Monochromatic

Chapter 9

Rave

It had been two months since I officially began working at AAS, and I couldn't help but notice how much it had changed. When I first came years ago and saw the full picture, my own house was spotless in comparison. What I saw there I couldn't put into words, but I was a pretty decent cleaner, I had to be. I could clean all day without getting tired. I had my work cut out for me, that was for sure. Ever since I came along the old antique shop gradually looked better and gained popularity. Fast forward to now, Azoria joined me at work. We both got along rather well and we both shared similar opinions about the store. Once Azoria came, the store became a bit livelier, and she quickly became the favorite employee of all our customers. She even managed to bring younger groups in to buy things! Andrew seemed to ignore us both, and Azoria and I were okay with that. Everything went along decently in the store, and Azoria and I made it a regular to talk on our way back home. We were never really that close, but I did start to think of her as my friend.

Azoria and I walked home one evening, talking like usual. Once Azoria and I were parting ways however, she couldn't bring herself to move. I didn't notice it at first, until Azoria duly called out my name,

"Rave?"

I stopped. A brief moment of silence followed before I finally answered her,

"Yes, Azoria?"

"Do you know who Andrew is? You have been around him for a while now if I remember correctly."

"You can say that, yeah. Why?"

"Do you know who he really is?"

I turned around, only to see the statue of the once cheerful ball of sunshine, staring at the ground with no emotion.

"Should I?" I asked

Azoria didn't reply for several minutes, but I didn't pressure her. At last, I began to walk off, and Azoria did the same,

"Don't trust him, he's a threat."

The way Azoria acted that evening caught me off guard. The next day, I asked her what she meant, but she asked me to never bring that up again unless it was absolutely necessary. I dropped the subject. It was quiet after that, but that was fine by me. The day after that, Azoria asked me if I'd like to come to her home on Saturday. When I asked why, she looked around before answering me, as if she was hiding something from someone else. Azoria spoke softly,

"It's my...birthday that day, you may bring your little sister if you wish as well."

I agreed, but not before Andrew suddenly popped out from the restroom. I couldn't help but notice how Azoria began avoiding Andrew more than he did us. She didn't show any other signs, but I knew something was up.

Azoria's birthday came, and I already received directions to her house. I helped Libia pick out her outfit before I got dressed myself and walked out afterwards. I looked down at my little sister, still gripping tightly to my palm. She was staring at me with this somewhat familiar expression in her eyes.

"What's up?"

Libia looked down, her free hand scratching at her side,

"I feel like something bad will happen at Azoria's celebration. You should warn her beforehand." Libia whispered.

I didn't second guess her. She let my hand go and I patted her head softly,

"Okay."

Libia and I reached Azoria's house. It was small, sky blue paint chipped off the wooden walls and lush green vines almost completely covered the sides. The staircase was severely broken down, and baseboards were scattered on the porch. You'd get the impression that the house was abandoned, but then again, our house was the same when we first started living there. Walking up to the porch, I knocked on the door, Azoria letting us in. She held a bright smile and sat Libia and I down.