The Refuge (Noire x Writer)

The Stalker

     I got up the next morning and heard Sophie in the kitchen making something. It smelled good! I got up, got dressed and went into the kitchen to see Sophie making us some breakfast. 

-"I see you're still practicing your baking skills."

     She always said that she would become a world famous chef one day, and I honestly believed that. 

-"Oh, Rick! There you are! I made you some waffles for breakfast today! Is that okay?"

-"Of course! I love your waffles!"

-"Then eat up!" 

     She brought me a plate as I sat down at the table. I ate quickly and went back up to my room to pack my things. 7 minutes later, I came back downstairs and saw Sophie holding the keys to my truck. She handed them to me.

-"Have a good day at work!"

-"Thanks, you know the drill by now right?"

-"Yeah, don't burn the house down. Got it!"

     I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as I headed out the door. The drive took me 20 minutes to get to the Basilicom. I took some time to think. I've really been trying my hardest to kill Sophie's memories of our parents by doing some good stuff and distracting her, but I feel as if I'm not doing enough. I can't lie, I'm sad about the situation we're in too, but I have to stay strong and go through this. The only reason I'm working at the Basilicom is that I can't apply for any other well-paying jobs, I don't meet the requirements. I never had a college or university level of education, leaving me with very few options. And ever since our parents died, I've been struggling to get a good job. Until that day, 3 years ago, the note she left me was about recruiting me. Of course I accepted! It was paying better than any job I signed up for at the time! I literally had no choice. Right now, my greatest fear is Sophie departing one day and going to find a different family. I didn't want to be alone again. I was pulling up to the Basilicom. I parked behind the building and went in the back door. I went to my office and looked through the list of things I had to do today. None were that interesting, except for one, again:"Fix Black Heart's window." What the hell? Again?! I just fixed that! Whatever, I'll ask when I get there. 

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I finally finished repairing the circuit breaker and went to Black Heart's office. I knocked again.

-"Lady Black Heart! I heard that your window needs repairing again. Is it true?"

-"Yes. Come in."

     I entered to see shards of glass on the floor, different than last time, not just a hole in the glass like a gun shot, but more like something went through the window. 

-"Was this Uni again?"

-"No. Look at this." She said, handing me a note.

     It read:"My sweet Noire, wouldn't it be a tragedy  if  someone set up cameras in your room? Maybe you should look around and see for yourself~." I looked at Black Heart, handing her the note. 

-"What the hell?"

-"I know, I had the same reaction. I already looked around and didn't find any cameras. But I wanted you to che-."

-"You mean this?" I said, pulling out a camera.

     Her eyes went wide with surprise. I plugged the camera into her computer and attempted to trace the last usage location. In other words, hacked the camera. It took a little bit of time but I was able to triangulate the source.

-"You can find whoever was using that thing here."

-"Alright. We leave tomorrow , be ready."

-"You want me there?"

-"You obviously know your way around the system, so I'll need you to be there to help in whatever way you can."

-"Alright, I'll get the drone ready."

     I left the room and went to the workshop. I unlocked and activated the spy drone, TAS-10. I set it to follow me and returned to my office. It hovered silently next to me as I modified the phone given to me by the company to be able to get into any systems by the push of a button. I gave it a little test and took control of the light switch in my room. On, off, on, off. Seemed to work pretty well. I was ready for anything.

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...

     I got home and ate supper with Sophie. We talked while watching TV for a little while before I brought her to bed.

-"Rick?"

-"Yeah?"

-"You'll stay, right?"

-"What do you mean?"

-"Because, Mom left and Dad left. But you'll stay, right?"

     I immediately knew what she was talking about and hugged her. 

-"Of course. I'm not going anywhere. I'd never intentionally leave you, and you know that."

     She hugged me.

-"I'll protect you, don't worry. I promise you this."

-"Thank you Rick."

-"Alright, now how about you try to get some sleep?"

-"Okay, goodnight Rick."

     I went over to the door and turned off her light.

-"Goodnight."

     I went over to my room and got in bed. How long would we have to be confined in this crappy house? At least it was better than nothing. I went to sleep, hoping that things would be better for us someday.