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Her First Task

Leah

I woke up stretching. I rolled over to look at the alarm clock before smiling softly. It was 10 AM, and I had never gotten to sleep so late. It was nice, and I could definitely get used to it. I sat up, stretching again as my stomach growled, causing me to groan. I got up and walked towards the kitchen to get some breakfast. I froze when I saw the platter of multi-flavored muffins. I walked over to the island to get one, but grabbed the two envelopes leaning against the muffin platter instead. I turned them over in my hands, shocked when one was from Mister and the other was from R.H.M. I placed the envelope from R.H.M. down on the island to open the one from Mister.

‘Leah,

Please choose a name for yourself and go out to get acquainted with our community. Your first task is to be completed within the week to pass Level 1. If not, you will be asked to vacate the Garden of Eden.’

I frowned down at the card. Nowhere on it was there a task to complete. How in the heck was I supposed to know what I was supposed to complete if I didn’t know what it was? I tapped the little card on the island before checking the envelope for another piece of paper with the task. I sighed when there was nothing else. I couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment at the lack of information.

I picked up a banana nut muffin, took the muffin wrapper off, and took a big bite while I studied the card. By the time I finished the muffin, I still had no more information than I had before I had the muffin. I sighed as I picked up the other envelope.

“I hope you hold something better than the other envelope,” I mumbled.

*‘Dear Phoenix,

The shelter is at the end of the next block. The grocery store is three blocks over on Casey. You can’t miss it. It’s the only orange building. There is also a library closer to the gate. I have left you a map of Eden in the envelope. If you have any questions, feel free to ask anyone you see about anything. We are all friendly, and only a few of our members bite.*

P.S. I hope you have a great first day. If you need anything, there is a little button on the side of your monitor that acts like a walkie-talkie. Just press it, and you will be connected to me immediately. I left your bag on the coffee table.

R.H.M.’

I smiled as I picked up another muffin. I was going to gain a lot of weight if I kept eating this way, but I couldn’t help it. The food was so good, and I never had unlimited access to it before. My eyes went back to the first card. I still had no idea what my task was. I went to the fridge to get some water, still pondering my options. I could always ask R.H.M., but I wasn’t sure if that was allowed. I jumped when my monitor beeped loudly.

“Turn the card over for your task.”

I stared at my wrist in shock before lifting it to my mouth with the button deployed. Before I spoke, I let the button go to go back to the island to flip the card over.

‘Task 1: Get 3 people to ask for your pseudonym’

I dropped the card, already terrified of the task. I hated talking to people. I hated getting personal even more. It was such a simple thing but I was never good at opening up to people. I put the card back in the envelope before picking up R.H.M.’s again. I reread it before rolling my shoulders back. This was all about self-growth, and I was determined to go through this. I lifted the monitor to my mouth again, deploying the button.

“Question.”

“Yes?” His instant response shocked me.

“Do I have to be nude? And does it matter how I get them to ask for my pseudonym?”

“No and no. This is all about what you’re comfortable with.”

I relaxed a little. I only walked back to the house in the nude the day before because I was leaving. I wasn’t ready to walk around naked all day.

“Also, I don’t want Phoenix as my name,” I said, smiling a little.

“What did you decide on, then?” He asked.

I lowered my wrist without answering as I walked out of the kitchen to shower and get ready for the day. I went through my bag, getting more frustrated with every item of clothing that I pulled out. I may not be ready to go nude, but I really didn’t want to go out dressed like a nun either. I needed to push myself if I was going to get to where I wanted to be before my time in Eden was up. I finally settled on leggings and a short-sleeve white shirt. The leggings were form-fitting, which was a big step toward my goal. When I was ready, I walked back into the kitchen, peering around slowly, looking for the camera that I knew was there. I walked up to the little blue bird on the counter, studying it closely. Its black eyes stared back at me, and I smiled into them.

“I chose Princess.”

I straightened up before walking out of the house. I walked slowly to the shelter, looking around in amazement at all of the activity going on. Some people were gardening, others were relaxing on their porches, and still others could be seen walking the aisles in the stores I passed. As soon as I entered the shelter, I was greeted by the receptionist.

“Good afternoon, ma’am. You must be the new member that R.H.M. was telling me about.”

I took a deep breath before nodding. “I am,” I answered her.

She smiled at me. “Welcome to our shelter. Do you have experience with animals?”

“Not exactly, but I’m eager to try anything and everything,” I told her.

“Well, come on then. I’ll show you around.”

I paid very close attention to every word she said as we moved slowly through the shelter. There weren’t as many animals in the kennels as I thought there would be. I had no clue what I had expected, if I was completely honest with myself. When we went back to the lobby, she smiled widely at me.

“Well, this is our shelter. I was told to send you to the library after we were finished here.”

“Why?”

“Because you should see all the job opportunities we have here before you choose one. We don’t use actual money here. We work around town, and because we do, everything we need is provided for. Before I send you on your way, do you have any questions about the shelter?”

“Yes. Where do your animals come from? I thought there would be more. I didn’t see any stray animals walking around while I was on my way here. I-” I forced myself to stop talking.

I loathed my nervous babble.

“We bring in animals from shelters that are closest to us. They are usually animals on the kill list. We bring them here and provide them with the care they need. Most of the time they would be roaming free. It’s better than being euthanized just because there’s no space or because nobody wants you.”

“That’s so sweet of you guys.”

She nodded. “It was R.H.M.’s idea. He said that the members that arrived could use a friend while they settled into the routine that is Eden. When you are ready and are interested, you may come back and choose a companion.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need directions to the library?”

“No. I will probably go there tomorrow. I’d like to go and see if I could find some clothes.” I gave a nervous laugh. “Or some scissors.”

She yanked open a drawer and handed me a pair of scissors. “You can bring them back to me later.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course. You should head to the library now that you have scissors.”

After nodding, I turned around and started towards the door.

“Hey! Wait! Would it be okay if I asked for your name?” She called out.

I smiled at her over my shoulder. “It’s… uhmmm…” Now that it wasn’t R.H.M. I was talking to, I was a little embarrassed to say it out loud. “Phoenix,” I said softly.

“I’m Doc. He was my favorite dwarf,” she responded.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she laughed. “Now, get to the library.”

I hurried out of the building, wondering why she was so adamant that I went to the library. As I turned the corner, my monitor beeped again.

“Your name has been recorded as Phoenix. Welcome to the Garden of Eden, Phoenix,” Mister’s robotic voice announced.

I sighed. Well, damn. My fear had won again, and now I was stuck with Phoenix. I shook my head. Oh, well. Maybe R.H.M. would still call me princess. I really liked the way it rolled off his tongue. In no time, I found myself in front of the library. I looked around as I walked in, but saw nobody, which surprised me. It was the first place that I have been to, where there wasn’t another living being. I wandered through the shelves of books, investigating the library. I loved books. History, autobiographies, fiction, nonfiction, romance, horror, dramas, and thrillers. It didn’t matter. I read them all. As I turned the last corner, I bumped into somebody and let out a shocked cry. He grabbed me by my elbow to keep me from falling. My breath caught in my throat when R.H.M. smiled down at me.

“Hey, Princess,” he said as he got me stable on my feet. “Long time, no see.”

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