Ark Lore Backstories Part 1 - Kaitlyn

Part 6 Two weeks Later

"Well good morning sleeping beauty," Zac said as Kaitlyn walked down into the kitchen. He was eating a bowl of cereal while writing down spell instructions for recruits. He was already dressed, and ready to face the day ahead of him.

"M-Morning," Kaitlyn said lazily as she yawned. She opened the refrigerator and rummaged through it. She sat down across from Zac and began eating cold leftover pizza from three nights ago.

"Hey, um can we talk?" Zac asked.

"Y-Yeah what's up?" Kaitlyn responded as she took another bite.

"How is job hunting going? I'm not trying to rush you, but I kinda miss living alone," Zac said trying to get his point across while not sounding mean.

"O-Oh great! I have an in-person i-interview at this mental institute, but it's like a two-hour drive away," Kaitlyn said as she stole the last sip of Zac's OJ. Zac used a levitation spell to move the cup into the sink, he made a quick face of disgust before speaking again.

"Um, why would you choose that place?!" Zac asked concerned for his best friend's safety and mental well-being.

"It's t-the only place that responded, and they said I could live there, a-and I get paid way more than I did as an Archer," Kaitlyn said as she finished her cold pizza, "If it's too much to ask, could I use your car?" Kaitlyn asked sheepishly.

"Oh hell no! I will drive you!" Zac said as he stood up and dumped his milk down the sink.

"A-Are you sure?" Kaitlyn double-checked.

"Great, now I have to cancel with Raymond. There is no way in hell I am letting her drive MY CAR! Especially after what she did to her own," Zac thought to himself, "It's fine, go get ready, we are leaving right away," Zac said as he walked over to the phone to make a call. 

Thirty Minutes Later

"Okay, where did you say this place was?" Zac asked as they got into his car.

"I-It's five miles out of a village c-called Offhight," Kaitlyn said nervously

"Oh god," Zac said as he reached for the glovebox, and pulled out a map. He quickly unfolded it and scanned through it before heavily sighing and placing it into the center console. Zac turned the key in the ignition making the car roar to life. He put the car into first gear and pulled out of the driveway and down into the busy streets of Steelville. 

Two Hours Later

Zac's car zipped down a back road causing autumn leaves to blow away.

"I'm p-pretty sure that's the hill it's on," Kaitlyn said nervously as she pointed to the hill on the right when Zac came to a stop at an intersection.

"It won't hurt to check," Zac said as he took the right and pulled up the hill. As the car pulled up the hill the trees on the side of the road blocked the view of the building that laid on top. It wasn't until they reached the top they could see it. The building was on the smaller side for a mental institution, it was made mostly out of bricks and cement that was beginning to crumble. The shingle roof was cracking and looked like it desperately needed to be replaced. Smoke came out of the chimney signaling that the place was operational. Zac pulled into the  parking lot that only had four cars in it. Slowing down as he passed a rusted iron sign. The sign barely read: "Kensey Hill Mental Institute for the Deranged Arks."

"Well looks like this is it," Zac said nervously as he pulled into a proper parking spot closer to the crumbling building.

"T-t-thanks for the ride," Kaitlyn said as she got out of the car.

"Good luck!" Zac shouted as the door closed. Kaitlyn waved back and smiled as she walked up the andesite stairs. 

30 Minutes Later

Zac sat in his car music played through the radio keeping him in focus as he jotted something down in a notebook, as his cherished tome was opened on his lap. He was too transfixed in his work to care about the outside world.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Zac bolted up and looked out the passenger window to see Kaitlyn smiling.

"How did it go?" Zac asked as Kaitlyn got in the car.

"I-I GOT THE JOB!!!!!" Kaitlyn said excitedly, she began to bounce up and down in the passenger seat.

"That's great," Zac said with a wide smile, "Should we look around for apartments?" Zac asked as he wanted to know about Kaitlyn's plan, or if she had one, to begin with.

"S-Sure, why n-not," Kaitlyn said.

That Night

Kaitlyn sat down on the bed in her cheap motel room, the apartment hunting was successful, but Kaitlyn wouldn't be able to move in for another week. Kaitlyn sighed as she laid down on the bed, her body was exhausted from her raw excitement. She rolled to her side and thought about her former job, her brother, squad members, and Zac. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she cried over the memories she made in Steelville.

"Am I betraying them?" Kaitlyn thought to herself as she wiped her tears. Eventually, Kaitlyn's brain was able to find rest and she was able to fall asleep.