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, where a reception area awaited him. An array of shelves, filing cabinets, and a large desk with a computer buried in paperwork.

The person he was here to see was seated amidst it.

Minerva.

She was a tall, Amazonian-esque woman with long dark brown hair 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?" Her stilted language flowed like heavy water. "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."

"How?"

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

"For you? Always."

She set her papers down and shoved a few more things to the side.

"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."

"Oh, a shame. So what's on… your mind then? 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…" Eyebrows knit 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. I still remember when… you got your ass handed to you. I do not want a repeat… of a repeat."

"Hah. 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. "About that. I don't think she's wants to go to an org. Tried suggesting that she find one, but she refused. Said she was going to manage without handouts or strings attached."

Minerva expression couldn't look more unimpressed.

"Is she not relying on… your charity now?"

"I mean, you could see it that way, but I'm just helping a little."

"Hm. I see. Well, if she is unwilling, I will not… press the issue. Still, I worry. It is… not a good time of year to be homeless."

As if on cue, a gust rattled the office window. Zephyr sighed as he leaned against her desk. He would rather not have Audra freeze to death out here. 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."

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 touched. Can you run it by me?"

"Certainly."

Minerva took the slip of paper and quickly typed the information into her computer. 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?"

"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.