10
Week one started off slow and steady. I went to meetings with Madlyn and no one questioned her. Quietly I sat there and just stared at each person's face their eyes catching mine long enough to read them. No one had intent to hurt the company, they were all too afraid to. I was asked to read any new employees with high positions. It wasn't hard. I just had to run into them in the hallway, maybe catch them in the elevator. If it was a woman sometimes I'd see them in the bathroom. Only two people had ill intentions. One was a spy wanting to find the secret of Compound V. Silly man. I knew the secret. I knew all the secrets the more I looked into the eyes of scientists and supes alike. But the more I knew, the more I knew Madlyn would never let me go and always have my close. Of course, I could see the secrets to all. I saw all. I didn't see Black Noir really after the A-Train incident.
A-Train's hand was definitely broken so now every time he saw me he shot me a glare. He didn't think I belonged. Well anyone who gets doped up on Compound V and runs through people don't get to have opinions.
The second week I was joining Madlyn on top secret meetings, trying to find answers that weren't there in the strangers she's met. But they were dark. They weren't good people at all. They've done horrible things to keep the money flowing from drugs, to weapons to trafficking and Vought knew it all. Still there were no signs of Noir. It took me a month and a few days to figure out he was obviously on a mission that no one really knew about it. Well no one important. Maybe this was a good thing, maybe this meant he would have moved on by the time he had come back. This didn't bother me. We had only been "intimate" twice. That was hardly any time for feelings to be caught. Hell he probably had no feelings about it so neither would I…
Madlyn was still looking for someone to be my personal guard and she didn't want just any supe.
"I don't want just any supe. I want someone who rarely has any weaknesses." she said spinning her plastic fork in her Chinese food as I sat on the other side of the desk.
"It's not that big of a deal." I replied. She snorted.
"You say that, but you're quickly becoming a gem to this company. Lot of higher ups, higher than me, are impressed with you and they want you protected at all times." she explained. I nodded in understanding.
"What about someone in the Seven?" I asked. She shook her head.
"Their schedules are too busy and even if I fit you into their schedules they can't guard you and do what needs to be done." she explained. I nodded once more noticing her eyes roll over me some. "If I did though who would you suggest?"
"Maeve… Starlight." I replied quickly. She nodded slowly.
"It would be a good idea. But Starlight is still new and Maeve is seasoned, but still busy schedule." she explained. I continued to nod, something I was used to doing a lot in this company. She swallowed what was in her mouth before her eyes popped in surprised.
"Lamplighter." she suddenly said. I tilted my head.
"Lamplighter? He's retired though." I replied and she rolled her eyes.
"Publicly he is. No supe ever quits Vought." she said with mild authority before nodding. "Yes. I will give him a call and set it up. You two will meet in the next few days and we will see how this goes. A little two or three week trial."
She wasn't leaving this conversation open for much debate.
"Fine." I replied before standing up and sighing. "I'll be around." She nodded.
"I know. Be ready, soon we're going to have you helping the police and supes with criminals we may need information from. Then we will work our way up to terrorists." she replied and I just waved and left out her office. I had been here since six so I decided to leave a little after two. I needed coffee and I needed it bad. As I walked the halls, people who were familiar with me nodded in respect and I just gave curt and swift nods and waves. Two supes, who were speaking amongst themselves glanced over at me before giving a larger nod in respect.
"Miss Knowitall." they said in unison. Their tones didn't sound vicious so I knew they weren't trying to mock me. Is that what everyone's calling me. I gave a curt nod to them and just kept walking. Once I was outside, I felt relieved. The sun met me and the warmth around me made me happy. I liked having the remainder of the day for whatever I wanted. I walked over to the nearest café and looked around. It wasn't busy thank god. Sitting in the corner on his computer, was a guy I had noticed before. He'd take that same spot whenever I saw him. He looked to be around my age with dusty blonde curls and green eyes. Always in a nice shirt and blue jeans. He glanced up at me and smiled and I just politely smiled and moved up to get in line.
I scanned the menu even though I got the same thing every time.
"Danish and ice coffee?" a friendly voice asked. I looked back to see the guy standing behind me and I smiled as he was close enough for me to read. And the strange thing was… I couldn't see far into his future. But instead I saw red fog. I had seen this before with my father when I knew his death was very close. Black or grey fog was when I was met with eyes I couldn't visibly see therefore I couldn't see their future. Red fog just meant they would die soon. After knowing this fact I just nodded staring softly at the guy.
"Yeah. My favorite." I responded and he nodded.
"Ever think of trying something new?" he asked. I shook my head.
"No not really. Don't want to waste my money you know." I replied. He nodded.
"I get you. How about I buy your drink of my choosing and if you don't like it, then you let me apologize for the not so good drink by taking you to dinner." he said. I arched a brow at that proposal looking forward some in thought.
"You ask a stranger for coffee and a date and you do not even know her name." I said lightly and he nodded.
"Well I figure we've seen each other enough here and smiled and nodded enough that it was time for me to either piss or get off the pot… I'm Mason." he said holding his hand up to me. I looked down at it and smiled more at him taking his hand. It was soft, but firm as well. I liked it.
"Ayana." I replied.
"Beautiful name, Ayana." he responded with a warm grin and a light gaze. His eyes were beautiful and I didn't mind taking him up on his offer. I wanted to be a good memory of his before he died. He deserved a good time. So I agreed and he bought me a black coffee that had actually gone bad. So the taste made me want to throw up. Completely embarrassed he immediately bought me the cheese Danish and iced white chocolate latte I wanted. But it did not stop me from giving him my number and being on my way.
