When the Rain Falls

aut viam inveniam aut faciam

11.

{for noelle for being the human embodiment of actual perfection}

There is an undeniable pleasure to be found in manipulating the dead. Perhaps it's the euphoria of power; maybe it's the high accompanying deception; or, most likely, it's the reward: food, clothes, or the like. Either way, Delia is making quite a business out of it.

You wouldn't believe the amount of dead people in Chicago in one day. At any time of day she's almost certain to find the victim of an unfortunate mugging, or a misfired gun, or the fall from Willis Tower and, after that, well, it's quite simple, really. It all goes much like this:

DELIA: I can save you if you help me out.

VICTIM: What do you mean?

DELIA: You're dead.

VICTIM: ...

DELIA: Do you see that store over there? Go get me something and I can help you out.

And like an obedient dog, they heed her command. Her promises are empty, of course, she can't save a soul once it's dead but they don't know that until it's too late. Though, she admits the suicidal ones are a challenge. They never want to go back, usually it takes several valuable minutes of persuasion, but they almost always give in eventually. Delia is really quite proud of her business, however unconventional.

Which is why she's nearly smiling as she takes the apple from the woman. She couldn't be any older than twenty-three, but she'd happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time—that is, the end of a gun—and is now here to serve Delia. The woman is looking at Delia expectantly now but Delia only shrugs and walks away, leaving the Japanese woman confused and angry and most of all, lost.

For a moment, Delia feels a flicker of something that almost causes her to turn around but, almost as quickly as it appeared, the feeling was gone. She shakes her head, digging her teeth into her apple.

What is it with this city? She thinks bitterly because this isn't the first time she's felt, unusual.

Last night, when Aiden had got home, she'd been awake, enthralled in Ferris Bueller's Day Off—it was ridiculous but it took place in Chicago, and she found it educational. But when she'd heard footsteps she'd quickly pulled the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes. She had entertained the idea that it could be someone besides Aiden, but ultimately decided not to risk it. It was a good decision because only seconds after her eyelids had clinched shut, Aiden had stumbled through the door.

It had taken all her willpower not to scold him when he shut off the TV, but when she'd cracked an eye open, just barely, the look on his face had been so adoring that her breath had hitched and she'd had to quickly shut her eyes once more. She'd felt odd in that moment—and she hated it. But then he'd suddenly disappeared and she heard the sound of regurgitated food hitting toilet water and the moment had been shattered, the only emotion Delia could feel was disgust. And that feeling made sense.

But now here she is again and she wants to storm back and punch the woman for making her feel this, but of course she doesn't. Instead, on a whim, she decides to explore the city. After all, it's high time she acquaint herself with the city she's stuck in. Or stuck in until James decides to reappear, at least.

☔️ ☔️ ☔️

Delia can't, for the life of her, understand humans. Why they all get so worked up about a giant metallic bean is entirely lost on her. And the fact that it's literally referred to as The Bean gives Delia absolutely no faith in human creativity.