At The End Of Their Tunnel Vision

Chapter X

The voices. That was what Elliot has been calling the corruption’s manifestations when he got out from the corruption’s clutches. He regained consciousness, yet broken. His been grappling with his declining sanity from the corruptions attempt at overthrowing control for centuries. That even in his sleep, he had constantly fought for dominance. So he never slept anymore. That. That was utter hell.

And Elliot revealed the reason she was spared in their first encounter was because of the voices.

Both of them stayed in the tub while Elliot continued his depressing rants. No wonder he was a control freak. She just realized how truly broken her roommate was. And the guilt pile even more.

“So whenever you are in a room, even with a single person, the voices get murdery?”

“In simplified form, yes.”

“In the pub. Did the voices got noisy too?”

“Did you experience attending a concert before? A lot of people, crowded and loud as f**k?”

“Yeah?” She remembered attending into one because of her mother. Her mother basically slipped her without her father knowing. Her mother was just too ecstatic and enthusiastic about introducing her to the band her mother loved. It was loud as he suggested.

“That was how the voices got into the pub.” Elliot casually answered.

What? That was madness. And he handled the situation just fine. She twisted her body so she could face him side ways.

“Even I was there with you? That intense?”

“Yes, unfortunately the voices adore you so much, they always got so jealous beyond reasons. Whenever we get out and surrounded with people.” He scooped some of the water, pouring it beside her face, rubbing the side of her face tenderly. “Oh, one said your eyes are pretty by the way.”

Wow, a compliment. Did the voices always compliment her? She wondered.

“Oh, gosh. Thanks. You can talk to them?”

He continued pouring water at both sides of her face as if washing something off of her skin. “Sometimes, when I am alone by myself. I do talk to them.” Elliot admitted.

Narelle would never realize how worse her roommate's condition was if Elliot wouldn’t tell her. She never noticed anything different from before. From how good Elliot handled himself.

“Have you asked for help in your situation?”

“Not precisely asked somebody. But someone offered a help.”

“I’m really sorry Elliot.”

Narelle looked down. Finally, understanding the severity of her actions. And also the waters getting cold.

She craned her head upward, staring at her roommate. “Why are we dipped in a tub right now?”

“You are truly a piece of work, Narelle.” He said, while rubbing her cheeks. “The stench of the abomination you were claiming as your child infuriated them.” He grumbled. The furrow between his eyebrows became prominent from the annoyed confusion shown in his expression. Oh, even the scent of an animal? “I know I might compromise some of your plans or decisions in your future because of my current disposition. But I accepted the treatment from the person I know. So please, just be patient with me.” Elliot grabbed both of her hands, clasping them inside his now warmed hands. He stared at her with an intention of capturing her whole attention. “All I have been asking is to continue living with me. Being my friend, Narelle.”

Elliot’s eyes went into soft aquamarine that she was starting to adore when she nodded at his request.

“Thank you.” He stared at her for a while. One of his hands let go to touch the side of her face again. And he stopped to stand up. “I will leave you so you can finish your bath.” He said as he got out of the tub before he teleported.

Narelle pull out the plug in the drain, and the water began draining down the pipe. As her thoughts started recalling the information Elliot had disclosed to her. She knew her roommate wouldn’t lie at her. Since Elliot showed a strong disgust upon hearing lies. Not to mention his brutal honesty and casual remarks proved he had a firm moral belief about telling the truth and nothing but the truth. So without a second thought, she believed him.

Then she remembered about her job starts tomorrow. She began moving, taking off the wet clothes, washing her whole body as fast as she could.

After taking a bath and wearing a fresh set of t-shirt and pj she paced out of her room with an urgency. She got disappointed when she reached the living room Elliot wasn’t there. But he left a note. It was unfortunate that he had to stay at his work. Wishing her good luck for tomorrow’s first day at her new work. She doubt that she would see him a lot, even though both of them were working in the same building. Elliot was too responsible and uptight that he would sneak in the middle of his shifts to check up on her.

Welp time to fold the freshly washed clothes and iron her uniform before going to sleep.

Narelle felt bummed out whenever she was reminded of her actions earlier. Such an Immature and selfish brat. And her adoration towards her roommate went up from the courage he took from talking about so personally about him for the first time. For her to understand why every wish she asked wouldn’t be always fulfilled. Elliot lifted his burden like a champ while her, an utter shame. A disgrace. She definitely learned her lesson this time.

It reminded her of the time she confronted her mother when one time she witnessed her parents argued. She woke up from the sudden rise of her mother’s voice, screaming something at her father. When she walked out of her room, she saw her father storming out of the front door.

At her age at that time, she was aware of arguments with couples were normal. But something about their argument in that night was different. When she peeked at their kitchen, witnessing her mother cried for the first time.

Soon the fight became frequent and she could see the strain in their bond. From their averted eyes and obvious avoidance. It hurts seeing two of her most important person in her life slowly drifting apart.

