Chapter II
The Workers' Union
(Sorry for the short update and the lack of Kadam. More on him, Kelsey, Durga and Nilima in less than a week, since I wasn't satisfied with what was supposed to be Chapter II's ending and will be Chapter III)
« He could have killed you over a winky frowny face ! » Fanindra shouted.
Nilima remained silent and inexpressive. She was doing her best to avoid any reaction that could prompt her old friend to do something rash. It wasn't really difficult. She felt numb and tired, as she always did after a great scare.
Not that there was much to be scared of, even before he'd left the room.
Ren had been reduced to a blubbering mess the second he realized what he had done.
« No. No, I can't have – It wasn't me – I didn't mean – Oh, please, let it not be broken !»
Trembling, he'd slowly approached the computer, and picked it up like a baby bird just fallen from the nest. As Fanindra started gliding under her T-Shirt, letting her healing powers work their mysterious way deep into Nilima's flesh, she heard him press the start button, and, after a few seconds, the usual clicks and rings were heard.
Ren had beamed, and immediately put the thing where it belonged, swept the keyboard with his right hand for good measure, and turned around, ready to forget the whole thing and go, when he'd noticed them staring at him in terror and rage.
« It hit her. You could have hurt her. »
Ren looked at them in shock.
« You mean, after I threw it – »
« Yes. Almost hit the face. »
« Is it – Can I bring you something ? »
« Get out. » Fanindra hissed.
He stared at her in horror, and started opening his mouth again. Fanindra lost patience.
« JUST GET OUT ! »
Then he'd ran outside and Fanindra had focused on her friend, switching between concern and powerless rage. Untill her friend had tried to reassure her by saying it could have been worse.
« I don't see something more stupid and dangerous and insane than a boss who scars you because you failed to explain an emoticon ! »
« It's a bruise, not a scar. And you've almost erased it. Remember that he wasn't even aiming at me, he just threw it in the air and– »
« Do you listen to yourself ? You're trying to find him excuses. »
« There is no excuses. Of course there isn't. But we have to stay rational. He isn't a threat. He's got no intention to hurt me. This is just an isolated incident, and overreacting right now would just be a bad move– »
« Overreacting ? If he ever gets like that again, he could get you or really anyone here disfigured or in a wheelchair. And I could kill him. I could kill him right now and get us all rid of him, forever. »
« You could also fail and get yourself incinerated while we all deal with the repercussions. We don't know what they're really doing or just how much power they have. »
« But do you think they should have any ? Seeing how they use it ? Are you sure that there won't be other victims, or that there hasn't been already ? »
« There has been others. But if this is what Durga wants, there is no way we can escape it. »
« Maybe Durga doesn't want it. Maybe I can convince her. »
And on that, she teleported in a flash of golden light, leaving Nilima alone, almost healed and with a last tiring and humiliating task to accomplish. She had to report to Kadam.