Sirens

Chapter 3

The walk to the factory the next morning feels like a funeral march. Everyone is quiet and solemn, as if they're walking to a slaughter house. In some sick, twisted way, it's like we are. Anger the future Luna and you won't get to say goodbye to your family ever again. 

My father keeps anxiously looking around, as if he's expecting someone to pop up at any moment and kill him.

"Stop that," I snap. I'm already nervous enough about today and he's making my nerves worse. 

"I can't," he whispers, his eyes wide and frantic as they look around the crowd of people. 

Something clicks in my head as the pieces start to come together. "What did you do?" I hiss.

"Nothing." I know that's a lie. He's been on edge the other day since the confrontation from Delta Rivers.

"This has something to do with Delta Rivers, doesn't it?"

My father swallows nervously and nods his head.

"Do you know how dangerous of a man he is? Do you know what he can do to you, to our family?" I demand. "What in God's name were you thinking?" After being forced into the werewolves' religion we were told never to mention previous deities we had worshipped in the past, but sometimes I can't help it.

"I don't know," he whimpers.

"Well you'd better think of something to solve this, fast," I snarl. "Nate didn't die for this."

My father flinches at my words. Nathaniel, or Nate, was my older brother, who fought in the war. He wanted to become a veterinarian, but our father pressured him into fighting in the war by spewing some bullshit like, "It's your honor and duty to defend this country." When I learned Nate had died fighting the war he never wanted to be a part of, I swore that I wouldn't forgive my father for what he did to him. I've still managed to keep that promise to this day.

Once we get to the factory, my father and I part ways as we head to our separate floors. I can feel the tension and anxiety once I enter the room on the right on the fifth floor.

Once I sit on down my legs at my machine, the nausea starts to hit me. The stomachache from the bad fish yesterday and the splitting headache from the dream again last night is enough to make me pass out.

At exactly 7:00, the supervisor steps out of his office and starts taking attendance. Unless you're given a day off, which is near impossible, you'll be punished for skipping work.

When he realizes everyone is here, he visibly relaxes. Just like the rest of us here in this room, he knows that a person missing looks bad on all of us, especially him. 

Throughout the morning, I sway between consciousness and unconsciousness. Sometimes, the pain is too much to bear, and I have to take a break. Other times, I feel completely fine, with the slightest tingle at the back of my head.

But right as I'm entering one of the worst headaches I've had in a while, the door to the room bursts open and in walks a blonde woman in high heels, who I assume is Courtney, flanked by two high-ranking Kappas.

She looks around the room before she walks into the supervisor's office.

Just like he did with Delta Rivers, the supervisor jumps to his feet, but instead of holding out his hand, he bows. After he stands up again, the two quickly exchange a few words.

Then, my supervisor opens the door and gestures towards us. "These are my workers," he says proudly. There's an undertone in his voice that hints, 'don't mess this up.'

"I see," Courtney replies, her voice cool and unbothered. "Do you mind if I ask them some questions?"

"No, no, not at all," the supervisor says, stepping back, as if to give her more room. "Go ahead, if you wish."

Courtney makes a 'hmph' sound and struts off towards her first victim, a younger girl who's about eleven. Instantly, I know her strategy - she's going to pick the most inexperienced and incompetent people to make my supervisor look bad.

"How long have you been working here?" she asks the child.

"About three years," she replies quietly.

"And how well do you make your products?"

"Pretty well."

"Show me," Courtney commands.

I nearly snicker. This child may look incompetent, but she is anything but. From what I've heard, this child started making her own clothes at age five. Out of everyone in here, she is the most experienced of us all. I look around and see everyone trying to hide their smiles as they sew.

In about five minutes, the child is done. She hands Courtney a perfectly made t-shirt and instantly starts on another one.

Courtney looks shocked and angry, most likely at herself.

Then she turns to the supervisor. "I see you've done a good job training your humans. This shirt is the best quality I've seen in a while."

The supervisor practically beams with her praise. But she's not done yet. "Would you mind if I questioned one more?"

"But didn't-"

Courtney holds up her hand. "Silence. I am going to be your Luna, so you may as well start listening to me now." She scans the room, looking for the worst of us. I pretend to be focused on my work, silently begging the Moon Goddess not to have her pick me.

But as luck would have it, Courtney's standing over me a few moments later.

"How long have you been working here?" she asks me.

I open my mouth to speak, but the nerves and stress mixed with the stomachache and headache is too much for me to handle.

So instead, of words coming out of my mouth, vomit spews out instead, all over her shoes and the floor. Some of the chunks even get on the Kappas. 

Instantly, I get a kick to the chin. Blinding white pain floods my vision and I hit my head on the table on my way down.

"You disgusting, vile, little . . . insect!" she screeches. "Get up, now!"

I try to get to my feet, but fail miserably. One of her Kappas steps forward and lifts me up by my hair. I wince in pain, but know better than to resist.

"How dare you disrespect me!" Courtney snarls, slapping me so hard, my head whips the other way. I can taste blood in my mouth. "I am going to be your Luna! Do you know what it's like to be disrespected like that?"

"N-no," I whisper.

"N-no," Courtney mocks in a high-pitched voice. "I think this little bitch needs to be put in her place, don't you think?"

I'm dropped to the floor at once. Luckily for me, my head lands on my arm.

However, that small victory is crushed as one of the Kappas kicks me in the ribs. A woosh of air escapes my lungs. The other Kappa kicks me in the back and I swear I hear something crack.

Steady tears fall down my cheeks as the Kappas continue their assault on me. I don't bother making noise, trying to save my energy as I curl into a fetal position in an attempt to protect myself.

I get a good look at people around me. They all seem horrified, scared, worried, even my supervisor.

Then, a kick to the head sends me towards towards the blinding light I've been seeing for a while now. I smile and welcome it, hoping it'll take the pain away.