Asha's POV
Griddy's was deserted that lonely night. The night that everything changed. I sweep the checkered linoleum floors trying to pile up the dust that had been accumulating in the corners of the diner. "Asha, what are you doing?" A melodic voice asks from behind me. I turn to see an older lady with her blonde hair tied up under the ugly pink hats we were required to wear for our uniform.
"What do you mean what am I doing? Obviously, I am here planning to overthrow Griddys." I state as I adjust my own pink hat on top of my head. A smile breaks out across Agnes' face. She reaches over and tucks a stray strand of blond hair back under my hat. I smile widely, nodding my head in gratitude.
"I meant, why are you still sweeping? You were supposed to be off shift ten minutes ago." Agnes replies, taking the green-handled broom from me forcibly. I glance around at the shop, quickly taking mental note that the yellow barstools by the counter still need to be wiped down, and the chairs need to be placed on the tables.
"I was helping you close the shop. Can I not be nice?" I retort while grabbing one of the ugly bright orange chairs and placing it on top of the table. Agnes begins to sweep in the spot I had just freed.
"I can do this. I get paid to do this. Your job is to go home now. You should not be here past your working hours. You're young. You have so many other things to do, so many other friends to see." Agnes lectures as she proceeds to sweep, and I continue to pick up the chairs. I laugh at her.
"Agnes, we both know my friends consist of everyone in this room right now. So, you and me. Besides, who goes to hang out somewhere at," I glance above one of the coffee pictures hung on the walls where the clock was located, "3 a.m.? Why can I not help you? I have nothing better to do anyway." Finishing picking the chairs up, I grab a rag from behind the counter and begin to wipe down the yellow barstools and the counters.
"Is this how you are going to be when we open our own bakery? A workaholic?" Agnes bends down to scoop up the dust from the pile she had created, throwing it in the trash.
"You can bet I will be. I want to perfect cupcake recipes instead of just- just making donuts," I sigh in frustration. I throw the damp cloth in my hand into the 'dirty rags' bin and pick up the bottle of glass cleaner, beginning to spray the donut display cases. Agnes places her hand on my shoulder, and I tense automatically. I perceive the emotions of happiness, and a bit of hope starts to flow through me. A flash of unease covers these feelings before she removes her hand.
"Sorry, I forgot about the touching thing." Agnes apologizes after she feels me tense under her touch. I pause my work and put the cleaner down, turning around to face her. I reach over and hug her tightly. I embrace her emotions as they swirl around inside of me, still the same. The unease slowly fades as she wraps her arms around me as well, leaving only happiness and hope.
I pull away and hold her at arm's length with both of my hands on her shoulders, grasping the ugly flamingo pink uniform. "Agnes, you know I will always want a hug from you." A flash of pride goes through her feelings before I lean away, not wanting to intrude on them any further. "Okay, how about this. I will finish cleaning the display cases, and then I will pack up to leave. Does that sound like a deal?" I turn and clutch the cleaner again and scrub the cases until I can see my reflection clearer.
"Deal." Agnes pads behind the counter. She grabs the coffee pots, pouring them into the sink, and begins to clean them. "Maybe it is because it is so late or because we have not had a shift together in a week, but I'm reminiscing on old times."
I hum in response, "What about?"
"Well, about you," She pauses as she says this, turning to me. I briefly pause my scrubbing to glance over at her questioningly, raising an eyebrow in response. "Well, how long has it been? 9? Or wait, it was 10! 10 years ago you walked into that very door," She gestures towards the front door of the diner, "looking for a job. You were so shy with me and wouldn't look me in the eye. You were a natural with the customers, although you wouldn't go outside your normal routine. You were turning down all the men who wanted your number. I don't know. I just like that you are more comfortable with me now. Even going so far as to plan to help me achieve my dream of opening my own bakery." I smile, twisting back to the glass, gazing into my own blue eyes in the reflection, remembering the day I had come to Griddys asking for a job.
I had just arrived back from two years in college. I didn't want to leave Luther, my brother, alone living at home with my Father anymore and chose to move back into my childhood house despite the horrible memories. Grace, my stand-in mother, had taught me to bake as I grew up, and it had been my comfort and something I loved to do. Baking led me to want to do it for a job, and to my luck, there was Griddys, the only doughnut shop in town, not too far from the family house.
