The smell of rain hit me as I stepped out of the car. Thunder echoed off in the distance. A storm is brewing. This is not how I wanted to start my night. Mrs. Peterson's house sat quietly in the distance. My boots crunched on the gravel road.
Knocking on the door I said " Mrs.Peterson. It's Isabella Regulus from SleepCore."
On the other side there is shuffling of feet. The door swung open and a elderly lady in her late nineties answered.
"Hello dear. Come on in." She held the door open for me. " I am sorry that I called on such short notice."
" You are fine." I say as I take off my coat. " I always make sure I have an opening for you on nights like this."
She suffers from Astrophobia , the fear of storms, just like me. I followed as we made our way upstairs. Her walls are filled with pictures of family. Something that I will never have. Sometimes looking at them makes me feel sad, other times they make me happy. I always wanted a family like that. But that is not something that I can have. Lightning lit up the window as Mrs. Peterson settled into bed. We both jumped.
" I am so sorry." She said
" You have nothing to be sorry for. I know exactly how you feel." I said helping her cover up.
For the most part I am able to handle it but there are some nights that I can not. I closed my eyes while she settled in. Panic rose in my chest as I followed the steps that I was taught. Each step added to the panic but I have to do it in order to help. Dark blue energy streaks swirled in me. Carefully grabbing on I weaved it into a pleasant pattern. Memories from my past flashed before my eyes and started to bleed into the weave. Placing a hand on Mrs. Peterson's head I moved my magic through her. I took my time stretching the threads I left behind. Some are loose due to her trying to remember something she forgot. I tighten them as pain pulsed at my temple threatening to escape. Her soft snores filled the room. Slowly I moved my hand. Sadness filled my heart. I wish I could help her like she helped me.
The door clicked behind me as I left. Katie was raiding the fridge when I opened my door.
As I set my bag down I said " I am starting to think that you live here."
She looked up at me and I immediately knew that something was wrong. Crossing the room I quickly pulled her into a hug. She started to sob. I stroked her hair while she got it all out. Between the sobs she told me what was wrong. Her brother's cancer is getting worse. If he does not get it removed then he will not make it through next year.
" The shop is not making enough to pay for it." She cried
" Then start taking part of the money from our heist." I said
" What about you?" She asked
" You have sacrificed your portion ever since we started working together. My parents' mistakes are not as important as your brother's. I will help any way that I can." I said firmly
Wiping tears she said " I can't do that. Remember what happened the one time you were late on a payment."
The beating wasn't from missing a payment. It was another job that went wrong. But I could not tell her that.
"I do," I said, "But you don't have to give up your part."
" It's going to be okay." she said " We have already talked things over and things are going to be okay."
" We have a job." I said changing the subject.
We made our way towards my office. With a few quick taps I have everything projected on the wall.
" It's a painting called The Betrayal. It is going to be showcased in the local art gallery in a few days." I said clicking through the slides they sent me. " I have already started to lay the groundwork?"
Closing my eyes I searched for the weave that I took from the gallery's coordinator. I pulled my weave from my head. I made sure to get only the memory that I want her to see. I placed my hand on her head sending the weave through her. While I was there I went ahead and checked the weave that I left in her.
" How did you get this?" she asked
" I followed the coordinator and 'accidently' fell asleep and hit his shoulder."
"I forget how powerful you can be." She said, rubbing her head.
" And yet with all this power I can't break free." I said, sighing. " Back to the plan. There will be a three day opening event."
As we planned I gave her only part of the plan. The painting is not my true goal. The police chief is going to be there on the third night. I have to alter his mind. Then I am taking the painting.
I flopped on the couch after Katie left. Sleep hit me like a bag of bricks. After not sleeping for several days I welcomed it. A shiver ran through me. I opened my eyes to find that I am not in my living room. I am laying on a metal table. My heart thudded in my ear as I thrashed against the restraints. Even though the table was cold, sweat soaked my clothes . A door opened and my father walked in holding a scalpel. I screamed as he started to cut my chest open.
I was still screaming when I woke up. With shaky hands I touched my chest. The only thing there was the scars from past experiments. Taking several ragged breaths I was able to calm down. I am safe. I am home. I groaned as I looked at my phone. It was only noon, there was no point going back to sleep. After a long shower I started into the mirror.
Haunted brown eyes started back at me. Blonde hair clumped against my face. The dark shadows of my roots gave me a sort of scary look. It is time to get my roots retouched.
