26. What A First Day

With her breathing heavy, Elisa's eyes fly open when someone knocks on her bedroom door. Immediately, she squeezes them shut again, remembering yesterday's events very well. She doesn't want to be a part of this, and now she's forced to start her job in the management wing. Forced to wake up without Five by her side. Oh, how she wants (and needs) his arms to be curled around her waist. It's been too long already.

A groan leaves her lips when the knocking becomes louder and more aggressive. One day. That's all she has. Unless she succeeds in contacting one of the siblings. With such guard 24/7, it's as good as impossible. This whole mission is as good as impossible.

"Get up," the handler orders on the other side of the door.

Surprised, Elisa sits up quickly. She expected it to be Hazel who was knocking-not the handler.

"Open the door, Elisa." The handler's voice betrays her. There's clear annoyance audible. "It's a big day today."

"My first day of work," Elisa mumbles, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

The handler has heard her. "Indeed!" she replies in an excited voice.

Groaning another time, Elisa pushes herself out of the bed. She can't have slept three hours; this day is going to be awful. "I'm coming," Elisa tells the handler in a quiet voice. Everything that happened last night, Elisa feels sick to the bone. It's a good thing she hasn't seen anything, but she heard everything. Every single moan out of pain, every cry, every scream. It lasted for hours. Only when Elisa was completely sure that Cha Cha had left, she dared to climb out of the tiny, hidden space.

The man, Riden, didn't notice her. He was awake, yes, but he was too much in pain to realize if someone was passing him. Elisa wanted to help him, to get him out of there, but she could not. The handler would know. Plus, she's here for Vanya. Vanya. Vanya. Vanya.

Elisa opens the door slowly, revealing an excited and beaming handler. This makes Elisa even sicker together with the images of Riden flashing in front of her eyes. She knows that he's laying there, in the cage, barely breathing because of her orders. She knows. How can she even live with herself?

Fortunately, Elisa is able to keep her expression calm. She forces the corners of her mouth to curl up, and the handler's grin widens.

"The colleagues are so eager to see you again," she tells Elisa, walking passed her, into the room. "I came to get you, but I see you're not ready yet."

"I don't have an alarm to wake me up." Elisa shrugs. "Thought that someone would wake me up."

This makes the handler chuckle. "You're enjoying Hazel's company then?"

"Very." Elisa rolls her eyes, knowing very well that he's only at Elisa's side because the handler has ordered him to.

"I only want to be sure that you're not partnering up with Five, or something." The handler sits down on Elisa's unmade bed. Just when she finishes her sentence, she looks straight at Elisa.

The need to look away is there, but Elisa forces herself to stare back at the handler. "There's no reason to partner up with him," she attempts to reassure the handler. Vanya. Vanya. Vanya. "He betrayed and deceived me. I can't ever forgive him for what he did."

"Right," the handler murmurs quietly. "Well, Hazel his nightshift has come to an end. There's someone new. I don't think you've met him yet."

"Who is it?" Elisa asks curiously.

"Some Herb." The handler points at the door. She then gestures for Elisa to come closer.

Elisa obliges, and she approaches the handler.

"I don't like the man very much," the handler whispers quietly. There's a smile tugging at her lips. "Weird, that he is."

"And you've put me up with him?" Elisa frowns, also smiling.

The handler laughs softly. "Well, I wouldn't complain if you made his day a little rough."

"Maybe I will." Elisa laughs, too.

After asking Elisa to join her for lunch, the handler exits the room, beaming again. Now, Elisa has time to dress. Her eyes fall on the ruined dress from yesterday. Oh, Anne will murder her. Liam might shrug, but that's it. He doesn't care much about Elisa and the clothes she's wearing. On the other hand, it couldn't intrest Anne more.

The dress is awfully hidden underneath Elisa's bed. It's a miracle, really, that the handler didn't notice the ruined piece of clothing. It has mud on it, and after climbing the tree, it even got several rips. By then, Elisa didn't care about keeping the dress decent anymore. She was too busy crying over the man that was moaning out of pain in the torture chamber.

Now, Elisa has to work at management-the place where they get assigned events in time, and they have to determine if someone has to die in order for everything to happen as it should. That means more blood on her hands.

Well, she can't wear the ruined dress anymore. It'll hurt Anne's feelings, obviously, but it'd be clear what Elisa was doing last night when everyone sees the dress. Elisa turns to the closet. It cracks open, and it reveals more outfits inside. It's a good thing that Anne and Liam left more than one dress.

But Elisa doesn't like the idea of dresses. She has looked enough like the handler last night, and she won't do it again. She's her own person and not only the handler's adopted daughter.

