Bioshock: New York Trouble

Chapter 4

Testing waters

Quick Author's note right here. There's going to be a bit of a time skip, nothing too major, just a few weeks to help the story progress a little better, seeing as there is no action for a while. Also, I had finally played the game of Bioshock 1 & 2, so I think my knowledge has increased on this subject.

One more little detail to help fill in: Eleanor had met with Mrs. Leon, and had gotten to move in, as you are all aware. This is also a few weeks before chapter one takes place. Five weeks to be exact.

Next, I would like to thank you all for the reviews and adding this story to your subscribe/favorites list. It means a lot to me.

Oh, and Delta's going to be a conscience soon, just not yet. Yay!

Enjoy

Week 1

Eleanor was happy; well, happy in a sense that nobody was trying to kill her or the little sisters, that the landlord wasn't a helpless drug addict, and that Sofia knew what boundaries had been set, but happy, nonetheless. She had managed to get a job at the same coffee shop where she had met Mrs. Leon, which was a bit ironic, to say the least. The uniform she had gotten was a flattering piece, to put it lightly. It hugged her at all the right places, and she still felt the heat on her face whenever she caught men staring. She was a waitress.

The next part about her day would be the harder aspect of it, for she would have to fill out bundles of paperwork saying that she was the little sisters legal guardian. And, well, the amount of little sisters would leave her hand cramping after all of it was set and done. She still intended to find the homes of the little girls, but first she needed to be set up on her own before she thought of them.

As she walked around, picking up orders, plates and coffee mugs, she couldn't help but smile. Today was a day that everything just seemed to fall in place perfectly, like the pieces to a puzzle. Until, that is, she caught a man, who looked to be of the business type, eying her. She could tell that he was sizing her up, and enjoying every moment of it. It made her sick to her stomach. Just ignore him, and you'll be fine. She told herself, until he actually stood up and made a move for her.

Crap.

"Well hello," He said in a suave voice, stopping her a few inches from the door. She could see in his eyes that lust was burning. "You're a new, and welcome face at this establishment. To what do we owe the pleasure of this company of such a fine young lady?"

Eleanor knew how to deal with him. "I'm fine, and you are?"

He smiled, thinking he had reeled in the catch of the day. "I'm John, John Callaway. Now then, Miss..."

"You don't want my company, believe me." She replied with an edge to her voice. It didn't seem to work, it just seemed to make him want her even more.

"Dangerous type huh? Lucky for you, I like danger." He smiled a smile that would charm a charmer. However, Eleanor wasn't easily won over.

"Yeah, well, unluckily for you, I'm nothing but danger. So just stay away from me." She added, with a lot of venom to her tone.

John was unnerved by the malice in her voice, and her eyes were like daggers ready to pierce him if need be. Normally, he liked a challenge, but he felt this one was a bit too much.

"Alright, well...sorry to bother you." He said sheepishly, shaking his head. He then walked off, defeated and with his hands in his pockets. Eleanor sighed in relief.

Almost time for my shift to end. She thought selfishly.

Back at the apartment

Eleanor had prepared dinner for her, the little sisters, and her mother. The atmosphere was thick with tension as she passed some potatoes over to Sofia. She wasn't in any real danger because she was a big sister now, but Eleanor wasn't about to take any chances. That's why she slept with her door locked, so Sofia couldn't put pillow over her face like last time.

Sofia had noticed that Eleanor was being extra quiet. All her years as a psychologist weren't for nothing. She couldn't determine the exact cause of her distress, but she knew it wasn't her because Eleanor had eased up a little, while in her company; however, she didn't relax too much.

"Hey, Eleanor," One of the little sisters piped up.

"Hmm?" She responded with a mouthful of food.

"There's a whole bunch of papers at the front door. What are they for?"

Eleanor swallowed, then said, "They're important papers that, hopefully soon, will allow me to become your legal guardian."

The little sister became quiet, pondering what that meant.

