Red.
Why was everything red? There was nothing. Where was he? Who was he?
The sound of her blaring alarm woke her, the awful noise jolting her awake. She groaned as she rolled over and fumbled for the snooze button, falling off her bed in the process. She laid on the ground for a while staring at her chipped ceiling, wondering what would happen if she just skipped work, if you could even call it that. Her measly job barely paid her rent, let alone for food, water, and electricity. After rubbing her eyes and regretting every decision she ever made, she pulled herself off her creaky floor and checked the clock. 4:45 am-- she had time to grab a coffee on her way to work.
Stumbling into the bathroom, she took a cold shower and scrubbed her sweaty skin from another night of nightmares that never seemed to end. After getting out and drying off she turned to assess herself in the mirror. Black eyes gazed sadly back at her and her tangled black hair seemed to suck in all the light around it. Her pale skin was starting to show signs of malnutrition. 'Maybe I should get a second job.' Her appearance was mediocre at best, and she struggled everyday to distance herself from looking like the living embodiment of death of death itself.
After pulling on her dress shirt and pants, she tied her short hair into a ponytail and pulled on her boots. New York winters were absolutely brutal, and she hated every second of it. Checking the time, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door, having to slam the door to make it close before locking it. Muscle memory guided her as she made her way down the dark streets, and she always found herself ending up at the same place. Walking into the shop, she breathed a sigh of relief as the warm air washed over her. Looking up, she met the bright eyes of her only friend, Armin. She didn't know how he could be so cheerful this early in the morning.
"Good morning Mikasa! The usual?"
She smiled. "Yes please."
She sat down at her normal table and took in the comforting atmosphere. Light brown paint coated the walls and the shop was illuminated in a soft glow. She closed her eyes and allowed herself a moment of peace. She never had time to just take a moment and breathe anymore, with all of her time being devoted to work. With no financial help from anybody, it was extremely difficult stay afloat in such an expensive city. Her goal was to save up enough money to be able to go back to school and finish her degree, but the possibility seemed to get farther and farther away every week.
I just want to make mom and dad proud.
She looked up when Armin sat down across from her and set down her coffee. She inhaled the strong scent and took a tentative sip. He always made the best coffee
"How is work going?"
She sighed and placed her cup down. "Its going."
He gave her a look.
"I don't know what else to say, I make coffee, shred paper, and wipe counters all day."
He sighed. "Why don't you look for a different job? I'm sure my boss would hire you."
She shook her head. "You know I love bio-engineering, I want to pursue it, even if I start at the bottom."
He smiled softly. "I'll support you whatever you choose."
She placed her hand over his. "Thank you Armin."
After treating herself with a cinnamon bagel, she enjoyed her last few moments of peace before facing reality again. Waving, she walked out the door and headed for the subway station. Three stops and six blocks later, she arrived at work.
Titan Industries was a huge company with a huge reputation. Their advancements in the bio-mechanic studies was world renowned and they were one of the largest institutions currently operating. They were always on the news for discovering a new type of organism or developing a new vaccine. However, they were often faced with criticism for their secretive subject testing, which made many departments and citizens suspicious of their morals. But they had such a plethora of resources and endless money that if any kind of conspiracy was in fact true, they would get off with a flick on the risk, and the CEO, Erwin Smith, knew this.
When the building came into view, she followed the shape that seemed to touch the sky, still striking awe in her even though she saw it almost everyday. However the stupor ended as soon as she stepped inside.
Swiping her I.D., she headed upstairs and set her things down in her office. If a un-used closet could be considered one. Her 'office' was bare except for one photo of her and Armin at the beach a few years ago, when she still had a family.
The intrusive thought made her breath catch and she closed her eyes so she wouldn't start crying. She began her breathing exercises to keep herself calm and reminded herself that everything was okay. After taking one final breath, she nodded to herself and headed back out to the real world.
"A large caramel iced latte for me"
"Small white chocolate mocha latte"
"Large decaf with three and a half sugars and half a creamer"
What even is that?
"Hey Mikasa!"
She snapped out of her trance and looked around, smiling when she saw Jean. She had known Jean since they were in high school, but they lost contact when they went away to college. However, when she got her job, He was a sales associate already working here as well, so they caught up and would be considered aquatinted now.
"I got a new haircut, do you like it?" A hint of pink dusted his cheeks as he scratched the back of his head.
"It's looks great Jean."
He perked up. "Really? I was worried it looked weird. I'm glad you like it!" he said, beaming.
"I hope you like it Jean." she said with a laugh and went back to her orders.
Making her way to the break room, she turned on the coffee machine and began waiting for it to heat up. The soft whirring sound was calming as she started thinking about her upcoming week. How much money would she have after rent? When was her paycheck coming in? She had to fix that leaky pipe, it is increasing her water bill.
Will I have enough money to eat?
"YOU BRATS BETTER GET BACK TO WORK!"
Jolting out of her thoughts and nearly spilling the pot of coffee on her, she took a deep breath and turned around, already knowing who the owner of the voice was. Mr. Ackerman stood yelling at the two accountants, Sasha and Connie, who he managed to look taller than even though he was 5'2. They managed to squeak out a 'yes sir!' before scurrying back to their desks. Sighing, he headed in her direction and she hurriedly went back to making coffee to not seem suspicious.
"Hey, brat"
She cringed. "Sir?"
"Make me a earl grey tea while your at it." He said while rubbing his temples.
She sighed in relief. "Yes sir."
The hours seemed to crawl by as she made coffees, cleaned, shredded papers, and a whole other bunch of mundane tasks that seemed unessecary. After wiping down the final table and throwing away the last cup, she packed her stuff and headed towards the exit.
Riding down the elevator, she remembered she promised to stop by the coffee shop so Armin could tell her about this crazy customer that kept coming in. Smiling at the thought, she got off and made her way across the lobby.
That was when she heard it.
A tremendously loud noise- a roar?- shook the building to its core.
She froze in her tracks as the hair on the back of her neck stood.
It seemed to go on forever until it died down to a low rumble..and then disappeared entirely.
Remaining perfectly still, she looked around the lobby and noted it was strangely empty. It was late, but there was almost always a security guard or a receptionist around. Swallowing, she slowly made her way to the door and peeked outside.
Nothing was wrong.
Cars still honked, pedestrians still walked, everything was normal. Looking back in the building, the ominous darkness that seemed to suddenly loom towards the back of the room was her final motivation to bolt out the door.
"Wait, you heard what?!"
She nodded vigorously, still shaken. "It was the loudest thing I have ever heard! I have no idea what it could have been."
"Me neither.." Armin pondered, obviously in deep thought.
Shaking her head she looked down into her hot tea and delved deep into her thoughts. What could that have possibly been? Is there even an animal that can make a sound that loud? Was it even an animal? How come no one else seemed to hear it? Where did it come from?
She paused and sucked in a breath
It had come from under the building
After relaying her theory to Armin, he nodded. "That is the only reasonable explanation that I can come up with as well. By the way you described it, it seemed you were the only one who heard it, and that would be the only answer to that question." He shook his head. "I can't even comprehend what could make a noise like that, and I didn't even hear it."
She shook her head. "I just hope I never hear it again."
