:) Here's my next story. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I own no one but Agent Waterbanks. Hellboy and characters belong to Mike Mignola, etc.
She stood beside her small car in front of the dilapidated building. It couldn't be, because she was here on assignment. Curiously, the sign said 'Waste Treatment Facility.' Sighing and resigning herself to the task ahead, she pressed one of the intercom buttons below the sign.
"Name?" came the voice over the speakers.
"Agent Waterbanks, transfer from NYC."
"First name?" She sighed.
"Wendy. Wendy Waterbanks." There was a suppressed chuckle on the other end and she glared at the intercom.
"Sorry. Hold on." The sign slid down to show a high tech screen. "Look at the birdie." A small eye camera popped out and she held her eye up to it; it took a couple of pictures. She blinked, but wasn't startled; she had been through this before. When her picture showed up on the screen, she began to get back into her car. "All right, go on through." The gates opened and she cranked up.
"Thanks." She did as she was instructed with a roll of her eyes.
When she walked into the lobby, the sheer contrast to the exterior stunned her. It almost caused her to drop the guitar case in her right hand and the huge rolling suitcase in her left. She shook her head and continued forward. At a desk directly in front of her stood and older man. He held up a hand for her to stop on top of the carved engraving of a hand and sword; he was watching her.
"I'm Agent—"
"Waterbanks. I know."
"I was told to be here at—"
"Nine. I know. You're also…" He paused and looked at his clock. "You're early?" He seemed surprised.
"Really?" Wendy replied.
"No one's been early before." He seemed to ponder something, then shook his head and addressed her again. "Watch your hands and elbows." He seemed bored, as if he said that exact phrase often.
"What?" She saw him press a button.
"Watch your hands and elbows." She understood; the engraving was an elevator with no walls.
"Gotcha." She gave him a thumbs-up before disappearing from view.
The elevator descended into a large room with a large metal door. Someone opened it from the other side, giving Wendy a view of everyone else. There were lots of agents; a woman with short, dark hair; a robot-looking thing; and the guy she assumed was head honcho. He stepped forward and addressed her directly.
"Hello. I'm Tom Manning, and—"
"You're the head honcho," Wendy cut in.
"Well, you could say that…"
"I'm Agent Waterbanks."
"Welcome to BPRD headquarters." He extended his hand to shake hers.
"Dude, my hands are kind of full." A snicker came from the dark haired woman.
"Yes, well, one of them will show you to your quarters." He indicated the agents behind him.
"Much appreciated." The sarcasm was evident in her voice. "I'll meet and greet after I've settled in, all right? That is, if it's okay with Mr. Head Honcho here." He gritted his teeth. One thing was sure: Manning didn't like her attitude.
--
Wendy set her suitcase beside the bed, the guitar case on it, but looked around before she put down the bag strapped over her shoulder and the soft guitar case off her back. It was nice to be away from the big city, but she could already tell that Manning guy was going to be annoying. Carefully, she opened the hard case. Inside was an old, but in wonderful condition, acoustic guitar. She lovingly took it from its case and placed it in her lap as she sat down. Taking a pick from her pocket, she began to play. She started when there was a knock on the door, but she put the guitar back in its case before saying, "Come in." The woman Wendy had seen earlier opened the door.
"Hello," she said.
"Hi," Wendy replied as she snapped the case closed.
"Was that you playing?" Wendy bit back the sarcastic retort that came to her mind.
"Um, yeah. Sorry if it sounded horrible."
"Oh, no, not at all! I'm just wondering why you put it away."
"I'm supposed to meet and greet. I can play later."
"Manning told me to introduce you to the people you'll be working with."
"Okay."
"I'm Liz Sherman."
"My hands aren't full this time." They shook hands. "I'm Agent Waterbanks."
"Do you have a first name?"
"You'll laugh. Everyone does."
"I won't."
"I'm Wendy." Liz smiled.
"I like it."
"You're the first."
"Well, before I introduce you to everyone, I need to warn you."
"About what?"
"No one is truly…normal here."
"Who says what the definition of normal is? Heck, I'm not normal."
"All right. I just wanted to prepare you."
Will they like Wendy?
So far, so good?
Please review!
A/N: Later in the story, there might be some German spoken, but I promise to put notes in for it.