SNAKE
1280 Words
I feel relieved once out of the hotel. Fresh air feels so good. Can heal any level of paranoia. Now to get back to work. But of course I just can't walk out like I'm the president of crime scenes. Not with the police there and the hungry reporters. No one can know what I was here for. Not even Kane. I hope he doesn't put two and two together.
I know my boss would throw me under the bus in a heartbeat. And I don't have the money for the lawsuit that could follow. This is the mayor who is dead, not some random guy on the street. Obviously they will keep everything on the down low because in case of any conspiracies in the local government, no dirty laundry could have already been aired out for the public.
Lucky for me, it is now that they carry out the body in a bag. Camera crew trample on one another to get shots of the bag being loaded in a van. Reporters are busy trying to keep up with their cameras. Imagine a hive of bees being poked. The perfect distraction for me to make my clean getaway. Couldn't waste any more precious time because Miss Depps says it's apparently very important not to.
Got into a cab and headed back to the office. Can't wait to throw my news in her face and feel like a queen for a second . It is about noon now. At the office we break for lunch halfway past. I have thirty minutes to catch the boss and save my internship. This knowledge gets my heart racing. I feel worst than a student about to sit their finals. And people really outdo themselves with panicking like come on, it's an exam like any other!
Seeing the building up ahead gives me goosebumps. This is really happening! I know I've done the hardest part so this one should be easy. I hope she doesn't ask for proof as in photos. I knew I didn't prepare enough for these finals!
"Miss are you okay? " The driver asks concerned.
I take a deep breath.
"Yeah. Thank you. " I give her a forced smile.
"Sure thing. "
"Hey, can I ask you something? "
"Customer is always right, shoot. "
Uh...
"So let's say hypothetically, you have this piece of information that anyone would kill to have. It could save your job but you know there is consequences in sharing this. Would you be a bad person for just trying to survive? "
"Lemme tell you a story , once in college there was this murder investigation on my hostel block. The police asked students with any information to go record the statement with them. We were all scared because the deceased was a friend to most people on the block. There is always one of those. "She smiles sadly, "I didn't know anything so I didn't go to the police. Some who had info went and recorded the statements, " She smoothly pulls over in front of the building. " Six months later someone commits suicide and the note left had every bit of information the police could have used to catch a murderer. The guilt of knowing you should have shared but didn't, in fact aided the criminal to get away, can drive you to kill yourself. "
Okay!
"I know it can't be the same but in most cases, staying quiet doesn't help you but the criminal. Don't be a toll. "
"Thank you. Here. " I hand her some money and get off the vehicle.
So I breathe in a long one. Just to calm my nerves. I have to try save my internship you know. I'm sorry I use the dead for that. I was given an ultimatum so I don't have time to think about the immorality of this.
I walk a lot more confident with a thought of accepting rejection at the back of my mind.
'This is not enough! ' I can already hear her yelling at me. Calling me useless. I say the only reason she is successful is because she was born earlier than me. She had more time to make something of her life. Doesn't make her anything special. I will have my time too.
When I step into the building expecting a lot of activities in there, I'm met with sad stares. Everyone is at standstill just pitying me. Great, I always love a lively welcome committee! No one says anything to me, Just stare.
Something tells me to pass by my desk and when I do I find someone else occupying it. Someone else that I have never seen. I have already been fired? I want to laugh and cry at the same time. Why do I expect better things when life likes to give me lemons that are mostly skin and seed.
"Hello, how can I help you? You go to the boss through me! "
"Yeah?... Well I'm good. "
"Annie, you came back. "
Only one person calls me that!
"I did. And found out I was fired! "
"I told you Annie, if you don't get anything don't bother coming back. I cleared your desk and sent everything to your place. I'm sorry but I can't keep you around if you are not productive. This is a business too you know. And good luck. "
I laugh taking all three of us by surprise.
"You know the irony of this all is I have exclusive information about the mayor's death. I did get inside the hotel, the crime scene. I know a lot more than all the other journalists. But I guess I get to take it all home. In case you haven't figured it out yet, they are not going to give any information other than the mayor is dead. Good luck too. "
Wow! Now where did I even get all that confidence! Let me bask in it anyway. So with my head held high, I walk away. I add some hips shaking like, 'Yeah watch my ass walk out! '
"Annie wait, it was just a warning. You can have your job back. "I here the boss yelling then her stilettos tapping the floor as she chases after me.
I walk even faster. It feels so good to be chased for once. And I like how the others are looking puzzled seeing this cat and mouse run.
"Annie slow down, let's talk about this. "
I keep walking and now waving at her other employees. No just her employees.
"Annie! Annie! "She yells obviously fed up with my antics and obviously learning the hard way how people don't like being ignored.
I stop abruptly. Show her the finger. She continues.
"Annie! " This one louder than any other.
I feel a headache coming on. So I exit quickly almost passing through the door. Both my hands over my head . The headache keeps growing. I still hear someone calling me Annie not really sure whom it is any more. I almost get knocked down by a car which turns out is a taxi which I give instructions to take me home. I can't say I'm awake at the same time I can't say I'm unconscious. Just hanging in there.
When I'm dropped off I barely make it inside. But I do and throw myself halfway on my couch being overwhelmed by the headache. I start to scream because it becomes more and more. I hear voices calling me and telling me things all at once.
I pass out on the spot. Sweet oblivious relief.
- Writer
