Page 4 of Crossing Between
The yellow light made me look even worse — bruises already formed along my cheeks and under my eyes. My nose was swollen and scraped raw. I looked like someone had taken a tennis racket to my face.
Ugh. Tomorrow would definitely be a makeup day. I'd have to wake up thirty minutes earlier. Fun times. Hopefully, makeup didn’t expire if it sat untouched for a year.
The first aid kit was still under the sink, unopened. This was the fifth one I'd bought in the last couple of months thanks to Ryan constantly coming home beat up. I should’ve invested in a first aid company by now.
Several minutes later, after lots of soap and water, I cleaned my wounds. Most weren’t bad enough to need stitches. One deeper cut next to my nose could have used a few, but butterfly bandages would have to do. A trip to urgent care was not financially possible right now.
At least my face looked a little better when I was done. The bruises were going to look rough tomorrow, but I’d survive. I’d deal with the stares.
After changing into pajamas, my stomach growled. I made a quick snack — toast slathered with butter and sugar — and grabbed one of Ryan’s hard seltzers from the fridge. I kicked up my feet on the coffee table, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
After eating, I spent the rest of the evening filling out the paperwork for my new job. My eyes started crossing by the end of it. Finally, I stumbled into bed, pulling the covers over my head after triple-checking my alarm.
Tomorrow was a new day. A new adventure. Maybe.... a new beginning.
Chapter 3: Zoey
“How does this keep happening?” I dodged another pedestrian as I jogged toward the entrance to the police department. I had woken up a few minutes before my alarm and had been running on time, until the bus broke down halfway there. I managed to get a rideshare with a fellow passenger, but my wallet was now empty and weeping.
“Ah, Zoey. There you are.” Sheryl stood at the receptionist's desk as I skidded into the entryway. She didn’t even look fazed by my frazzled entrance. “You’re on time.” She gestured for me to follow her and started walking down a different hallway than yesterday. “You got your paperwork filled out?” She glanced back at me, pausing briefly to take in my battered face but continued forward after I nodded. “Perfect. We’ll drop those off at HR, get your badge activated, and take your fingerprints and eye scan before I take you to your new office. You’ll meet the teams you’ll be working with later this afternoon.”
Sheryl led me into a large room packed with cubicles — so tightly packed I barely thought anyone could fit through. Thankfully, we walked along the edge of the room down another hallway. My hips would have brushed every poor soul sitting there if we hadn’t.
“HR is located in the far east wing of the building if you ever need to speak with them, which is where we are now.” Sheryl opened a door labeled Human Resources. “Do I need to be concerned about your face?”
Snorting, I paused. “You lasted longer than I thought before asking. I fell outside the building yesterday. I’m a klutz, not a victim of a crime. I had hoped my bright clothes would distract from my face.” I flashed a grin.
Sheryl nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Less paperwork. I do like your dress; it’s very colorful and distractive.”
I followed her into a wide open-concept room filled with a hum of typing and conversations. Sheryl brought us to an employee hunched over his computer with a bead of sweat on his forehead.
"Pap," Sheryl knocked on the desk, jolting the guy from his work. "I have our new Medium here. We need to turn in her paperwork and get her set up for clearance."
The man looked up, his eyes completely red with no irises. I took a half-step back instinctively. He was some kind of Fae, but I wasn’t sure what kind.
"Sheryl, it's always a pleasure when you drop by," he said with a hint of humor. "This makes number three for the year, if I'm not mistaken?" He gave me a small nod.
"I have a good feeling about this one, Pap." Sheryl sat down across from him and gestured for me to sit beside her.
"Alright, let's get this started. May I have your paperwork?" Pap held out his hand.
“Oh! Right.” I pulled the slightly crinkled packet from my book bag, inwardly wincing at the state of it.
Pap’s mouth twisted at the sight but he didn’t comment. "Alright, Zoey Halinger," he said, checking my name as he started spreading the papers out. "You filled everything out truthfully?" He waved his left hand over the papers, and his red eyes began to glow.
"Yes," I said quickly. Mostly. I really hoped the charm spell I bought from that black-market witch still held strong enough to hide my true nature. It was supposed to last another year.
Pap’s palm began to glow blue as he moved it over the forms. The papers disappeared under the light. He shifted the light toward his computer, which gave a loud beep. His eyes returned to normal.
"Alright." He clicked a few things on the screen. "You're in the system. Your benefits info will be mailed to you by the end of the week. It’ll go into effect next Monday." Pap opened a drawer, pulling out a large flat device and setting it out. "Please place your hands on this."
I did as asked. A sharp pain ran through my fingertips, and I yelped softly, trying to pull away — but my hands were stuck. Pap gave me a look, and I froze. A few seconds later, a beep sounded and my hands were freed. I stared at my palms, surprised there were no marks.
"We have your fingerprints now, and your badge is being activated. Last step: eye scan." He held up a smaller device with a rounded glass end.
I eyed it suspiciously. "Is it going to hurt?"
Sheryl coughed, hiding a laugh behind her hand. "Every time, Pap."
