Anstine's meeting part II

'Hey, are you okay?'

'Not especially! Oh fuck.'

'It's okay. Try to breathe more slowly.'

'Can't. He's from ORTOS, in Midnight Hollow! Oh my God, I told him my fucking name, how fucking stupid am I?!'

'We don't know anything about him. Even then, all we heard is that he hates working there.'

'We don't know how honest he's being! I'm fucked. I'm fucked. Even if he's not here on Marcus' behalf, all he'd have to do is drop a description in the wrong place, at the wrong time, in front of the wrong person and I'll be found! How many other people could answer to the description of white haired vampire charred like overdone steak?'

'Nalini. He's not here because of Marcus. He's here because of Anstine. He and Tony obviously trust him, otherwise they wouldn't be sharing all this sensitive information in front of him. We can tell him not to mention you to anyone. It's okay, I promise.'

'And what if he finds out some other way? He must've cleared the time off with my ex, he could still find me - this is how Marcus operates, he uses other people to find me. Riverview, I left because he contacted the captain there and I got taken in. Moonlight Falls, I left because he sent letters and photos addressed to me to my best friend's house. Now some employee has turned up here barely five minutes after I arrive! If he finds me again, that's it. I'll have to leave. Again. I - I wouldn't be able to risk returning...'

'I'm sorry. We can ask them how they know each other. I'm sure Tony and Anstine will be able to vouch for Isai. I trust them. There's much more evidence that points to this being a simple coincidence. Believe in me here.'

'...I don't know how much more I can stand. It's been twenty-five years since I left him. I don't know if I'll ever be able to stop looking over my shoulder. Not until he's dead, anyway.'

'Come here. You're safe here. He won't find you. Nothing will happen to you. I won't let it.'

'...Thank you...We ought to go back, I suppose.'

'Yes. Let's put your mind at ease.'

'...God, how fucking humiliating. I must look like a complete idiot.'

'You shouldn't speak so harshly of yourself. You don't look like an idiot. I must have freaked out in front of other people about a thousand times. And you're not "charred like an overdone steak". You're beautiful.'

'Really? Thank you... I know I can be pretty fucking rough on myself. It just feels deserved.'

'Well, it isn't. I think you're incredible, inside and out.'

'You're far too nice to me. Thank you.'

'You're very kind to me too. Let's go, then.'

'Are you okay now?'

'Yes, thank you. I do apologise for interrupting, I just needed some fresh air.'

'Don't worry about it.'

'I have a question as well. Just out of curiosity, how did you and Anstine meet Isai?'

'Oh, I served in the military with his sister. She introduced us to him.'

'We got talking about work, and Anstine took a deep interest in my job.'

'...I asked Isai to keep an eye on Miles for me. Rude as fuck, I know.'

'I'm rather reluctant to do it, particularly with this new knowledge, but I realise the importance of it.'

'I was pretty suspicious when Miles joined ORTOS because of the timing.'

'Well, I do know that he has legitimate credentials in the scientific field.'

'That's something. Still... I don't trust him.'

'It almost makes sense he'd join there. For the most part, those fucking facilities attract the desperate and the deranged like moths to a flame.'

'...I didn't realise what I was getting myself into. I can assure you, I'm neither desperate nor deranged. I thought I was taking on a normal job in my home town. Clearly I was mistaken.'

'I have a feeling most of the sane employees there don't realise what a shithole it is. Oh, and there's also the idiots. ...Not that I'm trying to say you're an idiot, either.'

'Good, because I'm starting to feel under attack. When I have time off from that horrible place, I'd rather spend it doing something relaxing. Travelling to Sunset Valley to discuss psychopaths and be insulted wouldn't normally be my first choice, but alas, Anstine insisted.'

'Hey, it's okay. I really appreciate what you're doing, okay? We all do. She wasn't making it personal.'

'Aria was.'

'Yeah, but I have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth. Zero verbal filter.'

'Well rest assured, I definitely didn't mean you. I was thinking of some others.'

'...Sorry. This is stressing me out.'