"It was a long time ago, Agnes. You know me, all about my routine, never wanting to go outside of it. When we mess up routine, we allow unknowns to enter our lives, and that makes me anxious." I wink at her before standing up, having finished cleaning the display shelves. "Speaking of, anything you want as a celebration of ten years of friendship? Any special baked goods?"
Agnes' eyes twinkle before she responds, "You know I always love your lemon bars, Asha."
I nod as I affirm, "Okay, lemon bars it is. I will bring them in next time I come to work. Is that okay with you?" She smiles and nods, returning to cleaning the coffee pot. "Well, I am done cleaning the display cases, and, per our deal, I am going to take my leave. I'll see you later, Agnes." As I wander to the backroom, I call out while opening the chipped beige-colored locker to grab out my small black backpack containing the few things I brought with me.
"See you later, Asha!" I hear Agnes yell as I walk out the back door and towards my house. It is very dark outside and eerily quiet. The moon is but a crescent in the sky. It seems as if everyone was sleeping, as they should be. The only people who were awake at this time were insomniacs and villains. I grip my backpack closer to me as I walk, shivering a bit as goosebumps run up my arm. The dress with short sleeves does not help keep in any warmth. After the uneventful walk home, I open the gate and walk up to the large wooden door with huge glass pieces in it. I take a deep breath before opening it, not surprised to find it unlocked and walking in.
I close the door quietly behind me before I gently call out, "I'm home." Grace walks down from the dark wooden stairs to greet me. My smile slowly grows as I see my robot mother clothed in a white button-down shirt. She smooths down her pink poodle skirt, which is spotted with black dots.
"Welcome home, Asha. Are you tired? Do you want me to make you your nighttime tea?" She asks kindly, coming over to stand in front of me, her blue eyes looking into mine.
"I think I am going to check on my siblings first. Do you think you could make it and bring it up to my station?" I ask, reaching over to hug her. I loved to hug Grace because I never was overwhelmed with someone else's emotions.
"Of course sweetie, before you leave, how was work?"
I shrug before taking off my shoes and placing them by the door on the white and black tiled floor. "It was Griddys. Nothing new; I did work with Agnes today, so you know those shifts are always fun." I answer plainly, my voice going softer as I spoke of Agnes.
She nods, starting to walk off. "Do you have a shift tomorrow?" She asks over her shoulder.
"No, I don't work until two days from now. Agnes hired someone new. She wants to get them started and show them the ropes. She was worried about her overscheduling me." I reply, rolling my eyes before I walk around the small wooden table in the middle of the entryway. I slowly continue my walk up the stairs and down the hall until I reach the security room. I whip my backpack around to the front of my body to grab the key and unlock the door. There was a large place to watch the different cameras situated around the house when entering the room. There were large reels of film and cabinets to store other VHS tapes to the right of that. I throw my bag down by the VHS tapes and turn to the left, where a small desk is located. Above the desk, there is a corkboard with different labels on it showing different pictures. Before I sit in the chair, I look at the screens showing the recording cameras, seeing one displaying a station on the moon. I watch the camera looking for any movement. I see a massive figure shift in the bed, and I smile. I walk and sit down in the wooden chair and pull out a journal from one of the drawers. I turn to the section titled. 'Number One - Luther' and begin to write.
Luther is still okay. I could not watch him much as I was at work all day today and had the closing shift. He seems to be asleep now in his base. I wish I could talk to -
"Here is your tea," Grace interrupts quietly, startling me, causing me to draw a stray line on the paper. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to startle you."
I turn my body, slightly shaking my head. "Don't worry about it, mom. It must be the nerves getting to me. I've been a lot jumpier lately and anxious. I think it may be the crowds at Griddys; you know how I am with crowds." I grab the tea gently from her hands and begin to sip before wincing at how hot it is.
"Remember, if you are too worried, begin to count the blue things in the room to calm you down and ground you." Grace sternly reminds. I nod, remembering the day she taught me that. I had had a dissociative episode after a challenging mission where there were crowds of people. She has been worried about me since then.
"I know, mom," I whisper.
She smiles at me before gently telling me, "I got you the newspapers you like. They are in the crate right there." Pointing to a milk crate beside the desk.
I nod before carefully putting the tea down and reaching to grab the two newspapers I liked best. "Thank you, mom. You really make this house less lonely." I grin up at her before turning back to my desk, grabbing my pen again, ready to dive into some articles.
