We weren’t due back for a few more days, but I knew that Scout couldn’t miss a paycheck, so she’d have to go in. I drove to the theater fully intent on making her talk to me, but her car wasn’t there. I went inside and asked the manager who was covering for us about her. I didn’t know his name, but I had seen him a few times during shift switchover.
“Where’s Scout?”
He shot me a very confused look. “She quit. Are you back? I was told I’d be pulling OT all week.”
“She quit?”
The human nodded. “I guess she called Arsenio directly. You know, because they used to—” He made a vulgar gesture with his hands. I snarled, and he stopped playing around. “Look, that’s all I know. If you’re here to take over, I’m gonna head out. I’ve already been here all day.”
“Fine.” I snarled and stormed into the back.
I went to her office. It was just as she had left it. She had never bothered to decorate it, so she didn’t need to return.
I tried to call her, but her phone had been shut off. I called Arsenio then, and he was just as confused as I was.
“She sounded weird. Very flat. She didn’t give an explanation.”
“She’s in shock. There was an incident at Elvie’s. Don’t replace her.”
“I won’t. I’m considering her on vacation until I know for sure she’s not coming back. What exactly happened?”
“Elvie tried to have her killed, and when it didn’t work, she called Corrine.”
“Have you heard from Corrine?” he asked quickly.
“Not yet. I’m sure it’s coming. I’m trying to focus on one problem, then I’ll work out the rest.”
“Right. Yeah. I can go over there in a bit. Maybe she’s just a little shook up. She always hated going to my basement for the fights. Maybe whatever happened was just a little much.”
“Thanks.” I hung up and tried her number again. It told me her number was unavailable this time.
Had she blocked me?
I paced the office. This stupid fucking office. I shouldn’t bothered to decorate it. It was ridiculous. I hadn’t had a real job since- since ever. I couldn’t even remember having a job before I changed. Why now?
Because of her.
Because even from day one, I wanted to impress her. The girl I couldn’t have.
Maybe I was delusional in thinking that this could work. I was a Seven Sin. We didn’t get to be happy. Had Ludovica’s words gotten to Scout?
I grabbed my jacket and stormed out.
“You’re leaving? What am I supposed to do?” Aleida called to me. I turned but only for a moment.
“Your fucking job. You need a babysitter?” I left the building and ran to my car. My gut told me that if she was at her place, she wouldn’t be for long.
I was right. When I pulled into her complex, I saw the trunk of her car was popped open.
Fear shot through me, and I barely turned the car off before I was leaping out and heading toward her building. I caught her on the stairs, carrying a red suitcase.
“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded, stepping in front of her to block her. She hadn’t seen me immediately and jumped when I spoke.
She opened her mouth and shut it again. She did this a few times before shaking her head. “I just need to go for a while.”
“Where? How long? Why?”
She sighed. “Desi, I—” she continued, opening, and closing her mouth. She huffed and furrowed her brows. “My trunk is still open. Can you move, please?” She shoved past me, and I let her go but followed her back outside.