'No wonder. Let's wrap it up, huh? I found it suspicious that Miles joined ORTOS because he only did it after Aosoth's death. What's more, he doesn't seem to need the money.'

'Definitely not. He has more money than he'll ever realistically spend.'

'Then he's there for a reason. And I'm worried that reason might be resurrecting Aosoth.'

'Fantastic.'

'Can he really do that?'

'With their technology, I'd say it's possible. So it's my task to watch over him for any potentially concerning activity. My ability to do so is limited, however. We're not on the same Level.'

'So you're a Level 2 technician. What about him?'

'Level 3.'

'Ah. So, with animals mainly then. A biologist.'

'I heard he got a top degree in it.'

'Good job he's got something to make up for the rest of his personality. So it's obvious that him succeeding is a Very Bad Thing. What are you gonna do about it?'

'Thing is, I can't do much yet.'

'...Why not? He's an ordinary human. You can easily kill him.'

'Well, he is being protected by that other demon...'

'Oh, yeah. Rikard. He's under my observation too. He's Aosoth's brother, you see.'

'...Mmm. I presume you heard about Indigo's encounter with Rikard and Miles?'

'Nnnno...?'

'I'll explain.'

...

'...Right.'

'Hey, Rikard should count under your job description, right? Since he played a part in torturing a teenager, isn't he a problem?'

'Yeah. I can't rush into that quickly, though. He's pretty powerful.'

'Okay. So, what about Miles?'

'Well, the Rikard issue is obviously a problem. But there's also Hazel. If I kill him, there's no telling what she could do in response. It's too dangerous to risk.'

'Then kill her too.'

'Aria!'

'Why not? Who gives a shit about her?'

'She's not even an adult, for one thing. And as well as that, she's done nothing wrong. I can't just kill her.'

'You're gonna do nothing, that's what you're saying.'

'No, I'm gonna make sure we watch him as closely as possible before we're in a position to act-'

'Until someone else gets hurt. Oh, okay, gotcha.'

'Erm, no-'

'Who has to become a victim then? Or a sacrifice, that's probably more accurate.'

'Aria, please, he's doing all he can...'

'Like hell he is. Well, thanks for nothing. I thought this might be helpful, but apparently not.'

'...Fuck me, man.'

'Is she usually this charming?'

'The whole situation's affected her very badly. I'm really sorry.'

'It's okay. I feel bad too, I know I haven't exactly offered a great solution.'

'I can't really blame her, to be honest. I'm not saying she was right to bite your head off, but it was her brother that got hurt... I do appreciate that it's not as easy as simply running a sword through the fuckers, though.'

'Thanks. No, I don't blame her one bit. Edward, tell her I mean it when I say I'll do my best, okay? With him under observation, we can step in to stop anything else awful from happening.'

'I will.'

'Okay. Well, thanks for your time.'

'...Before we go, I just want to ask Isai something quickly.'

'Go on.'

'...Marcus Knighton, the Captain. ...What's your opinion of him?'

'Honestly? He's an arrogant, condescending arse.'

'...I must ask that when you return to Midnight Hollow, not to mention me by description, name or anything in the facility. At all. Please pretend that I don't exist.'

'My lips are sealed. Nothing of today will be brought up in the facility.'

'...Thank you. I appreciate it.'

'What's your association with the place? You don't have to tell us, but I'm interested in knowing.'

...There's probably no point in holding back. If he IS here on Marcus' orders, he'll already know who I am and what I was already...

'...Former Level 3 technician. Former Vice. Former Captain. ...Marcus' ex wife.'

'Wow.'

'...My condolences.'

'Thank you.'

'I always thought he looked kinda greasy.'

'Anstine!'

'Just saying, you've done a lot better for yourself now.'

'...Well, Anstine's not wrong.'

'...On both counts.'

'You were worried I'd report back to him about you, weren't you? Rest assured, I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. Once this issue with Miles is resolved, I shall be planning my exit from ORTOS.'

'...You must understand, he's been stalking me for over two decades. So... Yes, I was paranoid about your motives. I'm sorry.'

'Two decades? Christ. I'm not surprised you assumed the worst. It's fine.'