How long have I been here now? All I seem to do in Eden is just float in spa waters, would be nice if they left a book or even a games console, or a bikini even, but I guess this is the part that refers to getting rid of my security blanket.
"Where did this security blanket come from"
The oversized pizza jacket? It was my Dad's, he delivered pizzas to fund his medical school fees, my mother went through the same body anxiety I did so she often wore it to feel safe; when I was old enough to work, Dads's old boss Luigi gave me the same pizza gig to pay for my own mechanic school fees, covid forced me into Shark House but my bestie Alex asked me to live with her after she got her bartender licence.
"Do you like anyone special?"
I never really thought about that, despite how aggressive my puberty was, that desire for lust never really happened, I'm traditionally a tomboy which is natural among three older brothers, I usually get invited to bowling with Slippy Squad, and despite how much the cheerleaders wanted me dead, I had no feelings for any of the Football team in High School, I don't really crush on anyone in Chaos Engine, I know Mom treats Dave Dreamer like an extra son, so I treat him like a sibling; so am I gay? Alex makes no secret of how much she loves me but I'm not into that either, Mom always told me that for people in our family, our heart only flutters for one person, one thing I did notice recently, in front of Steve, I didn't put my jacket on once, why? Is it because he's a doctor? Even when I got my shoulder treated I had to be sedated to get it removed, so what makes him different? Maybe it's because he's the first doctor to actually give me a helpful solution to my problems.
"How did you even hurt your shoulder?"
I wasn't kidding when I said that the cheerleaders wanted me dead, Britney Lincoln tried to murder me, my best friend, the auto club and any football player that dared to betray her by talking to me, I've heard every insult under the sun, my favourite one is "those tits are illegal", thankfully for my school, she went after me and Alex first, I got shot in the left shoulder protecting Alex, then Popuri stopped Britney from finishing me off, burned into my memory was the look in Popuri's eyes, she stopped Britney by breaking her wrist to disarm her holding her in submission until she was arrested by police. Before that day, I had never even spoken to Popuri, to our school, she was the star athlete and was off limits to pretty much everyone, she was the only girl in our school taller than me, yet she stepped in to save me and Alex from a psychopath, Popuri has been my friend ever since and someone I look up to for inspiration as she's the only person I've ever met who knows what her end goal is and tries so hard not to be influenced into changing her path, even if it pains me to watch her work too hard some times.
"What's life like in Chaos Engine?"
I joined about five years ago, I had a struggle to get started as my shoulder was in rough shape still after multiple operations just so I wouldn't lose my arm, it didn't help that I'm left handed, just fixing a wheel would open the scar again.
I earned the name Hellcat because of how frequently I act like a grumpy cat slashing people trying to pet me, I made it even more obvious when I wore my jacket not to hide my breasts but to hide my horrible scar, my triple Ds are the worst kept secret on the Highways, but only the Emperor ranked drivers knew of my shoulder injury, in fact Warhammer sent me back to hospital because of it saying I'm too weak for the Highways.
As for Chaos Engine itself, my brother Joel was in charge when I joined and still is up until this year, then it'll be my turn; all our mechanics, juniors and yes, even Dave are all supportive.
"What's your family like?"
My grandfather, the head of the family was tough on all of us, in the Helkin family, we all had to learn four skills, cooking, sewing, crafting and fishing, fishing is my favourite past time next to driving so I never resented learning them and he always remembered to love us, he's 90 this year and built like a body builder still.
My parents were school sweethearts much to the anger of every jock in the world, my mother is 6ft, voluptuous and likes black leather, my dad is barely male average height, overweight and very much a bookworm, and my mother will always defend my father's honour.
My brothers are very supportive, mom would never allow them to become meatheads especially when all three of them are built with as much muscle as grandpa.
Even when my teenage angst was at it's worst, she never gave up on me, even when I wanted to give up.
"So what are you so afraid of?"
I was afraid to grow up, and I saw alot of those fears about it confirmed leading up to my 20s, there's still a long way to go, but being isolated from the world and alone with my thoughts, I have a new appreciation for those who support me, the best way I can thank them is to set myself free.
"Shit, that alarm is loud! Was that really 28 days? When did this spa robe...get...so...small....."
Hellcat's reflection no longer showed a scar but pale untouched healed skin along with an extra surprise.