It was the night of her incoming birthday when she asked her mother if they finally had a fall out because of the argument they were having.

Her mother explained that it was only a test of strengthening their bond. That, from time to time, adults had different resolve. It was natural in life to not have everything we always wanted and a one sided compromise had to be made. Her mother also taught her if she ever found herself in a situation or an argument with people she taught she could trust, always observed how they reacted in times of high emotions. If they reacted violently, immaturely and becoming so disrespectful just to make a point, leave those people. Because holding onto them was like holding a thorny stem of roses. It only hurt and she would never grow knowing her mistakes. Because emotions passed, but the words said after all the screaming and cursing embedded in mind. Leaving a permanent scar.

Why did she remember that all of the sudden?

She shook her head. That was the part of her memories she didn’t like remembering. Seriously, she should stop remembering her parents. It only made her nostalgic and sad–remorseful. She just hoped wherever her parents were right now, they were happy.

Tonight, she slept with a heavy heart clutching her pillow. Hoping for a dream with her parents in a blissful setting.

Friday 7:32 am

Narelle was running towards the building thinking that she might be late since she rarely ride a bus. She didn’t know how to properly compute the time of her commute yet.

Richard greeted her as she got closer to the entrance. She opened her bag since it was a required protocol before she was let inside.

Upon reaching the locker room, she immediately turned her phone off and shoving her bag inside, pulling out a small notepad and pen in case she had to jot down important procedure.

Her gait was obviously showed her nervousness and her hands fidget in front of her when her steps got closer to the security room. She was about to open the door when the door opened before her. Showing her ecstatic new boss.

“Relax, girly. You won’t do some serious, cool stuff on your first day. And oh. Here’s your id. Go back inside the locker room and clock in. You remembered where the scanner was?” Narelle nodded before she went back inside the locker room and hovered her id in front of the scanner. The scanner alerted her arrival and lit up the screen green.

When she got back inside the security room. Ailey was sitting in front of what appeared to be a keyboard panel. The overwhelming light coming from the screens made her sensitive eyes squint.

Ailey pat the swivel chair her boss pulled. “Come here, girly, I’ll teach you the basics so we can get the party started.”

Narelle swallowed and walked towards her boss with a stride filled with nervousness.

Her new boss discuss her the rules first upon entering the security room. It was a good move. She left her cellphone inside her locker room because distractions such as mobile devices were prohibited. And if she saw the others ignore them. Because they were bad influences. Oh, Narelle knew what her boss meant. Unfortunately, she couldn’t operate the panels yet because she had to venture every crevice of the building first. For now, just like what her boss told her yesterday, she would only be doing observation duty.

Ailey exhibits enthusiasm for her every question related to the job. It was obvious her boss like sharing her knowledge with those willing to learn.

In the middle of their discussion, the door opened and a woman inch taller than her entered. The woman stopped when their eyes met. She instantly expected disgust and anger would mold on the woman’s face, but she remained passive. Then the woman proceeded walking towards the chair beside her boss.

“So she’s the new girl, huh queen bee?” The woman asked. The newcomer had long, straight, white hair. She got two braids from both sides of her face that adorned with magenta colored laces and beads. Just like the color of her iris.

Ailey smiled, delighted for some reason. “Yes, hon. This is Narelle Wiltshire. She’s under level 1 until further notice she would be an additional member in morning shifts. Girly meet my second-in-command Heather Moore.”

“If I were you, I’d rather keep her here with us. Because those jerks will definitely bully her.” Heather huffed, clearly annoyed upon mentioning the jerks she’s pertaining.

“As much as I like to do that, you know the protocol for a trainee. She had to rotate her shifts every month for six months. But do not worry girly, after a year I will immediately take you under my wing, ok.” Ailey pat her head for reassurance.

“Well, I hope you last till six months of having to deal with the bunch of misogynistic dumbasses.”

Narelle gulped. Ailey just discussed her about the duration of her training and the shifts in her schedule every month. She assumed in night shifts were groups of men that she had to work with for the whole month. She really hoped she survive the three months of working with them.

“Come on, hon. Don’t scare her.” Ailey sighed. Even the ecstatic vibe surrounding her boss got dimmed from talking about the other group.

Ailey reassured her again, picking up her spirit up again before she continued her lecture. Heather seemed nice from how she threw some of her experiences from time to time. She also learned that Heather was a Psion type witch. Narelle was awestruck for a while after Ailey informed her what type of classification Heather was in. Psion types were rare in this era.

After her boss introduced and lecture her about her job, they do the rounds. First, they patrol the whole ground floor. Showing her every room. Mostly ground floor was where the man power worker lounge. Since ground floor had five main rooms in total. First the reception area, second the janitors’ room, third the locker room, fourth was the security room and last was the storage at the very back of the corridor. Before the back exit, where a parking lot was located. Ailey also showed her every position of the camera on the entire floor.

