D!fferent L!fe

Chapter Twentythree ~ Trusting

Things did not go back to normal. The next morning Lust was still missing in action and I felt like shit. Damn these punishments. I still haven't figured out what the second one is... I don't know if I want to.

I found myself at my desk crawling through work. Numbness wasn't working anymore leaving me alone with my thoughts. My mind raced and I couldn't focus on work which slowed me down. By noon I had only gotten a few things done and had sighed so much I'm surprised my lungs didn't hurt. Time dug it's claws into reality forcing its way around the clock unbelievably slowly.

There was a gentle knock at my door. I looked up.

"You look stressed." It was a face I didn't expect. Adder stood In my doorway.

"I wasn't expecting you. What's up?" I put the file I was working on to the side avoiding his previous statement.

"Lucy told me to check up on you. She said you haven't really been... in one piece lately. It's not good to worry Super Mom." He took a drink of his coffee.

"Yeah... " I sighed not knowing what exactly to say. Adder runs the Atheist department so he has always been super chill. I'm 90% he and Life are an item or will eventually be one. He seemed to be a little stressed himself. "I've been... kinda... I can't find the words..."

"You've been numb and unresponsive for three days? Is that what your looking for?" He takes another sip like he just gave the daily weather report. "People have noticed and been worried. You not talking and Lust not being around. You've gotta step outside your mind and realize what others are seeing. You can't just pull away from friends and family and not have people worry." The truth bomb he just dropped could have taken out a small town of a million people.

I didn't have a reply. I just looked away. I felt like shit already and this did not help.

"Adder, Thanks for letting me know I understand what your saying."

"I don't know if that is true but you own and explanation to people. They are giving you space... to many worrying things have happened recently." He turned and started down toward the elevator. "Have a good day Devin."

"Likewise."

I heard him leave and I sighed. My lungs whined a bit in response. I just want this day to end already.

——————

By the time I was totally finished most people had already gone home. I felt sick my my stomach, like someone mixing my insides. I sent the last paper to Lucy's office and rested my head on my desk. After a moment I sat up and reached into the locked drawer. I pulled everything out and just looked at it. The four letters were identical on the outside, two composition books, and a few pencils. Opening the books I reread everything I had about the virtues. From Liberty's modeling and fashion business to Abby and her phone obsession. I had more information then I knew what to do with. Everything was fairly light and I didn't really dig to find anything. Knowing things would eventually change I snapped the book closed and slipped it back into the drawer.

Angry at myself I left my office and headed down to the Archives. E hadn't been around so I never got a chance to ask her what happened. Her mask had been picked up from the sidewalk when I checked for it.

Walking into the Archives felt wrong. The room seemed thick with tension as the elevator doors opened. Standing in the center of the room was E and Ark. They looked like they had been fighting.

"Oh Good evening Devin. How can I help you?" Ark completely turned from E to face me. I don't think she was to happy about that. She had in a new mask. It looked almost identical but the mouth was left revealed.