Elisa scans the closet. There are two more dresses, several pants and shirts. She'd be happier with sweaters, sure, but at least she can finally have the style she never could have when living with a limited budget last year. She ends up with a black, leather pants, a black belt and a white shirt. It's a little too big, but it finishes her outfit even more. Happy with the way she looks, Elisa tugs the shirt in her pants.

Then it's time to leave her room. As the handler had said, Herb is already outside Elisa her door. He's a short man. He smiles widely, holding a tray with breakfast upon it. "Here's your breakfast-"

"I don't have time to eat," Elisa replies shortly.

Saddened, Herb places the tray on the ground. When he's upright again, he shoves the tray against the wall so everyone can pass. "All right," he murmurs.

The handler had asked to annoy the man, but Elisa didn't do it for her. Really, she won't do anything for that woman anymore. These are frustrations that are taking her over.

Having ruined the first introduction, Elisa sighs. She rubs her forehead while doing so. "I'm sorry, Herb." A weak smile gets forced on her lips. "Morning mood, I think."

"It's fine." His smile widens again. "You must be stressed for your first day, miss Brookle." Miss Brookle. It sounds so formal. So not Elisa.

Still, Elisa doesn't correct him. These are commission's rats. They're bad. They're horrible. They know what goes on in here, and yet, they are still here. Elisa is, too, but this is for a greater purpose. Vanya needs rescuing.

"I am," Elisa admits, staring in front of her at the wall. Herb, being as short as he is, doesn't reach that height. "I'm going there now." Today truly is promised to be a rough and long day.

First, Elisa has to make sure everyone trusts her at management. Once they do, Elisa can use her job as a case manager to contact one of the siblings. Yes, and then she can find out more about Vanya. Maybe she can chat with some colleague there. Then, in the evening, there'll be another search.

"Isn't it a little early?" Herb tilts his head.

Elisa starts to walk, passing Herb. She only shrugs in response.

"Are you sure you don't even want one croissant?"

"I had enough yesterday." Elisa smirks, knowing very well that the majority of the croissants is laying outside right now. "I want to be there in time." Actually, if Elisa is the only one there, then she can already contact the siblings.

-

Elisa is not the only one there.

Her jaw drops a little, but she recovers herself quickly. In front of her are . . . Well, the huge room is completely full. It seems she wasn't the only one who wanted to start early.

"Welcome again, miss Brookle!" A woman runs up to Elisa. A huge smile is plastered on her lips. Oh, Elisa knows this woman, but she isn't as content to see her. No, not at all.

"Dot," Elisa greets the woman called Dot quietly.

"I see you've met Herb." Dot waves shortly at Herb. He waves back excitedly, not noticing how all her attention is on Elisa. Dot's eyes are already back on Elisa for her to notice Herb's kind gesture. "I'll watch over her now, Herb." Dot doesn't even look at him again.

Elisa doesn't like this woman, and she never has. Like last time she was put in this wing to work, Dot is overexcited. Every time she lays eyes on Elisa, she's in awe. It's as if Elisa is some celebrity. Of course, she probably is in the eyes of practically everyone here. After all, she's the handler's adopted daughter. She's the only person that the handler-actually-smiles at. But Dot isn't only mesmerized by Elisa because of the handler. No, it's as if this woman actually needs Elisa's acceptance. Elisa has always had this feeling, this voice, that told her that this woman knows something that Elisa does not.

"I'll be working here, too," Herb tells Elisa, but she, too, doesn't turn to look at him. Elisa is busy scanning the room. It's most shocking, really. Just one room almost fills the entire wing. Hundreds of case managers are sitting behind their desks, all in neat rows.

"Why is everyone here already?" Elisa asks Dot, finally turning to look at the woman again. "I thought I'd be the first one here."

"That's true." Herb chuckles. "She even left her breakfast-"

"We wanted to be in time to surprise you." Dot gestures at all the employees behind her.

"You sure did." Elisa forces a smile on her lips. These persons need to trust her. They need to accept her.

"Welcome," a woman that passes says to Elisa. She lays her hand on Elisa's shoulder, making Elisa flinch away a little. The woman frowns softly, but she decides to ignore the way Elisa flinched away from her. It doesn't take long until she heads back to her desk.

Herb pushes Dot aside, surprising both himself and Dot. In response, Dot scoffs quietly, and Herb ignores it completely. He only smiles kindly at Elisa. "I'll be behind my desk. The handler did ask me to look after you, so if you don't mind, I'll be following you wherever you go."

