It's Amara, and she tells Flora to leave.

Amara takes Flora’s place. A heavy sigh parts from her. “I just finished speaking to Scarlet.”

“How much did she tell you?”

Amara smirks slightly. “She’s pretty out of it. Flora had to stitch some of her wounds together, so the drugs are still influencing her head a bit.”

You felt dizzy. You didn’t want to talk to Amara before Scarlet.

“Scarlet told me whoever was chasing you got a hold of Alexandra, which might make things complicated if they decide to go looking for the rest of you,” Amara seems a little depressed, but she has reasons to be. “Alexandra…what a shitty person to go…”

“I’m sorry. Alexandra and I didn’t exactly see everything the same way, but I knew she was valued.”

“I have a couple of replacements in mind. Got a fox girl named Arabella that might be useful until I get someone with as much experience as Alex.”

“Never heard of her,” you say.

“I’d be more concerned if you have. Mutants are treated like slaves in these parts or disregarded as pests. Most usually are, if I had to be honest, but Arabella is smarter than some of her counterparts.”

You remember Delilah not being a fan of NSHs either, but you keep that to yourself.

“I’m not expecting you to renew your contract with us, but Scarlet would probably want you to stick around. I kind of need you now that we’re understaffed,” Amara says after she clears her throat.

“I’m… actually thinking about letting it go. This is getting pretty hot, and I want to live a bit more.”

“When you’re a contractor, you’ll always be regarded as one. There’s no retirement plan once you start,” Amara says. “You’re a contractor for life. Stay with me and join the ARS. Retire and get a good life.” Amara materializes a piece of paper from her pocket. She unfolds it and presents a renewal contract. “I know you feel like there’s no future here, but I can offer you more than just a job.”

You look up at Amara. Her brown eyes twinkle, and she offers this chance with a smile you’ve seen on her before. You realize she’s actually got her own personal beauty. She also seems human and understanding. You swallow and look at the paper. “Give me some time to think about it?”

Amara widens her smile and nods like she was expecting this to happen. “Of course. I’d like an answer sooner rather than later, of course, so I’ll pester you until you give me a direct answer.”

It shouldn’t have, but Amara’s offer has complicated matters for you. Your weird relationship with Scarlet has you confused too. The only honest person you’ve met so far is Flora… you remember Kenji, but he should be out of the picture relatively soon.

“I’ll give you an answer soon, I promise. It’s all just… so weird right now.”

Amara nods. Her hair is braided into two buns, so you see all of her face. You can’t read it, though. Is she acting? Is she genuine? What’s going through her mind? Those browns are impossible to translate too. You hid your frustration by looking down. “Thanks for talking.”

“No… thanks for keeping at least one of my girls alive. I would have preferred Alexandra, but Scarlet is a good girl too. She has gone through more than she lets on, and she deserves better.”

You’ve had a hard time getting to know Scarlet. Picturing her opening up to anyone makes you feel weird. “How so?”

Amara takes this question to mind and considers it. “If she hasn’t told you any of it, then I’m not going to be the person that spills any of it.”

Well, that’s one way of putting it…

“I get it,” you say, somewhat annoyed. “I’ll let her go at her pace, I guess.”

Amara stands up and flicks your forehead. “Just remember she’s still one of mine. Don’t play with her feelings. I’m telling you this because I can sense your conflict with her. If you have any smarts, I’d say let your relationship shimmer for the next few days. This group needs trust… not intimacy.” She gets out, leaving you a chance to be alone.

You wait a few more minutes expecting Flora to return, but there’s no such luck. So you roll over and close your eyes, returning to your much-needed sleep.