When the World Ends

26; Astrid

After coming home to Angel and making sure everything there is squared away, I decide to take a nap and wash my uniform. I assure Angel that by the time I wake up, Daye would be able to take visitors. Now, we are outside the apartment complex, waiting on a private driver from the academy. Hopefully, we won't run into any blond-haired menaces while we're out here. 

Angel and I are chatting amongst ourselves, trying to keep our voices down when people pass us on the sidewalk.

     "When the academy held the ceremony for you two, I saw you under that silver breastplate. Is it heavy?" Angel asks, shifting her weight from one hip to the other. 

     "No, not necessarily since I've got the upper body strength to endure it but it's so hard to move in."

     "Hm," Angel said, turning to glance down the street. "I know I keep asking, but is Daye going to be okay? You said he was asleep when you left."

     "If he gets enough rest and the drugs they gave him are strong enough, I'm sure he will be okay. They had him on oxygen when I left and the dial was pretty high. Probably to try and clear out his lungs." I pause, glancing down the opposite side of the street. "Are you going to attend the gala the academy is throwing?"

     "I didn't know I was invited. Usually it's for the elite."

     "Daye could invite you. Normally, the Elector goes with his wife. Daye isn't married, so he would attend with me, the Commander. But the decision is up to him. I have to be there anyways. I'm considering going with Micah."

Angels eyes widen as she turns back to face me. "I thought you didn't like him..."

     "Oh, I don't," I reassure. "But I did send the metal end of a clipboard into his forehead and felt bad after. It's only out of pity."

A hearty laugh escapes Angel. "Is that where that ugly gash came from?"

     "Yes, but because he startled me. It wasn't on purpose." Sighing, I step in front of Angel, discreetly pointing to someone coming around the corner. "Speak of the devil-"

     "It's like mentioning him summons him from thin air," she whispers, glancing at him over my shoulder.

Preparing for an altercation, I keep Angel behind me and watch him closely. He still has his dark grey academy uniform on, his black tie hanging loosely around his neck. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he walks right past us, offering nothing more than a side eye and a smirk. I narrow my eyes at him, waiting until he is inside the building before I move away from Angel. Pulling out my phone, I dial Alfred's number and wait for it to click over. 

     "Commander, How may I be of service?"

     "Hey, are you sure you sent the driver? We've been out front for twenty minutes and no one has shown up."

     "My apologies. I cannot leave Daye; he is already trying to dismiss himself from the hospital and hasn't yet been discharged. As of now, we are in the cafeteria, trying to satiate his appetite. I can send someone else or, perhaps check with the front desk and see if they can loan you keys to the car we drove home in. I will reprimand the driver I sent as soon as I can."

    "Do you know about how much longer it would be? I don't want to leave Angel outside alone."

     "He should have been there by now. It's best to borrow my keys and drive here yourself. I will contact him and cancel the ride. No worries, I'm sure it will all work out."

I pause and sigh, glancing back at the apartment doors. "Thank you, Alfred. We will be there shortly." I briefly explain what Alfred said to Angel and lead her inside, waiting for the receptionist to come out of the office. We both try our best to ignore Micah on the other side of the room, looming near the vending machines.