Admiring the Light

Ep 29 (Tw- unloaded guns)

"I'm not sure what to think of you... I'm really not sure what to think." Katherine sighed, her eyes flicking down to their quirky big maine coon. Nightwhisper licked one of her paws, but she didn't seem angry.

"You're not unholy, are you?" She asked, the cat could've just been smart. Top hats seemed to be associated with magic or power, maybe Night had been one of those television show cats.

The cat wagged her tail a few times, but she couldn't think of anything that meant. "I dunno, I'm just... not even sure what to do now."

Unemployed, this had to be rock bottom. A job at a restaurant wouldn't sustain her family. She had no strengths, her degree in computer science meant nothing.

Her only real choice could have been to go back to college and get a master's in something. She had the money, didn't she? No. She had to pay bills too.

"What can I do now..."

...

Flashback

Katherine found herself struggling to focus on her droning teacher. Whatever that old woman was writing on the board, it probably wasn't as important.

Her blue eyes flicked to Owen, but she would have rather sit alone. He was even more socially distant than she was.

"Hey, psst, Owen." Katherine smiled as she prodded at the guy next to her. "Owen, I've got something to show you!! After school!"

"Uh-"

That questioning look he gave her, it reminded her of her past friendships that had failed. And she wouldn't let him slip out. "Yeah! You're not doing anything, come over! My brothers are gonna be out anyway."

"Are you trying to ask me out or something?"

"This is cool, I promise." She could see he was torn between her and the lesson.

"Mildly concerning. Just- just mildly."

"What did I ever do to arise suspicion?"

...

"Owen!! Best friend anniversary!" Katherine grinned, shoving a Godzilla plush in his hands. Except it wasn't really Godzilla. She'd stitched together different stuffed animals to make her own.

"That's... a thing- that exists."

"Isn't it fun? You love monster movies!!"

"I did- back in-" He paused, those big blue eyes brought out guiltiness. "It's great."

"I know, right?"

...

"Never done anything concerning, nope."

"So why would you be worried now?"

The grimy walls had cracks and even holes, with photos of Katherine's various brothers. Nothing of her.

"And- this is my room!"

Owen couldn't believe what he was seeing. Weapons and certificates decorated Katherine's green walls, a big glass case sat against the opposite wall under her window with a lamp illuminating various models of guns.

"What the fuck..." He froze as she lowered a rifle from her wall, holding it up for him to see.

"Yeah! Look at this-" Katherine smiled, holding the barrel of the gun for him to look inside. "There are grooves in there, it's how police identify what bullet came from which gun."

"Katherine. You're insane."

"I've got a few mags for this AR, but it is really just for display reasons." Katherine rested the lean black gun back on the pegs.