Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 41: Another attack

Living in the Capital was not as great as the illusion trickes them to be. Sure, the living standards were much higher; better healthcare, cleaner streets, and more stable wages. But that also meant higher living expenses.

Coming from a farm town to work in the Capital, Broon had to resort to finding shelter at night on the outskirts of town, and finding work in his crumpled shirt by day. He was lucky he found a job as a dish washer in a restaurant just after a week of job hunting, and soon, he was scrubbing plates throughout the day. It was tough earning money to feed himselves, much less find a place for him to stay, but Broon gritted his teeth and continued without complaints. Despite the low pay, ridicule, and total lack of respect to him, Broon stayed at the job. He had came to the Capital to prove his village wrong, that he could find success here. Quitting and returning home after just one month would be too shameful for somebody like himself. That was the only pride he had left in him in this place.

So it was a surprise to him when a waitress of the restaurant spoke to him when he threw out the trash. Dumping the rubbish bags into the cart behind the restaurant in the dark alley, he could see a feminine figure smoking.

"Must be Cynthia," Broon muttered as he spared only a quick glance at the person.

"Hey, you. The dishwasher." Before Broon could go back, the person called out to him. Broon paused. Did she see him look at her?

Broon twisted his neck to face Cynthia, who was coming closer. He could smell the smoke wafting towards him. "Yeah?"

"I have something to say. If I'm not wrong...Boon, was it?"

"Broon," the guy corrected. Now he could make out the girl standing in front of him. Black hair with red streaks pulled back into a bun, with light make up on her face. Her piercing red eyes stared into his, making him slightly uncomfortable. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Cynthia nodded. "I need some help tonight carrying stuff. I'll pay for your work. You need money, right?" She said with a slightly condescending tone.

Broon felt slightly disappointed that it was something ordinary, but what could a countryside bumpkin like him expect from a gorgeous girl like Cynthia? Being looked down was another thing though, but for the sake of earning extra income, he could not refuse this job.

"Sure. When and where will it be at?"

***

Broon was getting nervous. He looked around the streets, trying to ignore the people passing him who were throwing weird glances at him.

It was supposed to be around here... Broon had been wondering around the place for the last ten minutes, and he was already running late. He was starting to regret taking on the invitation. What if it's just a prank to make fun of me? Broon could already see the mocking faces of the staff members at his restaurant, with Cynthia in the middle.

Just as Broon decided to just get out of there, a door down the street swung open and Cynthia poked her head out.

"Oh, there you are. Sorry, I overslept." Cynthia said nonchalantly.

Broon heaved a mental sigh of relief as he hurried over. So it was not a prank after all. He followed after Cynthia into the building, and realised it was a family house.

"I was renting one of the rooms here, and the tenant wants me out by tonight. Sorry about the short notice." Cynthia explained as she climbed up the stairs.

Broon realised the two storey building was oddly dark and quiet, and had this weird smell of metal.
Soon Broon was helping carry some furniture like a collapsible bed and a small table, while Cynthia dragged a luggage down the stairs.