Ursanthropy
5. Paperwork

Jack

Shit! Vic was a little too fast on that! I had linked her that I was on my way to bring the new girl here, as her car had broken down, but Doreen is human! She can’t know about us being shifters!

“Uhm, I texted her when you were grabbing your things from the car.” I hesitantly and quickly said to Doreen.

“What are you…” Vic looked at me a little confused, but then understood what I was referring to. “Oh yes, I got a message from him, about ten minutes ago or something.” Vic quickly said, as she gave Doreen her keys.

“Right. Well, I’m off to bed.” Doreen said, with one raised eyebrow, and left up the stairs.

“Did she buy it?” Vic asked me, once Doreen was out of sight.

“I don’t know, but there is something off about her. Could you keep an eye out for her?” I asked her.

“What? I’m your watchdog now?” Vic said, with an annoyed face.

“Just do as I say.” I said sternly and walked out the door.

It was truly a coincident that I had seen her standing at her broken-down car, at the diner. So, I hoped she wasn’t thinking of me or Vic as some strange saboteurs.

But I couldn’t tell her the truth about me mind-linking Vic, as we never told any human about our existence. It wasn’t allowed, but it was also not smart, as we had been deceived by plenty of humans in the past.

Of course, there are some humans that know of us, that threatened our lives on several occasions. But we haven’t seen them in months now, and I’d like to keep it that way.

However, this afternoon I had been trying to replace out, who this Doreen was, but as she had never mentioned her last name, and her car was owned by an old, dead man, I didn’t have much to go on.

I drove by the diner, hoping that Bertha was still here, maybe she had filled in some documents already, to give me something that told me that Doreen wasn’t one of those deceiving people.

Shit! Lights are out, above the diner. Bertha must be asleep. I’ll have to come back tomorrow.

Doreen

I’m not sure if they were telling the truth, but so far they have been nothing but nice to me, and this day was the strangest one, in my entire life. So, I decided that this little awkward moment was due to lack of sleep.

Not the lack of food though, because Erol had made me a killer steak this evening. He had said that it was the smallest one, and I hated for meat to go to waste, but it was enormous and I simply couldn’t finish it.

I opened the door to my room, and was happily surprised with clean sheets on the bed, no broken furniture and upon researching the bathroom, there was hot water coming out of the shower.

“Yes!” I said really happy, knowing that I haven’t got a proper shower in days.

There were even a few of those little flasks, with shampoo and body lotion. So, I quickly took off my clothes and stepped into the shower. First, I washed my hair and body with the shampoo, before the hot water would run out, but it seemed to keep on going, so I stood a little longer under it.

I was amazed by the looks of this motel; it surprised me that a little town like this would have a motel that was equipped with furniture, appliances and even a bathroom where none of the tiles were chipped off. So, I took my time, bathing myself in the most luxury my body has been in, for quite some time.

After finishing and drying myself, I let my exhausted body drag me to the bed. While welcoming the soft blankets and cushions, I quickly had set an alarm on my watch, put my silver necklace on the nightstand, and let myself drift away into the dark.

“Victoria, is there any way I could pay you later? I’m planning to stay here for a little longer, and I have a job at Bertha’s.” I asked her next morning, hoping that I could use my current money for some food and maybe some new clothes.

“Sure honey, but only if you promise to have a drink with me this weekend.” She said serious.

I was stunned with her straightforwardness, but yet kind proposal to have a nice time with me. Friends weren’t things that I have in numbers, so this was actually really nice. But paying for drinks at a bar, could be expensive.

“Uh, well I haven’t got enough money to-

“Oh, don’t worry about that, Jack will pay for it.” She said and waved my look away.

Wow, I’m not sure if I should let these people pay for my drinks, as I have just met them yesterday. But she is insisting really badly, and I could use a little distraction.

“Well, alright then, I suppose.” I said hesitantly.

“Great! I’ll tell Bertha to give you the day off at Sunday then.” She said and walked off into the kitchen.

“Wait, what? No! I need the money. Please.” I yelled to her, but she didn’t respond back to me.

“Ahhh, what have I agreed into?” I whispered and walked out of the motel.

As my car is at the garage, or I assume it to be, I have to walk to the diner now. It will be a thirty-minute walk, so if I want to get in time, I’d better get walking now, fast.

Barely in time, I had stumbled into the diner and went to the back to get me an apron. I hadn’t seen Bertha or Erol, but I wanted to be ready when they walked downstairs in a few minutes.

“No, I still have to get her information.” I heard Bertha say.

Then I heard a male voice whisper something, and heard the backdoor close, as assumedly he had been walking out.

I think she was talking about my information, and I was wondering who could be asking about it. I know that I haven’t signed an actual contract yet, for the job, but now that someone was asking questions, I don’t know what information I should or shouldn’t give.

I was desperately hoping that no one was to replace out about my family or past. Not only because I didn’t want to leave this place, but also because I didn’t want to give them any trouble or danger.

As I walked inside, to the front of the diner again and prepared the tables with salt and pepper shakers, Bertha came inside as well.

“Oh, you’re here already! Good morning, did you have a good night’s sleep?” She asked me cheerfully.

“Yes, I actually did, thanks.” I replied, which was the truth, as I had slept like a rose!

“Good, we have to sign some forms, you know for registration and all. Could we do that later?” She continued.

But even though I had a good sleep, worry came back tenfold.

“Yes, about that Bertha. Is there any chance that we might not have to do that?” I asked her and she raised a brow.

“Look, I am not dangerous, I just need a second chance in life, and I truly feel like this place can provide that for me. Everyone here has been nothing but kind to me, and I sincerely hoped that you could trust me, only by knowing my first name.” I explained to her, without telling any details.

“Honey, I know that you aren’t dangerous, girl you couldn’t swat a fly with those tiny muscles. But...” She shook her head. I could tell that she was contemplating, whether to do this for me or not. “I will let the forms go, but please promise me one thing.” She said and sighed.

“Anything.”

“I hate it when people are lying, in fact, I can tell it quite easily, when someone does. So, I won’t ask for your information, if you are honest to me at all times. One lie, and you’re out, is that clear?” She said almost a bit angry, yet determined to make sure that I heard her.

“Crystal. I don’t know why you should grant an unknown girl this chance, but I won’t disappoint you. Thank you.” I answered with a sincere smile.

“Oh, you have to replace a better way to thank me for it, because Vic made me give you a day off Sunday! I don’t know what it is with you, but you must be special!” Bertha said jokingly, before walking back into the kitchen.

Hmm, I guess that Vic had texted Bertha already about our drinking night at Saturday.

But wow, I’m truly speechless about all the things that were happening today. Again. I mean I had the strangest day yesterday and now this? Not needing to sign any papers, a free drinking night this weekend and the day off, right after! Is it my birthday already?