The Fourth Chapter
"Come on, tell me!" Shiva insisted, kicking Anders' leg under the table. He winced.
"It's illegal for me to-"
"Anders!"
Anders sighed, and pushed his half-eaten lunch tray away from him. He sighed dejectedly. "Alright, alright!" He waved his hands vaguely at her. "But keep it down, will you?"
Shiva re-settled herself in her seat, and looked forward attentively.
"There was a gentleman in here earlier, who..." His words trailed off, and he was looking nervously around him. More quietly, he continued, "We rushed in a man from The Blooming Rose who has been found unconscious in his leather bindings. He had been tied up for so long, that his skin had swelled around the rope, and we had to surgically remove it, and kind of... Peel it out of his skin." Anders raised his eyebrows at Shiva, who shuddered involuntarily.
"Who the hell would-" Shiva started, but was cut off by Anders shaking his head quickly.
"That, I can't tell you."
"Oh, come on!" Shiva whined. "Do I know him?" she looked pleadingly at Anders. He shook his head again.
"No! I mean, yes." He sighed, aggravated. "I mean I can't tell you. I really shouldn't have said anything." His cheeks were pink from embarrassment, and he was rubbing his temples.
Shiva laughed, and leaned over to punch him in the shoulder. She missed, and nearly fell out of her chair. Anders snorted, rolling his eyes at her.
"So, now I have a question for you." He leaned in, a mischievous look in his eyes.
"What is it?" She reached into her bag, and pulled a cigarette from its pack. Anders smacked her hand away.
"We are in a HOSPITAL CAFETERIA, Shiva." Anders whispered forcibly, his eyes glinting angrily. Shiva paled, and hastily stuffed it back in her pack. "What, might I ask," he began "did you mean when you said you would see my boss around?"
Shiva snorted. "I guess he was at one of those parties I go to out with my crew."
"Doesn't surprise me," Anders noted as he stabbed a Capri Sun with a straw.
"What? No, you're joking." Shiva scoffed. Anders gave a sound of disapproval as he drank his juice.
"He owns a lot of property on the edge of town." He insisted, crushing the juice packet in his hand. "It's not common knowledge, but he's bought up most of the side of town that was destroyed in the riots six years ago."
"Oh." Shiva quieted. That still didn't answer much for her. "Well, you seem to know a lot about this already.
"I only know what Doctor Otsoa tells me." He shrugged.
"Come with me later!" Shiva suggested excitedly. "I know you've been wanting to see me work for a while."
"Perhaps another time," he said hesitantly. "I've got plans tonight."
"Oh? More exciting and fantastic than seeing me in action?" She flexed jokingly.
"Marian and I are paying respects at her family's grave plot this evening." He responded quietly, avoiding eye contact.
"Oh." Shiva felt uncomfortable. After a moment's hesitation, she pat his shoulder gently. "I, ah..."
"It's alright." He offered her a weak smile, brushing her hand off. "I'll text you, and we can hang out another time."
"Alright." Shiva stood up, pushing her chair up behind her. "I'll be heading out to prep my shit. See you around?"
"Of course." Anders stayed seated, and held up a hand to wave.
"Tell your girlfriend I said hi." She leaned over and gave him a quick hug, and carried their trays over to the trash. She waved at him as she slipped out the door and headed to the back exit.
She passed the bustling medical staff, seemingly invisible amongst them. She stood in the hallway for a moment, disoriented. These people were beyond her in terms of intelligence, social status, and all had degrees that qualified them to work there. Amongst them, she felt small. The world would keep moving if she were to disappear from it, and nobody would notice. It was a dizzying feeling that hit her all at once. She started walking to the door again. Perhaps no one would notice her now, but if she were to work hard... She wouldn't ever be forgotten.
The back doors opened up, the brightness from the sun blinding her momentarily. In a move of pure inspiration and perhaps stupidity, she headed around the corner, and emptied out her bag on the ground. Her stencils, cans of paint, and paint rags all came tumbling out. Tentatively, she reached for the can of black, and raised it to the wall.