Bliss

18 - Ingrid

I arrive at work two minutes late. I guess no one really cares. I burst through the door, my hair covering my face because it is especially windy today. The sky is darkened with clouds, and even all of Oceania seems gloomy today. I look around in the work room, and most people seem to be staring at me. Feeling self conscious, I avert my eyes and fix my hair as much as possible. I hear whispers as I walk by.

"That's her, right?"

"--she's in some sort of trouble"

"For what?"

"I know Marta's furious about something but--"

I try to ignore them. Could they be talk about me? No, how could I be in trouble? Unless. . .

"Ingrid," Brenna says when I enter the mail room. I can feel myself pale and I gulp. I study Brenna's face. Her sweet and beautiful features dissolve into an angry expression.

"Y-yes?"

"Marta would like to see you in her office," Brenna says. "Now."

"Could I just--"

"Now," orders Brenna. I turn around and slowly walk towards the office. I open the door and I look around Marta's office. It was the same when I walked in a couple weeks ago, except for the giant television hanging on the wall. I look at Marta.

"You were wanting to see me?" I ask.

"Yes, please sit," she says. I sit in the chair.

"Tell me, Ingrid," Marta says. "Do you recognize this?" She pulls out a remote and points it to the television and presses a button. I try not to look in shock when I see the screen.

"That's not--" But Marta shuts me up by raising her hand.
"Watch." I look back at the screen. I see myself, walking to a soldiers house and knocking on the door. A familiar face opens the door.

Oh no.

How could they have possibly found out? I can feel myself panicking, my hands sweat and my stomach twists into a knot.

"Marta, I can explain--"

"I don't need your explanations," she snaps angrily. "Actions such as these will bring you back to where you started."

"That's not me," I lie, but I wish I hadn't. It would only make things worse.

"Yes, it is!" Marta exclaims furiously. "Do not think you can lie to me."

"No, please, I'm sorry," I beg. "Okay, the truth is, the soldiers kept inviting me in, I couldn't refuse. Marta, I didn't want to, but I had no choice."

"If anyone found out, it doesn't reflect badly on you, but to all of the mail department."

"Does anyone else know?" I ask nervously.

"Only few members of the staff know," Marta explains. "But, it doesn't mean you can continue as the mail girl to the soldiers."

"Please, I won't let them invite me in, I won't get involved." I stare at Marta.

"Very well," Marta agrees, after a pause of thinking. "But we'll always be watching, Ingrid Bertaud. Always." I almost shudder from her sentence, but I nod.

"Possibly, you could move me to a different neighborhood of soldiers?" I offer.

"I will not," my boss says. "I'll keep you where you are so you can prove to me that you won't see them again."

"Okay," I say. That won't be a problem. I think.

"You must swear to never see them," she says. "Only on work matters."