Evolve

Six

So just like that, I left Maximum Caliber and his home. I had a somewhat negative feeling, I wouldn't go so far as to call it regret, about the situation, but I had no choice in any of it. Literally, and for two reasons. The first was that I was ordered to report to Delilah immediately, and I had a very hard time disobeying orders directly from my command key. The second reason, I did not know if Delilah would have me kill Max, but I did know I did not want to do that.

I took my time as I walked to the other end of town and by morning I was near my destination. I had stopped and sat on a nearby rooftop to wait until the sun came up. I looked out at the sun, my eyes unaffected by the intensity of the rays. I knew most people found sunrises and sunsets enjoyable, and I thought seeing one would help me prepare and think about my future. One thing was for certain, and it was unspoken between Max and I last night. I was now working for his enemy.

The wind blew my hair slightly and I zipped my hoodie up, not for warmth but for familiarity, perhaps even comfort. I stared out across the street at the house that would be my new home, the sunrising behind it. I thought about the loss of my former boss and occasional friend, but the timing did not seem right for grief. In fact, the seventy would have been very picturesque scene, had I not known the owner of the house was a crime lord. I paused for a moment, remembering not all criminals were monsters. Alistair had not been so bad, compared to the other bosses I had, and neither were Max or even Delilah's father. Sometimes people did what they did for a reason, sometimes they had no choice.

I sighed and laced my boots tighter and put the hood of my white hoodie over my head. I supposed I looked like a typical young woman from afar, had it not been for the fact I was jumping off the rooftop. I waited until I was sure nobody would see me and then began my quick descent. I landed softly, with no injury, on the sidewalk below, and continued my way across the street.

I went around the house and jumped over the back gate. The yard looked almost the exact same as when I had stayed here, except the lone dog house was now long vacant. I knocked on the back door and waited a moment or two. By the time the door opened, I was already thinking how my orders to come here were completed and now I could leave. Unfortunately, I had no such luck.

Delilah Ramos opened the door and to my surprise, was not in a pants suit or professional attire. She was in a grey too that cut off at her stomach and sweatpants, with her dark hair in a ponytail. Usually she acted and appeared much older than she was, but now she could pass for a college student. This was strange to me, seeing someone so high up in the crime industry wearing their casual clothes. Most of my other bosses did not let me see them be so vulnerable.

"Your orders were to arrive at this address, nothing more Eve Primera." She said with a sigh and held the door open to lead me inside.

"I assumed you wanted me inside the residence, not left in the street. Also, you are aware I have been here before." I replied and followed behind her anyway.

Though it was two stories high, the house was relatively small, but neat and organized. From the back door, we quickly passed through the kitchen and dining room. Not much had changed since I had last occupied a room in the house, but there were some obvious additions as we entered the living room.

"You have a child." I stated plainly. There were children's toys thrown randomly around and a young baby asleep in a crib. I did not even remember Delilah being pregnant, but then again I had not worked for her family in years.

"You were made to take orders, not assume what was implied." Delilah replied as she observed the sleeping baby. Delilah put a hand to his forehead head before continuing.
"And to answer you, yes I do have a child. His name is Miguel. He is two years old now, even if it is hard to believe. I would put him in his own room upstairs, but that is where all of my father's old belongings are."