10 days until the job

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"I hate being here," Kai mutters, swiping her stringy hair away from her face as she steps down the moldy ladder after me.

I understand sister, I understand.

"I wonder if any homeless people live here," Monique ponders, climbing down after Kai. I power up the huge flashlight and light fills the entire sewer. We steer clear of the running water next to us as Monique, Alby, Cassandra, Rey, Dhara, Minji, Yuri and I make our way to the place where we plan to start digging the tunnel.

It's true, a majority of Chicago's homeless population have to set up beds in sewers to protect them from the chill outside. It's so sad, these conditions are absolutely horrid, but the weather above is even more unforgiving. I would totally hire anyone living down here to help us dig the tunnel.

I hope rat and possum are doing fine. I hope they found a female rat and female possum and made cute babies. As much as I hated them before, I think I have grown attached to them.

"Ah it smells terrible!" Cassandra whines, covering her nose.

"Well you're standing next to a river of liquified human faeces, what else can you possibly expect? Chanel?" Kai says grumpily. Have I mentioned it's 4 am right now?

Rey hefts two of the drills on her shoulders, "Stop the whining and continue moving if you don't want me to shove the drill through your gut."

Maybe I should have picked a different time to come here.

Dhara laughs, "Calm down, Rey! Give me the drills, and have some coffee."

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Dharuna?

"I don't know, feels cool to me, plus its slightly warmer here, and I'm good with that," Yuri says, looking around with wonder. 

I seriously appreciate the optimism.

After walking for a minute, Monique stops and turns towards the wall of the sewer, "Here, we need to start digging here. And make a tunnel at around fifty-five degrees, to reach the main hall on the ground floor, where the auction will be held."

I heft one of the drills and hand it to Monique who's biceps flex as she hefts it upright, "Do the honors, Andre."

****

I trudge slowly into the secluded cafe, and the barista wrinkles her nose at me as I place my order. Okay, so I smell a little bad, I have a shirt and pants and shoes, you can't refuse me service. 

Everyone else had gone back, but knowing them, I am sure I wouldn't get a bathroom to myself in the next hour or so. So why not enjoy some good coffee till then?

I take my white chocolate mocha and sit in a corner, curling my hands around the warm cup.

I remove my coat and plop down on the cushiony seat, then take a long sniff out of my drink.

Suddenly a takeaway cup appears on my table and I look up to see a familiar dark-haired, blue-eyed security guard looming over me, looking at me weirdly.

"You smell like cheap hooker and even cheaper beer," I comment instantly, my fatigue doesn't allow my brain to function.

"You smell like shite," he comments, sitting down on the opposite seat.

Oh well he isn't wrong in any way.

"I did not permit you to sit," I say tiredly, running a grimy hand through my grimy-er hair.

"It's a free country, ma'am, and you're in my usual seat," his thick accent floats to my ears and tickles them annoyingly.

I get up to go to another table when his hand grabs mine, "Please do sit, I like company while having my coffee," he says and I give him a look before settling back down on my seat.

"Should've brought the stripper along then," I mutter, rolling my eyes.

He narrows his electric blue eyes at me, "I have a feeling you had been sleeping in a sewer."

"I have a feeling you were sleeping in a strip club," I say, pointing to his ear which has silver body glitter on it.

"How about we don't talk about our past locations?" He offers while running a hand through his own curly brown hair.

I nod, "Let's shake on it."

He wrinkles his nose, then whistles through his teeth as he scrutinizes my form "I'd rather not."

I place a hand over my chest, "You have hurt my emotions."

He smirks, "I thought the up and growing Pokémon trainers don't feel hurt."

"Nah, when we don't win any tournaments or shiny badges, and our mothers throw us out of our houses for being failures, we feel crushed."

"That would explain the sewer," He laughs. I smile as well as I scrutinize the laugh lines that have formed on his face. My mind for some reason has begun memorizing those lines.

He continues while scratching the stubble growing ground his chin, "I sense you didn't find the Pokémon you were looking for."

"No but we did find a homeless man who tried to sell us cilantro which he called marijuana."

Officer McNeil grins, "I see you met Randy. His favourite pass time is pissing on graffiti on the walls."

I smirk, "You two seem like good friends."

He laughs before looking up at the ceiling, his Adam's apple bobbing with the movement "Ha! I wish. He has an elite friend group. I'm afraid I haven't committed a minor crime violating the limits of human hygiene to make the cut."

I laugh along, "It's a shame indeed," I gesture towards myself, "You think I'll make the cut?"

"Go for it. I'm sure you'll be taken into consideration at least."

"Ah, every Pokémon trainer's dream!" I say with a wistful expression and he bursts out laughing.

"I don't even know your name," he says, once his laughter dies down.

"Alicia."

Shit Alicia why did you give him your actual name?!

He holds a hand out, "Lucas. Or Luke. Whatever you prefer."

I frown at his extended hand, "I thought you didn't want to shake hands."

He shrugs, "I'll wash it."

How chivalrous.

I frown at him before taking his hand. It feels warm and calloused, for some reason, and huge, in my tiny hand. They linger together for a moment before he pulls away and checks the time on his wristwatch. Looks like a standard five dollar Walmart watch to me.

Ugh, Walmart.

"Oh look at that, it's past time," He picks up his cup and scratches the back of his head while looking at me, "I would have loved talking more, Alicia, but I'm afraid duty calls."

****

"How's the dresses coming along," I hop onto one of the bean bags in Ariadne's little studio place.

"Perfect timing," Ariadne says before wrapping a measuring tape around my neck.

Death my meter tape. 

That seems about right to me.

Have I ever mentioned that Ariadne terrifies me more than the police? 

"What are you doing?" I ask, my voice a little scuffed because a fucking meter tape is choking me.

"Measurements for your neck piece. Now sit still bitch."

Should've gone to Blaise and Monique instead, goddamnit. Yes they hate my company but they don't threaten my life. Or drag me into questionable stores which scar my pure mind and innocent soul.

"What did you do in that coffee store?" she suddenly asks me while drawing on her scary looking mannequins, and I look at her with surprise.

"W-What do you mean?" I stutter like an idiot, making the situation worse.

"You were in a terrible mood when you went to get coffee. And you were smiling and glowing like Minji always does when you came back, and I refuse to believe that the caffeine had a role in it."

I was not smiling and glowing what the fuck?

"She was, wasn't she?" Pandora walks in.

Oh God I'm about to be sacrificed to the Gods.

I am alone in a room with the two people I am absolutely terrified of. What sins have I done to deserve this?

Well I have stolen some very pricey art pieces, but that's not the point here.

"What are you hiding, Alicia?" Pandora asks, walking closer to me. Oh my God this is how the chases in thriller movies start.

Mommy. Help.

"Stop terrorizing my child!" Dharuna walks in, with her thick braided her swaying from side to side, just as I am about to piss myself.

Such impeccable timing. I love her. Maybe I should ask her to marry me. But we all know she's into someone else...insert sad face, insert crying emoji, insert putting my head into a guillotine. 

"Though...what did you do in the coffee shop?" Dhara turns on me as well.

Betrayal.

Good thing I didn't ask the bitch to marry me.

I do the one thing I can think of right now, and that is, run for the hills.

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I won't update for a while now, so I hope y'all liked this one. Next chapter is pretty epic, showcasing Yuri's driving skills. Until then, toodles.