Dose 𝓞ne

Dose One Observations:
Subject shows heightened anxiety and resistance to external warnings.

⨳ ⨳ ⨳

“You’re going back to Seattle?”

I sighed dramatically as I folded my last pair of leggings, “Yes, mom, and before you say—“

“That you shouldn’t? That we worked too hard to get you out of there unscathed? Because trust me, I was already planning to say that,” my mother cut me short, her tone clipped.

“It’s all died down now, and besides that entire family is on the other side of the country,” I pointed out, sitting on my suitcase to zip it up.

I managed to fit all of my stuff into four oversized luggages.

Some stuff I still had to leave behind, though.

“Is that what you think, Liberty?”

I furrowed my brows at her words, standing from the zipped suitcase. “Obviously? That’s why I said it,” I said, unconsciously being sarcastic.

“It’s apparent that you don’t watch the news,” my mother sighed on the other end of the call.

“Why would I? It’s all so fucking negative,” I said, grabbing the handle of my suitcase to tug it upright.

“There was an expansion months ago. The main headquarters is in Seattle,” she clarified.

She didn’t have to say names.

We never said their names.

But we both knew who we were talking about.

“The same city is too little space, Liberty. We both know this,” my mother spoke again when I was idly silent.

But this news genuinely sent me for a loop.

It made my hand tighten around the handle of my suitcase, and my ears grow warm.

Not in a good way.

Never in a good way.

But there’s no need to rehash the past that she fucked up.

I let out a deep sigh. “Right,” I mumbled mindlessly, not even recalling what my mother said last. “I just uh-this is a really good opportunity. The pay is six figures, and it’ll get my foot in the door.”

“You double-checked credentials and such?” my mother suddenly asked me.

I furrowed my brows, glancing away from my suitcase. “Yes, it’s run by the University of Washington—my school.”

My mother only hummed skeptically.

“The last thing Mo—she wants is me anywhere near her. Trust me, I would know,” I pointed out, tugging the suitcase handle up. “This was just a normal listing. Zion even got it, too.”

She hasn’t and won’t try to reach out.

I let that go months ago.

“Well, then that’s great to hear,” my mother didn’t hesitate to say. “I’m just worried about you going back. She’s there now—“

“And I won’t be anywhere near her,” I quickly cut her short.

I think if I saw her in a room, I would walk out.

Or freeze.

Either way, I wouldn’t speak a fucking word to her.

“I’ll be fine,” I suddenly spoke again.

I probably hate her more than she hated Dr. Kincaid.

Plus, I barely go out, even for groceries or the usual necessities.

It wouldn’t be likely that I would run into her.

I’ll just stay away from the stuck-up neighborhoods.

“I have to go,” I determined, glancing down at Jynx, who pawed at my shoe.

It was her way of telling me—up.

She wants me to pick her up.

But we have to head to the airport now.

“I need to get Jynxie in her crate, and give her the medicine the vet gave me,” I explained, earning a deep sigh from my mother.

“Fine, Liberty, but don’t say I didn’t warn you about going back,” she said, still disapproving of my decisions.

I think I disapprove too, honestly.

“I’ll fly into Seattle in a few weeks when I have the time, so I can check in on this,” my mother determined.

“Sounds great. Talk soon,” I mumbled, reaching over to grab Jynx’s crate.

“Talk soon,” my mother repeated back before the call ended.

Then I was left to focus on getting Jynx ready for our flight.

Otherwise, my bags were packed, and my car was already shipped off with a bunch of stuff I couldn’t pack into bags.

All the relocation costs were covered, just as stated in the email that the woman, Kara Briggs sent to me two days ago.

The onboarding PDF is supposed to be sent by the end of today, and my first day is Monday, so I still have tomorrow and the weekend.

Apparently, Zion was being relocated, too, so he'll have some time to get settled.

I think they want everyone in one spot, maybe?

I don’t know, but Zion says it’s nicer than their other apartment.

They started moving into their empty apartment unit yesterday.

Then, after I move into my unit, we can spend the next few days catching up again.

Aside from unpacking.

It’ll be cool living right by my friends, and I’ll also be close to work.

Despite my mother disapproving, and even having a little disapproval myself, everything really is coming together here.

I’m taking it as a sign.

Clearly, I’m meant to be back in Seattle.

Everything felt smooth—even the airport, which was normally a stressful atmosphere.

