by Mariah Lynde
This chick looked like death. No, not the reaper with the scythe, but like a walking example of just what death would look like. Her skin was washed out and pale, her suit looked like she’d just played Carrie at the prom, her pupils dilated to giant black saucers, and her lips were the color of gray ash. To me, it seemed apparent that no matter what anyone tried to do, this chick’s ticket had been punched. I would happily say 'Sayonara' and wave her on out if it meant I wouldn’t have to witness anything vomit inducing.
“What happened?” This came from a man I would now deem Suit Number One. Appearance wise he seemed alright: kind of lanky, a little under six feet, dark hair and eyes. He reminded me of one of those awkward guys in college half way between high school nerd and budding athlete. As he lumbered over, a part of my brain was screaming at him to stop, but I wisely remained silent. I had made a promise after all, and this didn’t look like any kind of outbreak I’d even heard of.
“Some man,” Mrs. Trendy spoke, “…red polo…shirt…attacked me.” Each word was a breathy gurgle of sound, and each syllable was accompanied by a sickening, wet churning noise that had my stomach turning in knots.
I had been so intent on straining to listen to their conversation that I completely missed every other pair of eyes in the lobby fastening on me. Blinking a little, I looked around and then down, wondering if I had forgotten to put my bra on this morning and had been giving everyone a peek at the headlights. I even took the time to double check in case I was slightly hallucinating from lack of oxygen over my little stairway jog. Nope, definitely had a bra on. Then it clicked.
This had not been one of my brightest moments. There I sat, thinking I had done something hideously embarrassing when, in fact, I had become the target of the people gathered in the lobby. Now, said group of people were looking at me like I was public enemy number one, all because this stupid company made me wear a stupid red polo shirt to come to work. Several angry glares turned in my direction and, me being the picture of calm and rational thought, did the only thing that seemed appropriate. I lifted both of my arms, extended them and flipped two fabulous one finger salutes at the room in front of me.
Again, this is a case where hindsight is 20/20. My response elicited an uproar of angry yells as most of the people within the lobby were ‘suits’ from the upper floors.
“You hold it right there…”
“I’m callin’ the cops…”
“Make sure you get her ID badge…”
For a moment, I could only stare at the group incredulously. In that moment, my faith in humanity dipped about ten points when I realized why they were going ape shit. The color of my shirt had apparently made me responsible for Mrs. Gush and Flow in their minds.
My mind spun as I considered my possible choices in this situation. For starters, it likely did not help matters that I had my hands extended to flip everyone off in the lobby, so I lowered my hands to my lap and took a deep breath. While I took my little time out, Isaac changed course to make his way back over to me when he realized that a mob was forming.
Personally, I considered getting up and running for the door before this already ludicrous situation got any further out of hand. That had been the first solution to pop into my mind. The second had been that I sit here and turn my wrath on these people for being complete morons. If I were to be one hundred percent honest, I strongly preferred the option that included yelling at these people to point out their stupidity.
With my mind made up, I opened my mouth to begin delivering my rant when a set of hands gripped my upper arms and flat out lifted me off the chair. I will admit, every single defense tactic I had learned flew right out the damn window as I peered at my assailant in shock.
Immediately, I noticed that this suit was nothing like Suit One. His clothing screamed money, but his body beneath was toned and trim. I noticed he had golden colored hair, a trait that was quickly dismissed as my eyes roamed further down his form to take in the sight of wide shoulders and muscled arms that bulged beneath that fine, pricey suit. Whoever this man might be, he was a fine specimen. I could not help but admire his lean, defined frame even as I wondered if I had found myself a real life replica of Captain America.
Again, I found myself a bit slow on the uptake. Looking towards the man I mentally deemed Suit Two, I remained slightly bewildered as I noticed his lips compress into a small frown. I mean, after all, every woman dreams of being picked up and held by a walking Adonis, so you don’t exactly pay attention to anything else. (One day, when I relayed this story to Robbie, he would only look sheepish at having brought up the subject of relationships to make my brain misfire.)