"If you need me, you know where to find me. I'll be stitching beside my lovely pictures."
I nod, my attention now stolen by the newspapers. I scan the headlines until I find what I am looking for. 'Mysterious Domino Masked Man Saved Child From Being Hit by a Car' I smile and turn my notebook to the next part titled 'Number Two - Diego' and begin to write.
Diego saved another person yesterday. It seems like a child was about to get hit by a car. He was out and about after running from his home at night. Diego dashed out and grabbed him and jumped out of the way before either one could be hurt. The newspaper says he 'Fled the scene' after returning the boy to his house. I hope he is doing okay with Detective Patch. The last time she came into Griddys, she complained to me about him and how he was doing things. I have not heard from Diego in a month since he asked me to do a Recon Op and help him gather information. I do miss him.
I cut the article out and pin it on the bulletin board. I put it beneath the picture of Diego that was posted there already. I then grab the other newspaper from the bin and begin to flip through it. I pause my flipping when I see an article picture with a beautiful woman on it who I recognized right away. 'Allison Does it Again' the title reads. I turn to the next section in the notebook, 'Number Three - Allison'.
Allison has performed in another movie, making it to the top ten best actresses again. She seems to be having a good time. I wonder if her daughter knows about us. I wonder if she is doing okay with her husband. I also am curious how much is due to her power and how much is due to her actual acting skills.
Once again, I cut the article out and put it beneath the photo of Allison on the corkboard. I look at the basket on my desk labeled 'Mail for Asha', noticing it was empty. I sigh heavily before turning to the next section in the notebook, 'Number Four - Klaus'.
No update on Klaus. I wonder if he is back in rehab. Maybe he is on the streets now. I just am not sure, and that makes me anxious. I made a mental note to look more into him and various rehab facilities around here in the morning.
Flipping to the next section titled 'Number Five' I sigh and brush my hand over the writing, feeling the indentation in the paper. I look back over the newspapers for any mention of him. I then glance at the corkboard under Five's picture. There are many scraps of paper with scribbled handwriting discussing various theories I had on what happened to Five. One of them was that he was kidnapped, which was improbable since he could spacial jump but still an option.
Still no update on Five's whereabouts. I have no words for this besides that I miss him, and I wish I knew why he left us and never looked back.
'Number Six - Ben' is the next section of the notebook. I pause before I begin to write, glancing up to stare at the picture of him. I look around the room to ensure I was alone before opening another one of the drawers in the desk, digging around before finding what I am looking for. I grab the polaroid picture and look at it. Pictured were Ben and me when we were 17, both with enormous smiles. I was looking at Ben, laughing at him as he reached his arm out to try and take a picture of the two of us. In the first couple of takes, he messed up by cutting one of us out of the picture each time. I feel something wet drip onto my arm. I look down to see a damp spot where my Umbrella tattoo is hidden with makeup. I grab my shirt and rub hard at the area until I can see the tattoo in its full glory. I wipe the tears off my face before putting the photo back and beginning to write.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss Ben. I should have reacted faster on that mission. I wonder what we would be doing now if he was still here. Would we have ever escaped this house? Would we have gone together? I can never know now.
I quickly flip to the last section of the journal titled 'Number Seven - Vanya'. I pick up the book in the drawer I had opened previously to find Ben's picture. I look at the author's picture to see sweet Vanya. I was upset about the written book but knew that it was how she dealt with her pain of being left out because of our Father's actions.
I do not know where Vanya is. I assume she is living in the place I had tracked her down to last time. Last I knew, she was teaching violin lessons to students. I had seen her ad in the paper once. I need to look more into her in the morning. Her book has been out so long now I think it is losing its popularity, and I need to make sure she has enough money to support herself.
I close the notebook and throw it and Vanya's book back into the drawer before shutting it slowly. I lean back in my chair, drinking my now lukewarm tea. I feel the honey slowly slip down my throat. The drink causes me to start to nod off. I finish the last sip and stand, grabbing my backpack on the way out of the room. I lock the door behind me and place the key into my bag. I walk to my room and set my bag on the hanger located on the back of my door. I put the cup on my dresser, planning to wash it tomorrow, having no more energy left in me for today. I quickly change into a pair of dark blue silk pajamas with the umbrella emblem embroidered on the left breast. After brushing my teeth and completing my night routine, I crawl into my bed and fall asleep.