Secret Errand

"Come on out."

Savannah was apologetic as I heard her footsteps approach the backroom. I moved myself up on my feet and stood up lifting the box above me before throwing it aside. Neither of us said anything for a moment. The quiet was unnatural as tears welled up beyond my lashes. The hot tears burned down my cheeks as I didn't understand. I just couldn't understand why I was so hated.

"That is Tyson's older brother, the Kyler you met. He didn't get to say his good byes so he's taking it out on you. Not that he should, but that's the general idea of what just happened. Alphonse is coming for you. He can take you home, as I don't think I'll be busy tonight. I don't think he would do anything too rash, but I want you to be safe. I owe you that much."

As she approached me, she hugged me as I sobbed into her shoulder. Touching my hair and hushing me softly, she let me cry it out. All those emotions from long ago erupted from this carbonated fear. I knew someday a member of his family was bound to come up to me and despise me. Tyson died protecting me, and his family was owed an explanation. If Kyler wanted my death, I didn't feel the urge to stop him. Only the understanding of wanting someone to pay for what happened.

"I didn't mean to." I cried over and and over. I apologized over and over. Eventually my tears ran out, although my face was red beyond compare and my eyes hurt. I saw Alphonse standing by the door quietly. He was a quiet old man, but he was also a gentleman. He would never want me to feel embarrassed, and as a gentleman would he even had a handkerchief that he pulled out of his pants pocket and offered to me as I tried to smile at him.

"My dear Miss Maya. I'm so sorry for his intrusion. I will bring you home and leave Reggie to watch. He is finishing up an errand for me, but I will stay with you until he is finished. I hope that is reasonable." He offered his arm, but I turned to Savannah who embraced me gently and kissed my cheek.

"Please rest, and I hope this old geezer doesn't make you work tomorrow. I will see you soon. Take some time off. I will be fine here."

"Vanna... thank you." I couldn't say anything as Savannah glared at Alphonse for a moment before smiling back at me. I looped my arm through Alphonse's and we left the bar as a few patrons walked in. They called to me and I waved and smiled back. They were two men who were always five minutes early. Office suits and tired expressions with grey streaks in their black hair. I believe their names were Ramos and Xander.

"You are cared about, you know. Tyson was a young man who had his share of troubles. Kyler as well, but Tyson softened because of you. Not in a bad way. Many young ones of our kind go astray. We have power, and those with power use it and abuse it. It doesn't matter who you are or where you belong. The humans believe we are a disease because the elite from District One deem it less damaging if the humans be in the dark. Does the lack of truth help or hinder the understanding? Would the humans panic if they knew ghouls lived among them? It's hard to trust another kind that has feared for so long. Human or ghoul, both fear each other. You are a bridge that belongs to neither side. For that, I am sorry because I fear it may give you more troubles in the future."

I wasn't expecting that, I looked at him trying to absorb what he was saying. However, the broadcast came over the air on a nearby reporting station. Another case of Virus G53 has come to light. With this G53 case, that makes the numbers soar into the thousands. Scientists are hard at work for vaccine, but have yet to release a date. They say to be patient, be safe, and be careful. The virus affects the brain and causes outbursts of activity such as lapse of judgement, odd appetite, and even violence. Some signs are bloodshot eyes, sweating profusely, and dizziness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please call your local emergency health line for your district. As a precaution, there are eye scans to help monitor if there are underlying symptoms since the bloodshot eyes are the first. It is believed that there is a certain chemical that is released when under the influence of G53....

"They do insist on playing that line often. We look like humans in everyway, but the chemicals are different. I can't absorb human food, but they themselves are my own source of nutrition. Odd how that works." I couldn't agree more with him. The whole situation was odd.

"How do you do it?" I asked as I stopped in my tracks, our arms breaking contact. He looked back and didn't answer.

"Another time."

"Do you kill us?"

"No."

"Truly?"

"I give you my word. I will tell you one day when it is less of an eventful night."

"Is that Reggie's errand?"

No answer. I took that as a yes. I continued walking again, without his arm. I understood that the less I knew the less I could be hurt by. However, I had hidden behind the shadows of my pain and sorrow for years now. Even before Tyson, I had my share of pain. His death just amplified all of the hurt.

"I will watch over you and keep you safe until Reggie returns. I'm sorry if you are upset with me, but I will protect you no matter what you think of us."

