Page 16 of Guardian

Although my memory was shitty, I knew the water was always home. It comforted me with open arms whenever I needed an escape. I craved its security during times like these since it weakenedhervoice and thoughts ofher.

Pools were enough, but lakes were what I needed. Like the one I noticed when I arrived.

Warmth surged through my chest and pushed me to my phone. There were no notifications, the late time indicating that maybe Lace hadn’t received news of my mistake. Even while the great possibility of my discharge hovered over me like a cloud of smoke, I forced myself back into the bathroom to wash up.

Bitterness stirred in my stomach. I wasn’t strong enough to beatherby myself. I needed the pills to shutherdown, even if it shut me off too.

The tension in my muscles stayed even with the steam. My guard was always there.

My shoulders lowered as I stepped into the bedroom I had failed to see earlier. Fuchsia walls clashed against my sight, dark plush carpet caressing my toes while I paced away from the wet tiles. A large wooden bed rested in the middle of the room, cabinets of differing styles occupying any available space along it. The room was large but somehow felt cramped. I liked it.

I settled onto the floor as I searched for the guardian suit and earpiece we were forced to wear on the job. If I even stayed at this job.

The latest model of a guardian’s bodysuit was snug, the thick nylon fabric mimicking latex with its outer polished sheen. It was designed to distribute a body’s balance while still breathable, mesh cuts around the torso added to retain swift movements in fights. The earpiece was developed to protect and regulate guardians from extreme noises due to our sensitivity. It came as a bonus to speak through.

All that was missing was the bulletproof vest. That probably wasn’t coming along.

A knock vibrated against the door. I swear I’d prefer to be buried alive than face Sonia. To have made a mistake and to hear it from a high-ranking guardian was embarrassing.

“You’re not Sonia,” I blurted when I opened the door.

A man towered over me, deep sepia skin gleaming as a sliver of light trailed from behind me and onto them. Freckles decorated his forehead and high cheekbones, and thick golden dreadlocks twisted above his head into a large bun. He wore an all-black suit, one that concealed the vest that lifted his chest with each breath. Like Sonia, he bore the same black, rectangular sunglasses that buried his eyes.

“Good morning, Ms. Eli. I hope you’ve rested well,” he said as he bowed, a smile hinting. “I’m Tristan Amelle, the Chief Guardian.”

My mouth parted, but no words came out.

“Follow me, and if at any time you have questions, please feel free to interrupt me.”

Mr. Amelle made his way down the long hallway, a bunch of doors coming into view. While I was quick to match his pace, my eyes wandered around the house I barely glimpsed at after my mistake. Like the outer landscape, its beauty was overwhelming— even if there was a gloominess that the walls emanated.

He descended the main stairs and turned to another below it, the spirals spinning my head.

Did he already tell Lace about yesterday?

“This is the cellar, where the Sephtis frequent daily. Fair warning, a guardian isn’t allowed to roam this site while any spaces are occupied unless commanded otherwise.”

When we reached the last step, he continued forward along the wall. Dim lighting emphasized the surrounding flooring and outlined a door against the far end. From a distance, it was easily unnoticeable since there was no knob.

There was no indication of how it could be opened, too— if it was meant to open.

“If there’s anything to be carried out in the outer grounds, you must use this passageway as an exit and entrance at all times. The main entryway is only for invited guests and the Sephtis.”

If Mr. Amelle had already told Lace, why hadn’t he called yet?

He relaxed his back on the center of the door and pushed, the border revolving as he made his way through. I followed once the swift rotation slowed, stepping into a dingy alley.

“There are two turns within the underground passageway. The right route leads to an exit next to the first gate within the premises. That one is off-limits. The left leads directly outside the second gate and is in the direction of the guardian’s quarters.”

Did Lace tell Mr. Amelle to give me the bad news after giving me a tour of the house I wouldn’t be a guardian for?

Mr. Amelle made a swift turn and continued ahead until we reached a staircase that leveled against the ceiling. When he almost reached the top, he gripped a handle and pushed through, light pouring in and highlighting Mr. Amelle’s figure. Once outside of the hatch, he swiftly kicked it shut.

“When going about, you must always ensure that the door stays closed to avoid any unnecessary mistakes. For now, as a private guardian, every morning before dusk, you’re expected to do a round across the premises. At night, you must check the household and ensure there’s nothing out of place. With time, there will be more responsibilities for your post as we grow closer to the replacement period.”

To shove in my face that my mistakes always had consequences when I didn’t keep my promises?

“I must note you’ve been quiet this entire time, Ms. Eli. Do you have any worries?” He paused in his tracks while I stilled beside him.

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