Folk Games

Chapter 10: Flowers for the wounded.

Erika sat by her partner’s side in the ICU, the doctor said it’s going take some time for him to recover, and after that, he is going to need therapy to learn how to breathe again.

She choked back a sob. George was right, they shouldn’t have gone that night, but she didn’t listen and he paid the price.

They had worked together for four years, and never once did Erika has seen him this fragile before.

She was going to hunt down the killer, and get that fucking list, and after that, she is going to find and tear down the Academy.

Even if it killed her.

Her steps had more purpose and her jaws were set in determination as she made her way to the vending machine.

“Excuse me, Ms. Uno?”

She paused to glance at the nurses’ station.

“This came in for you.” The nurse gestured to the large bouquet on the counter.

The sight of it sent a heat of fury straight to her core. Just catching a whiff of its sweet scent caused her stomach to churn, she could almost taste bile at the back of her throat.

Black Roses.

Death.

Her fingers shook when the nurse passed her the card. The message within made her crumpled it in an instant.

I hope you had a blast at the ball.

Love. Felicity Purrs.

How dare they!

She raged, yet a small part of her, couldn’t help but wonder if her sister may also be behind this.

Some part of her understood if she was. Sixteen years was a long time, the number of years Erika had abandoned her older sister, and the promise to come back and save the other if only one of them got out.

Erika got out and Felicity didn’t.

She never heard from her again.

No, Felicity wouldn’t do this. Erika rubbed her reddened eyes, the stress and lack of sleep were messing with her mind.

Right now, she needed to focus on George’s recovery and finding out who sent the flowers.

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I kicked my affections and clinginess up another notch, as I smothered Andy with it the moment he came home.

He seemed to enjoy it a lot as I played the overly worried girlfriend. The role is exhausting to keep up at times, making me miss my easier days with Tassi.

“You promised you would take me to the movies.” I was dressed and ready to go, while Andy grabbed his keys and a riding jacket.

Aquaman was showing and Andy wanted to see it. The reviews were good and I went along with it.

When it was over, I was gushing over the actor. I almost tripped over my own feet when I noticed someone smoking and watching us from across the street.

Why was he here? Was Vincent here? My eyes carefully scanned the area. No, just him, but why?

I ignored his existence and grabbed Andy's hand. “Let’s get something to eat.”

“I’m feeling like sushi.” Andy loves sushi and I agreed with his choice. “I love sushi!”

“That’s why I love you,” he kissed my nose while I giggled. “And if I didn’t, what? You are gonna dump me?”

“It breaks my heart to say it, but yes.” He gave me a wounded look and placed his hand over where his heart was. “Bullshit!”

“How did your job hunting go?”

“Well, I got a job,” I proudly smiled while Andy sent me a knowing smirk. “I bet you would get fired less than a week.”

I smacked his arm with an angry pout. “Excuse me! I think I would last longer than a week. What kind of boyfriend are you? You are supposed to be supportive.”

“Alright, fine. I hope you do well on your job.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and leaned down to kiss my head. “What is your job anyway?”

“Bartender.”

“Okay, I take it back, you wouldn’t last longer than a night.” He smiled, his blue eyes twinkling down at me.

“Asshole,” I hit him again, this time with more force.
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I wasn’t lying. I did get a job tending the bar. “What can I get ya cowboy?”

My green eyes studied the lone bear-like man, nursing a glass of whiskey, no ice. He meant business.

“More nuts.”

“Sure, suga,” I refilled his nuts and got him another glass. “Rough night?”

He ignored me, while I brushed my bangs away from my face and went to serve a boney redhead at the other side of the bar.

“Sweet cheeks over there, sent you a shot.” I came back and placed the offer in front of him. He didn’t touch it and simply tipped it over, purposely spilling it.

He didn’t even look up, it was like the world was dead to him. His condition was understandable I suppose, must be really hard, pregnant baby sister got blown to bits along with brother in law, and his friends.

It was a sad cruel world we lived in, truly unfair, like how terrible I looked with a bleached bob cut. Absolutely terrible. Cheap hooker terrible.

I continued working for a while, in end I decided it was time to get the juice running and turn the fun up a bit.

“Um, I get that you don’t want nobody disturbin' ya,” I nervously glanced between him and someone over his shoulder. “But that guy over there, told me to tell ya, the chicks look real pretty in the yellow room?”

The glass broke in his hand as he stood up and I jumped back with caution. The man was huge, they weren’t shitting when they nicknamed him, grizzly Karl.

“Which guy?” He growled out with vengeance.