Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 37

"A bank?" Blake asked himself, stepping up to the door.

The painted letters, faded and obscured, still revealed an 'ank' on the glass above the door. Pulling it open, he met the same flickering illumination coming from the ceiling lights. One step in, he noticed the emptiness of the building.

"What?"

All walls had been removed, reinforced studs remaining in the barren and massive room. His eyes skipped from pillar to pillar, while his instincts pulled his right arm back.

"No," He had to remind himself, stopping his arm and his progression into the room.

He was safe.

Safe.

He didn't like that word. He could protect himself. He had the training to protect others. But was he ever truly safe?

"Are you coming inside, sir?" A sudden soothing voice called out into the room.

He stepped forward, dropping his hands to his sides. Blake had to trust the General and the colony.

"Yes, sorry. I was taken back by the room," Blake half-lied, walking to the first of the pillars.

He stopped, noticing a small desk against the furthest wall, and a petite figure behind it.

"Hello," The voice called out again, the figure looking up and meeting Blake's gaze.

Dark hair, flowing free down either side of her face, while her pale skin and bright eyes kept his gaze. Another step closer and he made out her eyes, blue- silver staring back, an amused smirk on her lips.

"Have you never seen them before?" She asked, glancing away briefly.

"Never that color..." Blake answered, smiling as he stepped up to the desk.

"What do you think?" She fluttered her eyelashes.

"She's trying too hard," Blake's mind screamed, his smile a facade.

"They're beautiful," He half-lied, once again; resisting the temptation, yet confessing his thoughts.

"Am I beautiful?" She whispered, leaning closer towards her side of the desk, her hand grabbing jt to steady herself.

He kept the smile, leaning in towards her, "You can't fool me."

Her bright eyes went wide, the smirk disappearing as she fumbled with her words, "I--- what?"

The door swung open. A single babyface young man, donning a loose, unbuttoned shirt walked through with an amused smirk. The same smirk the receptionist had. This was an inside joke to them.

"I'm a joke to them," Blake realized, his fist curling and his temperature rising.

Leaning back upright, he met the new man's gaze and stepped closer.

"The General sent me. He said for me to have a room on the Upper levels," Blake informed the man.

The smirk faded and became replaced with disdain, "You're kidding me."

Blake remained silent, standing there as he let the man understand.

A sigh of resignation escaped the man before he turned and waved Blake to follow.

"This way," the man suddenly lowered his voice. "Ya lucky bastard."

Blake wanted to laugh at him. Tell him he had no say in his room, no more than Blake had a say in coming here in the first place. He was just following orders from one of the only men trying to rebuild society. In the end Blake said nothing as they stopped into the elevators.