When focus returned, I realized Suit Two was no knight in shining armor. Instead, he was an effective form of restraint. My daze from being held up by a good-looking guy broke faster than one of those plastic lightsabers from Wal-Mart. With the return of higher brain function I immediately kicked out, slamming one foot into Suit Two’s kneecap. While this particular decision had my leg spasming like mad, it did serve its purpose. Even as he released me I screamed out, “Let me go, asshole!”
It seemed like my little outburst has sent the whole of the lobby into a state of mute shock. Everyone from Mrs. Gush and Flow (formerly Mrs. Trendy Business Suit) to the Guy in a Tux with a Mole on his nose (Sorry, Bruce Willis moment) had frozen in place. I knew that I had gone from zero to Harpy in less than point oh-two seconds, but I couldn't have cared less. Instead, I stood my ground to glare at blue eyed, golden haired Suit Number Two.
“Excuse me?” His cool tone of voice spoke of privilege, something that irked me to no end. However, the look of haughty superiority he fasted on me triggered my temper and sent me into a full, pissed off rant. Since I’d missed my ‘fuck you’ battle for the day with Pierre’s absence this morning, I was more than ready to go a few rounds.
“I’m sorry, did I stutter?”
“Do you have any idea who I am?”
“At the moment, yeah. I’m going with egotistical jackass that’s as anatomically correct as a Ken doll.” Ah, my lack of filter. One day it could be the death of me.
“You would do well to watch your tone, Miss…” He trailed off, that last word spoken on a slightly higher note as if he expected me to jump to with an answer. Too bad.
“Let’s just go with Miss. Since I don’t know you from Adam and you just manhandled me, I think names are unimportant.” Just then, Isaac joined me and looked absolutely horrified as I unleashed my pent up rage at the man in front of me.
“Then you obviously do not understand how this company works. You are here to make the jobs of people like myself easier. So if you want to keep your job, you’ll answer me, now.” Each word out of this man’s mouth just reinforced my impression that he was a self-entitled jerk. If Isaac hadn’t been right there, I might have pepper sprayed the bastard to knock him down a peg or two. Sadly, I remained somewhat collected as the jackass continued, “You will remain where you are while we call the cops, and then you’ll give us some answers.”
For a moment, I stood there silently. Where once I had been merely irritated, now there was a white-hot seething rage that caused my skin to flush with heat. Suit Two’s attitude was the straw that broke the camel’s back as my eyes narrowed on him pointedly.
“I said−” Suit Two began once more, only to have me cut him off.
“Oh, I heard what you said. I’m just wondering how many times you were dropped on your head as a child before someone realized they’d done permanent damage.” Beside me, Isaac shook his head, one hand moving to try and grab my arm to stop my diatribe. Personally, I didn’t even notice because the whole of my being was wrapped up in the heat of battle with this moron.
“Now, see here. You owe us answers and this poor woman is bleeding−” His response had me glaring at him once again, his words becoming unsteady and when his voice broke the rhythm, I interrupted him once more.
“Sweetie.” That endearment was the only warning sign I gave. I
had reverted to old school southerner, a dangerous territory for anyone not familiar with it. “Beauty should be seen and not heard. You need to understand that whatever questions you have about what happened to that woman are not something I can answer for you. My advice would be to talk to the victim that is sitting behind you struggling to stay upright. That said, if you ever, think to lay a hand on me again, I’ll do a lot worse than kick you in the damn knee. You’re lucky that’s all I did this go round.”
Several guffaws sounded from around the lobby, and Suit Two just stared at me while his cheeks flushed red. I could see that he had never had someone talk to him like he had the mental capacity of a child, which was a pity. Had someone done so, he might have understood basic things about everyday life.