The flight also wasn’t that long either.

I felt anxious, but also excited as I stared out of the plane window, waiting for the moment Seattle came into view.

It felt like drinking a hot cup of tea or coffee, and feeling the soothing burn run down your throat into your chest.

Or discovering an old song that you quickly get obsessed with all over again.

Seeing Seattle below me felt like coming home after staying at a friend’s house for too long.

It made me smile—I couldn’t wait to show Jynx what life here is like.

She’s going to love it just as much as me.

And she’ll get to constantly see Zion and Sarai now, who I know are already waiting for me at baggage claim.

I think even I was itching to get off the plane and see my friends again after so many weeks.

Their plans to come to California somehow did a major Uno-reverse, given I ended up coming to them.

We’re still celebrating my birthday with a movie night—just tomorrow night, once their place is more set up.

Mine might take a moment since I don’t have any furniture.

I sold off all of my old furniture from my last apartment here, and then I’ve just been at my mother’s vacation house.

I’m completely starting fresh, which is nice, but overwhelming at the same time.

A grin spread onto my lips the moment I laid eyes on them at my baggage check.

Zion stood in a pair of grey sweatpants with a dark sweater and a pair of Nikes.

While Sarai wore a brown shirt that hung off one shoulder and matching mocha leggings, with her hair tied up in a ponytail.

Zion was already waving both arms like a lost flight attendant.  

But Sarai saw me first—her whole face broke open into this relieved smile.

“Libs!” she called out, jogging the last few feet to me.

I couldn’t stop smiling. “Hi guys,” I whispered excitedly, dropping the carry-on bag so I could hug her.

“Your hair is so shiny,” she said into my shoulder, pulling back to eye me.

“I’ve been perfecting my blowouts,” I joked, smoothing the ends. “I’ll send you a list of my new favorite products.”

“Deal,” Zion joked before Sarai could say anything, stepping in to squeeze my shoulders before pulling me in tight.

He smelled like laundry detergent and the mint gum he always chewed.

 “We missed you, Libs.”

“I missed you, too,” I said, still smiling as we pulled back. “Where’s—”

“Jynx,” Sarai said, like we were all sharing the same brain cell. “We saw our little princess go by on the cart. She made eye contact with me like I was the help.”

“That sounds like her,” I chuckled, imagining it all in my head. “Let’s go get her before she decides to sue the airline.”

Zion and Sarai both laughed, but I was partially serious.

If Jynx could sue, she would.

She’d probably even sue me, too.

Soon we were weaving through the crowd—past families and that one couple making out like the terminal was a motel.

They must be long-distance or something.

I kept counting my steps because I’d been anxious since the plane took off, and the counting helped—eight, nine, ten, back to one.

SeaTac was busy like always, but it wasn’t like the clatter of LAX.

Something about hearing the rain tick weakly against the high windows, the announcement voice soft yet bored as ever… it calmed the shakiness inside me.

Pet claim had a line of exactly three people and one toddler who was fascinated by the card that clearly said DO NOT TAP THE GLASS.

The airline rep led me to the back counter, and then there she was—my snowy little girl.

Jynx sat like a queen in her crate with her paws tucked, and her ocean eyes in full judgment mode.

Her tail flicked, then she bumped her head against the crate door with a small purr that made me let out a relieved sigh.  

I slid my fingers through the grate, and she rubbed her cheek on my knuckles, making me smile.

“You did good,” I told her, talking to her like we were the only two in the building. “You survived the big sky tube. We’re never doing that again.”

Luckily, Sarai had a collapsible water bowl in her tote because—of course she did, and I poured some water from my bottle while the rep unlocked the crate door just enough for a quick check.

Jynx sniffed the water and decided she’d rather die thirsty, glancing away from me with an attitude that I knew she would have for a few hours.

I let her throw her fit and focused on signing her out, and we got out of there with a crate, four checked bags, my carry-on, and the backpack that had nearly dislocated my shoulder.

The cart groaned under the weight like it had opinions about my packing decisions.

The air hit me as soon as the sliding doors opened.

Seattle air is wetter than the air anywhere else.

It seeped into my hair and the back of my neck, allowing me to inhale the smell of rain and my own sweat.

I hate wearing sweatsuits to the airport, but they’re so cute and comfortable.

At least until you’re sweating trying to get all your bags.

Zion jogged to get the SUV—the familiar Jeep Trackhawk with a polaroid picture of Sarai tucked into the slot of the speedometer.

