The Grey Truth

The Grey Truth: Chapter Four

William sat behind his desk in front of Josephine, his eyes fixed on her. For a time, neither one said anything, causing Josephine to shift uncomfortably in her chair. After several tense, silent moments, the man finally spoke, in his cold, emotionless tone.

"Now, Ms. Grey, I have your student file here, I was wondering if I could confirm a few things," he stated, and Josephine nodded a bit, not seeming the least bit nervous. "Your birth date is 15 October, correct?"

"Yes sir, making me 16 years of age, the minimum age the academy accepts," Josephine replied.

William nodded a bit, and continued his questions. "What about your parents, I don't seem to have met them during the meetings concerning your entry to the academy,"

"My parents are often out on business and are rarely ever home. That may be why you haven't met them," Josephine replied, keeping her voice cold and serious.

"That brings me to my next question. Why is it that you would like to be a Shinigami in the first place? I would think a girl would go into something more low-key," William questioned.

"I had thought the same thing before making the decision, though something more low-key would involve leaving the city," Josephine answered.

"Now, would you mind telling me if you enjoy your jobs?"

"Which one?"

"Both if you wouldn't mind."

"Why do you want to know about them in the first place?"

William smirked a bit to himself; Josephine was trying to avoid the question. "I am simply wondering if you enjoy what you do."

"I do enjoy working at Hospital Dispatch, as well as the diner. Both have their own, appeal," Josephine stated, though her lying was starting to show itself, she was pausing between certain words, and William took notice, though said nothing of it.

"How much sleep do you get per night, Ms. Grey?"

Josephine answered abruptly, "Eight hours approximately."

"Eight? I would have thought you got less than that from the dark marks under your eyes."

"As I have told you in the past, I work long hours, that may be what causes them."

'She seems to be losing it, starting to mix up the times of when she has or has not told me something...' William thought. "You never told me the hours you work," he stated.

Josephine took off a glove and casually wiped a hand over her forehead, she was beginning to sweat. The girl tried not to show alarm at this and simply put her glove back on.

William took notice of the slight gloss to the girl's face. "You seem to be perspiring a bit, would you like a glass of water, Ms. Grey?"

"No, thank you, but I'm fine."

"Apparently not fine enough. I've seen them, the scars on your arms."

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Spears. I am perfectly fine."

"Are you sure you're alright, would you like me to open the window a crack?" William asked, almost ignoring the recruit's statement and getting up to open the window.

"I said I was fine," Josephine said quickly.

Will nodded and sat back down in his seat. "Are you aware of when your parents will be returning from out of town?"

"My parents have both passed away, I mentioned that earlier."

"You told me that they were often out of town on business, I would have thought you'd remember that."