The office was almost empty when I entered. Other than a couple secretaries and the dreamweavers that catered to the third shift it was just me. Setting my bag down I started at the pile of paperwork. You never realize how much you work until you are stuck doing the paperwork. The elevator dinged about halfway through my paperwork. I cringed when I saw Lexie exit the elevator. Ever since we met she has hated me. She is the daughter of Jack. THe most notorious mafia boss in town. She is a natural born dreamweaver. She is extremely talented, but thinks I am coming for her job. As she walks past me she glares.
"We are at work." I said going back to my paperwork, " The least you can do is not act hostile."
She huffed and shot back " I wasn't being hostile. I was judging your outfit."
There was nothing to judge. I am wearing jeans, a dress shirt and booties. Simple and comfortable.
" Not everyone has to wear suits to work, Lexie" I said
"Izzy, some people have style." She said
Lexie has to have the latest fashion item. Her father loves to spoil her. And she is not afraid to say it.
As my desk mate Jessica sat down she asked " Is Lexie still giving you a hard time?"
" Sort of" I replied " But it does not faze me."
" You are better than me," Jessica said " you should talk to the bosses,"
" The last time someone told on her they were 'reassined' to another area. I have not seen them anywhere."
Jessica just shook her head. Since I came in early I decided to take an early lunch. I decided to have lunch with Katie. On the way to her shop I picked up our usual from Rose's dinner. The flower shop sits on a quiet corner close to the middle of town. Katie has the greenest thumb I have ever seen. Several scents hit me as I walked through the door. As I walked through the little shop I stopped to smell some of the new flowers. My favorites have always been Black roses. While technically not black they are awfully close and the earthy smell makes them the perfect flower. This shop is the only shop in town that sells them.
" Just a moment," Katie said from somewhere in the back.
" How can I help you?" She asked, walking to the front.
Holding up the bag of food I said "How about eating lunch with me?"
While we were eating I asked, "What can I do to help?"
" Help with what?" She asked
"Is there anything I can do to help you? Whether it is with the shop or your brother."
She shook her head and said " Not really. It is just a slow season for the shop. Besides, it is my problem to take care of."
I shook my head and said " We are family. You helped me when I was just a teenager in bad shape. If it was not for you I would have died. You have been there for me since then. Your little brother is also very precious to me, You have to let me help."
She shook her head no and said " I can't use dirty money. The last thing I need is to have him denied. I really and truly appreciate the offer. But I don't feel right asking for help."
I shook my head at her stubbornness. I will find a way to help her. After eating I headed back to the office.
I just finished requesting my day off when my name was called. Alex was waving at me from his office. I sighed as I got up. When the door behind me closed he said " We have a new client."
" Why me?" I asked
" While they asked for Lexie the higher ups thought this would be better suited for you." He said" It was submitted weeks ago. When they say something, tell them that it was a management issue."
I raised my eyebrow as I took the folder that he handed me.
" Alright. I will get on this right away."
" Great. Thank you Izzy." He said
I just nodded as I left. The file is on Jayden Brawen. He is twenty six years old and he suffers from Insomnia. As soon as I got to my desk I called the number on file. A young lady answered after a few rings.
" Good Afternoon. This is Isabella from SleepCore. I am looking for Jayden Brawen."
" This is his assistant. How may I help you?"
" I am calling to schedule his first appointment." I said
" He requested Lexie Langston." the assistant replied.
" Unfortunately Miss. Langston is not able to take him as a client on such short notice." I replied
" Short notice?" The assistant questioned. " That request was put in several weeks in advance."
" I am so sorry ma'am. I just received the file today. I can let my bosses know about the mix up so that it will not happen again." I said " would he still like to set up an appointment today?"
" Give me one moment." She said,
After a few minutes she got back on the line and said " Mr. Brawen is fine with it. He has an eight o'clock available"
Checking my schedule I said " That works for me. I see in his file he will be at the Elysian hotel. Is that still correct?"
" Yes Ma'am" She said " I will inform the receptionist that you will be coming."
" Thank you so much. Please remind Mr.Brawen to go ahead and do whatever he needs to do before bed."
" I will pass the message on." The assistant said.
As I headed out my handler sent me a text to meet her.
" Did you get the file on Jayden?" She asked as I slipped into the seat in front of her.
" I did" I replied
" He is part of the resistance. The boss wants you to get in. It does not matter how long it takes, let them trust you." She said
" What do I tell them if they start asking questions?" I asked
" Tell them whatever you have to.The higher ups have given permission to devolve secrets. Just remember we are always watching." She said getting up.