson, I'll tell you. I'm far from fragile, I've looked death straight in its masked face many times and smiled. Truthfully, there isn't particularly anything special about me—well, apart from one thing."

The room went quiet. The agents exchanged stares with each other, the chief was deep in his thought. Peggy and Howard, we're deciding if they should say anything. The silence was deafening, till Thompson decided to speak.

"You better hold your breath." That was my last straw, this was something I had to put up every day. Frankly, I was very sick of this shit.

I leaned on the table, slowly. Looking Thompson right in the eyes again, dropping my smile.

"I have tried to be courteous, especially with you Agent Thompson. You've forced my hand." I spoke quietly enough for just the man to hear me then, I raised my voice. "I saw how many of you looked at me when I walked in here. Making assumptions before you've even talked to me, your eyes say a lot. You were in disbelief and that's fine, I don't need to prove that I belong here to any of you—I know I belong here."

I took my gaze off of Thompson as the room still stood quiet. "Agent Thompson, I've heard you're the man needed when it comes to interrogation. Back at my old position, I earned the name, the answer-machine. Does anyone want to take a gander at how I got that name?" They shook their heads. "Armin Zola. It took me five minutes to get all the answers I needed out of him, secured his place in jail. I tell you to leave a message and you have no choice but to answer. See, I know the environment in which I thrive, this is where I'm meant to be. You can judge me all you like, I will never seek any approval from anyone in this room."

I smiled again, this time it was real as I saw Peggy and Howard's proud faces. If I didn't get to work with the S.S.R again, I'd find something else, and right now, I thought I've lost all my chances.