Angelica saw a scene she had seen many times.
She saw a figure on the ground crawling away from her.
She advanced slowly, savouring the dread of her victim.
"Why did you do this?"
Her voice was sickly sweet.
"You know you can't get away from me."
Each step brought her closer to her victim.
She grabbed the back of the figure's cloak.
She wanted to see the face of terror.
As she pulled the hood back, the face of a young, crying Angelica looked back.
In that instant, she woke up.
Her pillow was wet with sweat.
She sat upright and hugged her knees.
The feeling of shame overwhelmed her as she wept quietly.
What was she going to do?
She looked around the dark room and remembered the phone.
The time showed two in the morning.
Would he pick up?
She took a deep breath and called Femur.
He picked up the phone after two rings.
"Good morning, Angelica. How can I help you?"
For a moment, she stayed quiet.
"Good morning. I had a nightmare."
Her mind raced.
What if he laughed at her or ended the call?
To her surprise, he was gentle.
"Do you wish to tell me what it was?"
Tears rolled down her face as a small smile formed on her face.
"I don't remember. I was just scared."
Femur answered almost immediately.
"I will stay on the line with you until you fall asleep."
She was happy that he would do that.
The only problem was that he never asked for anything in return.
She swallowed hard.
"You don't have to do that. I'm fine now. See you tomorrow."
Before Femur could respond, she ended the call.
She felt bad for not saying goodbye.
What if Femur was offended?
The thoughts ran amok in her mind, and she didn't get any sleep.
She just let the thoughts run their course.
When the sun rose, it had gotten to the point that she would be kicked out.
At eight in the morning, she heard a soft knocking.
She braced herself for the inevitable.
"Come in."
Femur entered with a tray with breakfast and coffee.
"Good morning, Angelica. Did you manage to get some sleep?"
For a second, she wanted to cry.
All her thoughts were wrong.
"I'm sorry for hanging up early."
Femur placed the tray on a nearby table and walked over to her.
"There is no need for apologies, nor tears. I have told you, I am your friend."
She dove in, hugged the old skeleton, and cried into his shoulder.
He hugged her back and waited for her to finish.
Between her tears, she managed to express her thoughts.
"I thought you would kick me out."
After he patted the back of her head, he spoke.
"If you are told to leave, I shall leave with you."
"Why would you do that? What do you want?"
She looked up to his blank face.
"As I said before. I am your friend, and that is all I want."
She managed to let go and went for her breakfast.
When she started eating, Femur sat across from her.
"When you are finished, Baron Aleksandar has tasked me with showing you your new employment."
She froze.
What do they want her to do?
All she knew was killing.
Femur reached out and placed a hand on hers.
"Do not worry. We would never force you to do anything you do not want to do."
She took a deep breath and finished her meal.
After a bath and getting dressed in simple jeans and a black long-sleeve t-shirt, she looked in the mirror.
She always slicked back her hair, but that wasn't who she was anymore.
She styled her short hair back, but more loosely.
When she was done, she followed Femur.
Outside the door, he stopped her.
"I am going to show you the scenic route. Do not worry, I will be with you every step of the way."
She nodded.
He took her through the busy streets.
People and Orcs were walking and laughing.
As Femur led her, she noticed the inhabitants would look at her, and some of them greeted her.
If the skeleton weren't there, she would have run away.
She saw markets, Orcs pulling in Airships, and people and Orcs having animated conversations.
As she was looking around, Femur was stopped by one of the largest Orcs she had ever seen.
Her body was ready for a fight, while her mind wanted to run.
"Mornin', Femur."
He turned his eye-patched gaze at her.
To her surprise, he went down on one knee; even then, he was still taller than her.
"Mornin', newcomer. My name is Grawl, I'm part 'o da guard. If ya have any problems, I'll help ya."
He held out a massive hand for her to shake.
After a few seconds, she took his hand.
She spoke very softly.
"Good morning. My name is Angelica."
He gave her a big tusk-filled smile and stood up.
He waved as he left.
Femur turned to her.
"You handled that very well, Angelica. I am proud of you."
At his words, she felt embarrassed, but also warm.
He then led her to a tavern named The Broken Tusk.
In the tavern, she was greeted by a lively group of humans and Orcs.
They were served by a mix of skeletons and a woman behind the bar.
The woman moved so fluidly between patrons and servers that it seemed like she was dancing.
She had long black hair that was draped over her shoulders, and a big smile plastered on her face.
Femur led her to the bar.
The woman sent three skeletons to take her place as she met with them.
"Good morning, Femur."
She turned to Angelica.
"Good morning, newcomer," she held out her hand, "My name is Vivian Flores."
Angelica took her hand.
"Hi, I'm Angelica."
She smiled at Angelica and turned her attention back to Femur.
"How can I help you?"
Without missing a beat, Femur saluted and spoke in his overly polite tone.
"Baron Aleksandar has asked that Angelica work here under your care!"
Vivian nodded.
"Angelica, please come with me."
As she followed Vivian, she looked back at Femur.
He gave her a thumbs-up and left.
She swallowed hard and went with Vivian to the kitchen.
Skeletons were busy cooking and cleaning.
Vivian led her to the stove.
"Angelica, would you like some coffee?"
She wanted to speak, but the words were caught in her throat.
The best she could muster was a nod.
As the hot cup was placed in her hands, Vivian spoke.
"Angelica, I can tell you went through much."
Angelica froze.
Did she know?
As she readied herself for judgment, she was surprised by Vivian's gentle words.
"I won't ask about your past, but I will help you any way I can."
Before she could stop herself, the question fell from her lips.
"Why?"
Vivian gave her a tender smile.
"When I was at my lowest, a hand was extended to me. The least I can do is the same."
Angelica felt happy for a moment.
The guilt told her that she didn't deserve to.
Vivian waited for her to finish her coffee.
"Your training starts now."
Angelica was given an apron, and for the rest of the day, she was taught how to be a waitress.
It started rough.
She forgot orders and spilt drinks.
She waited for the screams.
She expected attacks.
They never came.
The patrons laughed.
Some gave her pats on the back.
Others gave her encouragement.
With the help of Vivian, she made it through the day.
When they closed, she had a small smile on her face.
Vivian called her from behind the bar.
She gave Angelica a tankard of ale.
She clinked their tankards together.
"You did a good job today. You earned a drink."
Angelica was confused and spoke softly.
"I made so many mistakes."
Vivian chuckled.
"We all make mistakes. You stuck with it, and that's what matters."
She smiled and looked down as he enjoyed the drink.
Afterwards, she went back to her room satisfied.
For the next few days, she got used to her new job.
She made fewer mistakes, and the patrons started learning her name.
Just as she thought happiness was an option, she locked eyes with Ryan.
She froze.