A couple years later…

The day was plagued with another gloomy wave of rain. The city's atmosphere seemed to match its gray exterior, depressive and lonely. The streets were bustling with a decent amount of people when it wasn't raining, people taking the chance to walk outside and enjoy the fresh air when it became possible. But today only a few people could actually be seen walking through the weather, even with the strong rain and wind fighting the air. They weren't having the time of their lives, having to trudge through water reaching over their shoes while shielding their face from the piercing cold wind and water with their coats and umbrellas.

At least Carissa didn't have to physically deal with the outside too much. She squinted her eyes at the windshield, trying to see through the pouring rain as the wipers weren't helping enough removing the rain. The rain was so thick, dropping onto the car like needles and coating it with blinding water. Despite the horrible weather, by some miracle, Carissa was able to make it to the parking garage without getting into an accident. A sudden screech of thunder followed by a close flash of lightning nearly made her collide with the lamppost just outside of the lot's entrance. Pulling in, she nodded at the parking guard, who recognized her as an employee and gave her access. The young woman stayed on the first floor and drove to where her assigned parking space was. A sigh escaped her throat at the non shocking realization the neighboring car parked over the line into her space again. Carissa very carefully pulled into her parking space, trying desperately not to scratch the right side of her car while keeping enough space for her to get out at the left. Once she was in enough, the woman got out and only took her documents and purse. She never bothered to take her raincoat since the parking garage was directly over her job building anyway.

If the establishment didn't have well-operating lights, the whole building would probably have more of late afternoon appearance. Carissa exited the elevator and entered through the hallway, instinctively nodding and greeting the usual 'good mornings' to those she passed. Not everyone would reply to her, but she didn't care. Some people tended to have bad days and it would affect their interactions with others in this building, so Carissa tried not to let it bother her.

Carissa made it to the room where her office was. A big room with everyone's own office space, surrounded by dividers. People muttered or clearly spoke amongst others regarding their work. There were a couple corner offices with their own room, her boss residing in one of them. A small waiting room for guests sat in the front entrance where Carissa made her way in. She went straight to her desk and sat down, filing away all the important documents she slaved away on last night before getting to her computer. There was one more document she had to get done, but was unable to do it because of the information she forgot to send to her home computer yesterday. She really wasn't in the mood for any criticism right now.

As if right on cue, the familiar clicking of high heels approached Carissa's desk fast. "Where're all the documents, Lockhart?" Asked a feminine voice, friendly to naïve ears but laced with this obnoxious turmoil that made Carissa cringe. She turned her attention to a slender woman around the same age as her, older if not. Her loose, brown ringlet curls slightly covered the outline of her pale cheeks. Her freshly waxed eyebrows were quirked up as her green eyes gazed down at Carissa with a denouncing look. Her acrylic red nails were the same shade as her lipstick, tapping on the clipboard she held against her chest.

"I filed them already."

"I need them."

Carissa held back another sigh as she hunted for the papers, pulling out every single one she did. "There's one I didn't do yet." She admitted. "I was unable to do it cause I forgot to send the info to my laptop."

"Hmph." The woman scornfully huffed at Carissa's confession. "I'm reporting you to Mr. Baxter. All of those documents should've been done last night. He won't be happy with you."

She said that as if Carissa wasn't aware of it. After quite rudely snatching the thin stack of papers out of Carissa's hand, the woman turned on her heel and walked past her desk. Carissa brushed off the woman's cold attitude and got to getting the document done. She didn't see why Nicola had to get so upset. It wasn't an important document, and it didn't take long to do. If Nicola was so worried about it, she could've done it herself last night. She always had plenty of time on her hands. Carissa shook her head and went back to doing her daily work.

Lunch break came around very slowly. Instead of sitting in the usual lounge, Carissa decided to eat food at the cafe next to her work building. There was direct access to it through a built-in bridge attached to both buildings, so Carissa didn't have to walk through rain to get there. She wanted to be in a more positive space where she could make her phone call without disturbance. Carissa found the right phone number and called.

Almost immediately, an older male's voice replied with a joyful, "Hey."

"Hi, Daddy." Carissa said, already smiling at her father's kind voice. It was like he jumpstarted her heart just by speaking to her through the phone.

"How's my little girl?"

"I'm fine. I just wish it would stop raining." Carissa said, peeking outside to study all the rain. No one was outside this time, making the roads empty. "How're you?"

"I'm good. Extra customers in the shop today thanks to a collision on the highway. Thankfully no one got hurt, but it's keeping us in business." Her father answered. "How's your job?"

