Ch. 7 - Press conference
2000 Words
Breakfast went well. After having two dates in a row, it was a new record for me. I never really got past the first date with most men if they ever showed up. But Allistar was amazingly sweet and made sure I was comfortable.
He took me to work, where I spent most of my day at my desk. Today was rather slow, so I barely got to see Michael. Yet Allistar hadn't come in either to speak with the director per usual.
"Ms. Murdock." The directors voice startled me as I stirred away from the appointment book.
"Yes ma'am?" I said sweetly.
"We have a press conference today that came out of the blue. Some asshole started going off about us, saying we're responsible for something else. Who knows, just gather my notes and meet me downstairs in the garage."
"Of course." I nodded, gathering all her notes from the past week and organizing them. She had already headed down, allowing me to pack the papers in a folder before going to the garage elevator.
Excitement filled me as I got to be a part of the press conference. It was boring to most people because, yes, it is boring. But being a part of the action is great. You get to hear the whole story of what happened in there without it being edited, cut away because of someone's opinion, or dissected to be attacked by someone who didn't get the whole picture.
Exiting the elevator, I met the director at the car. She was waiting outside as she was talking to her driver.
"Ah good, thank you." She took the folder of papers, getting into the back. "Make sure that my appointments for today are rescheduled. Don't want them thinking I abandoned them."
"I-I'm not coming with you?" I asked, disappointment filling me.
She shook her head. "Not this one. But the next one I will see you there."
The door closed, leaving me behind as they drove away. I sighed, turning on my heels, and headed back upstairs.
Slumping back into my chairs, the office floor itself was busy like a beehive, working non-stop as the director was out. I opened the appointment book and began making phone calls. There were only a few people I had to call but I had no idea how long the conference was going to take. They could be quick or take hours. It all depended on what was going on.
Once I finished, I decided to head downstairs to see Michael. It was my break time, and Michael usually sat at his desk most of the day anyway.
"Hey Michael," I said as I walked over to his desk.
He was watching a small TV, looking distressed as he chewed on his thumb nail.
"What's going on?"
He looked at me, motioning me over to watch. I rounded the desk and stood next to him, watching. It was the press conference. The director was at the podium as Star Sovereign stood nearby, looking intense.
"We do not promote violence." The director stated. "We do promote the health and safety of our lands, water, and air for our people. Violence never solved anything. Even wars were ended by paperwork, but we have not been a part of the accusations brought to us by Star Sovereign."
She continued, stating that Star Sovereign was accusing the EPA of abiding in Nercobloom's attacks.
"Oh my God..." I breathed, watching as the smug look of the man stretched across his face.
"I can't even believe this." Michael rolled his eyes. "That narcissistic, homophobic asshole is at it again."
"Wait, this isn't the first time?"
"Absolutely not. Every time he does this, him and Necrobloom get into a huge fight. It's mostly because of what's going on in the Midwest."
"Are you talking about the coal fire?"
"Yes. Somehow, the coal mines caught fire, causing everyone to lose their homes and relocate. The entire city it covered in smoke and ash as the fire burns below like a volcano. It's amazing to see, but it's sad to know people lost their homes because the government there was too stubborn to accept alternative fuels."
"It's kind of hard when you spent years of your life doing a job, then you have thousands lose their jobs because of that. Yet, it's so much worse when millions lose their homes for that reason."
We sighed, shutting off the TV.
"So the director kept you here?" He asked, pulling out the little envelope.
"Yeah, to call her appointments. I finished, that's why I came down." I sighed again, not sure what to do.
"Well, look at it this way, if they get into a fight, you're nowhere near the battle zone. And on top of that, we can get coffee!" He waves the card in the air.
Smiling, we gleefully left the desk after putting up a sign and headed outside towards the shop. It seemed calm so far as we walked over to the shop, walking inside and ordering our drinks.
"So, how did your date go with Mr. you know who?" He raised his eyebrows playfully, sipping on his large drink.
"How'd you know we went on a date?" I asked, sipping mine as we walked back.
"Nothing happens in this town without me knowing." He laughed as we walked back inside.
"Well, we actually went on two dates. One last night and one this morning. It was a lot of fun."
He gasped, smiling. "Two in a row?! Oh my God, are you going to rush to number three? That's the important one." He seemed so giddy about it.
"What's so important about the third date?"
His jaw dropped. "Are you a virgin?"
"No. Why does that matter?"
