"So, do we clock out during the trip or what?" Ryoko asked as we strolled through the corridors of the office building.

 

"What? Are you serious? No, I'm not clocking out, period! We're on task from a Floor Manager. We don't have to clock out if it's for company business," I replied, my irritation bubbling up at his question.

 

"Somehow, I don't think this is company-related business, Jane," Ryoko said, his tone skeptical. "You think taking care of a favor for another supervisor in another city is on the up and up?"

 

"Oh my God! What are you getting at, Ryoko?" I snapped back, and my frustration was evident. "It's probably some photo op bullshit or promotion that this supposed supervisor is behind on."

 

Ryoko crossed his arms over his chest as we made our way out of the main entrances and down to the bustling plaza. The main interior plaza was a hub, providing access to all the different departments and the mall complex where our office was located. Just as we stepped out into the plaza, we bumped into Hattie Armstrong and Felicity Holmes, two other interns we often worked with. They were big fans or groupies of the Big Three, as they liked to call them.

 

"Hey, Ryoko! Can you help Felicity and me today? If you're not too busy with your own workload," Hattie asked her attention squarely on Ryoko as usual.

 

In the bustling plaza, amidst the backdrop of a world both wondrous and haunting, stood Hattie. Her presence was like a vivid flame, drawing the eyes of all who passed by. Her waist-length hair, the color of a fiery sunset, cascaded down her back, flowing with an ethereal grace that seemed to defy the stillness of the air. It framed her face, accentuating the striking contrast of her Colombian blue eyes that shimmered with a depth of knowledge and unspoken stories. They were like windows to a soul that had witnessed worlds beyond the ordinary, a palette of the cosmos itself.

 

As she leaned in close to Ryoko, there was a certain intimacy in the way her hands gently found his, an unspoken bond that seemed to pull them together against the chaos of their surroundings. Her touch was delicate, yet her grip firm, as if, at that moment, she was his anchor in the tumultuous sea of the plaza.

 

Hattie's figure was a testimony to the sheer power and grace of femininity. Her ample breasts, unapologetically on display, spoke of a woman who owned her body with confidence. They were like a proud declaration of her womanhood, inviting and alluring yet bearing a sense of strength that demanded respect. The curve of her hips and waist created an enchanting silhouette that seemed to capture the very essence of femininity. Her posture was regal, yet there was a softness to her, a vulnerability that was as captivating as it was empowering.

 

Her rounded bottom complemented her physique in perfect harmony, a balance of form and allure that was both natural and mesmerizing. It was as if she had been sculpted with the care of an artist, each curve and contour a stroke of genius. Her toned, athletic thighs told a tale of strength and resilience, reminiscent of a dancer who had mastered the art of movement. They were a blend of power and elegance, a proof to her journey through the trials and tribulations of their world.

 

Her long, lithe legs carried her with an almost otherworldly grace, each step a dance of power and poise. She moved with the ease of a creature born to the wild, yet refined by the trials of survival in a world that was both beautiful and brutal. Her stride was confident, a rhythm that resonated with the pulse of the plaza, each step a melody in the symphony of the chaotic world around her.

 

There was a sense of tranquility amidst the chaos as she engaged Ryoko, a moment of calm in the midst of chaos. Her presence seemed to transcend the ordinary, a beacon of hope and strength in a world that was constantly on the brink of chaos. In her, there was a story untold, a saga of survival and resilience that was etched in every line of her body, every curve and contour that spoke of her journey.

 

The plaza around them was a canvas of life, a tapestry of survival and struggle in this alternate Earth. The air was filled with the sounds of life, the chatter of people, the clatter of machinery, the distant echoes of laughter and sorrow intermingling. The air was thick with the scent of street food, the aroma of spices and herbs mingling with the more industrial smells of the city. Neon lights flickered in the twilight, casting a surreal glow on the faces of the passersby, each carrying their own story, their own battle for survival.

 

"Can't today, we've got orders from the Floor Manager," Ryoko politely turned her down, shaking his head.