“I’ll have your job for this.” His lips pulled down into a terse line as blue eyes glared down on me like I had sprouted three heads.
“You can damn sure try. I’ve been clocked out for…” Leveling my best ‘Do you really want to play this game?’ stare at the male, I pulled out my phone and looked at the display, “…Thirty minutes. We’re off the clock, so go ahead and report me, jackass.”
“That may work with most people, but not me. You will remain here until the cops arrive, and then you will give us the answers we need.” His suddenly smug look only seemed to heighten my pique. This guy had to be a couple of fries short of a happy meal.
“Just what answers do you think you’re going to get from me? In case you haven’t realized it yet, you picked me up out of a chair in the damn lobby. I know as much about what’s going on as you do.” Whatever patience I’d had when this conversation started, it evaporated the longer I stood in Suit Two’s presence.
“Well, first off, who is responsible for this? You heard her. The man who attacked her wore a red shirt. That said, I’m pretty sure you know who the culprit is.” Suit Two looked down his nose at me, a self-satisfied smirk on his face as he crossed his arms over his chest.
It took me all of five seconds to make what could be considered the worst decision of my life. Instead of letting sleeping dogs lie, I let the rage within me take hold. My right hand came up, index finger pushing right up against Suit Two’s sternum and jabbing sharply with each word I spoke. With each syllable I advanced, pushing him back towards the area where the female victim and Suit One were kneeling.
“Oh, I must know who did it just because I wear the same color shirt. Listen here, asshole. In case it escaped your notice, there are three…count that…three floors that work as part of the IT department. Allow me to point out, that is over three hundred people in that department alone, so get it out of your head that we all know one another.” Suit Two began to squirm, but that did nothing to stop my tirade. All around the lobby people shot wary glances in our direction, but I remained oblivious. “Next, not one person standing in this lobby could tell you who attacked that woman. Most of us clocked out at five, just like you. We weren’t out there to witness the attack, so you won’t get answers here.
“Lastly, and just so we’re clear here, this is the part you should really pay attention to – there are other businesses on this street that have employees wearing red shirts, just like the ones we wear. So, should I know them as well? Just because you have some idea in your head that IT is full of brainless degenerates, doesn’t give you an excuse to be that much of an idiot. Not to mention the fact, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly a guy. Didn’t she say a man attacked her, genius?” Snorting a little, my hand fell back to my side, stilling my assault on Suit Two’s chest and leaving him standing a couple of feet away from where Suit One tried to comfort Mrs. Gush and Flow.
“I…I…”
“I’d suggest you do what you can for that woman.” Breaking in before he could try to stutter out whatever asinine thought he had in his head. Just in the couple of minutes that this man had been trying to use me as a magic eight ball, the woman had gotten obviously worse.
Ugh, I had more than had it with this day. Dealing with normal, run-of-the-mill calm days could be a strain for my temper, but this one filled with egotists and bad timing had pushed me over the limit.
While the suits closed ranks around the injured woman, I took the time to step back and observe things around the lobby. I knew I needed to be here when the cops showed up to tell them what I’d seen where the victim was concerned, but it didn’t mean I had to get any more involved than I already was.
Most of those that were left within the lobby were part of the company’s upper management. If I had to guess, I’d say there were twenty to thirty people scattered about the spacious interior, and half of them were all huddled around the bleeding woman on the floor.
Turning my attention back to the woman in question, I couldn’t help but stumble back a little at her appearance. Something about her made me uneasy. While I knew she had been attacked, I’d also seen my fair share of injuries. To get through college, I had joined a volunteer fire department and had taken summer courses to get my Emergency Medical Technician Certification. It had been fun while it lasted, but once I graduated college it had become a thing of the past. In my youthful arrogance, I had been bound and determined to make the big bucks. Unfortunately, the world had not seen things the same way.
