I’m super proud of chapter 6 of SHREDDED so I wanted to post it here too:
My head spun. A million waves of nausea crashed into me at once.
“Comprimsed?” I croaked. “In what way, exactly?”
Mary drew her brows together. “We don't...have a clear picture of everything yet,” She said, hesitantly. “What I can tell you for sure is that it’s related to your position as a Senior Engineer at Vught.”
My stomach churned. My skin tingled. Mary kneeled in front of me, getting on my eye level. “How much do you remember from the last few days?”
I clutched myself. Memories of alcohol and laughter and depravity and disgust crawled up my throat. “What do I remember...Hold on.” I leaned forward and buried my head in my hands. “Who are you? How do you know any of this about me?” I pleaded.
Then for the first time since I’d woken up, I remembered the floating light.
I looked up to face Mary again. A familiar glow knocked the wind out of my lungs.
“Did you bring me here?”
The concern melted from Mary’s forehead. “In a manner of speaking, yes. So you do remember that part?” Her voice had become gentle, almost a whisper. It made me want to fall into a deep sleep and cry like a child at once.
“I do,” I said, incredulously. “How could I not? So that was you?”
Mary’s lips turned up into a smile as she started to respond but a fit of laughter from behind cut her off. We both turned back to the couch to see two idiot children trying and failing to mask their amusement.
“Bro really said, how could I not?” said Gia, in between giggles. “Damn Boss, I was unfamiliar with your game, HAHA.” I felt my face heat up to a degree that was no doubt incredibly obvious.
Mary heaved a sigh and slumped back on the couch with them, arms crossed. “Gia, you really getting on my last nerve right now.” She said, eyes shut, veins bulging, tone measured.
“I’m sorry!! Just trying to keep things light, goodness!’ Gia huffed.
“Don't you have your own explanation to give me?” I butted in, sharply. “If you want to talk, talk about that.”
Gia looked so crestfallen at my words that I almost felt bad. The air in the room grew tense.
“I’m so sorry Boss, I really am.” She said, sounding more somber than I thought was possible for Gia. “But the Big Boss and Mama Mary said I couldn't. AT LEAST, not until you're far away from that place. Which now you are!”
She walked over to me, hand outstretched. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Dr. Saiki Kusuke. I’m Najeeha Isfar, most people call me Gia!! But of course, on stage, I AM GINGER LLLLLLLL.“ She sang.
A vein in my forehead threatened to combust. I caught Mary’s eye and she gave me a patient smile.
“So you're a satyr, is that it?”
“YES!” cried Gia. “Good job, Boss! See, I was telling them we didn’t need to hide anything from you—”
“WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE.” Shrieked Kaido. “How did he figure that out??” He jumped to his feet and wagged his finger in Gia’ face. “YOU FUCKING TOLD HIM DIDN’T YOU?? I FUCKING KNEW IT—”
“I DIDN’T TELL HIM SHIT YOU BLUE HAIRED RAT BASTARD, IF YOU DONT—”
“OOOOOKAYYYY!!” Mary clapped her hands dismissively. “Thank you sooooo much Ms. Najeeha Isfar and Mr. Shun Kaido. I’m just going to speedrun the rest of this. By myself. Please close the door on your way out.”
Mary’s face had gotten more and more resigned throughout the whole ordeal. Gia ked like she was about to cry. “No Mary please, I’m sorry, I can help, I swear—” A sob broke out of her.
My chest burned. I had for sure just stepped in some sort of a land mine without realizing here.
Mary turned her whole body towards Gia and, reaching past Kaido, put her hand on Gia's hand. “No, Gia, it’s okay,” she said soothingly. “I’m not mad at you, darling. You've helped. Why don’t you get some rest, sunshine?” Turning her head away, and keeping her gaze cautiously off Kaid, she said, “And perhaps Mr Shun Kaido can go find his head in the meantime.“
Her tone remained mostly neutral. Mostly.
I watched the blue haired doof turn bright red and stutter out an apology, before stumbling out of the basement room. Gia followed him out, looking exhausted in a way I hadn't seen her since we met.
I let my guilt chew and berate me in the silence that followed. I dared not meet Mary’s eyes.
“She didn't tell me anything.” I managed to finally force out. I gestured towards my head. “The horns in Gia’s head. At work, she always had long enough hair that I couldn't see them,” I explained. “I actually know a little bit about satyrs as friendly spirits, so that one wasn't too hard to figure out.” I waited for a response, hoping I could keep getting away with not looking at her, but she wouldn't let me.
I could feel her gaze on me but she tortured me with her silence. Finally, I looked up and saw her pursed lips. But her eyes. Her eyes hid a smile. “Thank you for telling me. Gia’s a good kid and she does try her best. And don't even bother with anything that Kaido said,” she chuckled. Then leaned in and whispered, “But don't tell him I said that!” She broke out into a cackle.
It loosened several knots in my chest. I felt off balance. My heart felt light with her laughter for just a few moments before the dread settled in yet again.
“So, this Big Boss Gia mentioned," I started, hesitantly. “It’s my brother, isn’t it? Did Kusuo ask you to do this?”
