XXXIV

“Ah, Rei, I’m glad to see you up so early!” Amanda exclaimed as Rei entered the kitchen. “I have a rather important errand for you today.”

“I-I see,” Rei replied hesitantly, bowing her head. “I was going to make Akari breakfast…”

“Ah, well, this is a time-sensitive matter, I’m afraid,” Amanda said with a frown. “I’ll go ahead and make her breakfast, I need you to drive to Tokyo today and pick some things up at Akari’s apartment. Some personal effect, clothes, purse, that sort of thing as the new owner is taking over the place this evening.”

“So soon?” Rei asked in surprise. Amanda’s frown deepened dangerously.

“I appreciate your concern for Akari but this is really something important and I need you to do this immediately. I will handle things here,” Amanda replied firmly.

“Ah, o-ok,” Rei replied, aware she was treading on thin ice with the taller woman. Amanda’s temper was not something to play with as she well knew. “I’ll just say my farewells to her and be on my way, then.”

“Rei,” Amanda’s voice had lowered to a growl. “You are pushing your luck with me. This is something you do not wish to do.”

“I-It’s just-“Rei began, stopping suddenly as Amanda’s hand whipped out and caught her across the cheek, snapping her head back sharply.

“Your presence is becoming tedious, Rei,” Amanda snarled, coming close and grabbing the much smaller girl’s shirt. Amanda dragged Rei closer and upward, forcing her to stand on her tip toes and glared at her. “Do not force me to rethink our relationship, Rei.” Rei choked back the tears that threatened to well up and simply nodded meekly.

“I-I’m sorry,” Rei mumbled, dropping her eyes docilely.

“Good!” Amanda smiled, letting go of Rei’s T-shirt. Rei stumbled back a step but kept her head lowered obediently. “This will be a private day between Akari and her beloved and I need you to get what I asked rather than lurking about the house and distracting her.”

“Yes, Amanda,” Rei mumbled. There was something happening here that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Amanda was often abusive and short-tempered. This had not been the first time she’d been slapped, but there was something sinister in the older woman’s eyes. Some wild light that made Rei uneasy in a way she’d never felt. Something dangerous hid behind Amanda’s amber eyes and Rei, possibly for the first time since she’d ran away from home when she was 12, felt afraid for her life.

“Take the Honda,” Amanda said with a smile. “The key to the apartment and the list of things to get are in an envelope in the center console. Now hop to it. Your current attire should be sufficient for your task.” Rei glanced down at the T-shirt and sweatpants she wore and nodded. Rei strode toward the front door of the house, trying desperately to decide what to do. She had the fear that if she did as instructed she would never see Akari again. Yet, if she didn’t Amanda would discard her which would result in the same thing. What is worse, she asked herself as she pulled on a pair of battered tennis shoes, the evil you know or the one you fear? Evil is evil and both are unacceptable, Rei decided, grabbing the keys. She bowed to Amanda once more and hurried out the door to the battered Honda sitting in the driveway. She pulled out of the driveway and turned left toward town, not noticing the dark BMW which pulled in behind her.

“Such a useful tool,” Amanda whispered to herself almost sadly as the beat up Honda staggered like a drunk out of the driveway and disappeared. “But all tools get tiresome, break and need to be discarded.”