The Downfall

Chapter Four

Tying her hair up into a messy ponytail, Nadia rushed around her apartment, desperate to get ready and out the door on time. Grabbing her briefcase she glanced in the mirror for a moment, giving a small sigh as she vowed to fix her hair and put on a bit of makeup while Seth drove her to work. It was her first day at a new job; she was an official strategist now. And a damn good one at that. Walking out to where her friend’s ( read : best friend’s ) car was, she plopped into the seat, her body instantly molding to fit it.

“ ‘Bout damn time you got up. “ Seth spoke to her a small, teasing smile on his face. Nadia slugged his arm. “ Shut your mouth. “ She grumbled out, shifting so she could reach all of her hair. She had been debating cutting it for almost a month now. The only reason why she really kept it was because she couldn’t truly visualize herself without her long hair.

He was the one who wanted to meet for coffee over a year ago. Pulling the hair ponytail up, she placed it into a sleek, high ponytail that looked professional and showed off her angular cheekbones. “ Has the addict had her morning coffee yet? “ Seth questioned, glancing down at her as he drove. He knew she hadn’t. If she had she wouldn’t have been as irritable as she was now-- or felt as rushed as she did.

It wasn’t until she looked down to sort through her briefcase did she realize that she was wearing two different colored heels. “ What the f**k? “ She groaned out, leaning her head back. Seth chucked and she resisted the urge to punch him again. Letting her eyes close for what felt like a few moments was actually twenty minutes. “ We’re here. “ Seth spoke, shaking her shoulder lightly.

Giving a small huff, she looked towards him with eyes that practically screamed ‘ don’t make me. ‘ He shooed her out of the car with the promise of bringing her a coffee and some lunch later. Sticking her tongue out at him, she walked towards the seemingly gigantic building. Her new workplace. In the capital city of rebellion territory. Taking a deep breath, she raised her chin and pushed her shoulders back; daring anyone to challenge her today, mismatched heels and all.

Pushing the doors open, she walked in and immediately headed to where she was told her office was. ‘ Just keep moving, one foot in front of the other. ‘ She told herself mentally. Positive attitude. It was something Seth was persistently trying to drill into her; she figured it was working. She’d never tell him that, however.

Finding her office she was surprised to see a small girl, smaller than she was, sitting in her chair. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, fixing to exit when the woman in the chair called out to her. “ I’ve been waiting for you. “ If that didn’t make her skin prickle, she wasn’t sure what truly did. Turning slowly to face the other, she crossed her arms. Raising a single eyebrow, she motioned for the other to go on. A new job and she was already thinking she was the s**t around here, Nadia was sure her other coworkers wouldn’t like her much.

“ Let me introduce myself, I’m Genevieve Keen. “ The other woman smirked, “ I’m your competition. “ As soon as the word competition registered in her brain, Nadia’s eyes narrowed. She could tell; she already didn’t like the other. She knew what the other meant, she wanted Nadia’s job.

“ You’d have to meet my standard before even thinking of passing me. “ Nadia sneered out, opening the door for the other. A clear sign that her stay was no longer welcome in Nadia’s office. The other stared at her for a moment, blue eyes piercing her green ones before scoffing and bumping into Nadia before walking out the door.

Finally, Nadia was able to sit down. Plopping down in her chair she took a slow look around her office. Everything in it was hers. It would be a fresh start; a new beginning. At least, that’s what she was hoping. When the alarms blared and the red lights flashed, panic gripped at her heart. It had to be a drill, right? But when she heard people screaming she knew. It wasn’t a drill. Kicking off her shoes she looked around. What could she do? Looking around she spotted a window. It wouldn’t be much, but it would be something.

Stashing the shoes in one of the drawers, she locked her office door and hurried over to the window. Trying to make as minimal sound as possible. Unlocking the latches, she tried pulling it up, glancing nervously behind her when it creaked. She only opened it enough for her small body to climb through. Landing on the fire escape she took off. Stair after stair, ladder after ladder until she made it to the bottom. Lunch with Seth would have to wait.

She tried to make sure she didn’t leave anything the could use to track her, but once she felt around her pockets she realized she had left her phone. The same phone she had kept all of her contacts in that led to most of the most important figures in the rebellion. How was she so clueless? She didn’t even activate the wipe all when someone guessed her password incorrectly twice. Making her way out to the street, she looked around. She had to warn these people. Cupping her hands to her mouth she let out a yell of “ Code Red! “

Some turned to look at her and her panic stricken face before repeating her yells. They were to follow their evacuation plans. The capitol was found. They were going to die. It was over. But first, they needed to get as many people hidden or out as possible. She had to find Seth and leave if they stood any chance. But running back to her apartment, he found her before she was able to find him. He threw open the passenger door and she climbed in. Suddenly they were off. In the middle of putting on her seatbelt-- safety first kids, she noticed bruises and cuts that weren’t there before.

“ Jesus, Seth. What happened to you? “ Nadia gasped out, finishing putting on her seatbelt before gently touching his face, trying to inspect it without having him tear his eyes from the road. He only clenched his jaw in return.

“ I made a mistake, Nad. “ He spoke, his voice holding an angry tone but also an underlying fearful one. Nobody was truly fearful of a mistake-- not here, not unless they were running from something. Brows furrowed in confusion, she let her fingers drop from his face. She braced herself up against the door of the car, her arms crossing over her chest.

“ Seth, what did you do? “ Her voice was soft now, but still filled with confusement and accusation. Seth winced, the accusation in her voice cutting him like a thousand knives. “ Let’s get somewhere safe, and then I’ll explain everything. I promise. “ Watching him with careful eyes, Nadia agreed, watching their home drive past in a blur.