He didn’t let Sarai and me help at all with the bags—he loaded them all up himself.

I slid into the backseat to sit next to the crate, tilting the vents so it wasn’t blasting on Jynx.

Soon we were settled and merging onto I-5, passing the familiar signs I still had memorized—Southcenter, Boeing Field, SODO.

Rain pattered against the windshield and stuttered on the car’s roof.

I was busy focusing on the mountains hiding behind the clouds like they were shy.

I really missed it here.

“So,” Zion said, glancing at me in the rearview. “Have you gotten the onboarding email yet? They said by the end of the day, and I still haven’t gotten anything.”

“No, the last I got was the check-in,” I said, rubbing the tip of my finger back and forth along the crate door so Jynx could bump it whenever she wanted. “Just boring details, like the keys being at the concierge, and to let anyone know if I need help with anything.”

“Yeah, I got the same thing before we moved in,” Zion murmured, flicking on his signal. “The building is good so far. Everything is brand new, even some of the units are barely lived in. It’s nice.”

“Nice nice,” Sarai corrected. “Like… lounge with a fireplace nice. You’re gonna love it, Libs. It’s also Denny Triangle, so it’s close to everything. Whole Foods is like three minutes if you jaywalk with faith.”

I chuckled softly at Sarai’s words, amused by her explanation.

I was excited though, mostly to be close to my friends again and just to be back in Seattle, where I belonged.

I stared out of the window the rest of the ride as we listened to Sarai’s newly made fall playlist.

I watched the Space Needle pass by, and the glass stacked on glass where tech money had been invested into buildings.

South Lake Union was on the left, Denny Triangle was ahead, and Belltown… was nearby, harboring all of my old memories.

The city felt smaller, knowing she was here.

“What floor are you guys on?” I curiously asked.

“Nineteen,” Zion said for him and Sarai. “Corner unit. Lots of light.”

“I’m twenty-two. It said something about south-facing,” I murmured, glancing away from the window. “Are the balconies nice?”

Sarai smiled. “Nice nice,” she purposely repeated her previous words with a joking smile. “They’re really wide.”

“Damn,” I said with a growing smile. “I can’t wait to see,” I determined, glancing out of the window as we merged off the freeway.

The buildings got taller, every glass window reflecting the grey sky.

The Jeep turned into an underground garage with harshly bright lights and too-white walls.

The elevator up smelled like new paint and some kind of air freshener.

The lobby was exactly as advertised by Sarai—

Impeccably designed like a Pinterest board, with tall plants, a gas fireplace flickering behind glass, and a woman at the concierge desk who said my name like she’d practiced it.

“Welcome, Ms. Fierro. I’m Tracie,” she said, sliding an envelope across the counter. “Here’s your keys and welcome packet.”

The two sets of key fobs were in a little canvas pouch with a printed welcome letter.

“The package room already has three deliveries for you—oh, and someone sent flowers,” Tracie said with a white smile.

Sarai and Zion both glanced over at me with pursed lips.

And I knew they thought it was her.

“I’ll grab them later,” I determined, trying not to draw conclusions after my failed assumptions about my birthday gifts. “Kara probably sent them.”

“Or your mother, even if she doesn’t approve,” Sarai added, clearly trying to lighten the air.

I nodded, stepping away from the concierge desk.

Then we loaded all of my stuff onto one of the shiny elevators, riding up to twenty-two.

The hallway carpet was dark and almost concerningly clean.

My unit was the last door on the left, which was annoying with all the bags we had.

The key fob scanned immediately, and then the door was pushed open.

The walls were white with matte black fixtures and tall grey cabinets.

The white quartz countertop nearly sparkled under the grey light pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

It also had that new-building smell, which was nice, but I definitely planned to light a pumpkin spice candle immediately.

“Okay,” Sarai said, clapping her hands together once. “Game plan. Zion and I will bring up your big suitcases and the pet box. You set up Jynx’s essentials so she doesn’t file a complaint. Then we’ll do a quick stock-up run. You need cat litter, milk, tea, probably wine—”

“Wine is a food group,” Zion joked as he set Jynx’s crate in the living room.

I quickly leaned down to open the crate door—

And Jynx slid out low to the ground, sniffing like a detective with her tail straight up.

She made a circle from the living room wall to the kitchen, then the window, and even the corner by the balcony door.

