Underworld office - ver. 2

3

Have you ever got a feeling like you are either on drugs or you are in a fever dream? Because that was how I felt the next day after the first night of paying back our debt. I frankly did not know how that worked (and still don't know now) but despite technically sleeping the whole night I was utterly exhausted. I mean, yes we were running around town until like 4am, so the exhaustion was granted, but it wasn't even in my physical body.

When we woke up the guardian flowers laid innocently on the bedside table. Cursed things. I wasn't much keen on getting out of bed, so I stared at the ceiling for the next ten minutes, trying to came with a decent explanation of recent events. Couldn't find one.
Instead my mind was flicking back to Boss. He was an enigma to me. He seemed very distant at least to me and Eugene. However to the other ghosts he seemed like something of a family.

He would definitely be the dad.

I understood his reservations, after all we weren't supposed to be there. At least not yet.
There were so many things about him, that itched to be dug out. But there wasn't any source of information I could take from. Alas.

At least Eugene seemed content when we were returning. It couldn't be much of a catastrophe, if he returned in one piece with none of the involved being mad at him. I was glad.

I finally got out of bed, checking the time - 7:15. We still had some time left before needing to head out.
Eugene was already up, that was quite unusual. I didn't put much mind to it.

I found him reading some article at the kitchen table.
"Morning." I greeted him and headed over to the coffee machine.
He raised his head to acknowledge my presence.
What did you do with Boss yesterday?  He asked.
"Helped someone at the hospital with a nightmare." I said, "It seems like the hospital is somewhat of a frequent place for monsters to cause nightmares."
Interesting. Eugene signed.
"I asked Boss whether it was because of the trauma. He said not. He either downplays trauma or was making one of his stupid jokes. I was right tho. It in fact was because of the trauma," I finished explaining, "what about you?"
I helped Luke. Reunited him with Kitty again.
"That's lovely! Maybe Luke will get more sleep from now on."
Hopefully... Anyway we should head out. It's almost too late.

I grabbed my coffee and headed for a jacket. It was uncomfortably cold for October. I didn't understand how Eugene could survive with just shorts. I would freeze.

The walk to school was rather uneventful. There were some people in front of the flower shop.
"It's so sad... I cannot even eat these days. My child... just gone like that. It's hard for me to go on as if nothing happened." The owner - Linda sniffled. The rest of the conversation was lost to the wind.
She must be so sad... Eugene signed.
"I hope her son will visit her. Actually now that I think about it do you think that Sean?"
Eugene nodded.
"We could prompt him to visit..." I thought how to make it look without outright telling him. "Anyway I was thinking, I would start helping out at the flower shop. Linda deserves to have a little break."
That's a wonderful idea. Eugene signed.

The whole day was utterly uneventful. I was bored out of my mind by the time the last period ended. I found Eugene in the crowd of students heading out the school building.

"I'll stop by at Linda's to ask about the volunteering. You can head home if you want. I'll stop at the shops as well. I'll be home later." I said.
Eugene gave me a thumbs up and headed towards the underground station.

I approached the flower shop. I really hoped Linda would be amicable to the idea.

"Hello." I greeted as soon as I entered. There weren't any people except the owner behind the counter.
"Hello, dearie. What can do for you?" She smiled weakly.
"I was just wondering, if you didn't want any help in the shop. After everything that happened, you could use a little break." I was praying to every deity I knew of that she wouldn't get offended. Instead she smiled kindly.
"Dearie, that is very kind of you. However, I could never ask that from you. I wouldn't want you to spend your afternoons here. You should be with your friends and brother."
"I really do not mind. Let me help out at least during the weekends. That way you can take a break."
"You are too kind. Very well. Stop by on Saturday I'll show you everything and you can start right away." She smiled.
"Thank you. I'll see you on Saturday then." I smiled and waved at her as I left the flower shop.