By the time I got home, he was already calling me and asking to take me to dinner tonight if I wasn't busy. And I wasn't. So he took me to this nice Italian restaurant where I just let him talk really. He's a student majoring in environment science. He wanted to have a job in wildlife and preserving them. He likes soccer and hockey and loves to travel. He tries to travel outside of the country once a year.
"What about you?" he asked. That's right no one's ever asked me really about me.
"Well I studied political science in college. My father worked for Vought before he passed and they helped me pay for everything. I work for them now." I replied wondering what he thought of it. His eyes flexed some.
"Impressive. What do you do there?" he asked. I inhaled some not sure of how to answer.
"I consult. I work under the Vice President herself and I just advise her on company affairs." I replied. He grinned.
"Sounds like top secret stuff you can't really share." he replied. I nodded biting my bottom lip some.
"Basically." I replied and he raised his hand.
"Don't worry I won't press." he assured and I smiled my thanks before tilting my head some.
"What do you think of them?" I asked.
"Who supes?" he asked. I nodded. He curled his lips inward. "I probably shouldn't say since you work for them." I shook my head.
"Don't worry it's not like I'm in love with the job or anything… I honestly preferred my side hustle before joining." I replied. He nodded slowly, eyes twinkling with interest before sighing some.
"I think they're over rated." he replied. "And I think as quickly as they are the good guys, they can become bad and no one could stop them." I stared at him with a gentle gaze before nodding.
"I get that." I replied and slowly we were both smiling at each other. I wanted that red fog to clear already in his eyes. I wanted to see a future of him. Please show me. After we finished eating, we moved across the street to the parking lot.
"Hey um… are you ready for the night to end? Do you have to be at work early" he asked suddenly. Thank God I didn't. I shook my head.
"What's up?" I asked and he smiled, adventure twinkling in his eyes.
"Would you maybe like to go dancing?" he asked. Woah he was really impressing me tonight. I hadn't been dancing in years. Since I couldn't see any dangers in him, I thought why not. I nodded.
"Sure you know a place?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah follow me." he replied as he moved to his car. I moved to my own car and got in following after him. I couldn't hide the excitement that was inside me. Dinner and dancing? This guy was smooth and I liked it. I liked him. Sure it was just a first date and it could end tonight, but still it would be a good ending I'd like to think. I followed him through the city for about thirty minutes until we were in a parking lot surrounded by numerous buildings. I couldn't tell which building was a club really. I got out of my car and we met each other in the middle. He smiled warmly at me.
"You ready?" he asked holding out his hand for me. I looked him over for a second feeling mildly unsure.
"I don't know is there coffee involved?" I asked which made him gush with laughter.
"No I promise no coffee." he replied. His smile is infectious and I nodded and I took his hand and leisurely we strolled across the street between an alley way and he pointed to a sign that had an umbrella on it. He told me that's where we were going. We went inside and I could her music in the distance and I felt more at ease as we moved down the hall and finally more people were coming into view with drinks and cigarettes. Finally we rounded the hall and were met with a large dance floor of people moving against one another. A band was on the other side playing chill music and off to the sides were two bars. Multicolored lights were high above us and I couldn't help but like smile more
I couldn't see anyone's eyes and I liked that. Mason and I looked at each other before he led us into the group of people and he pulled me into him, placing one arm around my back and the other in my hand. Slowly we stayed against one another and got lost in the music. It reminded me of simpler times, the 90s honestly. I didn't have a care in the world. I enjoyed my friends keeping what I knew about their futures to myself so I could enjoy the present versions of them. The red fog in Mason's eyes still did not fade away. I knew I can't change the courses of fate. If death wanted him then death will have him. It was different dancing with him. I could see the emotion in his face. I would never have that with Noir. I don't have anything with Noir, but with this man I could have anything. I had options.
We laughed and held on to each other moving as one even though there were others pressed against us. We didn't care. We just smiled at each other enjoying the band as they sang You and Me by Lighthouse. In some ways I was glad Noir was gone. We would be able to be coworkers with no strings attached. Whatever happened in the past happened and it would mean nothing to him. I couldn't deny that this moment was magical for me. Noir couldn't give me magic. Why would he?
After an hour and a half, we were now slowly walking through the alley, our hands swaying back and forth. We glanced at each other from time to time taking our sweet time to get back to our cars. Finally Mason stopped me and turned me to him and I looked at him as his hands locked on my hips.
"So I'm sure this goes against the 2020 version of dating, but… could I kiss you?" he asked. Why not? It won't be the worst thing to do in this moment. I nodded.
"Yes." I replied gently and slowly our faces began to move into each other, my eyes closing automatically to block out the red fog. Something hot sprays all over my face suddenly and it makes my eyes shut tighter immediately. I feel Mason's hands just slide down my hips for a second before I hear a plop. Slowly, I raise my hands to my face and wipe at whatever was on my face. Once I feel I had gotten it, I gently open my eyes and hold my hands up to see red on my palms and finger tips. I'm quiet for a moment confused at what I am seeing. I look down at my body to see red all over my outfit and finally I lift my head a few inches to see Mason, headless. I blink a few times trying to get my brain working.
It's silent all around me and I just look over to my right to see the back of his curls looking up at me. Now I can hear my heart beating in my body and it speeds up very quickly. My stomach tightens and I feel everything spinning around me as I see nothing but red fog all around me and before I even know what to do I let out a blood curdling scream.