Chapter 2: Cryptic Message
1175 Words
Rue’s office was quiet as usual, the faint hum of the computer the only sound filling the space. She sat at her desk, sorting through some papers when the door swung open.
Althea strode in, her energy bursting into the room like a shot of espresso. She tossed her bag onto the desk and flopped into the chair across from Rue. "Good morning! What’s the plan today?"
Rue barely glanced up, already sensing the incoming chaos. "Nothing much. Just the usual."
Althea’s gaze flicked past her and landed on Atreus, who was standing by the window, arms crossed, brooding like a misplaced action hero.
“Uh…” Althea tilted her head, squinting at him. “And who’s the human gargoyle?”
Atreus smirked, clearly unbothered. “Atreus. And I prefer ‘watchful protector,’ but sure, gargoyle works.”
Althea raised a brow. “You got a last name, or are you pulling a one-name celebrity thing?”
Atreus didn’t miss a beat. “Like Prince.”
Rue sighed, rubbing her temples. "He’s… here to help."
Atreus turned, finally facing them, arms still crossed. "More like here to keep her alive, but let’s not get caught up in technicalities."
Althea’s eyes widened, flicking between them. "Wait, what? Is there something I should be worried about? Did I miss a someone’s-trying-to-kill-Rue memo?"
Rue shot him a glare. "Can you not?"
Atreus shrugged. "Just saying what your father would."
Althea's lips parted in shock before a slow grin spread across her face. “Wait, your dad hired him?” She leaned in, barely containing her amusement. “Rue, you have a bodyguard?”
Rue’s jaw clenched. “Against my will.”
Althea chuckled, shaking her head. “Wow. Didn’t have that on my bingo card for the year.”
Atreus smirked. “I’m full of surprises.”
Althea shot Rue a look. “How are you dealing with this?”
Rue exhaled sharply. “I’m not.”
Atreus sat on the edge of her desk, clearly entertained. "I don’t know, I think we’re getting along just fine."
Rue shot him a dry look. "I will staple your hand to my desk."
Atreus grinned. “Kinky.”
Althea choked on a laugh. "Oh, I like him."
Rue groaned. “You would.”
Atreus gave Althea a satisfied nod. “I like you too, new favorite person.”
Rue stood abruptly. “Okay, out. Both of you. I actually have work to do.”
Althea held up her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. But first, tell me—how’s Gino?”
Rue tensed slightly but masked it well. “He’s fine.”
Althea gave her a knowing look. “Just fine? That’s all I get?”
Atreus perked up. “Oh, this I wanna hear.”
Rue sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “No, you don’t.”
Atreus ignored her. “Who’s Gino? A boyfriend? A complicated boyfriend?”
Althea wiggled her eyebrows. “Very complicated.”
Rue shot Althea a seriously? look before exhaling. “Gino and I are… figuring things out.”
Atreus leaned back against the desk, arms folded. “Figuring things out? That’s code for things are a mess but I don’t want to admit it.”
Rue’s eyes darkened. “You’re really pushing your luck.”
Atreus only smirked. “Wouldn’t be fun if I didn’t.”
Althea clapped her hands together. “Alright, I’ll let you two lovebirds bicker in peace.” She grabbed her bag and stood. “But I swear, Rue, if you don’t give me actual details on Gino soon, I’ll start making them up.”
Rue waved her off, relieved as Althea finally headed for the door.
But just as she reached for the handle, she paused, pulling an envelope from her bag.
“Oh, before I forget.” She turned back, holding it out. “This was outside the office door when I got here. No return address, just your name.”
Rue took the envelope, her brows furrowing. The paper was thick, slightly rough under her fingertips. Something about it made her uneasy.
Atreus took a step closer, eyeing the envelope with mild curiosity. "Well? Open it."
Rue hesitated, turning it over in her hands. No markings. No stamp. Just her name written in neat, unfamiliar handwriting.
“Any idea who it’s from?” Althea asked.
Rue shook her head.
The air in the room shifted—subtle but noticeable. Atreus’s usual smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more calculating.
“You gonna open it, or do I need to do a dramatic countdown?” Atreus asked.
Rue shot him a look but finally slid her finger under the flap, tearing it open. She pulled out a single sheet of paper.
The moment her eyes scanned the words, her stomach clenched.
The note was short. With cryptic words.
"I'm watching you. We'll meet soon."
Rue’s fingers tightened around the paper, her mind racing.
Althea frowned. “What is it?”
Rue hesitated before handing it over. Althea’s face shifted from curiosity to concern as she read it. “Okay, this is… creepy.”
Atreus plucked the paper from Althea’s hands before Rue could protest, his expression unreadable as he studied the writing. "Huh."
Rue crossed her arms. “Huh? That’s all you have to say?”
Atreus ignored her, holding the note up to the light as if looking for hidden details. Then he glanced at the envelope again. “No return address, no signature. Looks like whoever sent this wanted to stay anonymous.”
Althea snorted. “Wow, thanks for the groundbreaking analysis.”
Atreus smirked. “I aim to impress.”
Rue reached for the paper, but he pulled it just out of reach.
“Give it back.”
Atreus held it higher. “Not yet. This is interesting.”
Rue’s patience snapped. She grabbed a stapler off her desk and hurled it at him.
Atreus caught it midair without looking, still reading the note. “Really? Again with the office supplies?”
Rue glared. “I was hoping you’d let that one hit you.”
Althea huffed. “Okay, seriously—what do we do about this? It’s probably just some stupid prank, right?”
Atreus finally handed the note back to Rue. “Maybe.”
Rue hated the way he said that. Like he knew something she didn’t.
Atreus leaned against the desk again, watching her closely. “You pissed off anyone recently?”
Rue let out a dry laugh. “That’s a long list.”
Althea groaned. “Great. Just great.”
Rue sat down, staring at the note, tension curling in her gut. She didn’t like this. At all.
Atreus’s voice was casual when he spoke again, but there was an edge to it. “I think we should take this seriously.”
Rue exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “I hate that I agree with you.”
Atreus grinned. “See? We’re making progress.”
Rue rolled her eyes, but her grip tightened on the paper.
- Writer