Before you ask why I didn’t use the knowledge I had to help this woman, I’ll sum it up in one word: Blood. If I carried around a jump bag or something with gloves, I’d have been all in to help where I could. Sadly, that was not the case and I had to be sure I didn’t put myself in danger. Considering Isaac had just given me a heads up about some kind of outbreak, I wasn’t taking any chances.
That said, I could also see that some things about the victim didn’t make sense. She was losing blood, copious amounts of it from what I’d seen. While she should have been completely white as a sheet, her skin had turned an ashen gray while her cheeks were a bright, flustered red. That particular sign made absolutely no sense, to me or to the natural order of things.
Despite the illnesses I had seen in my life, none had symptoms like this. Especially when dealing with hemorrhagic emergencies, it was practically unheard of to not see the patient be completely drained and pale. True, I could account for the woman lasting this long because of the hand clamped down to the side of her neck to stem bleeding, but the severity of her wound indicated she should have long ago been unconscious at the very least.
While I watched the scene and tried to pinpoint exactly what it was that could be causing all of this, Isaac cleared his throat. Turning my head, I watched as he idled up beside me once again and dropped his voice to a bare whisper as he spoke.
“You aren’t going to help?” I could hear the small note of disappointment in his voice and turned to face him fully.
“Considering what you just told me and the fact I don’t exactly have gear here, do you blame me?” Answering him in a hushed whisper, I watched as Suit One tried to pry up the woman’s hand to peer at the wound beneath. While I was happy to observe, and I certainly didn’t want to step in for fear I’d be target to some kind of lawsuit if things went wrong, I momentarily forgot my status as bystander.
“DON’T!” Calling out, I had started to take a step forward only to have Isaac grab the back of my khaki’s to halt my movement. That action alone probably saved my hide, and I honestly wish I had thanked him when it happened. As it stood, when I called out, every single person around the woman peered at me quizzically. Frowning, I continued, “She’s holding her neck to stop from bleeding out. If I were you, I wouldn’t let her move that hand, it’s probably all that’s keeping her alive.” I stood there and sighed, watching as Suit One ignored everything I’d just said.
“You told them, Angel. What they do from here out is not on you. Don’t look, Momma.” Isaac’s words had me turning my head to look up at him. Truth be told, I was grateful to have an excuse to look away from the impending nightmare of death taking place just a few feet away. I couldn’t help but feel guilty, if not a little
responsible for what I knew was coming.
“Well, it seems I’m not the only one that earns your ire, Miss Warren.” Oh, God. Seriously?
At that moment I cursed whatever god under the sun had decided my day had to get a little bit worse. As if getting stuck in the lobby didn’t seem like enough of a kick in the teeth, the voice that I heard from over Isaac’s shoulder had me groaning in dismay.
Mr. Cal Mitty, suit egotist extraordinaire that had made it a point to ignore me not even an hour before, had finally made his way down from the ivory tower. If I could have, I would have chosen that moment to sink down into a puddle on the floor to disappear quietly into the ether.
Well, I had wanted a distraction. I suppose beggars can’t be choosers.
“Mr. Mitty.” Doing my level best to keep my voice even and lacking in emotion, I really hoped that it would work. I did not want a repeat of our conversation from earlier.
“You have quite the mouth on you, Miss Warren. I have to admit, not many people would dare speak to Micheal McGinley that way.” Yep, it was official. I wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere and die.
Cal Mitty was entirely too amused at my current plight. I suppose it could be considered a small favor that he was actually decent to look at. While he may not have been a pretty boy, there was a ruggedly handsome appearance to him that definitely made him noteworthy. Between the gray eyes, black hair, and seemingly defined build, there really could have been worse things to stare at.
Glaring over at him, I decided to brush off any attempt at retracting my words as I stepped just out of Isaac’s reach and shrugged. Casting Mitty a look that I could only hope passed as indifference, I spoke. “If he didn’t want to be called out, he shouldn’t have pushed his luck. He deserved every word I spoke when he kept on with his little accusatory rant.”