Chapter Text
2022
Nicole Haught stood from her desk chair and stretched, joints crackling like a bowl of Rice Krispies as she arched and twisted her stiff back. The natural light in her condo had dimmed considerably over the past few hours, though Nicole had hardly noticed. The only glow piercing the darkness was that of the laptop screen sitting on her desk. Nicole switched on the table lamp and glanced at her watch. 10 o’ clock PM. She rubbed her eyes as if doing so would somehow move the hands of the clock back to a more reasonable time. She’d told herself that she would stop working each day no later than 8 PM. But, thus far, she hadn’t been able to abide by her own rule.
Nicole left the little nook she deemed her home office, crossed through the living room, which was nothing more than a square of carpet housing a gray couch and a tv, and made her way into the kitchen. Pulling open the fridge, she inspected its contents. Carryout containers from last night, a carton of orange juice, various condiments, and a half empty six pack of beer.
Grabbing a beer, she let the door close and sighed, mentally scolding herself for forgetting to grocery shop…again. Just as she’d taken the first swallow of the ice cold drink, Nicole heard a ding from her open laptop.
The redhead glared across the room. Who was sending her emails this late at night?
Probably someone with even worse work-life balance than me. I should leave it until morning.
A soon as the thought crossed her mind, Nicole knew she’d ignore it. Beer bottle sweating in her palm, she carried it along with her and set it down on a folded paper towel that had been pulling double duty as both a coaster and a place to test the ink of her pens.
The lanky redhead leaned over the desk, one hand steadying herself while the other moved the mouse to click on the unread email.
If I don’t sit, I’m not really working, she rationalized.
But the second Nicole’s eyes scanned the first line of the email, she practically fell into her seat, legs having given out.
Dear Nicole,
I’m not sure if you remember me. It’s been seventeen years… My name is Waverly Earp.