Not Just Scrap to Deal With

The administrative office was a small, unassuming building huddled on the edge of the scrapyard. It was humble, made of metal and concrete with a single entrance that led into a sparsely furnished room.

Zephyr stepped through the threshold. Inside was a reception area with an array of shelves, filing cabinets, and a large desk with a computer buried in paperwork.

The sight he was here to see was seated at it.

Minerva was a tall, Amazonian-esque woman with long dark brown hair tied in a loose bun. She was engrossed in a document, her eyes scanning its text before looking up at him.

Her expression immediately shifted to surprise.

"Zeph? What are you… doing here so late?" Minerva asked in her usual stilted language. "I saw your truck, but I thought I was… mistaken when you didn't come by. Did you… lose track of time again?"

"Nah, just got sidetracked."

"Sidetracked how?"

"You could say an unexpected conversation with someone out in the yard. Speaking of, do you have a moment to talk, Min?"

"For you? Always."

She set the paper down on her desk and scanned over him.

"Can I offer you… something to drink first? I have tea, coffee, water…"

"I'll pass. I'm only going to take a minute of your time, if that."

"A shame. So what's on… your mind? Is it a problem with… the containers?"

"Sort of. Turns out someone's been squatting in one of them."

"Squatting?!"

"Yeah, I know. I talked to her. She's moving out as we speak."

"Oh…" Minerva frowned, her eyebrows knitting together in concern. "Did you… call the authorities? Did the situation involve… violence? Are you hurt? If you are—"

"What? No, nothing that serious. She's just a kid—well, a teenager—and she already agreed to pack up and leave."

"That's a relief. Still remember when… you got your ass handed to you. I do not want a… repeat."

"Hah. Yes, very funny."

They shared a smirk.

"Anyway, I just wanted to ask if I could buy the stuff in that container. She needs it, and I don't think it's fair to just kick her out empty-handed."

"…Empty-handed?" she asked as her expression shifted again. "Is she native… to The Bygone?"

"Don’t think so. I don't remember seeing her, and she mentioned something about making a new life for herself."

The mental cogs spun in Minerva's head.

"I will notify the appropriate… organizations to assist her then. If you could… bring her here, it would be greatly appreciated."

He inhaled sharply through gritted teeth. "Ooh, about that. I don't think she's wants go to an org. Tried suggesting that she find one, but she refused. Said she was going to manage on her own without handouts or strings attached."

Minerva blinked at him, unimpressed.

"But… is she not currently relying on… your charity?"

"I mean, you could see it that way, but I'm just helping her out a little. What matters is that she's okay."

Minerva pursed her lips. "Hm. I understand. If she is unwilling, I will not… press the issue. Still, I worry. It is… not a good time of year to be homeless. It is… rather cold."

As if on cue, a gust rattled the office window. Zephyr sighed as he leaned against her desk. He would rather not have Audra freezing. His conscience was already heavy enough with all the crap he'd done.

"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm gonna see if there is something I can do to help her."

Minerva examined his expression a good few seconds before smiling.

"You have always… been kind-hearted, Zeph. I am sure you will be able to… find a solution that works for everyone."

He waved her off before the heat could rise to his cheeks.

"Erm, I don't think 'kind-hearted' is how most folks would describe me. A-anyway, here's the container numbers for the stuff I'm taking and the stuff she's probably touched. Can you run it by me?"

"Certainly."

Minerva took the slip of paper and quickly typed the information into her computer. After a few moments, a little jingle played.

"That comes to… 1,500 dollars, or 14.87 credits. Is that… acceptable, Zeph?"

He winced. Of course it'd be that much.

"I don't have much choice. I'm assuming your workers can take care of the mess she left?"

Minerva sensed his internal cringe and smirked. "Yes, they are capable. So do I have… your confirmation?"

"As always."

She exhaled a little more forceful than usual.

"Mm. I will send you… an invoice then~ Thank you for your patronage, and… please stay safe, Zeph."

"Yeah, yeah, I will."

With a parting wave, he exited the administrative office and headed back to his truck across the gravel.

He still had a squatter to deal with. And the vague, sinking feeling he’d just volunteered for a whole heck of a lot more.