Director’s POV

I really wasn’t expecting this…

That herald was so cryptic that I couldn’t figure out what it meant until now.

Given that she’s a magnet for danger, I should have expected it. But I didn’t expect she’d get herself killed now of all times.

Taking my first real look at her in years, I look her up and down. She’s holding her chest as if she’s on the verge of a heart attack and she's breathing heavily. Fear, with a slight hint of defiance, shines in her eyes. The use of our authorities usually terrifies humans like no other thing in this world, but my small use of it shouldn’t have crippled her into this state. Remembering how defensive Jessica was, she might have pushed her into reverberation trauma, pushing her over the edge. 

I let out a breath to relax myself, This is all still too soon. 

She had plenty of time left on her Time-Table. She shouldn’t have expired yet. I’ve seen this child’s momentary dial go up and down too many times for it to be zeroed out all of a sudden…

What do I even say? I thought I had more time… Urghhh! Why are teenagers so dumb?! Why did she even turn back for that homeless man? I couldn’t even find his name in the registry. That’s just another thing I’ll have to hunt down later. 

My mind sprawls a hundred and one possibilities of what to say, how to say it, and how it’ll be received. 

Aly simply stares at me qith the fear in her eyes slowly turning into curiosity. I assume she doesn’t even know what to say since she’s coming face to face with me for the first time. 

After what seems to be hours I’m finally able to open my mouth. But just as the words form on my tongue, two knocks ring out from the wall. I only sigh in anger as the lock spot expands into a door behind me and Sherri peaks her head in-between the door.

“WHAT SHERRI?! This better be good!” I say, letting loose my authority.

The glare in her glasses hides the fear in her eyes, but she goes on to say, “Ma’am, there’s someone important here to see you.”

“Tell them I’m busy at the moment!” I feel my patience slipping away at every word.

“I tried, but you see…” she stops as she sees the cold fog coming out of my fists. “Th—they’re REALLY important!” She pauses, trying to figure out a better way to exchange her message with me before just blurting out, “I’m sorry, they wouldn’t let me say much else!”

Already thinking of who might have the gull to pull this kind of stunt with a Host, I relent.

I turn back to see Aly, who has regressed back into a fearful stare. I already have 17 other things to think about right now and of course she had to be the 18th one. 

Blast! This isn’t how I wanted this to go…

Placing a cold calming hand to my overheating head I speak to the girl in front of me. “My apologies Hada—Aly,” I mutter before heading to the door. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

I grab her file from off the table and head for the door. I shut the door behind me then turn to Sherri with some bitter cold in my throat, “No one is allowed to speak to her before I return. Understand?”

Sherri nods her head to affirm before showing me to the room where my other guest awaits. I hand her the file and tell her to put it in my office where it will belong. 

***