Buzzing
It was still dark when you woke, the moon was shining into the window that you had left open. His shirt was still on you. The thing you noticed, though, was the giggling and clanging in the living room, which is what had to have been what woke you up. You sat up straight in bed and looked at your phone, it was almost 3 in the morning and you were still on call with him. You really needed to get a name for him.
You grabbed the waterbottle by your bed and took a few quick drinks of it, the water cooling you from the inside. You were still clammy. A louder crash came from the living room and apparently that had caught his attention too.
"Babygirl? Is everything ok?" He sounded tired, his voice had a deeper rumble than previously.
You didn't respond but grabbed your phone and opened your room door slowly, peeking into the barely illuminated hallway. You crept out slowly and peeked around the corner, hand gripping the phone tight. Seeing the bundle of blonde hair made you relax, breathing out deeply and deflating heavily.
"Karen, seriously, it's three in the morning. What happened?" You walked further out and saw another person with her. They both looked at you shocked, their lips kiss swollen and hair messy. It was silent.
"Is everything ok?" He called out again. Karen perked up at that and scrambled out of his arms, stumbling to you in those ridiculous heels you kept telling her to get rid of because they seemed like they would break her ankles. She grabbed onto your shoulders, her weight making you both stumble back into the wall, your head crashing into it and your phone fell, clattering. You could hear him calling out for you again, using your name that you had never told him.
"Did you get a sugar daddy?" She squealed, shaking you violently. You grabbed her arms and pulled them off of you before dragging her down to sit on the floor. You pulled her heels off of her and tossed them under the kitchen table. "Tell me about him! It's the one that I was messaging wasn't it?" She gasped, crawling over to the phone. Giggling into the speaker, she gave a few 'hi's' and other mindless mumbles.
"Yes and yes, but Karen seriously, is that Foggy? And put that down!" You shouted, sprawling over top of her before wrestling it out of her grip. You pulled it out, ending the call and sending him a quick message that everything was fine it was just your roommate who was drunk.
"It is Foggy! We drank the Eel! Again!" She wretched a little and you gagged. Foggy stumbled his way to you guys, turning on a few lights in the process. You blinked at her, whatever the eel was it had to have been some inside joke from the two of them.
He leaned down next to you. "The Eel was conquered once more! But seriously, can I crash here? I don't think I should be out any longer," he swallowed thickly. You nodded, leading him to Karens room while helping her, leaving the two of them to figure things out for themselves.
D<[ Are you sure everything is alright? ]
Y<[ Yes, I'm so sorry. You sounded so tired, were you sleeping? You should go back to sleep. That's just my roommate and her boyfriend coming home, they drank the eel ]
D<[ The eel? ]
Y<[ Yeah, no idea what it is but they've drank it a few times over the course of our time, but I've never actually met him. ]
D<[ Just make sure you keep me updated on how you are. I hate to worry. Get back to sleep, though. I'll talk to you more tomorrow. ]
Your days continued on like normal after that. John had made sure to not schedule you at the same time as the classes for Wesleys little group and you continued on talking to Bee, as you have oh so lovingly called him. Every time you were on a call with him, he would always respond with a sort of 'mmm,' and that's when the name stuck.
The days were counting down to the moment you had to finally step foot back into the life you were pretending didn't exist. Each day you were watching the door to the studio, hoping and praying that the same man would come in and tell you that they actually didn't need you. That they would eventually free you and let you finally go live your life. You were like a dog, but one with an extremely relaxed leash.
The day did eventually come, just a few days prior to when the gala was being held.
You were sitting at the front desk, waiting for the last couple kids to check in before starting class. The rest were already on the mat, waiting to be bowed in. Aaron was there, tying his belt and checking the clock every few seconds. You sighed and stood up, preparing to step to the mat before the bell above the door jingled. You glanced back and there was the man once more. Your heart jumped. Mouthing to Aaron for a few extra minutes, you opened the office door and stepped in, allowing the man to close it behind him.
