Three Ways To Live

CHAPTER 2. Working In The Kitchen

  I had never considered myself extremely smart, but I knew I wasn't stupid. So why had I never seen a flying talking monkey in a red hat before?!

I mean, I had been missing out, on a lot!

I was on the bus, and the woman next to me was puking fireballs! How awesome is that?!

An odd giggle left my throat, making me duck my head as passengers glanced at me. I twiddled my thumbs and looked out the window, heart jumping in my chest. It was unreal!

"Pardon me," I looked up at the sound of the monkey's voice.

"Yes sir?" I blurted, leaning back into my seat. The monkey smiled and touched the hat on his head.

"How would you rate the ride so far?" He asked, and I glanced at the other monkey, wearing a yellow hat, driving the bus. We were zooming through traffic, flirting with death.

My breath hitched with exhilaration. "Ten out of ten!" I cheered, cheeks flushed with joy.

He beamed and went on to the woman puking smoking fire. "Pardon me..."

I tuned out to the world around me and touched my heart as it beat faster and faster with each passing moment. I was in fact, finding it oddly hard to breathe when the bus came to a sudden screeching stop.

I grabbed the seat on front of me to catch myself as everyone else, unbothered, stood and made their way to the entrance of the bus. I touched the small bag next to me and stood, now less excited and more terrified.

What if humans weren't allowed here? What if someone ate me? What if-

"Are you going to leave, or did you want to stay in the bus?" I jumped and looked at the monkey, flustered.

"S-orry," I told him and ran out of the bus, following the others blindly, hiding in the back. I couldn't help but look around in wonder though, as we walked up a gravel hill.

The retreat center was large, and looked like a fancy hotel fit for a king. It was large and white, with three stories, each having a large deck with chairs and outdoor couches. The doors were automatic and I hesitantly walked in with the strangers around me.

  To my left, a reception desk, to my right, a hallway that led to a dining hall. Before my eyes, a large living room with a long staircase beside it. My eyes sparkled as I saw doors that led to the magnificent deck beside a fireplace.

"Welcome interns! It's so great to have you!" I jumped and looked over with everyone else at a woman with purple skin and bright pink eyes. "My name is Monica, and I'm here to help you settle into yours jobs and rooms!" She told us cheerfully.

I ducked my head anxiously as she went on. "This is the first level of the hotel, and their are two others with rooms for guests. Shall I give you a tour?" Monica didn't wait for a reply, and showed us the reception desk, where a figure I couldn't see well sat in a chair. I was still in the back. Hiding.

"This is Malcus, he's in charge of guest management." Monica explained, and I stood on my tippy toes curiously. Dark hair was all I could make out, and I smiled as Monica led everyone past the desk, meaning I would get to pass by and see him.

  Deep and dark brown eyes and chocolate brown hair. He had introduced himself to the ones up front, but was now staring down at paper work. He's handsome, I blushed, embarrassed by my own staring, and turned to face the group.

I shivered as I suddenly felt his eyes- were those his eyes drilling holes in my back? Or was it my imagination playing tricks on me?

Shaking my head I went with everyone else in the dining hall. "Every day we'll have guests, and you'll sit with them every night after pouring them drinks. Unless you're kitchen staff." Monica told us, and I huffed as she gestured to yet another person I couldn't see yet.