++Chapter 2++
The cooler felt heavy in Melaya's hand as she walked back to her room. No matter how cold the cooler was, it seemed to almost want to burn her hand. She had to get rid of it, it was like a dirty secret that she didn't want let out. Her footsteps were probably loud as she all but rushed back to her room to hide the dreadful thing. Hell, she didn't even go inside of her room, she just threw it inside and slammed the door. Hopefully Komui had added something to keep it safe. Hopefully.
Her stomach protested to her once more, demanding food now. Her sight became disoriented from that pain it caused. Unlike other exorcists that were a parasite type as well, Mel had to eat more. She used more energy than the others and some days it nearly killed her. She cleared her throat and her thoughts of that. Right now she didn't need to dwell on bad memories. And yet they continued to assault her as she neared the cafeteria. She accidentally threw open the doors, all eyes now on her. Great. Just what she needed….
Mel glanced at the long line of exorcists and finders that stood waiting for their food and she groaned. Today was just starting off lovely. Komui had made her late to get food, so now she would have to wait…or would she? She was a parasite type, she deserved food now or there would be consequences. And not all of them would be her fault. Her stomach let out another protest as her vision blurred for a moment. She had never gone this far without eating. Melaya had often wondered how her body would react…
She skipped line, headed straight for Jerry when a finder grabbed her arm. "You think just because you're an exorcist that you get special treatment," he practically growled at her, his grip tightening, "if it wasn't for us, there wouldn't be so much innocence so get to the back of the line!" He pushed her back as if emphasize his point. That was the straw that broke this exorcist's back. Melaya launched herself at him. Right as she was about to swing a punch, the scent of fresh pancakes near her filled her nostrils. Her stomach took over as she released her hold on the finder and went straight for the food. Vivian stood near them holding out her tray of food at arms length. Mel knew she shouldn't and yet she couldn't help herself at grabbing the tray and walking off with it. She knew her friend was only trying to help. That was what Vivian was good at, keeping everything here at peace. Although her sister had passed away the Black Order, mainly Komui, let her stay. She often did odd jobs around here to help "keep her stay", as she put it. She could tell that Viv had eaten her portion of it, it seemed that she had gotten more than usual as if she knew something like this would happen.
She sat at the table with all her other 'friends' or at least acquaintances. Her seat was next to Kanda, probably one of the only ones that she truly trusted at the table. An empty seat on her left, probably where Vivian will be sitting after she calmed down the finder, Allen across from her and Lavi on Allen's left. They were a small group but one she didn't mind being in. For once.
Melaya all but inhaled her food, not one of them looking at her oddly for it. It was usual and even sometimes her and Allen would have contests to see who could eat the most in the shortest amount of time. Just as she was finishing her plate, Vivian sat back down with a soft smile on her face. Apparently everything was back to normal. And yet Viv's golden eyes seemed troubled, as if something was on her mind. Mel leaned towards Kanda to whisper, "Hey, you know what's wrong with Vivian?"
He glanced over, apparently annoyed that his breakfast was being interrupted. Kanda's dark eyes glanced from Mel to Vivian before going back to Melaya and shrugged. "Seems fine to me…," he replied before going back to his noodles.
She blinked and opened her mouth to argue before realizing who exactly she was talking to. Right. The one out of them all that could barely see past his own breakfast in the morning. Actually she was a bit shocked because he hadn't snapped at her. Weird…
Melaya shook her head slightly getting rid of those thoughts. Kanda and her were just friends. What was getting into her? Her pale gaze turned back to her friend Vivian before speaking, "You okay Viv? You seem a little…off."
Viv turned to Mel with a bright smile though sleep deprivation was evident. "I'm alright, really. Just some nightmares, nothing I can't handle. No worries."
Mel kept her gaze on her friend although some couldn't really tell from the sun glasses she constantly wore, "You sure? Need something to knock you out at night?"
She held her hands up quickly. "No that's okay, thanks any way though. I'm sure I'll get some sleep tonight," she smiled once more, almost reassuringly.
Mel nodded her head slightly as if believing her for the moment. She was sure that she'd hear about it later if it turned out to be serious. She was about to open her mouth to say something when Komui's voice from behind her, making the exorcist jump, "Oh one more thing. I got a mission for you but the train leaves in a hour. Here you go!" A white piece of paper fell onto her now empty tray and as she turned to argue, Komui was gone. That man was seriously creepy.
Everyone at the table was staring at the paper curiously. Melaya cautiously picked it up and read it to herself: "They are having some problems with some low level akuma in Cardiff. I figured you could use some practice so you won't get rusty! Signed The Best Supervisor Ever! Komui." Honestly she couldn't see how Lenalee could put up with him….
"I gotta go pack," Mel sighed before getting up and leaving both the note and her tray at the table before anyone started asking questions. They wanted to know, they could read for themselves because right now she didn't want to hear it from anyone. Today was going to be one of those days apparently. First, she learned she was going to die in eight months, then she had actually agreed to be part of Komui's little experiment and now she was going on assignment that a beginner could do. Lovely.
As Melaya entered her room, her eyes kept straying to the cooler. She would have to carry that thing because she was almost afraid to take and syringes out in fear of it possibly expiring. She grudgingly packed enough clothes to last her four days and other necessities like her brush, tooth brush, etc….
She was done in fifteen minutes. All she had left to pack was that damn cooler. Mel slipped her sunglasses off and sat them on the twin bed. She slowly came closer to the cooler before kneeling before it. Her mouth was suddenly dry. Her arm reached out to open the lid, shaking ever so slightly. Her hand closed over the latch, almost afraid to open it. But she knew she had to know exactly what she was dealing with…
