Hide and Seek

Olivia

The light that the window was supplying had faded to a dim orange now, making the room look extremely eerie yet natural.

Private Peters had been signing stacks of papers for well over half an hour, her hand and eyes becoming bored. She was sure her hand was going to get repetitive strain injury from the constant, swift movement of the one of many pens she owns, all of which are scattered around her office, she was pretty sure she found one taped under her chair once, but she couldn't tell if that was a dream or not.

At this time, her unknown niece anxiously stood in the corner of the office, eyeing the area cautiously, scared to breathe too much in fear of blowing papers around, or inhaling the dust that had collected over the last few years or months. Her niece had a gentle appearance, with a contrasting terror in her eyes. She seemed to be about 9 or 10, but her eyes said she was much wiser than a young child.

An hour had flew by before Private Peters actually acknowledged the girl. At this point, the girl was half asleep, almost drifting off on her feet because she was too scared to set down anywhere.

"Hi, I guess I'm your aunt" Private Peters spoke sheepishly, afraid to break the thing in front of her as soon as she got it.

"Thanks for that, Captain Obvious" The child spoke with a severe case of sarcasm, but it didn't appear offensive as she was mumbling and her eyelids were drooping.

"I suggest you shut up and sleep somewhere, pick a spot. I don't care. Just don't sleep there" Peters said demandingly, pointing to a spot behind her desk. "Or there" She pointed again, her finger landing on the pile of blankets and pillows. "That's mine".

"So...I sleep on the floor?" The little thing asked, seeming confused.

"No, the ceiling."

"Funny" The child moved slowly to an unoccupied corner of the room, kicking some papers out of the way before slumping to the floor.

"There is water in the fridge, for the toilet go left down the corridor, down the stairs, and it's the first door on your right. I currently have no food other than an apple that's been on my desk for god knows how long" Peters paused momentarily. "Any questions?"

"Are you sure you're not homeless and you've broken into this place?" The child cheekily asked.

"Ha-ha. Sleep" 

"What if I don't?"

"Then I will personally knock you out"

"That's abuse."

"So is talking to me"

This minor dispute carried on for a few minutes, until the child fell silent.

"So.." Peters spoke, trying to maintain conversation.

"Hmph?" The child mumbled.

"I forgot what suit guy said your name was"

"Oh, I'm Olivia" That was the last thing Olivia said before she fell asleep, a steady rise and fall of her chest indicating she was already in a deep sleep.

"Well, there's a lot of things coming, Olivia."