The Tower

To The Rescue

May 9, 2014, 8:35 PM

It's just the two of us and I'm slouched in the visitor's chair beside Kori's desk. She stayed for as long as possible, providing me with moral support, coffee, jolly ranchers, and whatever other sugary snacks she could root out of people's work stations.

"I'm sorry Percy, I feel terrible leaving," Kori moans. "I feel like I'm abandoning you. But if I don't get home soon Roscoe is gonna piss the River Styx."

I smile wanly. Kori always tries to bring in mythological or fairy tale references when she's attempting to cheer me up. "It's okay Kori. I understand. I don't know what I'd do if my roommate Jill didn't like taking care of Pascal." I pause for a second, and then let out a little chuckle. "Nice reference btdubbs."

Kori smiled. "I thought you'd like it. Been working on that one for the past four hours. Ever since Nigel ... well ... you know."

I nod. "I hope you have fun in Orlando."

"Ah girl, it won't be the same without you. I really feel terrible for still going."

"Don't worry about it," I reassure her. "Everything's already paid for. No sense throwing it all away. I'm just happy you were able to find someone to go with you on such short notice."

"Yeah, but ..." Kori starts to say.

"I know, I know. You gotta go Kori. Roscoe awaits." I stand up and she gives me a big hug.

"Hang in there Percy. It'll get better. I know it. I just has to, right?" She gives me another big squeeze. "And Happy Birthday. We'll celebrate when I get back. Promise."

"Thanks," I say as Kori gathers her things and leaves.

And just like that, in an instant, I'm all alone.

I trudge over to my cubicle and fall into the chair. I roll up to my workstation and attempt to tackle the next drawing when it all hits me.

Everything.

Not just from today, or even this week. I mean everything. Going all the way back to that meeting in the board room, when poor Mr. Noble did the right thing and got fired for it.

I'm fighting back the tears. The emotions. The ...

I push myself back a little from the desk, raise my legs, brace them against the desk's edge, and push with all my frustrated pissed off might. There's a mighty crash behind me followed by numerous smaller crashes. With any luck I just wiped out Victoria's cubicle.

I can't fight it any longer. I slump down in the chair, put my head in my hands and start sobbing. Soon I'm crying so hard my body is shaking uncontrollably.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It feels so good to let it all out. Not that it will change anything. I'm still here at the office and will miss my long planned vacation.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

For my birthd...

Bang. Bang. Bang!

What the ... I look up.

It's him again.

Only this time it's not the ninja assassin.

It's...

Cameron Flynn ... standing there. Still dressed in black. With his hands outstretched towards me and worry etched all over his beautiful face.

Our eyes meet.

He motions towards the door, his electric blue eyes pleading with me to let him in.