Sofia wasn't quiet at all; she gasped in surprise. "You can't be serious. You? A guardian for them? Hah." She scoffed, taking a gulp of her tea after all was said and done.

Eleanor didn't take this outburst so well, and she could feel the plasmids beginning to power up in her hand. The feeling was one of shock, like one would get when you rubbed your socks against the carpet and discharged the static shock. A blue glow illuminated the whole room.

"I'm going to be perfectly clear this one time. I am one person who will never, ever hurt them. Had it even occurred to you that this is the right thing to do? No, I would assume not, considering that you would sooner have them doing your will for the 'good of all' instead of their individual happiness. That is selfish on your part; dragging people down to your level. Instead of criticizing other people, maybe you should find your own apartment, find a job, and get the hell out of our lives!" Eleanor shouted as she aimed her hand at Sofia.

Sofia didn't flinch on the outside, but on the inside, she was about ready to bolt out the door. All the little sisters looked on in awe as they watched their big sister, their guardian, get angry. That didn't happen often.

Week 2

All the paperwork was finally done, and Eleanor felt proud, despite the constant ache in her right hand. She was now able to legally claim them as her own, and it felt good. Tensions were once again strained between her and her mother after their fight last week, and Eleanor didn't look forward to a single dinner at home since; she usually took the little ones out to eat with telling Sofia about it, and they had fun doing it.

There was one thing still nagged at her though. The fact that they needed to go to school; Eleanor was certain that she could school them in all they need to know about science, math, among other things. Maybe their was something more to it though. She remembered that when she was little, she had been home-schooled, and that her mother had called the other children dog-eaters. When she actually met one of the 'dog-eaters', she was surprised to find out that they were actually human; although she didn't know it at the time.

"She deprived me of a social life," Eleanor muttered under her breath with sudden realization dawning on her. "She didn't want me with the other children because she was afraid that I would develop a mind of my own."

She put the pen down, letting her hand rest. She looked over the papers, smiling despite herself. She was now a guardian, a legal guardian. She felt ecstatic, yet, she also found something gnawing at her. She knew that this wouldn't last forever, but it felt good that she could be their parent, for awhile.

Week 3

Another week of work, caring for the little sisters, watching her mother, and everything else had passed. The occasional person had tried to ask her out, but to no avail. She had her priorities, and dating was not on the list, sadly enough; she couldn't juggle the little ones, her mother, her job, and dating at the same time. It was impossible.

She remembered that it was only a matter of time before the girls would go to public school, and she didn't even begin to imagine what kind of supplies they would need throughout the school year. Books were a given, and pencils. But after that, she had no clue. Perhaps I'll pay Mrs. Leon a visit later. She wondered.

Later that same day, she had caught her mother trying to dispose of the big sister suit, and all the little ones were fighting valiantly. They had managed to stall her long enough for Eleanor to come back from work and deal with Sofia herself.

After all that was said and done, Sofia had excused herself to her room; Eleanor had put the suit back, and she later put the girls to bed. She fell on her bed, and as soon as her head hit the pillow, sleeps embrace caught her, and refused to let her go.

Week 4

Another week passed, and school was drawing nearer. Eleanor had made it a point to go to the store later and buy all the items that were required. Mrs. Leon had given her a list of supplies that would be needed for elementary school. The thank yous were said, and Eleanor now had a game plan, for the time being.

She grabbed the school supplies, paid for them, and dropped them off at the apartment. Once all that was taken care of, she herded the little girls into the bathroom, and made sure that they looked decent enough for dinner with Mrs. Leon.

They marched off in the direction of Leon's office, and they were on their best behavior. It was one of the more peaceful nights in this city.

So, that wraps up another chapter, and week five is where we pick up from chapter one.

This skipped around, I know, and I apologize, but maybe that adds to the appeal. Hmm?

Thank you for reading, and if you could, review to make me a better writer. Please?

Next chapter, we delve back into the action.

Thanks again, and see you soon.

Ian