Re: It's a Dog Eat Dog World: Act 1
Spoiling her, Josie was pulled back into Matt's arms and filled with more of his kisses...drowning in her wanted urge to just stay, to forget everything and just stay there for the rest of her life. But no, she had to think of others now.
Reluctantly, she returned Matt's affections, "A massage...that would be so nice. But, I rather care for you when I return." Leaving him with that thought, she finished dressing, grabbed her gear and headed out the door blowing kisses.
Quickly, Josie reached the first floor. Asking the front desk attendant where the cafe was located, she made her way through the huge building wondering exactly what was hidden in this place. Apartments and penthouses, classrooms and training facilities, an Olympic-size indoor pool, track and shooting range; laboratories, medical emergency facilities, a cafeteria... what else has she not seen in this place? And that's not even mentioning the roof-top training area and helicopter pad, and the field training area located on the outskirts of Circle B. She's learned in the past that the ISH was a big thing, but now after living within their walls, she truly wondered what her dear friend Ace was managing around there.
"Ah, up and early; that's a good thing to see." Ace stood up to give her a hug before returning to his seat. "Did you guys sleep well last night?"
"Yea, him more than me," Josie sat down and took the glass of OJ that sat before her.
"The security at the door wasn't a problem for you, was it?"
"No, actually that set me at ease a bit, but not enough." she sat the glass down. "Alright, what's up?"
After that bit of chit chat, Ace's face turned serious. "Tell me what happened to you guys at the Haven."
Josie spilled out all the details, from their first encounter with the leaders, all the way to their escape with Harrison and Carol's assistance. When she was done, Ace was speechless. Too entranced with all the intell he was receiving about the inner workings of the mysterious Haven, and upset about what they went through.
"So, you're telling me that they...ah, God, Josie! Why didn't you say anything?"
"Well, it didn't occur to me that it was required to divulge in my recent catastrophes. I thought we were safe and everything forgotten since we dropped from the face of the earth. But, I guess that's what I get for thinking."
Ace stood up and began to pace...that repetitive shuffle he did from time to time was so irritating, she hardly could finish her breakfast. "Really, Ace?"
"I've got to think... what you've just told me opens up a whole new chapter to my findings. They're not as holy and self-righteous as they want everyone to believe. They're..hiding something, but what? And whatever it is, obviously you two are such a threat to this that they're shelling out a king's ransom for your heads."
"It sounds so horrible when you say it...", Josie stood up and grabbed her gear. "Look, you let us know what you come up with... I'm heading upstairs for class." Ace nodded his head and continued to pace, too deep in thought to give her a wave goodbye. Josie returned to the 15th floor and began her grueling hours of training.
*****
Three days passed. She hadn't seen Ace after their little meeting days ago, and Matt was doing a whole lot better after a stress-free recovery. Josie, on the other hand, was frazzled. She's been training like a mad woman, trying to learn everything she could flawlessly, as much as she could, to speed up her training. She's used her down time to sneak around the training areas and classrooms, searching for items of use and weapons that her and Matt could take without being caught or noticed missing. She even found the keys to the helicopter, but couldn't recall what her father taught her on flying the thing.
She stashed the items in a large black duffle bag under their bed. Then, the rest of her nights were spent showing Matt all that she'd learned in her classes to keep his skills up until he was able to return to training. So, sleep has been nonexistent for her, but she pressed on with determination.
Her third night of training was her breaking point. Josie stormed into the penthouse, grimy and completely rattled. Her simulation that night seem to have been taken straight out of her past with a new perspective with their recent attack. After learning about their encounter at the Haven, Ace wanted to make sure Josie was strong enough to handle herself if another attempt on her was made. Again, finding herself in a bind she could not figure a way out of, Josie cracked under the pressure and Ace ended her simulation for the night, telling her to go get some rest.
Unaware, Ace had called Matt to inform him of the situation.
Throwing her gear around the living area, Josie grunted in anger. Her helmet shattered a wall mirror. Her heavy knee pads broke a vase. She threw her goggles and gloves everywhere. Annie was shocked to see her so angry, but quietly cleaned up the mess and called Ace, who told her to let her vent.
She didn't want to talk, so instead of going to the bedroom, Josie stepped outside onto the balcony adjacent to the dining and living room. Annie stepped to the bedroom and knocked on the door. "Josie's back. Ace was right, she's not doing good at all," she told Matt before closing the door.
Josie closed the sliding glass door and moved to the railing to peer over. The city was bright and active...alive and oblivious to the dangers surrounding it. Ignorant was another word for their bliss. Josie knew more than anyone down there just how bad their world has become. To have it thrown in her face again that night didn't help her overall confidence that was slowly returning...somewhat.
She stood there and let the cooling winds calm her. No tears fell this time, they were evaporated by her hatred for her life in general. There was only one good thing within it that helped push back all the bad. She needed to keep him in mind and build on.
