Dawn Is Coming

Chapter 8

Akira

Having painfully crossed Grant out from the list of the two people in the world I'm close to, I arrive at the Engineering Department knowing that the only person who could cheer me up is the first person on that list.

Lyndin.

I walk over to my silver-haired greasy friend, whose full body is currently tucked under a transportation vehicle, her head sticking out to tighten some loose screws with a wrench far too big for her hand. She doesn't take notice of me until I crouch right beside her, taking the wrench and tightening a screw she was struggling with in one quick, effortless swipe. I snicker as she shoots me a look of mock jealousy, although I can tell at least half the jealousy she's expressing is real.

"If you're so good, then why don't you work here?" Lyndin grumbles, her hands taking a hold of the edge of the van and pulling herself out. A grim expression settles on my face I force into amusement before she takes notice. I refuse to upset her.

I'd love that, but in this world, you get what you get and you don't get upset.

"Well, that's why I'm here. I'm going to be your personal assistant today." I stand up and put both my hands on my hips, ready to do anything to take my mind off my heartbreak and my plans for later today. Lyndin lets out a heavy sigh of relief, probably glad that she won't have to suffer alone. I'll need to ask her if she's willing to come with me.

I have a nagging feeling she'll say yes.

"Get me a drill, please? They're over there." She points across the room to a door labelled 'STORAGE ROOM'. I nod and walk towards it while the people around me do their best to keep a sufficient distance from me. Ignoring them, I assume that the news of the 'virus bomb' during the battle yesterday spread faster than the virus itself can. The people look horrified, as if I'm the virus and out to get them. Entering the storage room, I turn the lights on, surveying the equipment. Grey boxes of tools are scattered everywhere, nothing organized. The dim light bulb flickers, providing me little light. Shifting my vision to see clearly, I rummage around the room until I finally spot my target, pulling out the heavy box of drills. I find my way back to Lyndin's workstation, dropping the box on the floor. Her pretty waves bounce as she nods in appreciation, a sharp pang of anguish shooting my heart.

"I heard about the bomb. How do you feel? Did you do the test yet?" She turns the drill on, swirling a hole into the vehicle with confidence.

"Yeah. I feel... okay." I reply, deciding not to open the dams of my emotions in a public area.

"Well, since you didn't go crazy yet, I'm assuming you're safe and sound?" Lyndin turns to look at me but then looks back with a start as her drill dives into the wrong direction.

"I hope so," I chuckle weakly.

A few seconds of silence pass before she asks me, "Did you do something with your hair? It looks lovely today." Forcing a smile onto my face, I thank her.

"Did you sleep at home last night, or were you off with a new prince charming?" I ask, hoping that she was.

It would really hurt if Lyndin hadn't noticed I was gone.

Her face lights up, putting the drill down and looking up at me with shining eyes.

"Oh my God, yes! I'm so glad you asked," She squeals. "He's sooo handsome, Akira! He's like – almost seven feet tall, a legendary build with the pecs and abs and all."

Her greasy hands move over her chest, tracing the outline of her curves that I envy despite myself. A goofy grin is plastered on her face, her expression dreamy.