"Okay, so the third date is the night you two have s*x. You guys rushed the first two, so either you're both just wanting to get into each other's pants, or at least he is." He sipped his drink again. "How did you not know that?"
I bit my lip, embarrassed to say it. "I never made it past the first date with most men. So, I just slept around with men who didn't want an emotional attachment."
He nodded. "Daddy issues? Me too."
"What, no." I laughed. "Well..." I thought about it.
My father left when my mother was pregnant with me. Afterward, she had a string of bad luck when it came to men. Which would explain my detachment from men.
"Do you think Allistar just wants to have s*x with me then dump me?" I asked, worried. My heart squeezed at the thought.
Michael shrugged. "It's hard to tell. The women he had before never lasted longer than a week. So, maybe? I don't want to worry you, but I don't want you to be caught off guard."
A week? it hasn't even been a full week of me being here. There has to be some way to stall.
The ground shook below us. Both Michael and I stared at each other in concern, switching the TV back on. The press conference was no longer going. It was a battle between Star Sovereign and Necrobloom.
"Called it." Michael sang.
"I hope the director is okay."
"I'm fine." She said as she walked into the door with her driver. "Did you finish the rearranging?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. I suggest not leaving here while they fight. All of downtown is a mess." She headed upstairs, leaving me with Michael.
We watched the fight on the TV. They were thrashing each other around into whatever they could. Star Sovereign picked up a car, and I gasped.
"What?" Michael asked.
"That's Allistar's car! He's down there." I froze for a moment, watching as he threw the car at Nercobloom. He caught it and gently sat it down. The rest was a blur as Star Sovereign flew full force into him, sending him flying into another building.
"He has a few businesses down there." Michael said. "But this isn't the first time, I'm sure he's fine."
Not feeling the confidence, I stared hopelessly at the fight. Worry filled me to the brim.
"I should get down there." I finished my drink and tossed the cup. Michael grabbed my arm before I could run off.
"What are you going to do? You'll get yourself killed!" He pleaded me not to go.
"I can't just watch this knowing he's down there!"
"If he cared about you, he'd want you safe, not running to go find him! That's reckless, and you know it. Wait until they calm down before running head first into the lions mouth."
He was right. What good would I be if I got hurt? I had no safety blanket if I couldn't work, and running towards the danger only gave you merit points for helping out. I'm not a first responder. But it hurt knowing Allistar was down there.
I don't know why I grew so attached to him so quickly. Maybe because of last night.
Agreeing to stay, we watched and waited as they fight slowly died down. Star Sovereign got his ass handed to him this time as Necrobloom body slammed him into the ground, leaving him in the giant indentation they made as he walked away. He was also hurt, gripping his sides as he took off, disappearing into the skyline.
Now, I was able to run off, heading to downtown. It wasn't too far, seeing the destruction along the way.
I made it down to where Allistar's car was at before, wading through the destruction as I helped anyone I could find out of the rubble. Most were fine, able to hide in places that protected them. Some were caught trying to get to the safe spots but didn't make it. They were pretty injured, but no one was dead so far.
With each person I helped out, I asked if they were okay and if they saw Allister. No one knew where he went. First responders came, helping with the rest of the people and gathering everyone to assess injuries. They thanked me for helping, taking over.
I wondered around to each building, trying not to lose hope as tears welled in my eyes.
Finally, I came across his car, peeking inside, to see if he was still there. There is no sign of him anywhere.
I slowly walked back towards the nearly leveled out city, my chest numb as I thought the worst.
"Andromeda?" Allistar's voice caught my attention. I looked around quickly and found him at an ambulance with a few other people. His arm was in a sling as his face was bruised and had a few cuts.
Joy filled me as I ran over and hugged him, my arms wrapped around his waist as my face buried in his chest.
He groaned in pain but held me with his other arm. "What are you doing down here?"
"I saw your car get thrown while watching the fight with Michael. I was so worried." I buried my face in his chest again.
Smiling, he rubbed my back as he walked me away from the chaos. Refusing to let go, he sat with me on a bench nearby. He stayed quiet as he patted my back.
My mind went back to what Michael said about the girls never lasting longer than a week. Allistar may have said that he wanted something meaningful, but it still worried me that we may have rushed it.
"I'm sorry if I got so worked up." I said, wiping my tears away and letting him go. I stared down at the ground.
"I know we still barely know each other and that the third date is coming... but -" He kissed me on the lips before I could finish talking.
"I think it's very sweet of you to worry about me. But as for the date, I was wondering something else." His voice was a bit rough.
- Writer
