Going In Blind

Work

Work. The plague of the modern man. Most people do it, and if you don't, you're considered lazy. I always cared for my personal image, so I got a job as soon as I reached the legal age of fourteen. My first job was at a hot dog store. I didn't make them, of course, but I was the cashier. My mum was proud of me for always having a job, never relying on them for money. As soon as I was in college, never once did I need money for food. By that time, I was working in retail, selling clothing to those people who probably had far more money that was healthy.

I majored in economics. Pretty dull, I know. After college, I got a job for a large firm, in which I barely mattered compared to the hundreds of other employees. This is the job I have even today. It's been ten years, and every day is the same. Sure, I've advanced; I have my own office now. Even so, it's the same schedule every day.

Perhaps. 'Perhaps today will be different.' I tell myself as I drive my small deep blue car through the city. Big cities were unforgiving, and a single person was hardly important, seeing as there was nearly two million living in one city. Traffic, as expected, was horrible, but after such a long time of commuting on this same route, I had left early, and made it there just in time.

Entering the building, I greeted the red haired woman at the desk, and inhaled the scent of old coffee and paper that I had grown so used to. I boarded the elevator, which had luckily just opened, and crammed on with a few other workers. I made it a point not to make eye contact with anyone. Quickly enough, the elevator arrived at the ninth floor, the one I work from. I grabbed a coffee from the break room, which was empty besides Levi and Alexander, who swear they're not gay, but judging how they're practically feeding each other, I'm pretty sure they are.

I exit the break room and go into my office, which is surprisingly messy. I was always known to be a proper guy, making sure everything was clean, even my gym locker in middle school. Disgusted, I began to clean it, making sure every paper was in the organisation system I designed. After no more than ten minutes, the place was clean. Just as I began to sit down, a figure entered the doorway.

"Henry." The gruff voice said, and I immediately stood back up. My boss, Isaac, was nothing like you'd expect. His hair was bright orange, and he had a long beard. His eyes were dark brown, but they were kind, making you wonder how he had risen in such an unforgiving company. I looked quizzically at him, and he sighed. Getting nervous, I muttered, "Yes?" Finally, he broke. He laughed, his large belly shaking. He placed a stack of papers that he had been carrying on my desk.

"Only more work. You thought I was going to fire you, right?" I chuckled, embarrassed. 'I should've known,' I thought to myself when a smaller figure entered the room behind him.

"E-excuse me, sir. I've finished the work." The voice shocked me. It sounded young and had a very thick German accent. Isaac turned to the person and beckoned them into the room.

"Henry, this is Alex. Alex, Henry." I could now see that it was a girl and a small one at that. She looked no older than 15, though I knew she was due to company policy. Her hair was cut short and was a soft black. She had no chest, only adding to her young appearance. She looked rather usual, besides one feature that startled me. Her eyes did not match like any normal persons'. Her left eye was a deep piercing blue and looked as if she could see right into your soul. Her right, however, was a milky blue. It was obvious she was blind in that eye. Trying not to be rude, I looked back at her entire face rather than just her eyes.

"Hello, Alex. Welcome." Alex smiled weakly and turned back to Isaac.

"I can hardly believe you finished all that work, but why don't you help Henry here with these papers?" He motioned to the stack on my desk. I looked over to the girl, who looked as if she was finally losing her nervousness. She nodded and sat in the leather chair across from me. I sat down, too, and smiled at my boss, who had a pleased look as he left. Our job was to research and see if the proposals would make money. Alex pulled a tiny laptop out of her bag, bringing my attention to her outfit. She was wearing a black t-shirt that was not even close to revealing, and black skinny jeans. However, she was also wearing a long, dull red coat that had a soft gold trim. Oddly enough, around her neck was a pair of goggles. The whole outfit gave her the appearance of stepping right out of a steampunk comic. Her bag was small and brown and lay across her torso. We began working, and I noticed that Alex had amazing speed. Feeling odd with the silence, I tried to start up a conversation.

"So, Alex, where are you from?" 'Idiot.' I thought. 'Are you even paying attention?! She is clearly German.'

"Austria." She said flatly, startling me.

"Oh, you're Austrian?" I asked. I hadn't even thought about that. Considering her tone, I didn't continue the conversation. In only half an hour, the stack was gone. Of course, she did most of it. Quickly enough, the whole day was done. I drove home in the dark, the traffic still just as bad as the morning, perhaps even worse. I finally came to my apartment and parked my car. I decided to climb the stairs rather than use the elevator, as I only lived on the third floor. Unlocking the door, I entered the room. It was clean, as usual. White couch, black carpet; It looked like someone had flipped the grayscale switch on my apartment. I went into the kitchen, looking in the fridge when I heard a soft knock at the door. I paused for a moment before walking to the door. Opening it, I stumbled back a bit. No one was there. Sighing, I closed the door. The motion had swept a note I hadn't before noticed inside. I bent down, picking up the note, and noticed it was on a very thick paper. I turned it over to read it, and it's contents startled me.

'H, Watch out.'

Such a simple note, but it was written sloppily. I assumed that 'H' was me, but I brushed off the note.

"Probably just some kid." I walked back into the kitchen and dropped it on the black glass table. changing my mind, I went into my bedroom instead of eating. I'd eat in the morning, anyway.

The night seemed to pass by quickly, and I soon woke to the morning sun. I, like always, got up early and fixed myself a cup of coffee, leaving it black. I sat at the kitchen table, sipping the coffee while reading the news paper. I saw a report of  murder, but brushed it off. In such a big city, it was common. However, this one was different. I read in disgust that the suspect was a child, no more that 14 years old. They were captured on camera, and no gender was discernible. Scoffing, I finished my coffee and went back into my room. Changing from my white shirt and plaid pants, I put on a black suit with a white dress shirt. I decided on no tie. Once again, I followed my routine and went to work.