Blame Game // Reno (EDITING)

― 02. new reality

Melody finally gained the strength to leave the bathroom as it had made her feel an extra barrier from the outside world. Her bedroom appeared musty, it could be much worse; the curtains drawn are dark, the appliances were new, and it was clean besides dust. The dust could be seen in the rays of moonlight and in the corners of the room. It felt eerie and unlike her. There were no personal touches unlike her place and she still couldn't believe she was just ripped from her home. Right then, Melody went to pick up her suitcase and place it up on the bed. She shuffled through some clothes, makeup, shoes, to grab two pictures frames. One of her, grandma and her dad. The other is of friends. It made her smile sadly and her chest pangs with the want for her loved ones. Another sob was choked back as she tried to stop it.

A knock snapped her attention and she looked to the door with fear.

In walked a lady in a Turk suit, with short blonde hair. She was pretty but looked serious; and she looked at Melody nonchalantly as if she didn't care much which wasn't surprising.

"I've been tasked to come get you. I'm Elena."

"Come get me?" Melody felt immediate embarrassment as she thought about her recent breakdown. At how red and puffy her whole face must be. And how she didn't expect a girl to walk through the door.

"There's people that would like to meet with you. To discuss your new purpose."

Elena's words send chills down poor Melody's spine, "okay. L-let me just freshen up." your new purpose. Those were words of true evil that sent shivers down her spine. She'd never allow for her purpose to be for Shinra.

"No time... you look fine it's okay." she gave her a closed lipped smile. Somewhat comforting amidst all the craziness if that sounded even crazier. It made Melody's whole body feel like it glitched for a second frozen until she had the realization to move. Flustered.

Melody stood up from her bed, smoothing out her clothes in a nervous fashion. She had to force a smile at the woman in her room, who also screamed 'Turk'.

Elena motioned for her to follow and it made her stomach lurch with butterflies. Each step felt familiar to those when she had to answer the door at her apartment earlier. Leaving her room and into the halls felt scary and foreign. Melody could only stare at everything she saw or those who passed with a lifeless look in her eyes. Shinra HQ is grand, like she always expected so she wasn't surprised. The eclectic lights, grand rugs, beautiful halls. It was nice but almost disgusting at the same time.

As she tried to keep up with Elena's footsteps, Melody was trying to bask in the fact those are her final moments of normalcy she could try hang onto.

•••••

Melody had been ushered into the Turk's main area, their HQ- a big room with a giant TV in the back, large desk, couches and a grand table with many chairs. Everything looked expensive and modern and instantly she felt eyes on her. She was seated in a chair next to Elena. Many of these people Melody recognized, and her stomach sank at who was sitting at the head. Shinra's President. Her stomach twisted in hatred and she felt nauseous. No one else in the room mattered to her now- she was in the presence of one of the most evil men to walk this earth. And time was stopped as she felt physically ill- her fight or flight wanted to kick in but she just wanted to drop to the floor and curl up in a ball. Her discomfort was clearly noted by all.

"Now that our esteemed guest is here, we may begin." the President's voice sounded like it was laced with venom. And his eyes were pinned to her like his glare could kill, "with us today we have dear Melody Lee, the girl who set off a system alarm."