"Boring as usual. Still wishing I chose a different career." Carissa said in all honestly. The top most wanted job these days, or as it's been for a long time now, was the title of a hero. Everyone she knew had an interest deep down to be known as a hero, for both pure and selfish reasons. But being a hero wasn't an option for her since she never developed a quirk. It made her sad in the beginning, immediately outed from the possibility of ever becoming one. So she had to resort to other options. It sucked, but at least she was doing something that made herself useful.

"You know, you can always come to the shop to work if you cannot handle it in the office anymore. You can work as an accountant. You don't have to do the hands-on stuff." Her father said.

"I'll think about it. Thank you." Carissa said.

She and her father talked more on the phone, but the break was coming to an end. She reluctantly had to hang up, but assumed her father she'd be fine at her job for now.

"Alright. I'll talk to you later. Love you."

"Love you, too. Bye."

"Bye."

"Who're you talking to?"

The male voice spoke as soon as Carissa ended the call. Her body froze for a moment, startled by the sudden presence before looking up. An older man in his early to mid thirties stood there in a professional, dark-gray suit. He had short brown hair with a short brown beard and light-brown eyes. His right hand held a steaming coffee. He appeared genuinely curious about the call.

"My father, Mr. Baxter." Was all Carissa said, not too worried about her boss's response but still feeling weirded out that he was down here at the same time as her.

The older man seemed to study Carissa for a moment before backing up to give the young woman space. "Accompany me back to my office." He said, his tone neutral.

Her heart twisted a little, not liking that request but complying without question. She followed the man through the buildings, all the way to his office. Once inside, Mr. Baxter motioned for Carissa to sit down. She did as her boss closed the door.

"Nicola gave me the documents you submitted." Mr. Baxter said. "She said you forgot one."

"I didn't forget to do it. I forgot to send the information from my computer here to the one at home." Carissa explained.

Mr. Baxter skimmed through the documents. "This is good work. No need to worry too much on the other one." He said, his thumb releasing the documents as if they were the pages of a book. Soon they were on his desk. "You're very good at your job, Carissa."

Carissa unnoticeably groaned uncomfortably. She didn't like it when he addressed her by her first name. "Thank you."

"You shouldn't want to leave your job when you're so good at it." Mr. Baxter said, revealing he'd heard her conversation with her dad.

Carissa inwardly cringed. "I'm just a little bored doing the same thing all day." She said. "But that doesn't mean I won't still do my job the right way."

Mr. Baxter studied her, a smile creeping onto his face. "You know Carissa," he said, standing from his seat. "if you're bored with your job, I know a more interesting one."

Carissa started to shake as Mr. Baxter came around his desk and got next to her. "In fact, you don't call it a job. You don't even have to work." Mr. Baxter said, bending down to Carissa's eye level.

She could feel his hot breath on her face.

"All of your expenses would be paid for. Everything you would want would be paid for. You just have to…"

His lips were brushing against the flesh of her cheek when she jerked away. Carissa scrambled out of the chair, nearly knocking it over as she got to her feet. "I believe I've told you no to that request, Mr. Baxter." Carissa said, unable to hide her glare and the disgusted annoyance in her voice.

The brief shock on Mr. Baxter's face melted into a glare, his light-brown eyes producing this concealed fiery practically no one in the office witnessed. His frustrated sigh hissed throughout the room. "I want that document you missed turned into me asap." He demanded.

"It's done. I've filed it already."

"I want you to do all the documents for this week and next week's category. It has to be turned in by tomorrow. You're dismissed."

Carissa's eyes widened at her boss's demand. "Sir, I can't get all of those done by-"

"You will do it unless you want to be fired." Mr. Baxter said rather harshly.

Carissa held back another sigh. "Yes." She said in understanding, getting up from her seat and walking out. A few people stared in her direction, whom she paid no mind.

The rest of the day Carissa worked on what work was required today and then started working on all the documents required for the two weeks. She ended up staying past midnight to get everything done. She didn't want to take the risk of forgetting to send something to her laptop again.

Despite her little misfortunes, the day was uneventful. Just another depressive day at work. Carissa wondered if the heroes ever got bored with their jobs. She bet they never did. They always got so much action fighting villains and getting admired by the public. People loved them all the time.

Once Carissa finished her work, she left the building, making sure that all the doors were locked. Her house was only a half hour from her job, but it was still difficult to get home with all the rain. She was so mentally drained she almost passed out on the couch, but properly cleaned herself up and went to bed.

Carissa was hoping she could at least go through her normal morning routine: relax and drink coffee before casually getting ready for work, but apparently that couldn't even happen.

The young woman woke up to an array of phone calls and texts from the reception desk at her job. Frowning in confusion, she answered the phone. "Hello?" She drowsily asked.

"Ms. Lockhart, we need you here right away." The lady at the reception desk said. "There's been a break-in at the building."