From the Ashes(Original)

Please rate and review... I promise it gets more interesting.. IMO.

The yellow cab waited at the curb for her, she read off the address to the cabbie, and soon they were on their way. Saphyre didn’t know what to expect at the EDI building, but it certainly wasn’t the small old fashioned building that they pulled up to. She paid her fare and stepped out of the cab and looked at her watch, it was 12:45, she was a little early, but that was ok.

“Better early than late…” Saphyre murmured then headed up the marble stairs, and then she pushed through a pair of heavy wood and glass doors to enter a large foyer. It looked a lot bigger and impressive on the inside! Large plants grew in exquisite pots; while beautiful Persian rugs covered marble floors and it smelled like a library; she went up to the receptionist desk.

“I’m…” Saphyre began

“Saphyre Indahol right?” The woman asked before Saphyre could finish.

“Well yes.” Saphyre smiled uncertainly, but how did this woman know? “I’m here to…”

“To see Ember Allen, yes I know. She’s expecting you.” The woman again finished Saphyre’s sentence for her. “Go up the elevator to the fourth floor, make a right and it’s the last office on the left.”

“Thanks…” Saphyre said frowning. This woman couldn’t know who I am and who I'm seeing without ever seen or talked to me.

“I’m Mary, we spoke on the phone.” The receptionist smiled and introduced herself as if she heard what Saphyre was thinking.

“Oh…” Saphyre said still not quite satisfied with the way things were going. Something was going on here that she didn’t quite understand, but she wasn’t sure what it was. She shook off the feeling chalking it up to her frayed nerves and paranoia; she pressed the up button and the doors slid open with a ding. As Saphyre stepped into the car, she couldn’t help but glance back at Mary again.

Minutes later Saphyre was knocking on a door with a brass plate engraved with December’s name. The door swung open and December greeted her with a smile. Over the next two hours they discussed a variety of topics from her family to what kind of work was done at EDI and what was expected of her.

“So what do you think?” December asked. “Do you think you can do the work? Or is this something you even think you might be interested in?”

“Oh yeah!” Saphyre said. “I’m definitely interested and I think I can do it.” The work sounded pretty easy enough; she’d be doing research for people who were more experienced in the field. To be more accurate, she would file the completed paperwork at first and THEN she’d be paired with someone who could train her to do research. The work was sensitive so she’d have to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that she couldn’t talk about her work, but in great detail. She didn’t mind that though. She didn’t have a lot of friends at the moment and she wasn’t ready to face her father yet, everyone else she cared about or might share any information with had died.

“Glad to hear it.” December smiled. “So when do you think you can start work?” This was all going as planned; and Saphyre seemed excited to be there. Once she signed all the papers the deal would be sealed; what happened after that remained to be seen.

“I’d have to give my two weeks notice.” Saphyre answered. “But after that I’m all yours; and I can come in on my days off if you want?”

“Okay so two weeks, no problem.” December said smiling. “Let me know if you can come in because you’ll be working with me at first; and I can always use the help. I’ll decide where you go from there.”

Saphyre spent the some time filling in the forms with December’s help because some of the forms were rather unusual, like the mini biography. They discussed pay and other important details. December Allen had a good sense of humor but she was also professional and efficient. When they were through December showed her through the offices and introduced her to a few people.

“It’s for your background check… just a formality really.” December explained.

“Oh... I see!” Saphyre nodded, she’d never actually thought about her life and how it might look on paper; when she was finished she thought it was pretty sad looking barely taking up one page. She left a few things out, but she didn’t see how they would possibly be important, and she also figured she was entitled to a little privacy on those two instances. Besides, if they researched hard enough, they’ll find out on their own! Saphyre thought. When they were through December put all the papers into a folder and put it in the briefcase on the corner of her desk.

“I think that about wraps things up Saphyre. Do you have any questions?” Ember asked leaning back in her chair, she had a cup of coffee in her hand and took a drink while waiting for Saphyre to answer.

“Not that I can think of… “ Saphyre paused thinking for a minute. “But I’m sure I’ll think of something as soon as I leave.”

“Then I’ll see you in two weeks, depending on your schedule.” Ember straightened up to get to her feet and gathered her briefcase and purse.

“Wow is it 5:oo already?” Saphyre asked in shock when she looked at the clock on December’s desk. She got to her feet as well. “I’m supposed to be cooking dinner!”

“Did you drive?” December asked.

“No, I don’t have a car, is that a problem?” Saphyre asked apprehensively
“As long as you are on time, it isn’t.” Ember assured her. “I was thinking more along the lines that I could drive you home if you needed a ride. It’d save you time.”

“OH! Really? That’s sooo nice of you!” Saphyre exclaimed.

December drove Saphyre home, they arrived just before Cathy and Shawn were supposed to be home.

“Thanks again, December!” Saphyre said as she got out of the car.

“No problem, and please, call me Ember…” She responded.

“Oh ok! Ember.” Saphyre smiled. “My friends call me Phyre…but I dunno if you want to, since you’re my boss… Oh wow! I just realized! We’re Ember and Phyre… isn’t that neat?”

“Oh yeah, it’s neat.” Ember laughed. “See you later Phyre.” That girl is sweet, bless her heart but she's just not all that bright! Either that.. or she's even more naive that I first thought. That might be a problem.