Kidnapped by Wolves

---Holly--- “You’re fired” Were the words I heard when I walked into work in the morning. I didn’t say anything. I must have heard wrong. “You have 30 minutes to pack up your desk. Security will escort you out. Well, s**t, I heard him right. “What did I do? I thought I was doing better? My numbers are up, and I have positive reviews!” “Too little too late. We have received complaints from your coworkers, and your direct supervisor says you don’t take criticism well. We just can’t afford staff like you at our distinguished company.” Bull. s**t. The coworker that complained was probably the one I caught giving my supervisor, Richard, a handy. My not “taking criticism well” was presumably because I refused to join in. I guess I wasn’t trusted with their dirty little secret and therefore was out. f**k that and f**k them. “Whatever. I hate this hell hole anyway. Do I need to wait for my babysitter, or can I go pack up now?” I folded my arms with as much sass as I could muster. If I was out anyway, I’d sure as hell make a spectacle of myself. At least the coworkers I like will get a show to break up the monotony. “Bill, please escort Ms. Greer to her desk then out of the building.” My i***t ex- area manager said to the only member of security that wasn’t an asshole. I waited for Bill to catch up before I made my way up the stairs. Once I was safely out of eyesight of the gawkers, I let my arms drop and leaned against the wall. “I wish they would have at least fired me yesterday, so I didn’t need to make my way all the way out here. My commute is 45 minutes. f**k this place.” “Sorry, Holly. What they’ve done isn’t right. Have you considered going to HR? Or you could file a wrongful termination claim?” Bill said to me consolingly. Bill was a cute old man just a few years away from retirement. He was a vet and took his position of security seriously. I liked him because he truly loved his job and was committed to making the building as safe as possible. I’d really miss him. “Thanks, Bill, but no. I think I’m just going to let this all go. This company has taken enough from me; I don’t even want to deal with it anymore. Alright, you ready for a show?” I asked him, grinning. I raised my head and climbed up the remaining steps, slamming the door to my floor open. Bill followed me, attempting to keep a serious face.  “Hey fuckwads, how are you doing today? Did you know that Betty has been f*****g our dear supervisor to get ahead? In case you were wondering how that lazy b***h was getting raises while you work your asses off to get nothing, that’s why. They’re both taking the same vacation time at the end of the month too! I’m sure it’ll be a totally professional vacation, though, don’t worry. No hanky panky, just lots of meaningful conversation.” I made sure to let my voice carry throughout the floor. My ex-coworkers were openly gawking at me, taking turns looking between me and Richard’s closed door.  I got to my cubicle and threw my things unceremoniously in the box Bill had brought with him. I wasn’t worried about breaking anything; I didn’t have anything of value here. After leaving my cubicle with a box full of broken nick nacks, Richard’s office door opened. “Oh hey, d**k! Pleasant weather we’re having today, aren’t we. What were you doing in there? Or should I say, who were you doing?” I called out to him. I usually didn’t like making jokes about people’s names, but this i***t was an exception. Nothing was out of bounds if I was going to be edged out due to his dirty laundry. Besides, d**k was a perfect nickname for the jackass that got me sacked. “Ms. Greer, that is enough. I don’t know why you think I have an inappropriate relationship with Betty, but I do not. I treat her with the same respect I treat all my employees.” d**k was attempting to save face, but I wasn’t about to let that happen. “Where are you and Betty going on vacation? A cruise? You seem like a cruise kind of man. Careful you both apply lots of sunscreen, so no one suspects you’ve been sunbathing together. HR won’t like that.” I flipped Richard the bird as I made my way back toward the stairs. “I told you, I did not have s****l relations with that woman.” Richard was going red in the face now. “Oh, I see, you quoting disgraced presidents now? Well, keep telling yourself that they believe you. Smell ya later!” My ex-corkers were hiding smirks and giggles behind their hands. I hadn’t been particularly talkative at work before being unceremoniously ousted, which probably made this whole display even more shocking.   I opened the stairwell door and waltzed inside. “Sorry about that, Bill. I hope you don’t get chewed out for letting me make that display. I had to make sure Richard got what was coming to him.” “I think I’ll be fine. You may have had a lot to say, but you packed up your things and left quickly as per protocol. I wasn’t told I needed to keep you quiet.” Bill reassured me with a small smile. “I don’t think Richard will be fine, though. HR is about to get an earful.” I laughed at the image of a panicked Richard trying to explain his blatant favoritism to HR, especially after the stunt I just pulled. “Hopefully, he’s next after me.” We walked into the lobby. “It’s been really nice getting to know you, Bill. I hope you enjoy your last couple of years before retirement.” “I hope I see you around, Holly. Good luck.” He said to me as the lobby doors opened.  I waved as I left the building and walked to my car. I threw the box of junk into my passenger seat when I got in, not caring to be particularly gentle. I turned the radio on full blast, hoping to drown out my emotions with some 80’s rock. Bon Jovi always knew how to make me feel better. Before I had the chance to pull out of my parking space, I heard an advertisement for some contest. I usually tuned these things out; the chances of winning them were minuscule. Today though, I thought maybe I’d be lucky. I had horrible luck getting fired, so I’d perhaps have some good karma now to make up for it? Hell, it was worth a shot. I used my phone to go to the website the ad suggested. There was a short questionnaire asking both demographic questions as well as ones about employment and income. I shrugged and spent the 5 minutes filling out the application. After all, I had nowhere to be.