Welcome To Your New Place!

Tzeitel gulped but she stepped into the hallway. Her eyes darted around. In MegaCorp the halls could be dangerous, so easy to get grabbed by a passing guard. She told herself that it was different here. She took slow deep breaths. “P-please don’t let anyone t-touch m-me.” Tzeitel stuttered.

“If it gets crowded, I can't make any promises, but this hallway is usually not very crowded.” Delilah replied and only a few nurses walked by. None of them seemed to even pay the two women any mind, some even busy talking on phones as they basically speed-walked.

They would reach an elevator with a few silly stickers plastered on it and Delilah would press the up button. She laughed softly at some of the stickers. “The kids here wanted to brighten the place up and added these.” She explained.

Tzeitel nervously eyed the elevator. “You don't want to take the stairs?”

“No, I'm fine with the elevator.” Delilah said sternly as the elevator dinged and the doors opened. A trio of women walked out and went down the hall, all chatting about the day-to-day stuff and barely noticing Delilah and Tzeitel.

Tzeitel looked at the enclosed space. “Stairs are good exercise.”

“We are using the elevator, Tzeitel.” Delilah said, voice getting cold as she stepped inside it.

Tzeitel went into the elevator, clearly unhappy about it. She clutched the bar when it moved, felt her stomach swooping. A small moan escaped her- which went abruptly silent when she thought she could hear a fraying wire. She trembled.

Delilah gave Tzeitel a look and sighed as she pressed a button. The elevator simply moved and took them to their floor, the doors opening without incident. “There's nothing wrong with the elevator, Tzeitel. Stop thinking of worst case scenarios.” She said as she walked off the elevator.

Tzeitel looked both ways before exiting the elevator after Delilah. Her legs felt rubbery from the elevator and she stumbled a little.

Delilah did not offer help, making sure Tzeitel understood that she was not here to coddle her. Heading to the left, she followed the hallways until they reached a door that she knocked on rather than opened.

Tzeitel frowned suspiciously. “This isn’t my room, what’s going on?” She asked.

Inside Ami bounded from the table to the door, calling “Klaire! She’s here!”

“Oh fuck.” Tzeitel swore. “This is Klaire’s place. Why'd you bring me here? She’s finally spending time with her family.”

“This is where you're staying now. Klaire requested it.” Delilah said, crossing her arms. “Cook will bring all your things from the other room to this one. You need to be supervised and work on your social skills. Being with your family will help.”

The door opened to reveal Klaire and Ami. Smiling, the dog-eared woman moved out of the way. “Come in!” She chimed

Ami bounced on the balls of her feet in obvious joy to have her sister here, finally! She wanted to hug her but knew Tzeitel was uncomfortable with being touched.

Tzeitel was briefly distracted by how Ami bounced on the balls of her feet. It was very cute and kind of funny. But then she turned to Klaire. “R-really?”

“Really,” Klaire replied and gestured into the apartment. “I set up a room for you and we already let Cook know to pick up your things for you and bring them here. You're my sister ever since we met in MegaCorp, so I figured it's only right that you live with us. Plus, we all want you to be part of the family.”

Tzeitel was stunned, she figured Klaire had all she wanted- her lover James, some kids, even twin babies. She looked away before the tears could show. She felt apprehensive too. Obviously James was living here. Tzeitel knew he would never hurt her. But James was a guy.

“There are a few rules, but we can go over that later. For now, I want you to get comfortable in your new room.” Klaire explained and ushered Tzeitel into the room. Turning to Ami, she said, “Can you show her to her room? I want to speak with Delilah for a moment.”

Cody was by Ami’s side at this point and stared up at Tzeitel. He was around the same height as Ami, but still a little short for his age due to malnutrition when he was in MegaCorp. With those big round eyes of his, though, he looked more like an innocent child more than ever.

Cody was a child so at least Tzeitel was not afraid of him. She let Ami lead her to the guest room.

Ami excitedly showed Tzeitel the guest room. She bounced more than she walked, pointing out different features.

Cody followed out of curiosity, hands gripping and twisting at the hem of his shirt nervously. As much as he wanted to ask Tzeitel questions, he couldn't.

Klaire would eventually follow them. “Cook should arrive soon with your things.” She told her friend.