"I do mind." Elisa shrugs. "Tell me, Herb, what'll you do if I need to go to the toilet?"

His mouth falls open a little. "I guess I'll be waiting outside-"

"You will not." Elisa pats the tiny man on his shoulder. "I'm sure you've got more important matters to handle than to go with me to the toilet, Herb." Plus, she needs time alone if she wants to make sure she can contact one of the siblings.

Herb does not answer, but he thinks about it. He retreats to his desk. Elisa is planning to do the exact same, but she stops when Dot claps once.

"Let me assist you." Her smile comes back. "Follow me, miss Brookle."

Quietly, Elisa nods. She follows Dot through the thin path between the many, many desks. Neither Dot, nor Elisa speaks up again. Only when Dot arrives at one of the very few empty desks, she says, "Here is your special place."

"Special place." Elisa scoffs.

"Here's your report." Dot grabs a paper out of the desk its drawer. "You know what you have to do? Remember: the time line has changed, and it's your task to repair it. You only have to determine if someone has to be removed in order for everything to happen as it should."

"I know." Elisa sighs, knowing very well that everything she fills in on that order has a massive consequence. A family will lose a member if she decides someone has to be indeed removed. A person will lose his or her life. This is a normal routine for every other person in this room, but it is not for Elisa. How can they not be full of guilt? How is it possible that they haven't quit this awfully, shitty job? "I know what I have to do."

"Then you're ready to start," Dot says excitedly. "I'll be right behind you. If you do need my he-"

"I won't." Elisa shakes her head, determined. "I'll be just fine." She always is . . . right?

Elisa takes place behind her desk, ignoring Dot's stares. A spot right in front of her. Great. She doesn't want to even read the damned report, but she has to. She has to read a fucking report while Vanya is locked up somewhere inside of the commission.

She touches the paper without actually paying any attention to the words upon it. Her vision blurs as she loses herself in her thoughts. Then Elisa narrows her eyes. She cannot wait any longer. She must contact the siblings, and find a way to find Vanya.

Another paper is quickly taken out of one of the drawers, and Elisa hastily grabs a pen.

I'm all right. Vanya is here somwhere-I'm sure of it. But I need more time. Give me a few extra days.

With that on the paper, Elisa stands up. Quickly, she folds the paper, and then puts it in her pants' pocket. Without glancing at Dot, Elisa takes off. No one looks up. They're all busy with their own work. Only . . . Only Herb looks up.

"Shit," Elisa whispers under her breath. Herb stands up, gesturing for Elisa to slow down, so he can come with her, but Elisa shakes her head. She needs to make sure he doesn't follow her. Not at all. An idea pops into her head.

Hastily, Elisa rushes to the door.

"Wait up!" Herb calls, but Elisa shakes her head.

"Herb, don't come," she tells him, not turning to look at the tiny man. "You can't come."

"I have to-" he starts, but Elisa cuts him off.

"Woman problems, Herb!"

Confused, he stops in his tracks. "Woman problems?" he repeats, trying to find out what exactly Elisa is saying. This is going exactly as Elisa has planned.

"There's blood sipping through my panti-" Elisa stops when she notices Herb his eyes widening.

"I understand!" he says, his face already reddening. "You can go-"

"It might take a while," Elisa explains. "I've got to go to my room and change."

"All right!" Herb hides his embarrassed face with his hands. "I'll stay here."

Elisa smiles. Part one of the mission has been accomplished. "Thanks, Herb!"

Throwing the doors closed behind her, Elisa exits the room full of case managers. Full of people who are utterly ashamed by the way Elisa had to explain her situation. It's ridiculous, really. But Elisa truly enjoyed embarrassing Herb. The look on his face-oh, it was worth it. Plus, it got her off her work for a while. Herb won't be expecting her soon, and that gives Elisa enough time to contact one of the siblings and to look for Vanya.

In a quick pace, Elisa walks through the hallway. The place she needs to be isn't far away. Only a few more steps . . .

"Gloria!" Elisa exclaims, knowing she has to be smart to handle with this woman.

Gloria, standing in front of Elisa, looks up. She frowns at the girl. "Yes?" she asks in a questioning tone.

"I need your help." Elisa forces herself to chuckle nervously. This needs to work. "I need your help-from one woman to another. It's that time of the month, and-"

Immediately, Gloria her eyes widen enormously. It's a normal reaction. Elisa hasn't had a total of five conversations with this woman. "I-"

"I can't find anyone, and I can hardly ask a man, can I?"

Gloria nods quietly, unsure about the whole situation.

