Among The Wolves

Nelly

Click-click.

The subtle noise had me jerking on the spot. A dim light shone through the widening crack. And Immediately recognized the barista, I was taken back by her different hairstyle and fresh makeup. She also did not have her apron on. Did I really spend the whole night here?

“Alright sweetie, it's bright and early so you should be safe now.”

My stiff extremities made the endeavor out of the compartment quite clumsy. I had to crawl on my hands and knees until I was out from underneath the counter. Standing up revealed just how cramped my muscles were. I thanked her as I moved and stretched.

“Don't thank me just yet girly, you owe an explanation. I am liable to call the law folk if you've got something illegal going on.”

I hesitated, fingering the leather stool seat as I contemplated what to say. Eventually, I sat down and looked at her. “I heard stuff that I was not supposed to hear.”

The woman leaned against the counter. “Keep going.”

I looked around me, as if a good answer was sitting at one of the dining tables waiting for food.  “Um… I was at the old research facility in the city. I saw someone that I thought I kinda knew… I followed him and ended up on one of the lower floors. And there were some men down there talking about a special weapon… I tried to leave but they saw me and started chasing me like crazy.” I looked at her uncertainly and hoped that it just sounded like I oopsed a gangster conversation.

The woman raised her eyebrows, I knew she did not buy it, but then again, neither did I. She smacked her lips and shrugged. “Good, ‘nuff explanation for me.” She smiled and held out her hand. “Name's Nelly.”

I returned the smile and shook her hand, “Hi, I'm Kejyta.”

“Cool beans. Do I need to call the cops for you girly?"

“No… I don't need the cops.” 

Nelly eyed me suspiciously, “It complicated?”

I chuckled humorlessly, “Very, but legally I didn't do anything wrong.” Right?

Nelly sat on one of the stools next to me. “I can deal with that. We all got skeletons in our closets whether we put them there or not.” She pulled a pack of cigarettes out and offered me one.
I smiled at her generosity, “No, thank you. But I do have a question…”

As she lit her own cigarette I glanced outside but the night did not let me see anything.

She blew a puff of smoke to the side. “Shoot.”

“Do you have a map of the area?”

“We sure do.” Nelly hopped off her chair and walked over to a wall where they kept a few magazines. She reached for a stack of letter-sized papers. Picking one up she handed it to me. I received it and unfolded the topographical depiction. It was a small but down near the bottom it had Benkerbury on it which was all I needed. I slipped the map in my bag and watched Nelly go for another puff of smoke.

“Does your shift start soon?” I asked although I was more interested in knowing if more of the other workers were going to start coming soon.

Nelly smirked, “It's two in the morning babe. I am going to get some sleep eye before I git workin’ today.”

Taken by surprise I stood up, “Oh wow, I had better leave then.”

“Yep! Yah better git going afore the rain pours.” As if on cue thunder rumbled in the distance.

I nodded. “Again, thank you so much.”
Nelly chuckled, “You ain't too special. I've done this more than a few times.”
My smile deepened and I shrugged, “Well, I am still grateful.”