 

Felicity, on the other hand, was engrossed in something on her phone, seemingly disinterested in the conversation. Her attention was fixed on news about an increase in disappearances worldwide over the past few months. I vaguely remember hearing about this strange phenomenon in recent news reports. It was eerie and seemed random, with people vanishing without a trace. Some speculated it was the emergence of a new cult, while others had different theories. I had even delved into online forums where some claimed these people literally vanished into thin air, sometimes right before the eyes of witnesses. There were even shaky videos circulating online, but the poor-quality left room for skepticism despite today's high-definition smartphone cameras. My curiosity was piqued, but I couldn't hear more as Hattie pulled me into a tight hug, her generous bosom pressing against my own ample bust.

 

"Are you serious, plain Jane? What have you got Ryoko into now?" Hattie asked, her grip almost suffocating.

 

'Ge'ez, she has a crush on me, doesn't she?' I thought, somewhat flustered by her boldness. She always invaded my personal space like this, but I couldn't deny the allure of her charms.

 

"I didn't drag Ryoko into this. Mister Strickland just has it out for me. Besides, I rarely associate with Ryoko," I explained, trying to distance myself from any blame.

 

"Hattie, everyone knows that fat slob has a thing for Jane. Leave her alone. It's really not her fault," Felicity chimed in, still engrossed in her phone.

 

The plaza, a sprawling expanse of modernity and ancient charm, was alive with the rhythmic pulse of the city. Amidst the sea of faces, a figure stood out - Felicity. As I, Jane, walked through the crowd, my eyes were instinctively drawn to her. Felicity was a tall, platinum-blonde beauty, her hair cascading down in a smooth waterfall, catching the sunlight in a dazzling display of shimmering hues. Her skin, flawless and porcelain-like, contrasted strikingly with her vivid lime-green eyes that sparkled with an almost hypnotic intensity.

 

Her presence in the plaza seemed almost otherworldly, as if she were a character stepping out of a fantastical tale set against the backdrop of the bustling, everyday world. Her heart-shaped face, framed by those striking eyes, was accentuated by a delicate nose and full, lush lips that curved into a subtle smile, inviting yet enigmatic. Her round eyebrows arched perfectly above her eyes, complementing the gentle slant of her cheekbones that added a touch of aristocracy to her appearance.

 

The way she moved through the plaza, there was a grace about her that was hard to ignore. Her figure was the epitome of femininity, with a perky buxom bust that was generously endowed, drawing glances that she seemed to gracefully acknowledge yet never linger on. It was not just her bust that captured attention, but her equally curvaceous and well-endowed rear, which seemed to sway rhythmically with each step she took, a demonstration to a body that was both powerful and elegant.

 

Felicity's hips and thighs were a striking combination of fertility and tone, reminiscent of a model's. Yet, there was a softness to them that spoke of a natural, unsculpted beauty. Her long legs carried her with a model-like poise, each step a study in grace and confidence. As she paused to adjust her black-rimmed glasses, which perched quaintly on her nose, there was a sense of sophistication that seemed to radiate from her. Those glasses were more than a mere accessory; they were a window into her intellect, a subtle hint at the sharp mind that lay behind those teasing, playful eyes.

 

The plaza around her seemed to pause for a moment, the hustle and bustle fading into a soft background hum. People moved around her, each absorbed in their own world, yet it was as if Felicity existed in a sphere of her own, a bubble of elegance and intellect. The modern sculptures and ancient fountains of the plaza provided a fitting backdrop to her figure, a contrast of the old and new, the mundane and the extraordinary.

 

As she leaned against the railing overlooking the fountain, her gaze seemed to drift off into the distance, lost in thoughts that were hers alone. The sunlight played off her hair, creating a halo effect that further accentuated her ethereal quality. It was in these moments, amidst the cacophony of the city, that Felicity seemed most at peace, a serene figure in a world of constant motion.

 

Her presence in the plaza was like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the beauty and complexity that existed in the world. As I watched her from a distance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with a curious sense of kinship. In Felicity, there was a reflection of something more, a hint of a story yet to be told, a depth yet to be explored.