"Could you find me the stylists?" Elisa asks the woman. "You're the only one the handler really talks to-except for me, of course. Or do you know where I can find products to-"

"I'll look for the stylists," Gloria says quickly. "Give me ten minutes. You stay here."

"I will." Elisa smiles innocently.

The woman leaves. Perfect. Quickly, Elisa checks if there's no one else in the hallway anymore. There is not. Everyone is working behind their desk. Oh, how handy.

Elisa runs inside the room Gloria was exiting when Elisa saw her. Dozens of tubes are sticking out of the walls. Each and every one can send an order, or in Elisa's case a letter, to any person in any time. Elisa is sure that the handler is keeping Five's address in her eye. She'll know if Elisa sends to him. That is why Elisa can't. She must contact one of his siblings. The one who the handler won't suspect she'll ever send to.

Luther.

In disgust, Elisa scrunches up her nose. She hates the man. His manners lack-a lot-and he killed Mor without a second thought. But right now, he's the one she needs. Her needing his help-it disgusts Elisa. But it has to happen.

She grabs the letter out of her pants' pocket, and she goes to the nearest tube. Elisa presses the letter in it. Patiently, the tube waits until she types in the name of the receiver.

Luther Hargreeves.

Immediately after, a blue light blinds Elisa, and the letter gets sucked in the tube.

"That's finally done," Elisa whispers, content. She takes a step backwards, away from the tubes and closer to the door. This action has given her more time to find Vanya, yes. But it might not be time enough for Vanya. Every second that passes by, Vanya can breathe her last breath. Vanya can be tortured by God knows who. And Elisa knows. She imagines. She hears Vanya's screams. She needs them to stop, and they will, but only when Vanya is safe.

Clenching her fists, Elisa walks out of the tube-room. If she succeeds in not meeting Gloria or Herb, then Elisa can search for Vanya already.

"Gloria!" a familiar voice sounds, making Elisa jump right back into the tube-room. She doesn't curse. No, she's too busy hiding behind one of the massive tubes that has yet to be installed. Surely the handler won't come inside . . . "Are you here, Gloria?"

Of course Gloria does not answer. Elisa has sent her away. If the handler finds out that she has done so, Elisa is up to a long interrogation. Herb, the other case managers and Gloria might believe Elisa's excuse, but the handler is wise enough. She has taught Elisa. She knows everything-that is what she thinks, after all.

"Hmm," the handler's hand touches the door its frame. "I assume you are not."

The handler walks inside, her eyes right on the tubes in the wall. Elisa does not dare to move. Attempting not to breathe, her body shrinks. She makes herself as tiny as possible.

"Then I'll have to do it myself," the handler murmurs, sounding rather annoyed by Gloria's absence. She grabs a paper out of her pocket, reminding Elisa of herself just a minute ago. Before putting it in one of the tubes, the handler strokes the paper. A sad smile comes upon her lips. It's as if she's pained to be doing this.

But she still does. The paper gets thrown into a tube, and again, it waits until it gets a name. The name gets typed in by the handler, but Elisa can't see what name it is. She narrows her eyes, though.

A sigh sounds when the report disappears together with the blue light. "This must work." Curious, Elisa tilts her head a little. What has the handler so worried?

Loud and rushed footsteps are heard outside the tube-room. "Elisa, I'm ba-" Gloria stops in her tracks, looking terrified, when her eyes fall upon the handler.

"Elisa?" the handler asks, confused. "What did Elisa come here for?"

Ruined. Elisa her plan is ruined. Maybe sending Gloria away wasn't such a smart move after all.

"She-uhm." Gloria awkwardly scratches the back of her neck. "She needed my help."

"And where is she now?" The handler looks around, her eyes not falling on Elisa. Maybe it would've been smarter to keep standing there.

"I d-don't know." Gloria looks down at her feet. "I asked her to stay here."

"She didn't listen," the handler says, still looking around. "Why do you think that is, Gloria?"

"I-" Not a single decent word leaves Gloria her lips.

"Isn't it clear?" A laugh sounds. "She needed you to be gone. She tricked us all, that one."

"Do you really think so?" Gloria looks at the handler again. Her expression falls even more. She looks disappointed and sad.

"I'm afraid so." The handler sighs again. Then she shakes her head focusing herself. "Gloria, make sure the whole commission is on high alert. Everyone needs to be looking for Elisa. I'll make Cha Cha and Hazel are alerted, too. It might be possible that Elisa knows that they're moving the girl."

Elisa's eyes widen. The girl. Vanya.

-

I've got holidays !! Yas! Time to write !

Also since when is this story 5+ hours ? 😳