'Scuse me took me a moment to find the prompt I used for this one. This was the email draft I found btw
I look down at a scrap of paper I wrote the address on once more, I just had to be sure that I didn't imagine anything. I lifted my head and stared at this abandoned-aesthetic apartment off a dirt road.
'It's five years since I have seen him... I didn't make any calls or send any texts... I wonder how his life has been.' I bit my lip to stop its pathetic quivering as my shaking hand hovers over the doorknob. 'Stop hesitating! It's going to be fine.. just go.' The thought pressured me, and with a quick spin on my heels, I was ready to leave 'nope, can't do this. I can't face him'. Before either of my feet could leave the ground, the door behind me creaked open briskly.
"Aye, Rick! I thought you said that package wasn't supposed to be here till later tonight." A male's voice questioned from behind. I slowly turned around to face the man as another one appeared by his side.
"What the hell are you talking about Rookie. Of course, they aren't supposed to be here till later!" The second Male answers, he turns his head and quickly scans over me. "Rookie, you idgit!" He smacks the back of the first Male's head, "that's her!" He holds up a picture in the Rookie's (the first Male's) face.
"I am so sorry. We'll bring you to our boss right away." The Rooky was practically shaking in front of me.
"Just like he said Miss Kingsleigh, he will take you to our boss. Please excuse the trading grounds, I know it is unsightly. We want this place to not look suspicious in any way." Rick (the second male) informs me as his college opens up a door in the wall.
'That was a door!?' I questioned before being signaled by the rooky,
"Please, Miss Kingliegh, this way." As if pushed forward by an invisible force in my body, I make my way in the hall. Soon enough, as one foot moves in front of the other, seemingly on its own, the rooky and I are moving down a long hallway.
"I really am sorry for not recognizing you sooner, Miss Kingsleigh." The rooky repeats to break the awkward and stiff silence in the room.
"Oh. It... it's fine." My mind was spinning in circles as each step brought me closer and closer to an old high school sweetheart. It was almost surprised with the amount of shaking my knees were doing that I didn't sound like a rattling skeleton shuffling its way across a room.
"Hey, listen. If it makes you feel any better, I'm nervous too. I'm new, that's why they call me Rooky. I heard the scolding those bank robbers got after bumping into you. The boss talks about you sometimes; he's a tough guy most of the time, but when he talks about you, it's some of the sweetest things I've heard come out. So, don't be scared of him." He smiles at me, and I feel the shaking almost disappear.
"So.. he doesn't hate me?" I inquired
"The boss? No, no. I don't think he could ever find it in his heart to hate you, Miss Kingsleigh" He chuckles.
We reach a door. The rooky opens it and leads me in awe of what surrounded me. It wasn't like a lavish mansion, but it wasn't a dirty old cottage either. It was like my dream home come to life. It was warm and smelt of burning wood and apple/cinnamon. A rustic log home, just as I had always fantasized about.
A short bark followed by pitter-patter made it's way to me.
"M-Miss! Look out!!" The rooky shouts as a beautiful wolfy malamute pounded his way towards me. He tries to stand in front of me. However, I sprint towards the dog and slide on my knees into a hug with nothing but fluff and kisses.
"Zero! Hello Z-Z, how are you, you handsome boy." I giggle and ruffle up Zero's fur. "Are you a good boy? Huh? Yes, you are, you beautiful malamute wolf. Are you a mix? Are you a mix!? Yes, you are." He barked, "what- hey, where's your toy? Where you toy big boy? Go get it, yeah go get it" Zero spins in a circle as I questioned the whereabouts of his toy. "Go on! Go get it Zero," just like that he zoomed out of the room.
"I- How..?" The rooky asked, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
"Hehe, Zero isn't so bad. You just gotta gain his trust, and he's just a huge fluffy puppy. Who also happens to be part wolf and part malamute." I pat the young man's shoulder.
"You know, I've been pretty good at keeping that a secret" a familiar voice comes from a doorway across the room.
"Z-Zimmerman!" My head shifted towards the doorway. It was like a day hadn't passed since I had last seen him. Maybe he had gotten taller.
"Awe, why so formal my little flower?" For a moment, his sweet smile was a frown.
"Sorry, Killian.. long time no see, huh?" A nervous chuckle leaves as I hold my left arm.
'I can't even look him in the eye..' my gaze stayed fixated on his smile.
"So Azalea, I suppose you have some questions. That's why you're here, right?" I nod, "How about this? I'll make dinner after I give you a tour, and then we'll talk."
"That sounds.. delightful." I agree hesitantly. He sends the rooky back to the trading ground, and we walk around on tour.
*About an hour later*
"That was a lot more land than I thought you had. What do you plan on doing with it?" Curiosity lined every word fumbling out. I cursed my hands for shaking this whole time, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Oh, well, some of my men don't have homes or means to pay for a home without suspicion, so I planned on using what I have to build them places to sleep. This house is big enough that we can have everyone gather here for meals," he answered matter-of-factly. "I'm going to make dinner, in the meantime, make yourself comfortable. Alright?"
"Okay."
"Good, dinner shouldn't take long." With that, he leaves me from where we started the tour. Zero comes bounding over to my side with rope in his mouth. Zero nuzzles my arm repeatedly.
"Okay, okay, I'll play." I smile and toss the rope for him a few times before getting into a tug of war.