 

"Have you heard about those rumors of strange and eerie creatures appearing?" Felicity suddenly asked me, her tone shifting from casual to serious.

 

Her question caught me off guard, and I could feel a faint blush creeping up my cheeks. Felicity knew that we both shared an interest in the unusual and eerie.

 

"Oh, yeah, I heard a little about that. What do you think is happening?" I asked hurriedly, my curiosity piqued.

 

"What are you two talking about now?" Hattie interjected, her attention divided.

 

"Keep up, Hattie," Ryoko said, echoing my sentiments as he gently removed Hattie's clingy arms from around me.

 

"Don't you have tasks to do? Jane and I have an idiotic task today in Yokomaki City. If we get back at a reasonable time, we can help you out," Ryoko offered to Hattie.

 

"Yokomaki City? Damn, that's an all-day task," Hattie exclaimed, her disappointment evident.

 

Suddenly, Felicity's expression turned grave. "Don't tell me Mister Strickland is sending you two there? You can't go; it's not in your best interest," she revealed.

 

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity mixed with concern.

 

"Trust me, Jane, it's shady," Felicity warned. "A couple of interns quit the last time he pulled rank like this."

 

Ryoko appeared troubled by this revelation as if it confirmed some suspicion he had. I didn't like being kept in the dark about important matters like this, but I knew we couldn't simply refuse the Floor Manager's orders. It was either follow instructions or risk losing our positions, and neither of us could afford to quit. The mystery surrounding our assignment was growing deeper by the minute, and I couldn't help but wonder what we were getting ourselves into.

 

"I'll look after Jane, Felicity," Ryoko affirmed, his voice carrying a hint of protectiveness.

 

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much!" I barked back, my independence on full display.

 

"Come on, Jane, listen to Felicity. If she says something is bad, it usually is," Ryoko countered, his concern for my well-being evident.

 

"Fine, whatever! I can still take care of myself. I'm not some damsel in distress," I stated firmly, refusing to be underestimated.

 

"Jane, those two interns were new. They'd been here less than a month before they..." Felicity trailed off, her brow furrowed with concern.

 

"It's just the rumors around that incident, not the first. I'm just saying, be careful while you are there," Felicity continued, her words laced with worry.

 

"Didn't you two grow up in Yokomaki City?" Hattie asked, trying to involve herself in the conversation.

 

Hattie was undoubtedly a genius and brimming with creativity, but she had her moments of airheadedness. However, both Felicity and Hattie were typically assigned to photo ops, promotions, and other similar gigs, just like Ryoko and I. I hadn't heard about two people quitting a few weeks ago. Still, I was aware that such occurrences were rare in the Ceal Corporation. People didn't quit; they got fired. Anyone quitting must have had serious problems as the company's benefits were top-tier. Even those who were let go received generous severance benefits. The company's motto was clear: they took care of their own.

 

"Look, just stay with Ryoko at all times, okay Jane?" Felicity's concern was evident in her voice.

 

"Yeah, yeah, I will," I mumbled, conceding to her request.

 

I couldn't refuse Felicity when she asked me for something. It was a bit strange having to spend so much time around Ryoko. Everyone was aware that I typically avoided him like the plague, and it wasn't solely because of the rumors or the "plain Jane" comments. Glancing at my cell phone, it was clear that we needed to hurry if we wanted to catch the bus to Yokomaki City.

 

Releasing a deep breath, I continued, "We have to head out anyway. If either of us wants to get any sleep tonight, we need to wrap this up fast."

 

"Well, take care of each other," Hattie chimed in, hugging both of us.

 

Hattie's hugs and her tendency to invade personal space were well-known. She was a bundle of joy that no one could resist, even in the corporate landscape. However, what took me by surprise was the fact that Felicity hugged me as well. While we weren't the closest of friends, as we rarely had time to spend together outside of work, we were closer than most.

 

"If you run into some sort of screwed-up situation, just leave. My dad and uncle are Floor Managers too. Hattie's mom and dad as well. We'll vouch for you if something bad goes down," Felicity whispered. "Watch out for Jane, okay Ryoko."