[ Glow ] ~ Anthony Lockwood x OC

XXVII - Forms

The door banged behind them as the team entered the chapel behind Mr. Saunders. The place was eerie and dusty, a musty scent echoed the air and a shiver ran through Daniel's spine. It felt haunted, in all meanings of the word except the obvious. Daniel couldn't sense a single visitor, though if she weren't so reliable on her abilities she'd assume that some were lurking around the creepy building. 

Mr. Saunders walked the group through, turning to look back at Anthony as the teens followed. "Sorry about all that. I'm short-staffed at the moment." He walked around what seemed to be the stand of a coffin to the other side as he talked. "Joplin's got her head in a coroner's report somewhere." The table was covered in maps, paperwork, lanterns, pens, anything you'd need for an office really.

"Unusual table you've got there." George mentioned as he, Lucy, and Daniel dropped their kit bags. 

"Oh, it's a catafalque, according to Joplin. God knows what it does." 

"It's a lift to take coffins to the catacombs." George replied, as if Mr. Saunders had actually asked a question to him. "I'd never normally say this, but you really shouldn't be using it to serve biscuits." George looked down at the treat on the table as he mentioned it. 

Mr. Saunders paused, looking at George, down to the plate of biscuits, then back up at him in somewhat annoyance. "I work with what I've got." He sighed before pushing back on topic. "Right, let's get this signed." He handed a stack of paperwork and a pen over to Lockwood. 

"So what happened at the incident?" Lockwood let out a sigh, taking the contract and pen and signing on the line. 

"The gravediggers mistimed it. Got caught with an exposed casket as the sun set." The older man accentuated his words as if it were the worst thing to ever happen on the plot, which surely couldn't be true given the situation they all worked. 

"Did anyone see a visitor?" Lucy questioned.

"Yeah, sensitives can't get their stories straight." 

"Well that's fun." Daniel mumbled, sighing out a breath. She could feel the icy tingle of death pulling from outside as the sun continued to go further than it already had. 

"Apart from the fact they're all sick and need a lie down." Mr. Saunders finished with clear distaste. He put on a humorous smile, like he were fighting back a laugh, and looked between the four agents. "No backbone, your generation."

Daniel's lips formed a line as her brows drew together. No 'backbone'? You didn't see the older generations running around fighting visitors as if it were no big deal. 

George interrupted the annoyance written across Daniel's face with a clear of his throat and a slight nudge to her arm. "You said the casket was exposed?" 

"Yes, but not open." Mr. Saunders nodded, looking back, and pointing at Anthony. "That's your job. You'll be on your own though. I'll not have anyone else near that grave until it's made safe. I can't risk anymore disruption" 

"You said we'd be well-supported. This is not what we agreed-"

Daniel nodded slightly, interrupting Anthony and inserting herself properly into the conversation. "That's what we're here for, Mr. Saunders, to make sure everything goes smoothly and to ensure your employees can get back to their safe work environment." She gave him a false smile, her head tilting slightly into it. From the looks of it, Mr. Saunders couldn't tell the smile had been faked as he just gave her a bright one back. 

Lockwood gave Daniel a look of disapproval before turning back to their current employer. "What if there are relic men, or some other active visitors out there?"

"If you wish to complain, just complete the relevant paperwork. The rest of your team does not seem to have any issues with it, Mr. Lockwood." 

"That's because Dani is too strong headed for her own good."

"Rude-" 

Lockwood shot her another look. "I am not filling out more forms." He sneered out at Mr. Saunders.

"Suit yourself." The older man smiled, tapping a spot on the contract Anthony had just signed. "But you're still under contract." Mr. Saunders walked away, the door echoing behind them as he left the mausoleum. 

Once he was gone, Lockwood let out a tight breath, his hands settled in his pockets as he looked down. "We shouldn't even be here. We should be front-page news." 

"Lockwood, let's just get it done." Lucy cut in. 

Daniel watched George pick up his kit bag, doing the same with her own. She slung the strap over her shoulder before picking Lockwood's bag up too and placing her free hand on his bicep. "C'mon, Locks, we've got this. We defeated the big bad Combe Carey Hall, we can do a simple little grave. Besides, we need the work."

Lockwood's gaze trailed down to Daniel's hand, back up to her face, and then back down to her hand again. His shoulders noticeably relaxed under her touch and even his expression seemed to calm slightly as he gave her a small nod. 

Daniel smiled, sliding her hand off his arm and holding his kit bag out to him. "Thank you, Dani." 

"Course, Locks. Can't have you fuming all night, need to keep a level head. I'd rather us not all die just cause you're throwing a proper fit." 

"I am not throwing a-" Anthony sighed, a hint of a smile on his face as he shook his head. "You are trouble, Ms. Aiken."

"Really? Some would just say psychotic. Trouble's a new one for me." She smiled back, biting down a snicker at her own words.

George walked over to the pair, looking between their smiling faces and scoffing. "You guys are weird." 

"Why thank you, George." 

"Not a compliment, Dans." 

"Sure it is." She called to him as she followed Lucy out of the mausoleum, properly assuming the boys were just a few steps behind her.

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Word Count - 1001

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Published - October 16, 2023

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