D!fferent L!fe

Chapter Twentytwo ~ Running

I couldn't get out of my head for the next few days. I drowned myself in work, between my Cafe and the Afterlife building it wasn't hard. I woke up and opened the cafe aimlessly, went to work at the Afterlife Building until about 3, and then went home, ate, and slept. I couldn't have told you anything else that happened. No one seemed immediately effected but I noticed some changes. Lust was really reclusive, especially from me. She seemed to be more jumpy and even wore baggy clothes some days. She stoped drinking the coffee I brought every morning. I was to stupid not to ask her about it before she stopped coming to work all together. When I asked Envy about it she brushed me off saying she was okay, just 'taking some time for herself.'

I don't believe that for a second.

By day two of her not showing up I grew concerned. It seemed that the sins were trying to prevent me from going to her apartment but I couldn't help but worry. If Puck has done something to harm her I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't bear the thought. After handing out morning coffee I turned on my heel in a 180 and headed out the door ignoring Envy as she called my name.

I threw my bag into my office through the open door, it landed with a loud thud. Marching to the elevator doors I heard heals click behind me, I felt Envy's presence. Just as I pressed the elevator button she pulled my shoulder back hard, I let her. She looked aggressive so I did my best to mirror her.

"Devin leave her be." She sounded powerful, she commanded respect at all times. Fun fact, so do I.

"Give me three good reasons I can't counter and not only will I not go, I will drop the whole situation. I'll forget she's even gone." I folded my arms over my chest. I felt my ego shoot to the moon.

"One, what if she doesn't want to see you or anyone for that matter. Two, she's obviously taking her alone time. Three, you have a job to do here." She shifted her weight into one leg.

"One, what if's don't count. Two, if she needs alone time she will do so without worrying everyone. Three, Fuck all shit I have to do here. Friends come above all else." I stepped backwards into the elevator and pressed the close door button. It clicked and I felt the tension split. She didn't stop me. She glared and turned walking back to the office. I smirked.

The ride down was filled with quiet music, annoying memories of tight spaces, and a twisted smell of thrush. In the lobby I found E. She had been found a few days ago and went back to working. No one knows where she went. She refused to talk about it with anyone. I don't think Ark even knows. I've been wanting to ask about that vial of poison but I haven't had a good opportunity to do so. I wonder if the person on the receiving end of it is okay...

"Oh hi Devin!" She trotted over to me. Her aura was as bubbly as ever. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh? What's up." I stepped out of the elevator and towards her. I flinched as my nose picked up a smell I didn't like. Rust and dirt, it smelled musty like a basement. There's no way she didn't notice me recoil.

"Is everything okay?" She tilted her head a bit, the mask stayed emotionless.

"No- I mean yes, everything's fine." I resorted to breathing through my mouth to avoid the harshness of the smell. It was still present.

"Well I wanted to apologize. I almost ran into you a long while ago and I felt kinda bad I didn't stop and apologize then. I tried to ask Flora and Fauna where you were but instead of an answer Fauna just invited me to a Friday dinner thing." She sounded awkward and unsure. It was adorable.

"Well every Friday after work, we all go someplace around town. It's a tradition. I guess Fauna liked you enough to invite you." I shrugged. "You also didn't need to apologize. It was so long ago."