Her boss made sure she knew the blind spot. Because unfortunately camera couldn’t cover every line of sight for them on the screen. So the camera where tactically positioned next to the blind side of the other. Easier to catch up unsuspecting culprit from the next camera. Narelle made an assessment that whoever owned this building was one hell of the most paranoid yet strategic monster.

Soon, her nervousness faded when Ailey informed her she would be alone in her entire shift. Since they made a buddy system. And Ailey was great at teaching her.

After lunch, Ailey introduced her to the white collar floors. The first batch, which is the noisy bunch, Ailey suggested. Well, sure was noisy from all the telephone calls, fax and printer machine, from the typing and even the occasional chatter they passed by. As they ascended higher, the atmosphere got serious. The higher the floor, the higher the work position and department's importance. Their last stop was the floor fourteen. The floor beyond fourteen was prohibited with level 1 clearance. She was warned not to try going beyond upper levels or she would be fired in an instance.

Narelle nodded. That would be one of the test for her in the future.

She asked why was she prohibited. Ailey explained to her that the big boss was the one monitoring the upper floors. Where most of the important files were stored. So only people with level 3 had access. Level 2 was in between. Level 2 could only access the upper floor if they were granted by the bosses.

What a systematic structure of organization. It was no surprise Lun&Sol was one of the strongest corporation in the country.

When they returned to the security room. There were two additional creatures accompanying Heather. And based on Heather’s narrowed eyebrows and grimaced on her small lips. Those two must be the jerks from the bunch Heather mentioned earlier.

One of the men which was obviously a dark elf from the pointed ears and tanned skin that contrasted by the white hair with mischievous golden eyes. The dark elf perched on one of the swivel chair both arms rested on top of the backrest. Upon noticing their arrival, his stare turned into a leer. This one was immediately crossed out at her list a big no stumped on their forehead.

While the other man was standing, leaning against the wall. A dragonian. A dragon hybrid from a human and dragon parent. He was bigger that her boss, and buffer. But most importantly, intimidating as f**k, as he looked down at her with scorn sent through his slitted eyes.

“Oh, ho, ho. Look at that. A fresh meat.” That disgusted her. The dark elf said, voice laced with malicious giddiness.

Ailey walked towards them, blocking her from the view of the dark elf. “I appreciate if you behave as you can see. She is new here. I won’t ask why you two were early. I had a hunch most of you will be, anyway.” Ailey used her left hands to beckon her, and she stepped closer until she was at her boss’ left side. “This is Narelle Wiltshire. I’m warning you, if you did something nasty to her, I won’t hesitate stumping your asses down. Especially you Jasper”

Narelle followed where her boss was glaring and she discovered she was emphasizing her warning towards the dark elf. Figured.

“A human female? Really?” Jasper retorted.

Oh wow, the cap sure worked its wonders. It hid her tiny horn on top of her head. And since she was under a suppressant, they couldn’t tell a difference.

“I’m not dealing with you, f**k boy. Get off of the chair and go find something else to do than troubling us with your repugnant presence.”

“What still mad you couldn’t get this ass?”

Ailey scoffed. “I got standard. Unlike a pathetic swine like you that needs a constant stroke in his ego like a d**k with an erectile dysfunction.” Her boss smirked in satisfaction when Heather released a snigger and the other dude barked a cough in an attempt to cover a chuckle.

Jasper glared at them, including the dragonian. Before he indignantly huffed and pushed himself up from the chair he was leaning from. He gave her boss a glare before marching out of the security room.

Heather giggled before she spoke her own remark. “Oh, queen bee you got him good. I’m sure he’s jerking his frustration off.” As the woman continued giggling from her own comment.

Ailey showed her disgust at the idea while pulling one of the chair closer again. “I don’t care what he does in his free time. As long as his filthy presence is away from us. Anyway, that intimidating lizard over there is Theodore. Don’t worry about him. He is decent than that jerk you have to work with next month.”

Theodore finally moved away from the wall and stared at them. “Sure, I can behave. As long as you can keep what’s underneath that cute cap of yours.” And the dragonian chuckled before giving her a wink. Then he went out of the room too.

Another one crossed out from her list with a big no on the forehead.

Ailey sighed. “Of course he knew.”

“She’ll get used to it. Don’t let those jerks affects you. If you showed them your weakness, you’re just boosting their ego.” Heather peered at her and giving her a thumbs up.

She bowed down. Feeling the hotness gathering in her eyes. “Why are you so kind to me?”

Ailey put both of her hands on top of her shoulders. “Girly, have you met a succubus besides yourself?”

“No, ma’am.”

“No wonder you are so clueless, girly. You know your kin secretes pheromones, a stench. Well, I don’t smell anything from you. It makes me think you are taking those damn meds. For a reason. Which was hard for a succubus. And that gained my respect for you, Narelle. You don’t succumb just like the rest. For that, you are a fighter. Just like me and just like Heather.”

Narelle used all her willpower so she could stop herself from crying. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Ailey smiled at her, giving her head a pat. “Your welcome, girly.”

A fighter, she liked that.