The Cries of the Dead (A Moon Knight Inspired Fan-fiction)

Chapter Five: Losing Reality

(Strong themes, strong sexual references)

        The vast, brightly lit corridor, stark white corridor, was wide and far. With many large one-way windowed offices, which were entered through light grey doors.

Ophelia Pierce swallowed, as she tried not to notice how familiar this place was. How she'd dreamed of a similar corridor every night.

Small details were being remembered with each experienced nightmare. Until they'd invaded the back of her mind permanently.

This is real. She reminded herself, as she followed Pedro Estrada.

Thankfully, he wasn't the phantom that whispered to her, not only in sleep, but now during the day. Lia knew that it was just a fragment of her sleeping moments, but still unsettling.

"Help me." She heard it whisper. Hoping that she was imagining it, but swearing she felt the caress of breath on her ear.

Pedro halted before one of the doors, it was labelled with his name, and above that 'Artefact Recovery and Preservation'.

He held the door open, and Lia stepped inside the roomy office, her eyes widening as she surveyed it. Body cooling, as she pushed the phantom to the back of her mind, and embraced this distraction.

This office was as white as the hallway, and almost as empty too. Aside from the two metal desks that rested on opposite ends to one another - both fitted modern laptops and basic stationery.

A large, floor to ceiling window stretched across the furthest wall from the door. Ophelia shuddered at how open everything was - how exposed.

Lia had been alarmed by what had happened to her last time she'd been with Pedro; the weeks that passed hadn't mended her fear.

It was easy enough to focus on the fact she'd been offered a job, yet that excitement only lasted so long.

There was no doubt in her mind that Daniel had been watching her. Which caused some new habits to emerge.

She rarely ventured outside, unless it was necessary. When she was home alone, she kept all the blinds closed, and continued to check for cameras...

"This is where you'll be operating." Pedro motioned towards the desk furthest from the door - the exit.

Gone was her naturally happy friend, and in his stead, was a stern, professional man.

A side of him that she'd glimpsed when he'd been in Steven's apartment. Now, it was magnified and darker, and she wondered if she wanted to know what had happened to make him this way. Or if it was all just an act.

Her unease flowed, as she realised something vital. Pedro wore masks, just as she did, just as Marc did.

The only difference between Pedro and her former enemy-trainer-friend-almost lover, was that she knew which version of Pedro was real.

Pedro strolled to his desk and leaned somewhat casually against it. "I sometimes operate here, other times I'm in the field."

Lia watched as he folded his arms across his chest.

"So, what do you think, partner?" He asked.

Ophelia wasn't sure. All she knew was that this was such a change from the bustling and noisy cafe. As relieved as she was to have a different purpose, Lia was worried about how quiet it was.