Nothing. Someone is coming!

You’re about to say something profound, but then you hear someone approaching and see the shafts of light coming from the trail you took to get to this spot. Arabella shoots up and scoops whatever clothing she can find in the dark before hissing at you to follow her into the night. You have to stifle a laugh before getting up to join her.

For almost the whole journey, you’re running behind Arabella as she rushes back to the town. Going against the odds, she doesn’t step or trip on anything that hinders your blitz back to circus grounds, nor do any of the sentries or townsfolk spot you. Arabella hastily dresses up before she finally focuses on breathing. She looks at you once she has her shirt over her hand and starts laughing.

This’ll be a night to remember because of that if nothing else. You’re both laughing at the event when Scarlet runs into you. In a glance, you know she’s angry. “Where the fuck have you 2 been?” She spits.

“Hanging out,” you say, becoming defensive in a blink. “What’s it to you?”

“Since you forgot, I’m the head of security, so when two people suddenly disappear, it becomes my everything,” Scarlet’s eyes flick to Arabella, who’s become silent; something tells you this isn’t her first time seeing Scarlet. She is so angry, and whatever memory is in her head tells her to be quiet. “Arabella is bunking with me, remember? And so are the twins, so I’m setting a curfew to ensure I can keep track of them.”

“They’re with me. There’s no need to keep tabs on them,” you stand between her and Arabella.

Scarlet scoffs before replying. “Angry that you’re being separated from all your fucktoys?”

“You know there’s more to it than pleasure, Scarlet. What the hell is wrong with you anyway? It's not even a full day with your new position, and you’re acting like you’ve been doing it your whole life. Relax and go soak your head.”

“I have to take this seriously because I considered you before saving myself,” she spat.

“And I was the one who saved you from becoming a mattress to that entire gang. I think we’re all even here, don’t you think?”

“I don’t remember crying out for help,” she cornered.

“I don’t think either. Instead, you were concerned your dad was going to see you naked and doped out of your mind. Or were you still so fucked-up you don’t remember that?” You cut in. Even though Scarlet’s expression didn’t change, something in her eyes flicked.

Scarlet sucked in on her lower lip as if she was about to rebuttal with something else, but instead, she looked at Arabella. “Come with me. We’re going to bed,” she then looked at you. “Your room is across from mine, so you should come with us.”

There’s no denying the awkwardness of the situation as you walk alongside Scarlet. You don’t apologize or offer comfort for your previous comments. In your mind, she deserved it. Arabella, as expected, remains silent. She was always more reserved with Scarlet, despite her forwardness with the twins.

The hotel and the staff behind the counter are quiet, too. They look at you and smile, but no pleasantries are exchanged. Scarlet skips the elevator and uses the stairs. Every step echos, and there’s a sense of foreboding in it. Your senses tense while your mind swells with the command to leave this area immediately. However, you take multiple flights up, so the stress only worries you.

Instant relief strikes you when Scarlet finally opens a door, and you filter inside a dark hall. Scarlet holds the door open for you and pushes the door shut. You look at her, and she slowly shakes her head. “The elevator was worse,” she says, without context.

The hallway is warm. Something is wrong in here, too. Your chest becomes tight. There’s a presence behind you. There are noises around you that aren’t there. What’s wrong with this place?

Scarlet approaches a door and uses a key to unlock her room. The lights are on, and there’s some quiet conversation inside. It’s Gwendolion and Mikko. Arabella is waved inside after being given the key. She’s also commanded to leave the door cracked before Scarlet unlocks the room across from hers. It’s your room.

You’re introduced to a bigger room than you expected. 2 queen-sized beds, an empty dresser, and a large bathroom with all the contents you’d suspect. Inside are also the bags you left behind and a set of new clothes from the circus, which include some leather armor.

Scarlet clears her throat. “This hotel is weird,” she simply says. “I was told not to answer the phone past nine and not to open the door if all you hear is knocking.”

You laugh slightly. “Great, we’re being haunted while working at the Afterlife, huh?”

Scarlet smirks but looks worried. “I already have nightmares, so hopefully whatever kind of asshole ghosts are here, they won’t take advantage of my past.”

“The girls will keep you good company, I’m sure.”

Her smile fades. “I wouldn’t help me if I were them.”

“Well, be glad they’re not you.”

“Whatever,” she sighs. “Let’s meet at 6:30 tomorrow. How’s that sound?”

“Perfect,” you say. “It’s unlikely I’ll be able to sleep here anyway. I have a hard time sleeping in new places, you know?”

Scarlet nods understandingly. “Hey, sorry about approaching you like that outside. I didn’t mean to come at you like that. I’ve just had to deal with more than what I thought. I don’t do well in groups, and now that I’m leading one, I find myself dragging my feet.”

“If there’s was anything I said that you took offense to, then I’m sorry about that, too,” you say, watching her expression become more lively. Scarlet doesn’t smile, but you see her posture shifting.

“You got a spine to you, don’t worry about it. I respect it.”

You laugh slightly, and Scarlet smiles. Beneath all her brooding and professionalism, there’s a girl. “You’re going to keep the foxes safe, right?”

“Of course,” Scarlet looks at the door. “I should get back to them now. Gwendolion and Mikko have been less robotic since I last saw them.”

“I show’em love,” you smirk, making Scarlet roll her eyes.

“I’m sure you do, Warren... I’ll see you in the morning, OK?”