"The Gala has been moved to tonight. It has also been updated to become a sort of... masquerade. The new information is inside of this file. Once-"
"I have it memorized, burn it, yes I know the drill. I'll take care of everything, drop it off at my location. I have a class to teach and I really can't leave," you stepped to leave the office before he grabbed your arm.
"You will return home with the file or you will be returned to your family, make your choice," you breathed deeply. Grabbing the file, you stared through him while he walked out of the office and left. Taking a few extra moments, you breathed a little softer and, with as much effort as you could, began making yourself cry.
You blinked and heaved, holding your breath so that your face could start being red. Tucking the file inside of your Gi and underneath your belt. Leaving the office, you looked at Aaron and made a few vague hand gestures before he nodded aggressively and gave you a few rushed hand gestures to leave. You grabbed your stuff from the staff locker room and dropped the crying act the second you stepped into the ally. You walked to the street and climbed into your car before taking off, your heart was pounding and this time you were blinking back actual tears.
Pulling on the freeway, you took off, going well above even the fastest drivers. You swallowed, your throat growing sore as the tears started pouring down your eyes. Since when had your family cared at all? They made no attempts to pay off any of the debts that were owed, and now you were being threatened with your life? You cut in front of a few cars, finally making it out of the city and taking the nearest exit. You pulled into a forest, clambering out of the car after parking and bringing your stuff with you. You threw your Gi top into the passenger seat and took off into the forest.
You were near gasping by the time you found a secluded area, buckling and sitting back against a tree. You looked straight up, eyes wide. Your heart was hammering and you were twitching, fear and panic running rampant through you. Digging for your phone you pulled it out and, very hesitantly, called Bee.
It rang once.
"Is everything ok?" You gasped into the speaker, some whimpers and sobs mixing in but no words coming out. "Darling, are you safe?" You could barely sob out a yes before a few hushes came from his end. "You're alright, sweetheart, everything is going to be ok. Take your time and let it all out. I'm here for you," his voice became slightly distant. "Sorry, sir, I need to take this. It's an emergency," you curled your knees into your chest, your forehead resting against it. Spit dribbled down onto the ground and you watched tears mix with it, turning the dirt wet.
"I'm sorry," you finally whispered, a few moments after. The sun was barely still up.
"It's alright, sweet girl," he responded. "I'll always answer you to help, any time," he added. "May I know what happened?"
You shook your head. "I don't know, something with work came up and now things were moved and I heard about my family and everything just isn't good," you swallowed, checking the time. "I need to go. I have to be home, I need to get ready for work. My ride is going to be there soon," it was already close to 6, and you still needed to get home.
"I can stay with you until you get home, darling," he said.
And, as always, he stayed true to his word.
Once you parked the car and told him you had gotten home safe, he said he also needed to go because of work. You ended the call and climbed the stairs with your stuff, opening the file while getting ready.
[ Name remains the same. No changes to plans of death.
Masquerade ball, partner will guide you to where you are needed to go.
Once explosive device has been planted, give detonator to partner.
You will be guided back to your vehicle and returned to your location.
Necessary information will be provided upon meeting with partner. ]
Once more you turned the paper around and tried to find anything more. There wasn't anything. You pulled out the detonator pin and slid it into the base of your neck, ensuring that it would stay in place while not being bothered. You found a clutch in Karens room that matched your shoes and your dress before placing the IED, still in its protective bag, inside, buried underneath a few layers of pads and other random items. Hopefully, they wouldn't try to look into it. You also placed a notepad and pen inside.
You slid the jewelry on and finally the shoes. You made sure to slide on a thigh holster, using the small slit in the skirt designed for it specifically, alongside tucking a knife underneath your belt and a few layers of the skirt. Standing, your phone dinged with an unknown number.
U<[ The ride is outside, your partner is entering your location and will be at your door momentarily. Ensure that you are ready. ]
You walked to the living room and once the first few knocks on the door resounded through the living room, you smoothed out your skirt and opened your door.
James Wesley stood there.