one is much darker, and has what looks like an ancient, broken ATM machine sitting in the corner. What am I supposed to do with this? Teddy didn’t tell me!
The only other piece of Warrior Nation intel on my person is my security badge, which I slide into the machine as a last resort. Miraculously, it works, triggering a release on a pocket door I didn’t even see. Thank god! I race down several flights of blue-lit stairs, going as fast as my ballet flats will take me, until I make it to the bottom, where Teddy awaits.
“Eight fifty-nine,” he says with a haughty smirk. “I was worried you might be late.”
“You know, your instructions could’ve been just a bit clearer,” I say, trying to catch my breath.
“Just keeping you sharp,” he singsongs, then heads off, his tailored suit and shiny shoes quickly leading us toward his desk. Free of any photos or personal knickknacks, it’s the saddest workspace I’ve ever seen. Only a water bottle, Granny Smith apple, and tablet are there to greet us.
“I thought you said you’ve worked here two years.”
“Yes. And?” His black eyebrows pinch in confusion.
“Well…this could be anyone’s desk. You don’t have any stuff here?”
He looks at his space as if noticing this for the first time. “I’m hardly ever at my desk. In fact, don’t get comfortable. Millie and the exec team have a meeting at nine thirty and we need to get the conference room ready.”
A Warrior Nation executive meeting? SO COOL. “Sure, of course! How can I help?”
“Refreshments. Go to the east wing cafeteria and get whatever looks good. Donuts, fruit, coffee. Lots of coffee. Millie takes hers black, but grab cream and sugar for the room.”
I keep nodding, even though I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. “Got it. Except, where is the east wing?”
Teddy hands me the tablet from his desk, activating the screen. “This is for you. There’s a map on there. Meet me back at conference room 1A in ten minutes.” He looks off, and I realize someone must be talking into his earpiece. “Yes, I’m handling it now, Ms. Montouse,” he says.
I start tapping on my fancy new technology, which is packed with countless internal Warrior Nation apps like human resources, payroll, and a company calendar. When I touch something called “Daily Briefing,” a giant yellow pop-up reads “SECURITY CLEARANCE DENIED.” But still! There’s enough here to keep me happy for a long time.
Teddy, still on the phone, mouths a frustrated Go! my way, so I hurry off to find the east wing cafeteria. A little dot on the screen (which is actually a tiny Warrior Nation shield—so cool) guides the way.
Just before reaching the cafeteria, I feel a slight rumble under my feet. A subtle shaking that stops me in my tracks. Could it be the Red Line speeding by? We are underground, after all. But no, it’s more random than train vibrations. More like footsteps. My heart skips a beat—could it be? I race around the corner to find Earthquake himself, blending a protein shake at the counter.
Oh my god! I feel my neck turn red as I watch him in his element, pouring egg whites and spinach into a blender. The man is absolutely gargantuan, with shoulders wider than my arm span and muscles upon muscles upon even more muscles. His bald head and ebony skin shine with sweat, and based on his moisture-wicking attire, he must’ve just finished a workout. I can’t believe I’m sharing the same space as Earthquake! He can literally make the earth and all its minerals bend to his command, and here he is, stirring stevia into a smoothie.
Stay cool, I tell myself, as I start looking through the cabinets for coffee mugs. Of course, I instantly drop the first cup I find, but Earthquake makes a smooth save, catching the mug in his mighty palm.
“Did you drop this?” he asks in a soft baritone.
“Oh, um…” I fumble, completely forgetting how to breathe. Is it in-out in-out, or in-in-out, or…?
“It’s okay,” he says gently. “I’m Ryan. First day?”
“Yeah.” My voice trembles.
“Well, don’t worry. It won’t be worse than my first day. I had to catch a criminal running through Grant Park, but I was sprinting so hard, I accidentally created a sinkhole.” He laughs to himself. “It was so embarrassing.”
I remember the headline: Earthquake—A Man-Made Disaster.
“If I can make it through that, you can make it through today.”
“Thanks.” I blush, trying not to vomit pure joy. I just got a