Then she pondered back to me, rubbing her snowy fur against my shin.

“Love how she inspects,” Sarai said. “Like she’s the landlord.”

“Because she is,” I determined with a smile, kissing the top of her head before pulling away so I could start unpacking.

I set up Jynx’s stuff first—like her leopard-printed china food and water dishes, and her furry circular bed.

Jynx came in to supervise, sitting beside me as she watched me with those blue eyes of hers.

Zion and Sarai had already taken a trip to the store nearby to pick up any necessities I might need, which was very helpful.

It gave me time to unpack some of my clothes and begin sorting through them.

At least until Sarai and Zion got back with the hangers.

They were also bringing an air mattress for me, which I planned to use until I could go furniture shopping tomorrow.

They offered to let me stay at their place just a few floors below me, but I kind of wanted this first night here with just Jynx and me.

Soon, Sarai had come back balancing a twelve-pack of LaCroix on her hip like a toddler, and Zion had paper towels under one arm with a bag of random kitchen things under the other.

He placed a bottle of red wine on the counter like a bartender—and then pushed his knuckles against his lower back with a dramatic groan because he likes to pretend to be eighty.

They helped me unpack even more, and also ordered more essentials that they realized they had forgotten at the store.

As we focused on my clothes, I learned that the rooftop had a pool and grill, that the gym had Pelotons, and that the cafe around the corner had the best chocolate croissant.

“Okay, that’s all of it,” Zion said, zipping the last empty suitcase closed.

“Tomorrow,” Sarai said, pointing two fingers at her eyes and then at me. “Movie night. Our place. Tacos or ramen. You bring Jynx so I get my cuddles in.”

“We’ll also figure out snacks, too,” he said as we walked toward the door. “Text us if you need anything.”

I smiled as they hugged me at the door.

Sarai flashed me a smile, and Zion touched his fist to his chest like we were in a very dramatic novel.

Then… they were gone, and the apartment felt empty.

And quiet.

I stood there for a second.

Just listening to the silence.

There was also the sound of the fan in the bathroom I’d forgotten to turn off.

Or the soft pads of Jynx’s paws as she explored the bedroom, the bathroom, the closet with its built-in that made me want to shop immediately.

“Okay,” I told the empty room. “We’re here. We fucking did it.”

I stood there for another few silent moments.

Then it was time to focus on other things.

Like lighting the pumpkin scented candle, Sarai made sure to grab for me.

Or head downstairs to grab any packages.

And… the flowers left for me.

Once I was back upstairs in my apartment, I slung everything on the kitchen island to make myself a glass of wine first.

I couldn’t even look at these fucking flowers without a little wine first.

They were crisp red roses.

Bad sign.

I quickly glanced away from the roses when my phone buzzed with an email.

I quickly set the wine bottle down, reaching for my phone.

It was the onboarding details.

I knew it before I even opened the email.

I looked past the “welcome home” emails from my apartment building, which had a seven-step tutorial on how to book the upstairs theater.

Kara Briggs was at the top—the subject was Onboarding PDF.

I quickly clicked on the email, briefly reading through it.

So far, she sounded blunt and like someone who would yell at you for not wearing stockings under your skirt.

I’m probably going to hate this Kara woman, but at least I’m getting paid six figures to put up with her shit.

I let out a deep sigh as I clicked on the PDF file—

Clatter.

My phone clattered to the counter as soon as the logo popped up.

Then there was a tightness that clenched up in my chest.

My face felt hot, unable to process—

That I was dragged into this fucking company.

But I’m not.

I don’t have to be.

Because I’m not taking this stupid fucking fellowship.

Not at Levane of all places.

Fuck.

I can’t believe I completely uprooted my life in California for this.

That I fell into a trap—it had to be a fucking trap.

I sharply reached for my wine glass, bringing it to my lips for the longest fucking sip.

Then I took another, watching my phone suddenly vibrate with a call from Zion.

He’s just realized it, too.

Fuck.

Fuck this.

Fuck them.

And fuck me for not digging deeper.

Also, fuck the University of Washington.

I quickly snatched the bouquet of flowers, now suddenly prepared to read the stupid card.

Welcome to Levane, Ms. Fierro. We look forward to seeing how you’ll serve our vision this year.

Cordialement,
L. Leclair

I let out a disgruntled huff, squeezing the paper card into a deformed ball.

Fuck, my mother was right.