"I'm not angry, I just don't know what is too much for me to handle or what's not enough. Please come in." We approached my apartment building and I took him upstairs to my apartment. We walked in silence, but the silence felt more natural this time. I was processing all of the things I already knew with the event of Kyler. He sounded hurt, and so furious. I could only imagine the complications of me being here now that he was back.

"Thank you, Miss Maya. I appreciate your kindness."

"Tea?" I asked trying to smile genuinely.

"I would hate to impose, but it would be nice."

"Don't worry, I need a cup myself. Please have a seat." I offered the spot of my small two chair dining space. I quickly heated up water in my kettle and hummed a small tune out of habit. Alphonse sat in silence but I could feel his eyes on me. This was the first time anyone but Vanna had been here, and now I was about to have Reggie here too. What would my neighbors think? I let out a small stifled breath of air as I internally laughed. It was a peach lavender, and as I poured the hot water over the bags I could feel my body relaxing a tiny bit already. Taking in a deep breath of the aroma through my nose, I let it out slowly through my mouth.

"Not as good as yours, but it's something." I set his mug in front of him and sipped on mine. Silence overtook us as we listened to the sounds of the city. Sirens quietly sounding in the distance, music from someone's car booming through the air, someone walking upstairs, a mother trying to calm down her crying baby down the hall, these sounds were home to me. Even if I could leave, it would be hard to despite everything happening.

Our silence was broken by the buzzer from the front door going off. I slowly rose up and sighed. "Must be Reggie."

"The timing is right." Alphonse sipped his tea as he watched me intently. As if he was studying me and making sure I wouldn't become a flight risk. I suppose with his experience it would make sense if I would.

"Hello?" I held the button down and let go.

"Hey, it's Reggie." He sounded hopeful almost and the enthusiasm was a stark contrast to the mood right now.

"Come on up. Number 315." I pressed the door button and we waited as I stood and drank my tea by the table instead of sitting down. I knew my number was on the reference list, but he had a habit of forgetting if he was excited. Made me wonder what his errand really was. Or maybe it was so automatic it didn't even matter to him anymore.

A knock sounded at my door and I set my mug back down at the table. Alphonse tensed, almost as if he wasn't expecting Reggie. He was truly ready for anything. "Settle down. I'm sure it's just Reggie."

As I opened the door, I was greeted by a smiling Reggie who was holding two plastic bags and my purse. I must have forgotten it at some point as I realized I didn't even hear my phone since the cafe.

"Don't worry, you're only partly broke after my shopping spree." He was full of himself as he let himself in with a cheesy grin. He was trying to cheer me up. I sighed as I looked at both of them. They bantered for a moment about who was going to open Rouge up tomorrow morning.

"If you spent I dime, you will pay for it with interest. My next paycheck better reflect your spending, Reginald." My eyebrow raised as he faked to cower and bowed to me.

"Yes, oh fearful goddess of money. I would never disobey you."

"Weirdo."

Alphonse rose up and Reggie looked at him expectantly. They had a secret conversation as curiosity overtook me and I sneaked a peek into the bags. Popcorn, action movies, candies, pink fuzzy socks. Honestly, they were too kind to me. So, that was the secret errand. They wanted me to not feel awkward, even though they knew I would already be. Even if the world hated me, I don't think I could bear it if they left me alone. Selfish, yes. But sometimes I had to be.

Reggie saw me looking at the bag and cleared his throat.

"Well, I couldn't have you thinking I was getting some ulterior motive. I did learn a few tricks from Alphonse to be a gentleman. Plus with guys going in and out of your apartment, you may have some explaining to do."

I could have thrown my mug at him. The look I gave him made him laugh and Alphonse tried not to although he failed miserably.

"I am sorry for this inconvenience. I will take my leave and leave you with Reggie. If you need anything please call me immediately. Also if this young fool does anything to make you feel ill at ease."

"Who are you calling young fool, old geezer?"

I laughed as they bantered before Alphonse took his leave. The quiet settled in again as I looked at the empty tea mug from Alphonse. I brought it to my sink and washed it. However, as I looked at the bag, I remembered the pink fuzzy socks.

"So"

We both spoke at the same time and an awkward laugh was exchanged.

"Are the socks yours or mine?"

He smiled at my question and shook his head.

"Well, I would say mine, but they didn't have dinosaur ones. So I opted to get you the pink ones and suffer with my crappy old socks."

"I think they'd work for you just fine. Pretty sure you got me a five pack for Christmas this year when we had the gift exchange."

"Well, shit. Oh well. I guess this makes it six."