Clarissa left her room some thirty minutes before the group was slated to move out

Page 8 of 8 Tenth Circle:

Created By: Alexander Cole

Clarissa left her room some thirty minutes before the group was slated to move out. Even now a half hour after the event she could still taste the smell of the District's holding pens in the back of her throat. The shower, the vigorous, almost frantic scrubbing, the tears, the anger which surged within as the clouds of steam boiled around her. All had been futile, the memories remained, the smells clogged her nostrils…and the voice whispered dark nothings into her ear.

Clarissa tugged at the cuffs of her flightsuit in irritation and watched as the outline of the Omnicuff normally affixed to her left arm appeared in the Matrix's view. She hated having to slip back into her dingy flight suit, but Zachary's promised trip to the Tanzini Shipyards would remedy that. Even she wanted to shift into a less militant style of dress. The vixen had only gotten a few steps from the door when a flash of white in her peripheral vision caused her to stop.

Turning slowly she swept her gaze up and down the door's darkly stained wood composite- and found a small slip of paper taped to the door, it's outline appearing in wire frame in her HUD. Clarissa sighed in exasperation, it was probably some note from the front desk about room service payment- and of all the tacky ways to notify her- the fox's eyes widened as she saw Zachary's cramped almost untidy scrawl across the page.

"I don't blame you for your actions…after all you're carrying the world on your back. If you can't open up to me, talk to Shiva, I think I don't judge and I know she doesnet. Just…talk to someone. Because I don't want you to break." –Zachary

Clarissa felt a wave of emotion sweep over her as once again Zachary's perceptive abilities shone though his somewhat rough exterior. Her nimble fingers folded the paper into a neat square before depositing it into her pocket.

As Clarissa began walking toward the turbo lift located at the end of the hall she wondered how he seemed so able to understand her odd behavior. She wasn't predictable, not in the slightest. Her job didn't allow it, routine was a misnomer for her, there was always a new route, a new direction- routines could be traced and exploited.

Slipping her hands into her pockets she casually thought that if she didn't know better she'd swear that he was…falling in love with her. The lift's doors closed with a hiss and she leaned heavily against the rear wall, watching as the Matrix ticked off the levels-while simultaneously loading a partial real time map of the building based on what little she'd already explored and ticker taped the local weather readout at the bottom of the 'screen'.

What do I do…how am I supposed to feel? I…I could embrace it. But…what if he turns out to be…like them…the others?" The faces of innumerable foxes, wolves, anthros of all species flashed through her mind before she purged her view- that of the districts.

No…he can't be…my heart is guiding me…for the first time. So…

Her thoughts were interrupted as the lift's doors opened and the resort's expansive and light filled lobby filled her view. Ferns and plants littered the sides of the walkway, the air in this section fresher due to the concentration of greenery. Light from the sun, now a few inches higher in the sky streamed in through the windows illuminating the seating areas and vacant waiting lines-this not being a high traffic season for the resort.

Clarissa saw Zachary seated on one of the benches half watching the news, his flight jacket held loosely over his shoulders, his posture relaxed. Too relaxed she realized, as the Matrix's biometrics isolated his elevated heart rate and adrenaline levels. He was just as nervous as she was.

Her heart rate increased as she stepped toward him, she felt a slow flush creeping across her face, the thoughts of the past forgotten. She found herself foundering for words even…it was like she was a schoolgirl with a crush…and that was how she felt at the moment.

"Zachary…"

He jumped and suddenly pulled the coat closer around his shoulders. Is he afraid of me…does he think I'm- Clarissa clamped down on those thoughts immediately, she couldn't let her mind run away with her.

"I…I got your note…the one you left on the door." Stupid, what other note would he have left, one in the bidet?!

Zachary's voice was quiet. "Then…then you understand what I meant when-" she pressed a finger to his lips, not caring that they were in full view of the reception desk, she needed to do this. "Yes…I do. And it's you…only you. Shiva will know…but you first."

"When?"

"In time…soon." She removed her finger from his lips and traced them along his jawline, linking her free hand with his. "And what's this?" he breathed.

"Finishing what you started."

"But I thought-" He hesitated and that was when her body surged foreword, pressing against his.

"Mercs don't think…they act." Zachary felt a thrill rush through him as her muzzle clashed with his, her hands wrapping around the back of his head, pulling him closer. She felt the characteristic bulge in his nether regions and a grin tugged at the edges of her mouth…and the flames of desire leapt ever higher.

In the back of her mind she felt something clawing, trying to find it's voice, the same presence that had held her back before…she ignored it, molding herself with him, locking her eyes with his- this moment was hers; she would not let it be consumed by the past.

Finally she pulled back, her jaws slightly parted. It was done…this first step.

"Overcoming your demons?" Zachary's tone was one of quiet amusement, as if he'd expected the entire thing. "By degrees Zachary…"

But as she leaned back into his embrace, awaiting the entrance of the other two mercenaries she wondered if this spark of joy was merely the calm before the storm. And considering her luck she might end up facing a tornado by the end of the month.

8