ONE

~Amolet 

I stare back at myself in the reflection of the window, tucking a stray thread out of sight. 

This is the first job I've ever applied for, and it shows. I've managed to pull what appears to be a formal outfit from the depths of my closet, having struggled earlier to pull my thick hair into a tidy enough bun. Today could be the day I finally gain financial independence. No longer will I have to rely on anyone other than myself. 

Through the window, I meet the silvery eyes of the shop's owner, who smiles warmly, motioning for me to come inside. 

The bell jingles above me as I step inside, greeted by the scent of old books and lavender incense. My friend comes around the counter, tugging his apron off and he looks me over, noting my choice in formal-wear for this interview. 

"You don't have to do this, you know," he reminds me, leaning against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. Leven and I have been friends for as long as I can remember, and as soon as I could, I worked at his family's bookstore. For so long I've owed him everything, and now I'm going to apply at a local mental institution in hopes to start a real career. 

"Working for you is nice, but I need my own job," I remind him, watching him tilt his head, thick golden waves brushing against his brows. 

"That's the thing, you don't," he comments, raising a light eyebrow. "I can look after you."

I narrow my eyes at him playfully, picking a random book off the shelf before flipping through it. I knew that stopping in here from the small apartment Lev and I share before heading off to my interview would be a mistake. Since last night when I announced it to him he has been trying to talk me out of it. If he had his way, I would be working at the bookstore forever. 

"You're my friend, Lev. I'm not going to do that to you," I tell him firmly, falling back onto the plush couch that is a part of the designated reading area. 

He joins me, knowing there aren't any customers in the store to watch on. "But I want to look after you. Working in a prison doesn't suit you."

"It's a care facility for people who have been through a lot more than you and me," I remind him. My research has proven that most of the patients there have magic related injuries that have rendered them unable to participate in our society here in the Harmony Pack. Here, society demands perfection, and if you're not close enough to that, you're thrown into a place like where I will now find myself working. 

"If you don't get the job, the position is still open for you at my shop," Lev offers, that grin he offers me so characteristically him it warms me from the inside. I sometimes forget he has no officially inherited this store from his parents. 

I used to have the biggest crush on Lev when we were younger, but once we came out of school and have been living together as friends, I've decided it needs to remain platonic. 

"I appreciate you. I'll let you know how it goes," I promise, standing up to give him a hug before quickly pushing through the bookstore door, dodging customers as they breeze. 

Lev casts one more look toward me. If he wanted to say anymore to me, he decides against it. 

***

I sit before the large desk, knees pressed tightly together in fear as I address who may be my boss as he sits before me. 

When I signed up for this job, I wouldn't have expected my boss to look like this. He lounges casually back in his seat, sifting through the paper before him as if none of it truly makes sense. He wears a back collared button-up shirt, the first couple undone, showing off a mass of tattoos and markings depicting patterns I've never seen before. They creep up his neck, the ends of some finishing at his jawline. The more I stare at them, the more frightening they become, seeming to shift and move under the light like a living entity. 

"What has made you want to apply for this position?" he asks casually, looking at my resume and then back at me, eyes a dark shade of brown. 

"I care a lot for people, and I saw this position and decided I wanted to try something new," I say simply, deciding against telling him I need the money and this is the only place that may take me. 

He runs his finger along his lower lip as he thinks. I've decided this man before me is attractive in this dark, predatory way. Perhaps if a cold chill wasn't buried beneath my skin every time I glance his way, I would be enamoured. Instead, I stare at him warily. Stace, his name is. 

"You understand how demanding this position can be. There are many patients who are seriously mentally ill," he murmurs, dark brows raising beneath his black hair, the thick curls concealing them from view. I swallow painfully, my dry throat aching. 

"That doesn't mean they shouldn't have a chance to try to live the best life possible, which I'm willing to help with," I tell him firmly. 

He breathes in for a long moment, studying me.

"This position will have you on the lowest level, where those patients will have magical inflictions. This means they will be beyond repairs," he tells me slowly, clearly predicting I'm hoping to change them, to make them better despite my lack of experience. Yet the undertone of his warning says more than he is letting on. 

Is he referring to a particular case? Or maybe more than one person?

"Then I will try to nurture them," is all I respond with. Even if they are beyond saving, they are worth taking care of. I just hope I can do it and manage everything else going on in my life. Once Lev knows, he's going to try to convince me to not take this job. 

Stace leans back, looking over me. "You live around here?"

I nod. "Just down the road."

Stace sweeps his hand back through his dark curls which fall back effortlessly around his forehead and ears. He doesn't look like he should live here, in the Harmony Pack. He doesn't have the common features, yet I've already established he must be a foreigner. Yet there is something more to it than that..something otherworldly, with those markings, those eyes. 

Don't convince yourself out of this. There is nothing going on. 

"So you understand the rumours?" he questions, snapping me from my foolish thoughts. 

"Rumours?" I hadn't realised there were any.

Stace tilts his head back and forth, quietly considering something. I've lived in this part of the Harmony Pack since I was young. After my parents died I was sent here to live with my Uncle, which is how I met Lev in the local school. Now I live with him, trying to scrape together money to get by day to day. Even if I had heard the rumours here, which I haven't, I would likely still apply to work here. 

"Never mind. It seems you will work just fine for the position. Is starting Monday next week work fine with you?" he questions, writing something on the paper before him. 

I nod eagerly. "Yes, that's perfect."

"Would you like me to show you where you will be working?" he asks, raising an eyebrow as if it's a challenge, as if he expects me to change my mind. How bad can this place truly be? How badly are the patients here damaged? I have no experience dealing with any magical injuries, yet I'm curious to see how it has affected those here. 

"Absolutely."

I allow him to guide me out to the main foyer and into the elevator. Watching anxiously, I make note of the fact he has to put a security code into the panel, sending us quickly plummeting downward. He's too tall to be normal, too broad in the shoulders. The way he looks at me suggests he is waiting for me to mention something, but I keep my mouth firmly closed. 

"The lowest floor is underground, so there isn't any natural lighting," he comments as the elevator glides to a stop, the light above us flickering eerily.  "I hope that's not an issue."

"No, that should be fine," I reply uneasily. 

Stepping out of the elevator, we emerge into the underground complex, a long hallway extending out in front of us. Looking around, there are closed doors everywhere, no windows to see inside. I shiver imagining the patients hidden behind, suffering away from the outside world. 

"Most of these patients are despondent, so don't worry about holding a conversation with any of them," Stace mutters, leading me down a separate hallway. 

"Why is that?"

"Most of them are trapped within their own heads," he admits. As we pass by another hallway, I can't help but look down, seeing darkness, and then as my eyes adjust, I realise I'm looking at cells. The iron bars are a stark contrast to the rest of the facility. This is meant to be a hospital substitute for those with magical injuries. I hadn't realised a cell would be necessary. 

"Sad," I breathe. 

Stace pauses, leaning back against the wall, following my gaze down the hallway lined with cells."There's on patient in particular I recommend you avoid."

I frown. "Why's that?"

As we meet gazes, I get a sense that he wants to tell me, yet something stops him. Instead, he clears his throat, turning away, motioning for me to follow. 

"That doesn't matter," he murmurs. "Let's go get your uniform."

I nod as I follow after him, but not without casting one last glance down the dark hallway, wondering what Stace's warning really means.