The Yellow Roof

Partner

He'd changed his clothes. Instead of the open-necked button down, a crisp white shirt and a sharp black tie adorned him. His hair was neatly combed to the side, showing a shine of sweat on his forehead. He held a clipboard at his side.

I took off the gloves and wiped my eyes with the heel of my hand. My stomach growled, my head ached, and I could barely keep my eyes open. I didn't know if it was the same day as when he dropped me off. Factory work blurred together, it was possible they'd kept me longer than assigned. Wouldn't be the first time.

Mr. Smirk brushed passed Overseer and stretched his hand to me. I took a step closer to take it. A tearing pain in my ankle made me scream.

In fluid movements, Mr. Smirk tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pressing me to his side. I put all my weight on my good foot. Grabbing a fistful of his shirt to keep my balance, I tugged him down.

"Why are you helping me?"

He spoke out of the side of his mouth. "You like yellow."

Overseer took an intimidating step toward us. The thud echoed in the abnormal silence.

"Big City official, Johnston Grin," he rolled his eyes, "I must ask you to leave my factory so these slav...sweet children can get back to their jobs." Overseer's eyes fell from Mr. Smirk to me. The lines in his jaw hardened, and his bushy eyebrows cast shadows across his face.

My grip on Mr. Smirk's shirt tightened.

Mr. Smirk removed his hand from my shoulder and tapped his clipboard in mock concentration. He made a popping noise with his lips. After making a show of looking down the list, he nodded.

"Yes, fine. But I've been sent to collect one of the workers for a job transfer."

I could hear the workers snap their heads to gape at us. My mouth dropped open too. Being transferred was a myth. Wasn't it?

Mr. Smirk tilted his head toward Overseer. "I'll be taking your sweet daughter, Sarah, with me." He rested his hand on top of my head, and looked entirely polite as he said, "Sorry to inconvenience factory work."

He glanced at the rusty wheelbarrow that started this whole mess. The swords and tools inside looked almost red in the glow of the furnace. The corners of his lips turned down, and I felt the muscles in his back tighten.

Mr. Smirk held his arms in the direction of the door. "My car is this way, Sarah Heart."

I looked up at his kind eyes suspiciously. He smiled and offered his arm. I laced my fingers through it, hobbling along after him. Walking sent bolts of pain up my leg with each step. I set my eyes on the door, clenched my teeth, and schooled my face not to show how much it hurt. I wouldn't give Overseer the pleasure.

Mr. Smirk opened the door and awkwardly turned to the side, blocking half the exit, but allowing me to still lean on him as I hopped through. He understood how badly I'd hurt myself.

As soon as I heard the click of a closed door, I fell against the wall and let the tension drain from my body. I took deep breaths of the cooler air, closing my eyes to fully enjoy it.

"Do you need to rest before going to my car?"

I rolled my head off the wall and narrowed my eyes at him. "How did you know my last name?"

Mr. Smirk folded his arm over his chest, leaned against the door with one shoulder, and crossed his legs at the ankles. His eyes twinkled. "I did my research."

"I've never heard of anyone being transferred out of the factory."

He shook his head. "No. I was the last one. And technically, you haven't been transferred."

He tossed his clipboard at me. I caught it, the pen attached by a chain went flying and hit my cheek. I pushed my hair behind my ear and flipped the clipboard so the paper was face up. It wasn't a list of names.

It was a crossword puzzle.

He lied. He lied to get me out of the factory.

Why would he be late to work and lie for me? I wasn't worth it. I'm nothing special. Knowing my luck, it wouldn't do any good. He'd just get in trouble for helping me.

Mr. Smirk. A man who could break the law and get away with it. He both fascinated and scared me.

"I need a partner, Sarah Heart. I've waited a long time for the right person. Will you help me?"

My first impulse wanted to say no. But he intrigued me. There was so much mystery swimming around him. He had a yellow roof.

"What are you trying to do?" I said cautiously.

"I want to bring color back to Big City."

I didn't give it a second thought. "Yes."